Home / Vehicle Problems / 1996 Subaru Outback

1996 Subaru Outback — Problems, Recalls & Complaints

Aggregated from NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints. Data updated daily from federal databases.

2
Open Recalls
46
Owner Complaints
8
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths
56
Fair
Reliability Score (0–100)

Own a 1996 Subaru Outback? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

1996 Subaru Outback Safety Recalls (2)

01V21600025/06/2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

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.

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.

98V09100004/05/1998
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

Most Common Problems Reported for 1996 Subaru Outback

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
9
AIR BAGS
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
SUSPENSION
4
TIRES
3
WHEELS
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
3
POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
2

Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Safety Incident Summary

12
Crash-Involved Complaints
8
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Check a Specific 1996 Subaru Outback VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer records, legal actions, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Run a Free VIN Report →