MYRModel Year Report

1997 Subaru Outback

▲ Better than typical
1997 Subaru Outback
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:30:13.020Z

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, 1997 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 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: 105 complaints 2010: 359 complaints 2011: 649 complaints 2011 2012: 290 complaints 2013: 295 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 505 complaints 2015 2016: 639 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 803 complaints 2019: 1029 complaints 2019 2020: 890 complaints 2021: 291 complaints 2022: 453 complaints 2023: 85 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 65 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1997: 79 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009105
2010359
2011649
2012290
2013295
2014208
2015505
2016639
2017917
2018803
20191029
2020890
2021291
2022453
202385
202489
202565
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND RAN INTO BRICK WALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19991012

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE SINCE COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19971208

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980427 — vehicle speed control

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.

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

Campaign 98V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980615 — power train

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.

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

Campaign 98V042000 — check if this car was fixed

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

1997 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (6 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V035000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V042000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V091000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Subaru Outback is rated "better than typical".

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

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Outback have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.