1997 Subaru Outback Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 79 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Coffee cup holder placement is above the radio, and by it being directly over the radio, spillls or fluids coming directly into the radio, causes the radio to burn out. The holder should not be over the radio. It causes a problem with no radio, having to drive long distances, not falling asleep.”
NHTSA complaint #824072, filed 1998-06“Windshield wiper switch and radio will stop working, and then in an hour they will work again. Fuses were checked and no problem. Dealer contacted and will have to evaluate the vehicle when it is not working. Problem still exists. .et.”
NHTSA complaint #833012, filed 1999-01“The location of the cup holder right above of radio, caused liquids to seep into the stereo system. The radio began to malfunction and smoke started to pour out of the dash. The dealer is aware of this problem. The radio has been replaced 4 times.”
NHTSA complaint #831330, filed 1998-11Related service bulletins
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Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 7 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 1997 Subaru Outback
24 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology