MYRModel Year Report

1996 Subaru Outback

▲ Better than typical
1996 Subaru Outback
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:52:51.271Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1996 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 360 complaints 2011: 651 complaints 2011 2012: 292 complaints 2013: 296 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 509 complaints 2015 2016: 642 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 811 complaints 2019: 1033 complaints 2019 2020: 896 complaints 2021: 296 complaints 2022: 462 complaints 2023: 89 complaints 2023 2024: 102 complaints 2025: 78 complaints 2026: 15 complaints 2026
1996: 46 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009106
2010360
2011651
2012292
2013296
2014208
2015509
2016642
2017917
2018811
20191033
2020896
2021296
2022462
202389
2024102
202578
202615

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 24%

24% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

AIR BAGS 20%

20% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE SITTING AT A INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20050322

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE BACK TIRE OF A DUMP TRUCK AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970826

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

RECENTLY PURCHASED (1/17/14) VEHICLE A CATASTROPHIC LOSS AFTER PAX SIDE T-BONE @ A/B PILLAR SUBSEQUENT TO HILL HOLDER SELF-ACTIVATION CAUSED UNRECOVERABLE YAWED SLIDE/SKID (TO A NON-INPUTTED STOP FROM 40-0MPH IN +/- .25MI.) DURING BRAKE/DOWNSHIFT...

NHTSA ODI report, 20140221

Also filed under POWER TRAIN and STRUCTURE

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and universal joint.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING 58MPH W/TRAFFIC SPEED, W/CRUISE CONTROL ON; VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWING DOWN; TAPPED BRAKES, BUT CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE; SHIFTED LEVER FAIL TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970915

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980629 — suspension

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.

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

Campaign 98V091000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010918 — suspension

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, M

Remedy: 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 C

Campaign 01V216000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V091000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 1997 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Subaru Outback is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Subaru Outback have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.