"How reliable is the 1997 Subaru Outback?"

"Based on 94 NHTSA complaints, the 1997 Subaru Outback has a median complaint mileage of 103995 miles. The most common issue is Engine."

"What are common problems with the 1997 Subaru Outback?"

"The most frequently reported component in NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Subaru Outback is Engine, accounting for a significant portion of the 94 total complaints filed."

1997 Subaru Outback: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 94 complaints

Total Complaints

103,995mi

Median Mileage

Engine

Top Issue

Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

76,593 25th Percentile

103,995 Median Mileage

146,750 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

Engine

Cooling System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Vehicle Speed Control

Gasoline

Cruise Control

Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.

Electrical System

Automatic Transmission

Severity Assessment

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"THE VEHICLE'S WINDOWS STREAK UP WHEN IT RAINS AT NIGHT, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK"

"VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL."

"CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERS ON FOUR OCCASIONS DUE TO ERRATIC IDLING. WHEN AT STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO IDLE AND CREEP FORWARD WITH INCREASED SPEED. OTHER TIMES, WHENEVER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROX. 1/2 AN HOUR TAKING FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE WILL DROP TO..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

When Were Complaints Filed?

Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.

When Does Each Component Fail?

Median mileage at complaint for top components.

Engine 10 complaints

25th: 99,800 mi Median: 120,232 mi 75th: 126,000 mi

Cooling System 6 complaints

25th: 89,500 mi Median: 107,990 mi 75th: 157,000 mi

Engine And Engine Cooling 6 complaints

25th: 68,526 mi Median: 74,624 mi 75th: 85,000 mi

Where Are Complaints Coming From?

Top states by complaint count.

NY: 13 MA: 13 CA: 8 MD: 7 PA: 6 CO: 5 NC: 4 VA: 4 WV: 3 NJ: 3

Who Files Complaints?

42.6%

Original Owners

57.4%

Second+ Owners

Subaru Outback — Other Years

See how this model compares across different model years.

Year	Complaints	Median Mileage	Top Issue	Crashes
1996	57	115,000	Frontal	19
1998	165	91,056	Engine	13
1999	150	87,000	Automatic Transmission	22
2000	247	78,000	Tires	22
2001	207	74,999	Fuel System, Gasoline	18
2002	171	75,000	Fuel System, Gasoline	14
2003	116	74,110	Air Bags	7
2004	108	67,190	Air Bags	16
2005	353	85,000	Suspension	20
2006	404	95,316	Vehicle Speed Control	12
2007	182	83,000	Air Bags	17
2008	277	80,000	Air Bags	12
2009	141	71,396	Air Bags	2
2010	466	66,800	Power Train	20
2011	851	80,500	Power Train	35
2012	367	87,000	Power Train	18
2013	403	40,000	Engine	34
2014	275	30,500	Air Bags	26
2015	633	20,000	Visibility/Wiper	36
2016	757	34,000	Electrical System	37
2017	1091	30,000	Electrical System	55
2018	962	15,000	Electrical System	42
2019	1277	10,200	Electrical System	48
2020	1122	6,000	Visibility/Wiper	37
2021	394	3,250	Visibility/Wiper	16
2022	521	11,963	Visibility/Wiper	18
2023	118	6,000	Electrical System	15
2024	111	1,900	Visibility/Wiper	9
2025	87	1,249	Unknown Or Other	9

Active Recalls (4)

Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.

Coil Springs

Campaign 01V216000 | 25/06/2001

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.

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 AUTHORIZE

Hanger,Bracket

Campaign 98V091000 | 04/05/1998

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.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Campaign 98V042000 | 20/02/1998

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Vehicle Speed Control

Campaign 98V035000 | 20/02/1998

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.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Extend Your Engine Life

Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.

Change oil on schedule — this is the single most important thing you can do
Use the manufacturer-recommended oil weight and type
Replace the air filter every 15,000-30,000 miles
Don't ignore the check engine light — small issues become expensive fast
Let the engine warm up for 30 seconds before driving hard in cold weather
Address coolant leaks immediately to prevent overheating damage

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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28