1997 Subaru Outback problems
The 1997 Subaru Outback has 94 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (24%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (10%) and cruise control (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 94 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 7 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 104,000 miles 26 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 | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 4 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 26 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 104,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 92,000 miles (10 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 7 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 29th most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Subaru Outback with enough data (36 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 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.
While driving down route. 495 at 65 MPH during the 6:30-6:45 a.m. Rush hour, (primarily large trucks barreling down the highway), the hood of my car popped open, shattering my windshield, denting and causing the hood to have to be replaced, denting the roof, and causing the rear view mirror to fall off. With the grace of god, I was able to safely maneuver the vehicle off the highway. The minor injuries I sustained were to my upper back and left side of my neck.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the passenger front tire exploded. The aaa provided assistance and replaced the tire with the spare(doughnut). When the vehicle arrived to the residence, the rear differential was on fire. The fire was extinguished with water. The owners manual in page 8-11 indicated in fine print, when the spare doughnut was used a fuse had to be plugged in the fuse box to maintain an emergency light illuminated.
When applying the brakes the pedal goes to the floor and vehicle does not stop. Dealer has not seen vehicle since collision.
The hood flew open while driving 65 MPH, the hood cracked the front windshield, dented the hood and bent the hinges. The consumer believed the problem was due to a faulty hood latch. The dealer and manufacturer were both notified.
Fuel filler neck rusted causing gas to leak out onto garage floor and while driving and filling tank. Vehicle was brought into dealership for repair to replace the rusted fuel filler neck. From research and comments from dealership, this is a very common problem with this make of vehicle.