Subaru Outback Complaints

1,029 consumer complaints on file.

#11611002August 26, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Was just driving when I noticed my car was sounding louder than usual. Then when I stared it after running some errands it sounds like a bad engine nock. So I took it in for an oil change and they told me it was a cracked exhaust manifold. Also told me it fine to drive and shouldn’t cause further problems. Then I started to smell heavy exhaust smells inside the cab of the car. Now I have to drive it with windows down or risk passing out or dying
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610772August 26, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
After doing grocery shopping, I returned to the vehicle, loaded my purchases, and upon getting into the driver's seat, noticed a large "Y" shaped crack in the windshield. The crack wasn't there when I arrived at the store. I've owned the vehicle less than a week, bought it used with less than 14K miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610244August 22, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car pulses randomly when braking, usually begins once speed drops below 20mph. Dealership completed a “reset and relearn” per Subaru’s instructions, which made the problem occur more often than before. Problem was brought to the dealerships attention shortly after purchase, but unable to assist until they were able to duplicate the problem, which happened in July 2024 after the reset and relearn was completed at 24k service. Vehicle was brought to dealership at least six times between January 2023 and July 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609365August 19, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I live in New Jersey, I am leasing this vehicle and I have 9 more months to go for the 3 year lease to be over. I am planning to purchase the vehicle after the 3 years. On [XXX] my fiancé and I drove from New Jersey to Ohio and stood at my boyfriend's grandparent's home for 4 days. While being there we had not used the car for 2 days and it was parked at the family members drive way be we were using the grandfather's vehicle since he was showing us around. On [XXX], we were planning to go out and get some ice cream. As we walk to our car the windshield is cracked from the corner of the passenger side to almost the driver's side. We were not sure what to do, we call Subaru and the nearest Subaru was 1 1/2 away from where we were. We decided to go back home with the cracked glass and take it to a nearby dealer 9 hours away. We stood in a hotel half of the way and we didn't drive over 55 miles per hour because we were afraid to go any faster with a cracked windshield. We took our car dealer here in NJ on August 7th, they took at the vehicle, took pictures and they told us, they would probably get approval to replace it under warranty but that it would need approval. They informed us that the vehicle did not have any signs of being in an accidents or that the crack did not show any signs of the windshield being hit to by anything to cause the crack. As of now, August 19, 2024 we are still waiting for approval. I need my vehicle repaired by September, since I work as an elementary teacher. I also feel, this incidence should be placed under a recall for this vehicle. It is very dangerous and could have caused major injury or even death to ourselves. Based on research I have done this incidence has happen to many people owning the Subaru Outback. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608885August 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Today while waiting at a stop light the auto start stop engaged. When the light went green I put my foot on the gas and the vehicle stalled. The car was on but not running, several alarms were on the dashboard. I had to put the car in park, turn it off and then restart the car. This is a repeated issue and has been going on at least once a month since we purchased the car in 2021. We've brought it to the dealer and they said there was nothing wrong because there was no OBD code. I have checked myself and I have not found any code. This is extremely unsafe
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607996August 12, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2021 Subaru Outback Limited | ~13000 miles | Component: Battery | Car suddenly stopped and ALL warning lights started flashing at a busy traffic signal, while I was waiting to take a left turn (lucky to have escaped safely from that situation). I had to turn the car off and restart it. 2 days later, the car would not start at all. Tried jumping it multiple time in vain. Had to tow the car to the nearest Subaru service center. Technician ran a diagnostic and concluded that the battery was not holding any charge at all and it was deemed faulty. Reading many posts on reddit and other forums of many Subaru owners facing the same issue from older (2015) to newer models. Many of them also complained of Parasitic drain on the battery due to faulty DCM on Starlink. Note: there was no warning lights/messages or any other symptom before this. This was a Subaru certified pre-owned car that went through a 152 point inspection in 2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607400August 8, 2024
AIR BAGS
When I sit in the front passenger seat, the airbag sensor icon sometimes says off and sometimes says on--even during the same trip. and even if I have not changed positions. This means I am at risk of bodily injury when the system does not recognize that I am in the seat because the airbag is not operative while I was in the seat. On 7/22/24 the Subaru technician found "no active or stored codes and "recalibrated passenger side front seat. Rechecked to verify air bag warning system is operating as designed." Nevertheless, the sensor does not always recognize that I am in the seat so I am still at risk. I am, by the way, an adult who is over 5 Ft but weighs 90 pounds. I bought the car for safety because Subaru touts safety in advertisements. I find that I am not safe because there is no airbag working much of the time. We have owned the car since mid-June 2024 and this happens multiple times in the car when I am in the passenger seat (I am adding a date for only one date below) but this happens multiple times--the majority of times I am in the passenger seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607089August 7, 2024
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
Problem occurred after several months of use. The chest straps will not consistently lock into position, despite the release button not being engaged. They can easily be pulled to loosen again. This does not secure the child into the seat. We have ensured that the strap mechanism is not clogged with debris. We have submitted a claim to the Nuna company. Videos of problem are available if needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606894August 6, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I have had several times where tiny road pebbles have kicked up hitting the windshield and have caused cracks. There is now also a crack forming where there has not been any impact. I have never had a windshield that has been as fragile as this one. It seems to be a manufacturing issue with the windshield. Based on research online, appears this is a known issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606609August 5, 2024
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked after an impact. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass, where the windshield was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the windshield was inspected, and the dealer confirmed that the windshield had cracked due to an impact. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken back to Safelite Auto Glass, and the windshield replacement was covered by the Insurance provider; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was re-opened. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606415August 5, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Driving home on a farm road, a truck passed by, picking up a pebble that hit my windshield. On my other vehicles, that same impact would leave a chip on the windshield but due to its light thickness, it immediately formed a long crack that is continually growing in size as it is currently my daily commuter to work. That was a huge bummer given I had purchased it recently and it didn't have any blemishes on the windshield. The pebble hit the upper driver side part which led the crack to form out toward the roof and is going diagonal to the passenger side below the visor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606380August 4, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had my car parked at my boyfriend's grandfather house in Ohio on Sunday, August 3 and 4 without using the car for 2 days. Today Sunday, August 4 at around 5PM, my boyfriend and I went to our car, because we were planning to go out for ice cream. When we notice a long crack on our windshield. The windshield is cracked and nothing hit it, the cracked extends from the passenger side of the of the corner side all the way to almost the side of the driver side. I read that this has been a problem with many Subarus. I would not have leased this vehicle if I knew this was an issue. It should be identified as a recall. Since I am away from home (New Jersey) and far away from a Subaru dealer, I have to get this windshield repair to get back home. I am going through my insurance to repair it. Please help me in getting to know what to do to get a refund of my deductible. Thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604989July 28, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Several months ago Subaru updated the software in the above mentioned systems. Ever since the systems have become overly sensitive to the point of locking breaks up on the highway, at highway speed, for no obstruction. This has taken me from highway speed to a complete stop in the middle of the number 2 lane on several occasions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604125July 23, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When Apple Carplay is utilized the operator's phone is muted all though they are unaware of this until notified whereas to correct the call must be disconnected then reconnected. This happens continuously and dealer denied any problem and blamed all kinds of other culprits. Upon contacting Apple then Subaru Corporation Headquarters we have discovered that this a problem for many of these models. Subaru said they are trying to resolve this issue yet no one is notifying car owners of this problem and worse denying it exists. This is a grave safety concern as when this happens it distracts the driver trying to correct and if in an emergency the receiver (911) of the call isn't being informed with vital information.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603496July 19, 2024
SEATS
The back of the passenger seat is shaking uncontrollably at higherspeeds. According to my local subaru dealership all 2023 outback they have with power seats are exhibiting the same issu, while the manual seats do not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603103July 18, 2024
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V227000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603043July 17, 2024
AIR BAGS
This vehicle was purchased in April 2018. It was noticed that, when an adult passenger weighing between 100 and 105 lbs sits in the passenger seat, the occupant airbag system does not activate all the time. According to the manufacturer this is normal for the design of this protection system and this situation cannot be corrected.the problem has reoccurred several times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602915July 17, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving to work and a car kicked up a small rock that struck the lower left portion of my windshield. There was no chip created at the time. Several minutes later, I heard an audible pop and 4 - 6 inch long crack appeared in the same area. Within minutes, the crack traveled across the windshield and extended about one foot further. Within a few days, the crack extended to the middle of the windshield and traveled upwards towards the attachment point for the rear view mirror. It's long enough now where I'm worried about it interfering with Eyesight. When I examined the area where the stone impacted, I can see several very small pits where the rock hit, but each pit is probably no larger than 1/64th of an inch in diameter. Given the behavior of the crack and reports I've heard from others, I suspect that the glass is too thin and under stress the way it's mounted to the car. This fault has been reported over and over on social media and has cost owners many thousands of dollars to correct.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602723July 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A tiny crack started at the top of the window butnothing impacted. Thenit slowlyintwo weeks crackeddown quickly on the windshield of the driver from passenger side. Again no rockhit itor anything else.It appeared quickly and spread. Our extra warranty shield protection doesnt coveritbutit seems almost like a factory defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602697July 16, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
In the last approximately 8 months my car has deployed the forward collision warning--Slamming on the brakes-red lights flashing on the screen-seat belts locking--for no apparent reason. Nothing was in front of me!! Twice I was in a local construction zone with cars right behind me and was nearly rear-ended!! Very Frightening experience each time! I took it to the Subaru dealer but they found nothing wrong with the eye sight technology. They did a test drive and it did not do that for them.. But what are the chances that it would occur for them when it has only occurred once a month or so. Contacted Subaru Customer line and was basically told unless it could be collaborated by their mechanics -there was nothing they could do.! Unbelieveable!! Ironic if my safety features are going to get me in an accident!! I am fearful about driving the car as there is no rhyme or reason to the device malfunctioning and slamming on the brakes. I hope you have some information on this to help me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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