1997 Subaru Outback engine and engine cooling problems
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1997 Subaru Outback — 30% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I bought a 97 subaru legacy outback wgn and found out the block was cracked in cyl3 after tear down for gasket replacement,now put together and now won't start. *tr”
filed Dec 15, 2008
“Loss of coolant, overheated engine, diagnosis of blown head gasket car: 1997 subarau legacy outback with 2.5 liter engine. *tr”
filed Jul 14, 2008
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin is to advise of SOAâ s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
09-51-08R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2021
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Outback | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 Outback | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 Outback | 3 | 0% |
| 2019 Outback | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 Outback | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 Outback | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 Outback | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 Outback | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 Outback | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 Outback | 8 | 1% |
| 2010 Outback | 23 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.