1997 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this Outback year cluster around the 2.5L engine, especially coolant loss and overheating traced to head gasket and engine block problems, often appearing well past 80,000 miles. Brake complaints describe pedals that sink or a loss of power assist, with several owners reporting trouble in cold or wet conditions, and a smaller group describes hood latches releasing at highway speed.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure and coolant loss

   Mentioned in 13 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe intermittent overheating that comes and goes, coolant reservoirs emptying, coolant spraying onto the engine, and oil appearing in the coolant. Some report repeated thermostat, radiator and water pump replacements before a shop diagnosed the head gasket; others were told the engine block itself was cracked and needed replacement. Several say the dealer confirmed the head gasket after other repairs failed to stop the overheating. Mostly reported between roughly 68,000 and 126,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   What to check: Have the car inspected by a shop familiar with Subaru 2.5L engines; check for oil in the coolant, coolant residue on the block, and whether the head gaskets have been replaced. During a test drive, watch the temperature gauge and coolant level.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The now infamous blown head gasket in phase I 2.5l engines is the focus of my complaint. Subaru of america has at least recognized the phaseii 2.5l engines in 1998 models and newer, but only because of a different metal was the problem . The overwhelming number of cases in the phase I 2.5l (1998 and prior) engine is an obvious indicator of design flaw in the actual shape of the product itself. A recall investigation is a definite must. Just another unhappy Subaru customer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10066010, filed 2004-04, 99,800 miles

   “Outback 1997: 108,000. Car overheated suddenly on a short trip. Replaced thermostat and flushed/filled radiator at local firestone. Two days later, car overheats. In both cases, radiator fluid ejected onto engine. Took car to dealer who identified the now very common blown head gasket . Repairs made at a cost to me of $1400! This is a defect in these automobiles that needs to be taken care of by Subaru. What does it take for this problem to be addressed? I was fortunate to not have burned my engine, others have not been. Time to take action!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10149419, filed 2006-02, 107,990 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks or loses power assist

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little or no stopping, and in other cases a high, stiff pedal with no power assist shortly after a cold start. One complaint notes moisture in a brake hose freezing in cold weather and blocking vacuum to the power brake unit; others report the dealer could not duplicate the problem or would not diagnose it after an incident. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 60,000 miles up, with several complaints tied to cold or wet conditions.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the pedal feel on a cold start and check brake fluid and hose condition; a service bulletin describes adding lubrication at the caliper and pad clips to prevent dragging. Ask for records of brake hose and booster service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10054620, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles

   “Problems with brake equipment on 1997 Subaru Outback. 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10091766, filed 2004-09
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control and unintended acceleration

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • typically at 3.0 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2005

   Complaints describe the car creeping or surging forward at a stop, idling higher than expected, and accelerating above the set speed with cruise control engaged so that braking is needed to disengage it. Several owners say the dealer could not reproduce the symptoms; one complaint references a throttle-related recall campaign and was told the repair had already been done. Reported across a wide mileage range, mostly between about 100,000 and 120,000 miles, at idle and at cruising speeds.

   Recall 98V035000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V035000 (throttle body) was completed, and check the throttle cable and cruise control cable for binding or slack during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving at any speed consumer noticed speedometer was not working correctly, was unable to determine the actual speed of traveling. Also, rpms slowed down, and vehicle jerked forward. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Dealer was unable to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #860792, filed 2000-04

   “Consumer has taken vehicle to dealers on four occasions due to erratic idling. When at stop sign the vehicle will begin to idle and creep forward with increased speed. Other times, whenever vehicle has been driven for approx. 1/2 an hour taking foot off the gas pedal, and the vehicle will drop to 40mph. Then begin speeding back up. Consumer has had this problem occurring since middle of september.”

   NHTSA complaint #818824, filed 1997-11
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine seals and oil leaks

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe oil leaking from the front of the engine, traced to the front crank seal and cam seals often needing replacement along with the timing belt. Some owners note oil reaching the timing belt cover and report leaks starting when the vehicle was only a few years old; a drive-belt pulley and tensioner bolt failure is also described in one case. Reported from about 50,000 miles upward, with several around 60,000 to 138,000 miles.

   What to check: Look under the front of the engine for oil seepage and ask whether the timing belt and front seals have been replaced together. A fresh timing belt service with new seals is a point in the car's favor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noticed oil leaking from engine. Had to have front crank seal replaced. Also needed to get timing belt replaced as oil leaked into timing belt cover. Cost $368 to get fixed. Leakage began when car was just a few years old. That should not have happened as car had not been in accident or abused.”

   NHTSA complaint #10154592, filed 2006-04, 50,000 miles

   “The engine seals of the main cam shaft failed and caused the engine to leak oil. The dealer replaced the seals and the timing belt. Please provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057602, filed 2004-02, 60,000 miles
5. 5
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Hood latch releases while driving

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the hood coming open without warning at highway speed, in several cases without the hood having been opened recently. Complaints describe a shattered windshield, dents to the roof and hood, and bent hinges as a result. One owner says the dealer and manufacturer were both notified; another was told the incident was not known to them. Reported from around 68,000 to 188,000 miles, typically at highway speeds.

   What to check: Check that the hood closes with a firm secondary catch and that the latch and cable move freely; ask whether the latch assembly has been replaced. Inspect the hood and roof for repaired dents.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10227673, filed 2008-05, 100,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10279223, filed 2009-08, 176,000 miles

Buying note. The cooling-system and head gasket history matters most on this year, so budget for a pre-purchase inspection focused on the 2.5L engine and service records for head gasket or seal work. Also confirm the hood latch condition and whether the throttle recall was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.