1996 Subaru Outback
Key Replacement - Save vs Dealer in Ventura County

Q: How long will a replacement key last on a 1996 Outback?

A well-cut key on a vehicle this age can last many years if the lock cylinders are in decent shape. The weak point usually isn't the key, it's the locks themselves. These are 30-year-old cylinders at this point, and if the car sat or got exposed to moisture, the cylinder can get stiff or worn. If your key turns hard or feels gritty, that's the lock telling you something, not the key blank.

Q: What if the new key stops working after a few weeks?

Call me. On a mechanical key, "stopped working" usually means one of two things: the cut walked slightly because the blank wasn't held tight during cutting, or the lock cylinder itself is the problem and the new key exposed it. Either way, I'd rather come back out and sort it than have you stuck. The fix on a worn cylinder might be as simple as a shot of lubricant.

Q: Can a locksmith make a key for a 1996 Outback without the original, or do I need to go to a dealer?

A locksmith can absolutely handle this without the original key and without a dealer. There are two ways to do it on a vehicle this age. First option: decode the lock cylinder directly, which means reading the cuts from the lock itself and generating a working key from that. Second option: look up the key code through the VIN if the records are available.

Q: My 1996 Outback has two different locks, ignition and door. Do I get one key that works both?

On most examples of this generation, yes, the ignition and door locks are keyed the same from the factory and one key runs everything. That said, if a previous owner had any lock work done or a cylinder replaced, it's possible one was re-keyed separately. If you hand me a key that works the door but not the ignition, I'll decode both and sort out what's going on before cutting anything.

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1996 Subaru Outback
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1996 Subaru Outback Key Replacement - Fast, Affordable & Professional

I got a call from a guy over in Mandalay Beach, right near the water. He'd moved into one of those houses off Victoria Avenue and his 1996 Outback had been sitting in the driveway for a few months while he dealt with moving stuff. When he finally went to drive it, the key was gone. Not lost in the car, just gone. Hadn't seen it since the move.

He'd already called the dealer out of habit. They told him to have it towed in. He wasn't happy about that, so he looked around and called me instead.

I pulled up in my van, got the door open by decoding the lock cylinder, then cut him a new key right there in the driveway. No tow, no waiting room, no leaving the car somewhere overnight. He was back inside his house in under 30 minutes.

The dealer route would have cost him a tow plus the wait plus whatever their bench fee was going to be. He saved a good chunk just by making one different phone call.

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1996 Subaru Outback

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Subaru Outback Mobile Service FAQ

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Do you use OEM or aftermarket keys on a 1996 Subaru Outback?▼

For a 1996 Outback, this is simple. It's a metal key cut to the vehicle. No electronics involved, so the question of OEM versus aftermarket fob hardware doesn't apply here. What matters is the key blank profile and the quality of the cut. We use blanks that match the correct profile for the lock cylinders on this generation, and we cut on calibrated equipment. A sloppy cut wears your locks faster and can stick or not turn cleanly.