Most common 1997 Subaru Outback problems
Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Outback complaints by model year
Best Outback years: 1996, 2004, 2003. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2022. Compare all years →
1997 Subaru Outback recalls (4)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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,…
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 charge.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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).
What 1997 Subaru Outback owners say
Engine & cooling all 24 →
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 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. …
'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.
Brakes
Power brakes fail to function immediately and shortly after (within about 5 minutes) after cold start in temperatures below 10 degrees f. Brake pedal remains high and stiff with little to no travel distance indicating no power to power brake system but brake pedal apparently travels enough distance to allow shifting out of park. User remedy is to allow more than 5 minutes to warm and verify brake pedal travels normal distance indicating power brake system is functioning before shifting out of park. Other remedy is to sharply depress brake pedal several times until the brake pedal travels normal distance indicating power brake system is functioning before shifting our of park. This remedy works fine for me when I remember to follow this procedure during temperature below 10 degrees f. …
Problems with brake equipment on 1997 Subaru Outback. 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.
Speed control & acceleration
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 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.
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 40mph. Then begin speeding back up. Consumer has had this problem occurring since middle of September.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Subaru Outback a good car?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Outback rates better than average: 57% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Outback at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Subaru Outback?
The engine & cooling — 24 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (9) and speed control & acceleration (8).
How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Outback have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1997 Subaru Outback, the most recent from June 25, 2001 (coil springs). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Outback?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 2004 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2018 and 2022. See the full Subaru Outback years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Subaru Outback problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 108,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.