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1996 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Subaru Outback are lower than the model-year median of 207.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 46 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

What owners actually said

46 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

DRIVING 58MPH W/TRAFFIC SPEED, W/CRUISE CONTROL ON; VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWING DOWN; TAPPED BRAKES, BUT CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE; SHIFTED LEVER FAIL TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP UNTIL SWERVED TO MISS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND HIT SIDE OF MOUNTAIN; AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. OCCUPANTS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. TREAT…

Read full complaint

DRIVING 58MPH W/TRAFFIC SPEED, W/CRUISE CONTROL ON; VEHICLE IN FRONT SLOWING DOWN; TAPPED BRAKES, BUT CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE; SHIFTED LEVER FAIL TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL. WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP UNTIL SWERVED TO MISS ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND HIT SIDE OF MOUNTAIN; AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. OCCUPANTS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. TREATMENT AT EMERGENCY ROOM. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817299

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 1997
Structure

WHEEL WELL LINER WAS TORN OFF.

NHTSA ODI #604857

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1997
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE HIT THE BACK TIRE OF A DUMP TRUCK AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815695

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 1997
Seat Belts

THE RECEIVING PART OF THE BELT BUCKLE IS EXTENDED TOO LONG FROM THE SEAT, LEAVING A GAP WHEN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE'S BACK SEATS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #812844

Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER HAS NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #809454

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1997
SuspensionCrash

WAS DRIVING HIT AN ICY SPOT, LOST CONTROL AND THE TRUCK ROLLED OVER AND HIT A DITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #808602

Official recalls

2

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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