Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 1996 Subaru Outback, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Subaru Outback year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Campaign 01V216000
Issue: 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.
Campaign 98V091000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model year, which is common for older, low-volume and heavy-duty vehicles.
The parts named most often across 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
5 crashes · 3 injured
1 crash
1 crash · 2 injured
1 crash · 1 injured
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
WHENEVER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE HOURS, THE CHECK VALVE IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE WILL FREEZE IN PLACE AND RESULTS IN NO POWER ASSIST BRAKING. THE FIRST APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES WOULD BE NORMAL AS THERE WAS RESIDUAL VACUUM IN THE BOOSTER. ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE NO POWER ASSIST AT ALL. MULTIPLE PUMPS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BREAK LOOSE THE CHECK VALVE AND RESTORE NORMAL BRAKING. THIS CAR WAS NEW TO ME IN 2013 AND I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT. THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT HAPPENED TO ME, I WENT THROUGH STOP SIGNS NOT KNOWING THAT I HAD NO POWER ASSIST BRAKES. NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT- BEFORE PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR, I WOULD TEST THE BRAKE PEDAL AT LEAST THREE TIMES. WHEN THE CHECK VALVE IS FROZEN, I WOULD FEEL NORMAL PEDAL PRESSURE THE FIRST TIME THEN THE PEDAL WOULD GO HARD THE SECOND TIME. I WOULD THEN HAVE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I FELT THE CHECK VALVE BREAK FREE AND NORMAL PEDAL PRESSURE WAS RESTORED. *TR
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 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. *TR
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
WHILE DRIVING VERY BUSY HIGHWAY, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO "H". I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED SOME STEAM UNDER HOOD. ADDED SOME WATER. A LITTLE LATER, STILL ON "H". MECHANIC WHO HAS SERVICED MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK SINCE I GOT IT IN 1998 SAID IT HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, COMMON WITH SUBARUS. IN 2009 I HAD THE 90K MILE MAINTENANCE DONE, VERY EXPENSIVE. ALSO HAD ALL NEW BRAKES, VERY EXPENSIVE. ALSO FOUR NEW TIRES AND LAST MONTH, A NEW BATTERY. ALSO, LAST MONTH, HAD OIL CHANGE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED EVEN ONE RECALL NOTICE FROM SUBARU, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW ALL ALONG THAT THEIR HEAD GASKETS ARE FAILING IN THEIR CARS. I WANTED MY OUTBACK TO LAST MANY MORE YEARS BUT NOW MUST JUNK IT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. MECHANIC SAID IT'S USELESS TO FIX HEAD GASKET OR REPLACE IT, AND TOLD ME TO GET A NEW CAR, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. MECHANIC PUT CHEMICAL IN LINE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SEAL ANY LEAKS (NO GUARANTEES). I OFTEN VISIT MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS RECUPERATING FROM BREAST CANCER, IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF CT, IN A VERY SECLUDED AREA OF FEW HOMES, NO BUSINESSES. TO HAVE CAR FAILURE IN THE WOODS WOULD PROBABLY GIVE THIS 70 YEAR OLD A HEART ATTACK. *TR
CAR OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. SUSPECT HEADGASKET FAILURE ALLOWING COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT . (POTENTIAL FOR CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY STALL ON INTERSTATE) UPON INTERNET SEARCH FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SUBARU 2.5L ENGINES SUFFER FROM SAME CONDITION (1995-1999). HTTP://HOME.COMCAST.NET/~SKIPNOSPAM/. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED HER VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE, IT SPED OFF ON ITS OWN AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AS WELL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE VEHICLE INTO TALL GRASS; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET LATER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RESPOND AND SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE CONTROL. SHE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 196,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000.
1. JUST BOUGHT FROM DEALER. GOING TO GET GAS. 2. OVERHEATING. AUTO MECHANIC SAID OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE. HEAD GASKET. 3. REPAIRED HEAD GASKET ETC. *TR
ACCORDING TO SUBARU IN NHTSA RECALL NO. 01V-216, THE PROTECTIVE PAINT WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY TO '96 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK SPRINGS WHICH LEADS THEM TO RUST AND BREAK. SUBARU WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SPRINGS BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS, EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS ON BOTH FRONT AND REAR SPRINGS. BOTH OF MY FRONT SPRINGS BROKE, ONE OF MY REAR SPRINGS BROKE, AND THE OTHER REAR SPRING IS CRACKED AND BREAKING. WHEN THE REAR SPRINGS BREAK THERE IS THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AS WHEN THE FRONT SPRINGS BREAK, THAT BEING THAT THE CAR MAY BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE WHICH COULD BE FATAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PLEASE PROMPT SUBARU TO RECALL THE REAR SPRINGS AS WELL AS THE FRONT TO MITIGATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANKS. *JB
CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE BUT RADIATOR TEMP WAS HIGH. TOOK CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP, CRACKED HEAD GASKET. CALLED SUBARU, THEY OFFERED NO HELP OR ADVICE. COST TO REPAIR IS AT A TOTAL LOSS TO ME, A COLLEGE STUDENT. SUBARU DEALER SAID CRACKED HEAD GASKET IS A PROBLEM IN SUBARUS. I WOULD HAVE NOT BOUGHT THIS CAR IF I KNEW IT WOULD HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. PART TO BE REPLACED IS HEAD GASKET. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK FILLER GUARD AND PIPE. THE GUARD RUSTED FROM DEBRIS OVER THE YEARS, AND DIRT AND DEBRIS WERE GETTING UNDERNEATH THE GUARD. THE RESULT WAS RUSTING AND LEAKING GAS FROM THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK WAS NOTICED LEAKING LAST WEEK. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, HAS E-MAILED AND CONTACTED SUBARU VIA PHONE. THEY SEEMED NOT INTERESTED IN THE FACT THAT THE CAR WAS OLD. *AK
DT: 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FUEL INJECTION .SYSTEM. WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY SPEED, THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS 60 MPH WHEN GOING 40 MPH. SOMETIMES IT WILL PICK UP SPEED AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HE WOULD NOT WORK ON THIS CAR. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE, AND HE WOULD NOT LISTEN . THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE ROAD SIDE NOW AND IT WILL NOT RUN. THE CAR VIBRATED WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR TODAY. AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND TODAY THE CAR JUST DIED. *AK
WHILE SITTING AT A INTERSECTION WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Showing 12 of 48 complaints.