Noticed a leak of fluid from passenger side by the rear wheel. Determined it was gasoline. Upon inspection found fuel leaking from the filler tube to the gas tank. Got the car to a subaru repair shop and was told this is a common problem. There is no undercoating applied to the tube.
The worst 1997 Subaru Outback problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine24
- Brakes9
- Acceleration8
- Transmission8
- Visibility7
- Fuel system5
- Locks5
- Electrical4
- Suspension4
- Body3
- Wheels3
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Subaru Outback
Recalls 4
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 01V216000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V091000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V035000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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).
Recall number 98V042000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Subaru Outback 17
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with...
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a...
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for...
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during...
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for...
- This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed...
- Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between...
What 1997 Subaru Outback owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 subaru outback. The contact was driving at relatively low speeds and depressing the brake pedal in an attempt to park when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact proceeded to crash into a vehicle ahead of him. There were no reported injuries. This was not the first instance of the failure. The contact was able to locate the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 98v035000 (vehicle speed control) relative to the failure but was advised by the manufacturer that the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for inspection where it was verified that the repair had not been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 121,000.
Driving along I-495 southbound in massachusetts just before exit for I-90. Speed was 65 MPH. Hood latch failed causing the hood to come up without warning. The windshield was smashed, the roof was dented, and the hood was bent with the hinges partially deformed and cracked. The hood hadn't been opened or touched in several weeks/>2000 miles. Passenger and I were luckily unharmed, I was able to close the hood again, and drove home at 50 on the highway, 25 on regular roads. Windshield was replaced the following week, hood still damaged. Hood secured with bungee cord as I no longer trust the latch. Looking into installing hood pins when I find a replacement hood, simply for safety/liability reasons. The only reason this wasn't a much more serious accident was that I was already in the right hand lane, and was able to pull into the breakdown lane instantly. Had to do this blindly, as I could not see around the hood.
I bought a 97 subaru legacy outback wgn and found out the block was cracked in cyl3 after tear down for gasket replacement,now put together and now won't start.
Fuel filler neck rusted causing gas to leak out onto garage floor and while driving and filling tank. Vehicle was brought into dealership for repair to replace the rusted fuel filler neck. From research and comments from dealership, this is a very common problem with this make of vehicle.
Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 liter engine.
Overheating, blown head gasket.
Gas tank filler pipe has rusted through.
Hood opening accidentally while driving. I was driving on a heavily rainy day when the hood opened up and slammed the windshield. The windshield was completely broken and the hood was severely damaged including the body of the car just above the windshield. I had not opened the hood leading up to the event. Luckily I didn't get into a accident when the incident happened. I subsequently called subaru about it and advised me that the incident hadn't, to the best of their knowledge, in other 1997 subaru outback wagons. I was not directed to file a complaint with your agency, thus I let it pass. I was reminded of the incident, and the possibility of the accident being more prevalent, when I saw a similar car with the exact same damage to the hood (I.e., pattern and bent).
'97 subaru outback wagon impeccably maintained 85,000 mi is overheating. Began as intermittent problem approx 5 months ago. Flushed radiator, repl cap, pressure tested radiator. Driving down hill on mountain road in morning cold, overheats after about 6 miles. Repl thermostat, water pump, timing belt. Subaru dealer repair mechanic says head gasket. Googled problem online before replacing thermostat. Blogs from outback owners with same symptoms say head gasket. An incredible number of blogs describing the same problem and statements that subaru has never taken responsibility for this flaw which has affected so many outback owners. This is a crime.
Compare the 1997 Subaru Outback
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 Subaru Outback
Is the 1997 Subaru Outback reliable?
Owners have filed 79 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback, fewer than a typical Outback model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Subaru Outback?
Engine and cooling, with 24 complaints, typically around 99,800 miles. Next is brakes (9).
How many recalls does the 1997 Subaru Outback have?
4 recalls, covering suspension, vehicle speed control and power train.
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