Subaru Outback Complaints (2008)

230 consumer complaints on file.

#10395819April 13, 2011
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TPMS VALVE STEM BROKE OFF WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389930March 12, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I DRIVING STRAIGHT ON COMPACTED SNOW OR ICY ROADS STARTING AT APPROX. 35MPH. REAR OF VEHICLE FEELS AS IF TRACTION IS BREAKING LOOSE AND FISHTAILING. TIRES ARE 1 YEAR OLD AND MADE FOR SNOW/ICE CONDITIONS AND ALIGNMENT WAS DONE 2 WEEKS PRIOR. PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED WHEN ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS OR WEIGHT IS ADDED TO VEHICLE. UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 40-45 MPH; 2-WHEEL DRIVE COMPACTS PASSING ME IN AN OUTBACK ON A FLAT SNOW COVERED ROAD DUE TO INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AT SPEED. ALIGNMENT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM A ROAD TRIP ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE. NO SIMILAR ROAD CONDITION DRIVING BETWEEN THE TWO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386095March 1, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD LATCH WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE HOOD TO MOVE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE AND THE HOOD WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LATCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 04/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378290January 22, 2011
POWER TRAIN
COMPLAINT FOR A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR STABILITY CONTROL ISSUE AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED (CONSTANT AND LOW THROTTLE POSITION) ON A FLAT, GOOD ROAD, WITH THE STEERING WHEEL POINTED STRAIGHT AHEAD, THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE TENDS TO OSCILLATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE OR "GHOST WALK" WHEN THE ROAD HAS ICE ON IT. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT EVER LOSE TRACTION PER SE; IT JUST STEERS ITSELF ALL OVER THE ROAD. TIRES ARE AT THE PROPER PRESSURE, TIRES ARE ALL BRAND NEW (ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE WITH DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRES. THE ISSUE IS NOT TRACTION ON DEEP SNOW, NOR IS IT A PROBLEM WHEN CORNERING, BRAKING, OR ACCELERATING. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER IN SNOW/ICE AND HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARUS. THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING ON ICE AND VERY HARD-PACK SNOW. NOTE THAT HAVING ADDITIONAL WEIGHT IN THE CARGO AREA OR REAR PASSENGERS MAKES THE PROBLEM MUCH WORSE. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 20 MPH WITH REAR-WHEELED DRIVE CARS BLOWING BY ME BECAUSE OF THE GHOST WALKING ISSUE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR-ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE. IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374740January 5, 2011
WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SNOW BECAME PACKED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE WHEEL TO TURN NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372386December 25, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
GHOSTWALKING SUBARU OUTBACK, 2008. DRIVING MY FAMILY (2 ADULTS, 2 TEENS) TO A FAMILY EVENT, ALONG WITH LUGGAGE, EXPERIENCED REAR END SWAY BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS (SLUSHY CONDITIONS). IT FELT LIKE REAR END WAS SWAYING INTO TRAFFIC IN ADJACENT LANE. IT WAS EXTREMELY UNNERVING. OCCURS IN SPEEDS ABOVE 50 KM/H. PROBLEM CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 KM/H WITH SLICK ROAD. HAD TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 50 KM/H ON HIGHWAY (WHICH IS ILLEGAL). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10367221November 23, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH GOOD WINTER TIRES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON WINTER ROADS MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE REAR END OF THE CAR STARTS TO SWAY AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL BY BRINGING DOWN MY SPEED, AND I END UP TRAVELING MUCH SLOWER THEN THE TRAFFIC FLOW. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS THE SAME CAR AND EXPERIENCES THIS PROBLEM AS WELL WITH HIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW WITH THIS CAR AND SUBARU NEEDS TO COMES TO GRIPS WITH IT AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE ON SLICK WINTER ROADS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332060May 24, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON SWAYS DANGEROUSLY ON ROUGH ROADS. THE SENSATION IS THAT WHEN ONE HITS A BUMP THE REAR END BOUNCES/KICKS/WALKS OUT TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY, HAS NEWER TIRES, AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328667May 3, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PROBLEM IS THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSING POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAS OCCURRED OVER 6 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, 4 TIMES IN THIS LAST WEEK. THE MOST RECENT ON 4/30/10 THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH. NO WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. FIRST TIME WAS WHEN ACCELERATING UP AN ON RAMP AND SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON OTHER INCLINED RAMPS, THEN LEAVING A STREET TO ENTER A HWY 4/28/10, ANOTHER AT A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SHUDDERED 4/29/10, SAME DAY TRAVELING AT 60 MPH LOST POWER FOR A BRIEF MOMENT THEN RESUMED, THESE TWO INCIDENTS WERE WITHIN 5 MINUTES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND SERVICED TO HAVE THEM LOCATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION AS YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328527April 29, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER REGARDING SUBURU PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HE SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL, WHICH RESULTED IN OVER $5,000 IN BODY DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE. HE STATED EVERY TIME HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321336March 22, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR, TIRES
EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING ON SLIGHTLY SLIPPERY ROADS WITH A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HONDA CR-V THAT I DROVE ON THE SAME DAY ON THE SAME ROADS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317279March 5, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 2.5I SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION: RECURRING ISSUE IS CONSIDERABLY DANGEROUS AND PRESENTS ITSELF WHEN DRIVING ON WET AND OR SLIPPERY ROADS. YES, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE LESS THAN IDEAL THEY ARE NORMAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. TESTING HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH IDENTICAL CONDITIONS AND OTHER VEHICLES AND SIMILAR BEHAVIOR WAS NOT EXPERIENCED. THIS TESTING HAS BEEN REPEATED WITH IDENTICAL RESULTS. ISSUE: WHEN TRAVELING ON SLIPPERY ROADS - RAIN, SNOW, ICE THE SUBARU ALL WHEEL DIRVE/SUSPENSION CONFIGURATION CREATES SIDE TO SIDE "FISH-TAIL" LIKE BEHAVIOR. THIS MOTION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPIN-OUT. OTHER DIRVERS HAVE EXPERICED OVER CORRECTION ISSUES WHEN DEALING WITH THIS UNEXPECTED BACK-END MOTION. THE SIDE TO SIDE MOTION DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A RESULT OF APPLICATION OF POWER. WTH POWER APPLIED OR COASTING THE MOTION IS STILL EVIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295462December 12, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION EVENT IN HER 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. SHE DIDN'T THINK THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED. SHE HAD WINTER BOOTS ON AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. HER FRONT LICENSE PLATE WAS TORN AND SHE DID ABOUT $700 OF DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR'S REAR BUMPER. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292872November 19, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INTERSECTION ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER CAR. THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SEVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $11,000. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. I REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER SO THAT ANY DEFECT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DISCOVERED AND THEIR ACTION MIGHT PREVENT WORSE INJURY TO THE NEXT PERSON. HOWEVER, THEY SEEM TO BE TOTALLY UNINTERESTED AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10281348August 21, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A RURAL ROAD AFTER THE SUNSET WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ENGAGED, THEY FAILED TO FULLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS; WHICH WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM AND WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279627August 6, 2009
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING, INDICATING MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG SYSTEM. 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. UNDER WARRANTY. HAS BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275719July 3, 2009
WHEELS
SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 FRONT-WHEEL BEARING, SECOND TIME NEED TO BE CHANGE AFTER 25000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272886June 4, 2009
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN AND WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND ARM INJURIES. SHE FEELS THAT THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND SECURE AN OCCUPANT IN PLACE WHEN A CRASH OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,002. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268806May 15, 2009
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT. SHE STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO HER CHEST AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WILL HAVE SURGERY ON MAY 15, 2009 ON HER BACK. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT STILL HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,900.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10255776January 20, 2009
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE SWAYING WHILE DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS ON ICY ROADS. SUBARU OUT BACK 08. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. I WILL BE DRIVING AT 30-50% THEN ALL OTHER TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN SAFE CHARACTERISTICS. THE TERM "GHOST WALKING" HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH IT. SOA AND THE DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. THE CARE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE DURING ICE CONDITIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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