IllustrationPROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK. *MR 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. *SC
1997 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Subaru Outback are lower than the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →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
00–25K
025–50K
650–75K
575–100K
7100–150K
6150K+
24 reports with mileage · 55 unknown
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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
9 reportsPOWER 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…
Read full complaint
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. OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS OFTEN AS I DO ARE PRONE TO FORGETTING TO FOLLOW THE REMEDY PROCEDURE. FOR ANYONE, INCLUDING MYSELF, THAT IS EITHER UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN VEHICLES OPERATION OR FORGETS TO FOLLOW THE REMEDY PROCEDURE FINDS THEM SELF IN A VERY SURPRISING SITUATION IF TRAVELING AT A SPEED TO FAST TO ALLOW FOR BRAKING WITH A FAILED POWER BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE ACTUALLY NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2002 - 2003 AND HAVE NOTICED THIS ONCE AGAIN THIS WINTER WITH THE RECENT ONSET OF FRIGID WEATHER HERE IN THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE YET TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR SPECIFIC SERVICE ON THIS MATTER, HOWEVER, I DO PLAN TO CONTACT A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SLID OFF THE ROAD AND RAN INTO BRICK WALL. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHILE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING. ALSO PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION STEERING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING BRAKE PEDAL TO FEEL "MUSHY," AND HAD EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. CURRENTLY AT DEALER'S. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE SINCE COLLISION. *AK
ON A DRY PAVEMENT, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, WENT TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE SPINNED OUT AND ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DEALER WON'T DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Official recalls
401V216000 · 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.
98V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 20, 1998
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 & remedy
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.
98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Feb 20, 1998
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 & remedy
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).
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.