Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports

Clear category filter

87,696 miles · Feb 21, 2014

Power TrainService BrakesStructureCrashInjury

Read full complaint

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 CONTROL INPUT ON (ISTHA FOIA FILE)% UPHILL GRADE IN 4-6" SNOW ACCUMULATION ON NEGLECTFULLY MAINTAINED [UNCLOSED/FEMA/IEMA] EISENHOWER INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM (TO WIT: IL TOLLWAY: SB I-294 @ MPH 39.5). CDL'D OWNER/OPERATOR SUFFERING EFFECTS PTSD + RIGHT SIDE BFT/HARD-IMPACT ORTHOPEDIC JOINT/RELATED INJURIES. IL STATE POLICE DIST. #15 STAR #6274 CONTRIBUTED TO CAUSE VIA IMPROPER LANE USAGE (+/-20MPH/#2LN {VS. #4/5} W/4WAY HAZARDS ON/DUTY E-LIGHTS OFF/OBSCURED) IN VIRTUALLY UNRECOGNIZABLE SNOW-COVERED (INCL. GREENHOUSE) MARKED DUTY VEHICLE,+ FAILURE TO STOP/CITE SEMI-TRUCK (LIKE SPEED) IN #1LN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565279

87,696 miles · Feb 21, 2014

Power TrainService BrakesStructureCrashInjury

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10565276

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2004

Power Train

I DRIVE A 1996 OUTBACK WITH 116,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE READ ABOUT POSSIBLE RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE TRANSMISSIONS BINDING IN TURNS, WHICH IS WHAT I'M EXPEREINCING NOW. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IF IT GETS TOO BAD, IT MAY BREAK AN AXLE OR SOMETHING. IF IT IS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM/MISTAKE, I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100137

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999

Power Train

CAR JUMPS WHEN STEERING AT LOW SPEED. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION DEFECT. I FEEL IT IS A CONSTRUCTION DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707576

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 1999

Power TrainTiresFire

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FUEL TANK AREA DUE TO IMPROPER TIRE SIZE AND THE OVERHEATING OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835659

Official recalls

01V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jun 25, 2001

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 & remedy

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.

98V091000 · Suspension:front:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:hanger,bracket

May 4, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Outback problems

Subaru Outback transmission problems →Subaru Outback electrical problems →