- The problem
- 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 york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.
- The risk
- Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
- The 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 charge. Owner notification began september 18, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Subaru Outback Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 79 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (24) and the brakes (9). Those complaints describe 7 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in June 2001 for the coil springs. For comparison, the 1996 has 46 and the 1998 has 127.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Outback year, for its age
#76 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 79
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Subaru Outback problems
Share of all 79 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Subaru Outback recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Such fractures can result in partial or complete separation of the bracket causing a failure of the lower suspension mounting, leading to a loss of vehicle control.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.
What owners say
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79 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
Noticed a leak of fluid from passenger side by the rear wheel. Determined it was gasoline. Upon inspection found fuel leaking from the filler tube to the gas tank. Got the car to a subaru repair shop and was told this is a common problem. There is no undercoating applied to the tube. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 subaru outback. The contact was driving at relatively low speeds and depressing the brake pedal in an attempt to park when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact proceeded to crash into a vehicle ahead of him. There were no reported injuries. This was not the first instance of the failure. The contact was able to locate nhtsa recall campaign id number: 98v035000 (vehicle speed control) relative to the failure but was advised by the manufacturer that the recall repair was...
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previously performed on the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection where it was verified that the repair had not been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 121,000.
Driving along i-495 southbound in massachusetts just before exit for i-90. Speed was 65 mph. Hood latch failed causing the hood to come up without warning. The windshield was smashed, the roof was dented, and the hood was bent with the hinges partially deformed and cracked. The hood hadn't been opened or touched in several weeks/>2000 miles. Passenger and I were luckily unharmed, I was able to close the hood again, and drove home at 50 on the highway, 25 on regular roads. Windshield was replaced the...
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following week, hood still damaged. Hood secured with bungee cord as I no longer trust the latch. Looking into installing hood pins when I find a replacement hood, simply for safety/liability reasons. The only reason this wasn't a much more serious accident was that I was already in the right hand lane, and was able to pull into the breakdown lane instantly. Had to do this blindly, as I could not see around the hood. *Tr
I bought a 97 subaru legacy outback wgn and found out the block was cracked in cyl3 after tear down for gasket replacement,now put together and now won't start. *Tr
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. *Tr
Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 Liter engine. *Tr
OVERHEATING, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR
GAS TANK FILLER PIPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Hood opening accidentally while driving. I was driving on a heavily rainy day when the hood opened up and slammed the windshield. The windshield was completely broken and the hood was severely damaged including the body of the car just above the windshield. I had not opened the hood leading up to the event. Luckily I didn't get into a accident when the incident happened. I subsequently called subaru about it and advised me that the incident hadn't, to the best of their knowledge, in other 1997 subaru...
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outback wagons. I was not directed to file a complaint with your agency, thus I let it pass. I was reminded of the incident, and the possibility of the accident being more prevalent, when I saw a similar car with the exact same damage to the hood (i.E., Pattern and bent). *Tr
'97 Subaru outback wagon impeccably maintained 85,000 mi is overheating. Began as intermittent problem approx 5 months ago. Flushed radiator, repl cap, pressure tested radiator. Driving down hill on mountain road in morning cold, overheats after about 6 miles. Repl thermostat, water pump, timing belt. Subaru dealer repair mechanic says head gasket. Googled problem online before replacing thermostat. Blogs from outback owners with same symptoms say head gasket. An incredible number of blogs describing the same problem and statements that subaru has never taken responsibility for this flaw which has affected so many outback owners. This is a crime. *Tr
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. The vehicle was taken to the nearest...
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independent mechanic, who determined the fire was due to the differential over heating because the uneven distribution of traction when a smaller size tire was in use. The manufacturer was contacted, and determined the vehicle should be taken to an authorized subaru dealership to honor the repairs cost.*Ak
Noticed oil leaking from engine. Had to have front crank seal replaced. Also needed to get timing belt replaced as oil leaked into timing belt cover. Cost $368 to get fixed. Leakage began when car was just a few years old. That should not have happened as car had not been in accident or abused. *Nm
BLOWN HEAD GASKET 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK LEGACY. *JB
1997 Subaru outback 2.5 Dohc engine 1) car was suddenly leaking anti-freeze, brought it in to shop asap 2) head gasket busted, ruined the engine 3) needed to replace most of engine, including block checked other sites, this seems to be a hugely common problem with subaru 2.5 Dohc engines and they aren't doing anything about it. *Jb
Outback 1997: 108,000. Car overheated suddenly on a short trip. Replaced thermostat and flushed/filled radiator at local firestone. Two days later, car overheats. In both cases, radiator fluid ejected onto engine. Took car to dealer who identified the now very common "blown head gasket". Repairs made at a cost to me of $1400! This is a defect in these automobiles that needs to be taken care of by subaru. What does it take for this problem to be addressed? I was fortunate to not have burned my engine, others have not been. Time to take action!! *Nm
Head gasket failure. Purchased in 2/07 (est. Date) began to fail at least in 1/05 (1x). Then weekly in 7/05. But may have been signs of problem as early as 1997/1998. Result of problem is unexpected and rapid bubbling over and overheating placing occupants in potentially dangerous situation. For example, almost stranded in blizzard in 1/05. Had to pull over on high speed highways in summer 05 due to rapid red lining and risk of engine fire. Subaru picked up 1/2 cost although not in warranty for us and has...
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done 1/2 to full for others who complained. One of the 2.5L engines has been subject to recall. The 2.5L engine in our car has not been recalled but we believe that the problems are as frequent (and worse) and the car should be recalled. This is not an isolated incident. Local mechanic said he sees frequently on subaru outback. Found internet weblog started 18 months ago which has 275 complaints and growing monthly - on both the 2.5L engines (including the one in our car). Bad enough we had to incur $800 of the $1600 cost but people are driving around with an engine that repeatedly has failed (head gasket) and created a hazardous condition. I can provide you with copies of correspondence with subaru if you would like. See link below to weblog page where you can see other people's experience discussed (275 and growing monthly): http://scott.Mcgerik.Com/2004/02/18/subaru-outback-head-gasket-leak/. *Jb
Cruise control did not disengage resulting in a roll-over accident totaling the vehicle
In 2001 I had to have my transmission replaced because the engine would not hold the car back when going down hills. I was going down a steep mountain road and had to use the brakes alone. It did not matter if it was in 1, 2 or d it was the same as neutral. It would also not shift into the top gear on the freeway. It cost over $3000 to get a subaru rebuilt transmission put in at the dealer. It had 97k on it at the time. I just now took my car to the dealer because the car was shaking and hesitating. The dealer told...
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me that the car needed a new transmission and it would cost $3500. This transmission is only 4 years old and has less than 50k on it! I can't afford to replace the trans every 4 years.
This is the standard subaru 2.5L head gasket failure problem. I add this to the database to increase the pressure on subaru of america to address this problem properly. For more information see: http://mysite.Verizon.Net/vze730qe/guestlog.Html the symptoms are as follows. Car engine began overheating -- large temperature spikes and then would return to normal. Engine oil appeared in coolant reservoir. Coolant spews onto engine. Loss of power in some gears.*Jb
1997 Subaru outback blown head gasket. *Bf the vehicle lost internal heat and the engine temperature read hot. The consumer pulled over and checked under the hood and did not notice any loss of steam, however, the reservoir bottle was empty and fluid had spilled all over the engine. The consumer was aware of six other vehicle that had experienced the same problem. *Sc
While driving vehicle started to overheat. The thermostat was replaced, and the vehicle continued to overheat. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the engine has to be replaced.*Ak
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. *Jb
Problems with brake equipment on 1997 subaru outback. *Mr the brakes failed to stop, resulting in the consumer rear ended the vehicle in front. Moisture was found in the hose which resulted in the valve freezing due to cold temperature, blocking off the vacuum to the power brake unit. *Sc
I have a '1997 legacy outback subaru. I have had the vehicle for 3 years. Today, june 21, I stopped on my way to bar harbor, maine for a cup of coffee. I placed the coffee cup in the cup holder and got back on the highway. Shortly after this, I thought I smelled burning, but thought it must be coming from outside. I then stopped at a bank to take care of a transaction, and as I was leaving the bank, I again smelled a faint burning odor. Luckily, not far down the road, I passed my subaru dealership, for a short...
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distance past the dealership I heard a crackling coming from my car radio. Thinking I'd left it on, I went to turn it off, only to discover it was off. Then the burning smell became much more evident, and I realized I must have an electrical problem. I turned around, and went back to the dealership. They discovered that coffee had spilled onto the radio from the styofoam cup(which had a tight cap on it, by the way!), Causing the electrical problem. A woman I had been chatting with while waiting for the diagnostic work to be done said that her '97 subaru had had the cup holder by the radio too, but that the following year, the cup holders had been moved from that location. If the subaru company had known of this potential issue, why wasn't I made aware of it? Luckily, I was not coming through the blacks woods into ellsworth which is 20 miles of nothing but trees! I bought my subaru because they are touted as one of the safest vehicles on the road today. I'm not so sure that they are taking care to notify consumers of pending safety issues. Today cost me over $t60.00, And I'm out a radio to boot. But I am grateful that I was near a subaru dealer, because the incident could have been much more serious. The dealership kept the radio and told me they could order one, but it would have to be shipped from ca. I had just spent over $700 the week before with them, insuring my car was maintained and safe for the road. Gee, was I wrong. *Ak
After alternator replaced, noticed the following sequences of electrical outages: rear power outlet, seat heater switches, radio dial illumination light, key-in-ignition alarm, door ajar lighting, seatbelt off lighting.*Ak
Subaru Outback: every year compared
All Outback years1997 Subaru Outback vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Subaru Outback | 79 | 4 | A | |
| 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1,380 | 11 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Chevrolet Blazer | 774 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER | 264 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Nissan Pathfinder | 225 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Dodge Durango | 4 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Toyota Highlander | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Explorer | 0 | 12 | B | Compare |
| 1997 Subaru Legacy | 143 | 6 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Subaru Outback
Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1997 Subaru Outback: coil springs (June 2001); hanger,bracket (May 1998); gear position indication (prndl) (February 1998); vehicle speed control (February 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Subaru Outback?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (24), brakes (9), acceleration & cruise control (8).
How many complaints has the 1997 Subaru Outback had?
79 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 9, 1997 and the latest on October 8, 2012. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Subaru Outback a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 82 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Subaru Outback year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Subaru Outback years have the most complaints?
2019 (1,036), 2017 (921), 2020 (906). See every Subaru Outback year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Subaru Outback has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data