Sell your 1997 Subaru Outback for cash

The 1997 Subaru Outback is a wagon that came with a choice of 2.2L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl engines. At 29 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 1997 Outback in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 1997 Outback

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

1997 Subaru Outback at a glance

Body styleCompact Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Engines2.2L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy18–21 city / 24–29 highway / 21–24 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,800–$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂370–423 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA10 configurations: Legacy, Legacy AWD, Legacy Wagon, Legacy Wagon AWD
Age29 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 29 years old, most of a 1997 Outback's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1997 Outback. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine and engine cooling, typically around 158,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1997 Subaru Outback recalls

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1997 Subaru Outback. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

SuspensionJun 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V216000

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…

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.

SuspensionMay 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V091000

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: 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.

Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V035000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The throttle shaft ball bearing on the sensor side of the throttle body assembly was not installed in certain throttle bodies.

Risk: Operation of a vehicle with a missing throttle shaft bearing can eventuallly lead to an incomplete return of the throttle valve resulting in a high idling condition.

Power TrainFeb 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V042000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.

Risk: This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.

Exterior LightingNov 1997 · NHTSA campaign 97V210000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Insufficient clearance within the hazard warning light switch housing can cause a binding between the actuating button and the housing.

Risk: The switch could stick in an intermediate position when deactivating, resulting in the turn signals becoming inoperable.

Common 1997 Outback problems

Owners have filed 218 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. 25 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 10 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine and Engine Cooling20
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic20
  • Engine and Engine Cooling14
  • Engine and Engine Cooling12
  • Vehicle Speed Control12
  • Suspension7

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine and Engine Cooling158,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling95,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control120,000 mi
  • Suspension226,000 mi

1997 Subaru Outback service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 38 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1997 Subaru Outback. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment8
  • Service Brakes3
  • Suspension3
  • Electrical System2
  • Exterior Lighting2
  • Power Train2

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2023 · 12-249-23R

    This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles impor

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2022 · 15-302-22

    This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2022 · 01-167-08R

    This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2022 · 15-192-22R

    This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to a

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 1997 Subaru Outback.

Electrical SystemPE99067 · opened Nov 1999, closed May 2000Led to recall 00I002000

Electrical system

Odi has received 5,820 complaints concerning a variety of electrical system failures that result in the vehicle stalling.our complaint analysis indicates that the majority of these compaints are caused by alternator failure.in some instances, the vehicle is completely dead and will not restart.based on our investigatio

Selling a 1997 Outback: questions

How much is a 1997 Subaru Outback worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1997 Outback that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1997 Outbacks that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1997 Outback with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1997 Subaru Outback; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1997 Outback?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 1997 Outback today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer