Subaru Outback Complaints (2001)

171 consumer complaints on file.

#10495129January 29, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD (BELOW FREEZING) THE CAR BEGINS TO GET A FUEL SMELL. IT IS EXTREMELY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR AS WELL. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT HAPPENING WAS IN 2006. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO CHECKED IT AND FOUND NO LEAKS. ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS SITTING OUTSIDE DEALERSHIP SO THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING (WEATHER MAY HAVE WARMED UP). IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2008 AND THIS TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK SO THEY REPLACED THE FUEL HOSE AND CLAMP. IT WORKED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR WHEN IT GOT COLD AGAIN. LOOKING AT VARIOUS POSTS ON THE INTERNET FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AROUND SOME OF THE HOSES AROUND THE FILTER AND IT MOSTLY WORKED. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARMER THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK SO WELL, ESP. WHEN REALLY COLD OUT. THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IS SUBARU'S RESPONSE? REPLACING HOSES AND CLAMPS EVERY YEAR IS NOT A SOLUTION! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458889May 18, 2012
SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION:REAR
MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 03V153000, WHICH RESULTED IN MANUFACTURER RECALL WWM96-REAR. THIS RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE ON 4/13/2004 AT 36,339 MILES WITH THE INTENDED PURPOSE OF HALTING PREMATURE RUST-OUT OF THE REAR SUB-FRAME COMPONENT. IN THE PROCESS OF RECENTLY REPLACING EXHAUST COMPONENTS AT APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES IT WAS NOTED THAT THE REAR SUB-FRAME COMPONENT IS NOW PERFORATED BY RUST EVEN THOUGH SIMILAR COMPONENTS ARE NOT, WHICH WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THAT THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS NOT ADEQUATE. AN EXCHANGE OF EMAILS AND TELEPHONE CALLS WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS RESULTED IN A DECISION BY THEM TO DECLINE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPONENT AT THEIR EXPENSE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED WAS A $500 CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SUBARU. SINCE REPLACEMENT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE TO WHAT I CONSIDER A REASONABLE POINT (200,000 MILES), THE CONSEQUENCE NOTED IN CAMPAIGN 03V153000 MAY OCCUR. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE SUB-FRAME COMPONENT AND COPIES OF THE EMAIL EXCHANGE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA WHICH I CAN SEND TO YOU IF YOU SO DESIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452188March 19, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CAR SMELLS LIKE FUEL WHEN IDLING ON A COLD DAY. RUBBER FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTER WERE LOOSE AND AFTER TIGHTENING THEM FUEL SMELL TEMPORARILY STOPPED. SMELL HAS RETURNED AND AFTER CALLING SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO RUBBER FUEL LINES THAT NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. DEALERSHIP IS ASKING OVER $300 TO REPLACE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINES LOCATED UNDER THE MANIFOLD. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451137March 12, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) IN WHICH AN ANTI- RUST COATING WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED UNDER THE RECALL AND THE RECENT RUST FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL IN 2003 AND COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10443484January 11, 2012
SEAT BELTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HE NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT SENT BELTS WOULD NOT PROPERLY RETRACT, LEAVING A LOT OF SLACK BETWEEN VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR MAIN ENTRANCE SEAL ON THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441603December 29, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I PURCHASED A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS BELOW FREEZING AROUND 28 DEGREES OR LOWER, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER AREA. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SUBARU DEALER FOR JANUARY 5TH, HOWEVER I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH NO CLEAR FIX. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IF THIS PROBLEM ISN'T GOING TO BE FIXED. WHAT REMEDY HAS SUBARU OFFERED FOR THIS PROBLEM? *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428285October 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THERE WERE FLAMES UNDER THE BUTTONS OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE ARM REST. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR DEFROSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 12/22/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WITHIN A MINUTE, THE FIRE OPENED A HOLE IN ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVERS DOOR. APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES WIDE WITH FLAMES. UPDATED 12/28/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10415388July 27, 2011
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 08/31/2011 *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN 2003 FOR DEFECTIVE PAINT ON THE FRAME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN FRAME RUST. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED SUBARU BY PHONE AND LETTER AND THEY REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE. THEY CLAIMED THE WERE NOT LIABLE REGARDING OF CRASH DANGER. UPDATED 09/01/11 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399599May 9, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE SUB FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION: REAR) WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 2004. THE RECALL REQUIRED THE MANUFACTURER TO SPRAY AN ANTI RUST AND WAX ONTO THE SUB FRAME AND AXLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING AND THE SUB FRAME AND REAR AXLE WERE BOTH FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380211February 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER (FAHRENHEIT) AN OVERWHELMING GASOLINE ODOR FILLED THE CABIN OF MY 2001 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON (OUTBACK). THIS HAPPENED ON THREE DIFFERENT TRIPS AROUND TOWN YESTERDAY. I HAVE A 2.5L ENGINE, USING 87 OCTANE GASOLINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ELIMINATE DURING THESE EPISODES. I LIFTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AND FOUND THE VAPOR SMELL WAS STRONGEST NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKING FROM ANY NEOPRENE OF STEEL LINES. OBVIOUSLY THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE HEATING SYSTEM VENTS (THE CLIMATE CONTROL FAN WAS TURNED TO HIGH). THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG, IT WAS OVERWHELMING EVEN WHEN THE VENTS WERE BLOWING RECIRCULATED AIR FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIP. I BELIEVE A SPARK COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380087February 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. FUEL VAPOR SMELL IN CABIN WHEN TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR THE THREE WINTERS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THIS FALL I FOUND SEVERAL COMMENTS ONLINE WHICH PROMPTED ME TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS ON FUEL LINES RUNNING TO/FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL FILTER. THIS SEEMED TO HELP UNTIL THE LAST 2-3 DAYS WHEN WE EXPERIENCED PROLONGED TEMPERATURES OF 0 TO -15F. NOW THE SMELL IS BACK AND THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER SUGGESTS THE PROBLEM OFTEN INVOLVES FUEL HOSES BENEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH THEY ESTIMATE $370 TO REPAIR. BASED ON NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS I HAVE FOUND ONLINE, SOME DATING BACK TO 2003, I AM SHOCKED THAT SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SO LONG AND FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. GASOLINE VAPOR IS A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HAZARD. NOT ONLY IS IT A CARCINOGEN AND KNOWN TO CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE, BUT SHORT TERM EXPOSURE AT THE VERY LEAST MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DIZZINESS AND IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY, LEADING TO POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH... NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF FIRE, ALSO WITH POTENTIALLY DIRE CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS OUR FAMILY'S PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE ALLOW MY WIFE AND CHILD TO TRAVEL UNDER SUCH HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I WISH SUBARU SHARED MY OPINION. WE WILL NOT USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE PERFORMED, ALBEIT AT MY OWN COST RATHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379604January 30, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. ON VERY COLD DAYS, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL THAT PERVADES THE PASSENGER CABIN. WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN EVEN WHEN 20-DEGREES OUTSIDE OR EXPOSE MY 3YR SON TO THE GAGGING FUMES. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE (THERE ARE LITERALLY 1000'S OF POSTS ON SUBARU OWNERS WEB BOARDS) BUT MY LOCAL MECHANIC WAS INITIALLY NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO MAKE OWNERS AWARE OF THIS COMMON FAILURE IN SUBARU FUEL LINES. ONCE WE FOUND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL ON THE WEB, WE HAD THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FOR ABOUT $300. GIVEN HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS A FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE, THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE SUBARU TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THE IMMEDIATE DANGER, THEIR LACK OF ACTION ALSO IS LEADING TO OWNERS EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO FUEL FUMES IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THUS HARD FOR MECHANICS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378806January 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
UNDERHOOD FUEL HOSES ARE ALLOWING LEAKAGE AT LOW TEMPERATURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376744January 14, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK, 4 CYL. STRONG GAS SMELL WHEN OUTSIDE AIR/HEATER IS ON AND TEMPERATURE IS AROUND FREEZING OR BELOW. IT HAS HAPPENED LAST 3 YRS AND FUMES CAN BE AVOIDED BY CHANGING TO RECIRCULATING AIR. DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371033December 17, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK, THAT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, SOMEWHERE AT AND BELOW 30 DEGREES, I GET A GAS ODOR IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN *EXTREMELY* COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S GAS LINES AND THAT SUBARU IS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE ON 2002 AND NEWER MODELS. HAVE YOU RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND CAN YOU TELL ME WHY NO RECALL ON 2001S WAS EVER DONE? THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369735December 9, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILED DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALL THE PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF A HEADACHE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPAIRED A LEAKING FUSE HOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10341732July 7, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN UPON STARTING ENGINE. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80- DEGREES...NOT COLD. SMELL DISSIPATES AS CAR RUNS AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303598February 1, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I WAS TRAVELING A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-IN WITH VEHICLES CLOSE TO BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH MY FOOT SECURELY ON THE BRAKE. MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WILDLY AND, BEFORE I COULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKES, CAREENED INTO THE CAR DIRECTLY AHEAD. MY AUTO ACTUALLY PUSHED THE AUTO AHEAD SOME 5-6 FT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT UNDER CONTROL.I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE POLICE AND INSURANCE CO.IT COST ME A $500 DEDUCTIBLETO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. I BROUGHT MY AUTO TO A SUBARU DEALER FOR REVIEW. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND NOTHING AWRY. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 4-5 OCCASIONS. DRIVING THIS AUTO IS NOW QUITE FRIGHTENING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300199January 18, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR IS A SUBARU OUTBACK 2001. COMPLAINT IS STRONG FUEL SMELL AND VAPORS IN THE CAR CABIN WHEN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 30 DEGREES OR SO. SMELL PERMEATES OUR CLOTHING TO THE EXTENT THAT WHEN WE LEAVE THE CAR AND ENCOUNTER PEOPLE, THEY COMMENT THAT WE SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AS HAVE CLAMPS AND HOSES. NO RESOLUTION. WE MUST DRIVE BREATHING STRONG FUMES. OPENING WINDOWS DISSIPATES FUMES SOMEWHAT, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. PROBLEM IS WORSE WITH HEATER RUNNING, SO WE TURN IT OFF. ADDITIONAL CONCERN IS THAT WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT HEAT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER IS NOT OPERATIONAL, RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD BEING ICED OVER AND/OR COVERED WITH CONDENSATION. THIS CAUSES VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND IS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10298344January 5, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY WHEN COLD IN SUB-FREEZING WEATHER CONDITIONS. VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY HAS GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES WHEN IT IS VERY COLD OUT AND THE CONDITION RESOLVES ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Outback