Does the 1996 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1996 Subaru Outback recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Subaru Outback?

46 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1996 Subaru Outback recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1996 Subaru Outback. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Subaru been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Subaru dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1996 Subaru Outback recalls, newest first

June 25, 2001NHTSA 01V216000180,000 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs

Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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. 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 4, 1998NHTSA 98V09100029,442 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket

Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace if necessary the front suspension support brackets.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 1996 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported: 12
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 8
Deaths reported: 0

Most complained-about components

Air bags › Frontal7
Service brakes7
Engine and engine cooling › Engine6
Engine and engine cooling3
Hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3

Other 1996 Subaru models

Most recalled 1996 vehicles

1996 Dodge Caravan (16 recalls)
1996 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1996 Dodge Ram (14 recalls)
1996 Plymouth Voyager (13 recalls)
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1996’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1996 Subaru Outback have any recalls?: 2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1996 Subaru Outback recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1996 Subaru Outback?: 46 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.