1996 Subaru Outback problems
The 1996 Subaru Outback has 57 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns engine. Next are air bags (16%) and brakes (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 57 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 115,000 miles 19 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 19 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 115,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 14 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 98% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1996 ranks 31st most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (17 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Driving 58MPH w/traffic speed, w/cruise control on; vehicle in front slowing down; tapped brakes, but cruise control failed to disengage; shifted lever fail to disengage cruise control. Was not able to stop until swerved to miss another vehicle, and hit side of mountain; air bags deployed. Occupants not seriously injured. Treatment at emergency room. Vehicle totaled.
In head-on collision with both cars at 30 MPH, both front air bags deployed. Passenger side air bag burst through the windshield and ended up on the hood. Passenger never touched the air bag, but was restrained by the seat/shoulder belt. No other known reason for windshield damage before or during the crash.
Recently purchased (1/17/14) vehicle a catastrophic loss after pax side t-bone @ a/b pillar subsequent to hill holder self-activation caused unrecoverable yawed slide/skid (to a non-inputted stop from 40-0MPH in +/- .25mi.) during brake/downshift control input on (istha FOIA file)% uphill grade in 4-6" snow accumulation on neglectfully maintained [unclosed/fema/iema] eisenhower interstate highway system (to wit: il tollway: sb I-294 @ MPH 39.5).
1. Just bought from dealer. Going to get gas. 2. Overheating. Auto mechanic said oil in the antifreeze. Head gasket. 3. Repaired head gasket etc.