1997 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
94 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1997 Subaru Outback, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 8/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports, typically around 99,800 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1997 Subaru Outback has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1997 sits among all Outback years
What owners report
“Crank/cam/oil pan silicone seals faileds early in vehicle life. Also, alternator belt fell off, main pulley broke, center of pulley badly worn, and valves bent on cylinder #2. $635 to replace seals, $415 to replace main pulley, and $1107 to replace valves.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1997 Outback
Recalls (4)
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.
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 1997 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 1997 Subaru Outback drew 94 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 8/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 1997 Subaru Outback problems?
The top reported problems for the 1997 Subaru Outback are engine (29 complaints), brakes & stability (9), and speed control (8).
Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 1997 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.