1996 Subaru Outback vs 1998 Subaru Outback
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Subaru Outback | 1998 Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 46 | 127 |
| Recall campaigns | 1 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 16 | 16 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 12 | 9 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | 92,243 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Subaru Outback | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 40 |
| Power Train | 5 | 19 |
| Air Bags | 8 | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 13 |
| Tires | 4 | 5 |
| Visibility | 1 | 7 |
| Suspension | 4 | 3 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Overheating | 0 | 17 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 7 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 6 |
1996 Subaru Outback
1998 Subaru Outback
Compare all Subaru Outback vs Subaru Outback years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.