1996 Subaru Outback
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Subaru › Outback › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Subaru Outback. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Subaru Outback. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
46 complaints12 involved a crash1 involved a fire8 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes
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.…
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
- Power train · Service brakes · Structure › Body
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…
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
- Power train · Service brakes · Structure › Body
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
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…
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
- Air bags
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
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
A permanent hazing of the headlight lenses has been progressively getting worse, and cannot be removed. this has caused safe night driving illumination to drop dramatically.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Car started and ran normally for 5 to 10 minutes along a country road at about 45 mph, vehicle suddenly accelerated to full throttle. poked accelerator pedal a few times with no result, and pedal did not appear to be stuck down. held speed of vehicle down with both feet hard on brake pedal.…
Car started and ran normally for 5 to 10 minutes along a country road at about 45 mph, vehicle suddenly accelerated to full throttle. poked accelerator pedal a few times with no result, and pedal did not appear to be stuck down. held speed of vehicle down with both feet hard on brake pedal. vehicle returned to near normal operating condition on its own after about 30 sec to 1 min, although vehicle could maintain 30-40 mph when not touching either accelerator or brake. returned to fully normal operating condition after a few minutes. this was the second occurrence in less than two weeks. in the first occurrence, vehicle was hard to start for several seconds, then when did start raced to extremely high idle for several minutes. poking accelerator pedal had no effect. vehicle returned to normal operating condition after being turned off and re-started. vehicle was brought to dealer, but technicians could not duplicate problem, and all diagnostic checks were negative. problem IS still unresolved.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I drive a 1996 outback with 116,000 miles on it. I've read about possible recalls pertaining to the transmissions binding in turns, which IS what I'm expereincing now. I've been told that if it gets too bad, it may break an axle or something. If it IS a recognized problem/mistake, I'D really like to see a recall.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
Blew a head gasket which leaked antifreeze throughout the engine causing many other parts failures. for example, O2 sensors. total cost of repairing vehicle - $4,800
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Blew a head gasket while traveling with two children. broke down and had to wait on side of busy road with one year old and two year old. the car,a 1996 outback only had 115,000 miles on it. real low for this type of incident. *nlm
- Tires › Tread/belt
Complete separation of tread from body and sidewall of right front michelin harmony tire. Tires in service for three months on a subaru legacy wagon. *jb
- Wheels
Consumer states wheels are oxdizing/corroding and air IS leaking in all tires. checked by dealer who oxidized the tires.*jb
- Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
On sevral occasions, the left and right bearings failed causing damage to the axle assembly. bearings had to be replaced twice. dealer notified. *tt
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Side/window
In head-on collision with both cars at 30 mph, both front air bags deployed. Passenger side air bag burst through the windshield and ended up on the hood. passenger never touched the air bag, but was restrained by the seat/shoulder belt. No other known reason for windshield damage before or during the crash. *ak
- Wheels
All 4 alloy wheels have deteriorated to the point that tires will not retain sufficient air pressure. other brand vehicles with alloy wheels (EX. Audi) driven in idential conditions and housed in same garage have shown no abnormal deterioriation as has the subaru. tires deflate rapidly when car IS driven at highway speed.*ak
- Suspension
At very low speed spring of left front strut broke and went through tire.*ak *slc
- Tires › Sidewall
Michelin XW4 tire p205/70r15, dot m3h342dx079, outside sidewall slit open below the tread edge, michelin stated the tire blew out due to a road hazard or underinflation, consumer checked over tire and found no indications of a puncture. *slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The anti skid system on this vehicle has a major flaw in operational design that only becomes evident in packed snow & ice conditions, and at very low initial speeds, when first beginning to move on a downhill slope. On such slippery surfaces, when the car IS barely moving forward downhill by…
The anti skid system on this vehicle has a major flaw in operational design that only becomes evident in packed snow & ice conditions, and at very low initial speeds, when first beginning to move on a downhill slope. On such slippery surfaces, when the car IS barely moving forward downhill by gravity, if you apply the brakes ever so gently to avoid unwanted acceleration, the anti-skid will release rapidly and continuously, destroying any deceleration capabilitity, even though the surface friction characteristics are such that the tires could grip and stop the car. I drive in hilly terrain in the winter and this has happened a number of times. To demonstrate to myself that the car can be stopped under such conditions, I have, on several occasions, done the following; placed the transmission in reverse while the car IS stopped on a slippery downhill grade, with the footbrakes applied. the 'reverse' input to the transmission tries to move the car upward on the hill. Slowly releasing the brakes permits gravity to move the car downhill, even though the transmission IS applying a force against it.. As the car accelerates forward (because of gravityd), I apply just enough gas pedal to bring the car to a stop, via the transmission 'reverse' imput to the tire and surface interface.. had I applied the footbrake alone, without the reversing force, the anti-skid would have activated and rapidly cycled as the car accelerated downhill. I have nearly wrecked my car several times because of this shoprtcoming. Each time I stopped oniy when reaching the bottom of the hill. This dangerous problem that can easily be fixed by subaru by tweaking the system to cut out at very low speeds. I hope you can solve this dangerous problem before someone gets into real trouble. Thank you. J. Ruddy. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10240110This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles.
- 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
- 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10163525This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals.
- 10161824Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
- 10161813To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10037968Subaru: there IS a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
- 10022343Headlight bulb socket repairs.
- 631078Subject regarding shifter rattle.
- 627826Information regarding front spring guard bulletin update.
Every Subaru Outback model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.