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1997 Subaru Outback recalls

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

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

For the 1997 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.

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.

1997 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

February 20, 1998NHTSA 98V04200019,386 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Summary
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.
Consequence
This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 20, 1998NHTSA 98V03500061,115 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle speed control

Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the throttle body and replace the throttle assembly if the bearing is missing.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 79 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Engine and engine cooling › Engine10
  2. Service brakes9
  3. Engine and engine cooling6
  4. Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system6
  5. Hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6

Other Subaru Outback years

Other 1997 Subaru models

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

  1. 1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
  2. 1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
  3. 1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
  4. 1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
  5. 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)
All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, power train, vehicle speed control. 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 1997 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 1997 Subaru Outback?
79 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.