1996 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
57 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1996 Subaru Outback, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 10/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports, typically around 115,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1996 Subaru Outback has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1996 sits among all Outback years
What owners report
Recalls (2)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW…
Fix: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1996 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 1996 Subaru Outback drew 57 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 10/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 1996 Subaru Outback problems?
The top reported problems for the 1996 Subaru Outback are engine (11 complaints), airbags (9), and wheels & tires (7).
Does the 1996 Subaru Outback have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 1996 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.