Subaru Outback Complaints (2001)

171 consumer complaints on file.

#10119949May 5, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE ODOMOTER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONTACT TESTED THE ODOMETER AND THE RESULTS WERE NOT CORRECT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE ODOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY. *NM *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119851May 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
SINCE DAY ONE, THE CLUTCH HAS SHUDDERED AT ENGAGEMENT WHEN ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN IS COLD. THE TREMORS ARE VIOLENT ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE DISTURBINGLY. THIS HAS BEEN A NUISANCE AND SOMEWHAT OF A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE QUICKLY IF NECESSARY. OVER THE LAST 10000 MILES OR SO, I'VE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH ON AN UPHILL START. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING AND WILL NEED REPLACEMENT SOON AND I ONLY HAVE 61500 HIGHWAY MILES ON THE CAR! I'VE HAD PLENTY OF CARS GO OVER 150000 MILES WITH NO CLUTCH PROBLEMS. SUBARU HAS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW IN THESE HYDRAULIC CLUTCHES THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO OWN UP TO! REGRETTABLY, I MAY HAVE PURCHASED MY LAST SUBARU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116655April 9, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, ON ITS OWN, WHILE MY FOOT IS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY IN PARKING LOTS/PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116656April 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH THE H6 ENGINE. WHEN GOING VERY SLOWLY, SUCH AS PARKING IN THE GARAGE, THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE. YOU MUST KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT IS WITH THE COMPUTER CONTROL AND THE H6 ENGINE. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD. A SUDDEN LURCH COULD DAMAGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT OR A PERSON IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE LIVED WITH IT, BUT SOMEONE WROTE TO CLICK AND CLACK COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SO, I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOUR AGENCY TO ALSO VOICE MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114093March 14, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK SEEMS TO HAVE AN UNUSUALLY HIGH INCIDENCE OF NEEDING BRAKE REPAIRS. WE ARE ON OUR 2ND BRAKE JOB IN UNDER 40,000 MILES. THE DISC ROTORS HAVE WARPED TWICE, RESULTING IN STRONG VIBRATION (NOT ABS) WHEN STOPPING. THE BRAKES ALSO SQUEAL IN REVERSE, ANNOYING, AND POSSIBLY A SYMPTOM OF AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS PREFORMED A PAD REPLACEMENT ,EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ADEQUATE MATERIAL REMAINING, AND ROTOR TURNING 2 TIMES. MY ON-LINE RESEARCH, AND THE CONSUMER REPORTS DOCUMENTATION REPORTS A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE , OVER 14% HAVE SUFFERED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF THIS WERE OCCURING IN A LESS CRITICAL COMPONENT I WOULDN'T BE AS CONCERNED.HOWEVER THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SHORT LIFESPAN FOR BRAKES IN A NON-HIGH PERFORMANCE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY THE PADS AREN'T WEARING, BUT THE ROTORS ARE FAILING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112696March 8, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS IT HAS REQUIRED 3 COMPLETE BRAKE JOBS (ROTORS AND PADS), SO CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS IT'S 4TH SET OF BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY CAR THAT HAS REQUIRED THAT MANY BRAKES JOBS IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE HAD ALL MY REPAIRS DONE AT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS THAT THE DESIGN AND MATERIALS OF THE BRAKES CAUSE THE ROTORS TO WARP AND WEAR OUT PREMATURELY, REQUIRING BOTH THE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED EACH TIME, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE. AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES AND THE WOBBLE GETS WORSE VERY QUICKLY OVER TIME. THE FIRST 2 BRAKE JOBS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE LAST ONE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS LIKE ME EXPERIENCING THE SAME PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. FOR JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF OTHER TESTIMONIALS, VISIT THE WEBSITE WW.AUTOBYTEL.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/1959 AND YOU CAN SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN MY COMPLAINT. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE DESIGN IS A FACTORY DEFECT. I THINK SUBARU SHOULD REDESIGN THEM AND IN THE MEAN TIME BE MADE TO COVER THE COST OF THESE REPEATED REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT THEIR POSITION IS THAT IT IS "A WEAR ISSUE". I REALIZE, LIKE TIRES, CERTAIN ITEMS ON CARS DO WEAR OUT OVER TIME AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AS PART OF THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF A CAR. HOWEVER, I DO NOT AGREE THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON MY SUBARU IS SIMPLY A WEAR ISSUE AND APPARENTLY, NEITHER DO THEIR OWN MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112626March 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 60,000 MI. ROTORS WARP AND CAUSE FRONT END SHAKING WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106664February 16, 2005
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STUDS SHEARED OFF. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. NO COLLISION REPORTED. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109936February 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
(1) EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE---JUST DRIVING THE CAR, THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN ENGINE STARTED TO GET HOT, SO CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES--$1900 REPAIR BILL-TWO HEAD GASKET IN ENGINE---FROM ARLINGTON, MA SUBARU DEALER--ESTIMATE REDUCED TO $1700 UPON REQUEST. GETTING REPAIR DONE WITH OTHER SHOP (3) GETTING TWO HEAD GASKETS AND OTHER ENGINE GASKETS REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107791January 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103538January 14, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106756January 4, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND FOOT WAS PLACED ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094357September 21, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
CONSUMERS CHILD ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED THE SHIFT MECHANISM CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE CONSUMERS SON BUMPED INTO THE SHIFT. IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE SAFETY INTERLOCK WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. (A PIN HAD COME DISCONNECTED) *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091032September 15, 2004
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
MY 4 YR OLD SON WENT INTO THIS CAR WHICH WAS IN PARK IN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. HE BUMPED INTO THE SHIFT MECHANISM WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY ALLOWED THE CAR TO DRIFT BACKWARDS FROM THE SLIGHT GRADE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO INJURY, BUT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE AND UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO SUBURU WHO VERIFIED THAT THE SAFETY INTERLOCK WAS NOT OPERATING AS DESIGNED. SUBURU INSISTS THAT THIS SAFETY INTERLOCK IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS THE CAR IS BEYOND THE GENERAL 3 YR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY (THE CAR HAS APPROX 46,000 MILES). THEY HAVE NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A PIN CAME DISCONNECTED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088209August 19, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE OR CLUTCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078784June 25, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK VDC. SINCE PURCHASE I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH WARPING OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED TWICE, THEN REPLACED BY SUBARU IN APRIL 2003. THE ROTORS HAVE NOW WARPED AGAIN AND ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTLY. THIS CONDITION LEADS TO UNCONTROLLABLE WHEEL AND FRONT END SHAKING WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072779May 17, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I HAVE GONE THROUGH ONE HEAD GASKET ON JAN 2003. THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT IN DEC OF 2003 AND THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN JANUARY OF 2004 I HAD THE OVERHEAD CAMGASKETS GO OUT ON THE CAR AS WELL AS THE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. I HAVE HAD MORE ISSUES BUT IT WOULD BE A SMALL BOOK. SUBARU HAS BEEN RELATIVLY UNRESPONSIVE EVEN AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS TO MY CONCERNS. EVERY PART WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THERE SEEMS TO BE A POROBLEM WITH MY NEW ENGINE SINCE THERE IS NOW AN INVESTIGATION WITHIN SUBARU. THEY REFUSE TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT WHICH RAISES THE QUESTION OF WAS THIS A NEW ENGINE OR WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NEW ENGINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072644May 14, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AT LESS THAN 36,000. DEALER REPLACED THE PADS UNDER THE WARRANTY. COME TO FIND OUT THE ROTORS ARE WARPED TOO. WE DID NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL A LITTLE OVER 36,000 MILES. DEALER WILL NOT FIX ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE WE BROUGHT FOR SERVICE AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. A LITTLE RESEARCH HAS IDENTIFIED THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. WE ARE NOT AT ALL HARD ON THE BRAKES EITHER. ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS FAILURE IS A.) CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECTIVE PART(S) OR B.) SUBARU HAS NOT DESIGNED / INSTALLED SUFFICIENT ROTORS ETC. FOR THIS VCEHICLE. I'M GUESSING THAT OPTION B IS THE PROBLEM HERE!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10072418May 11, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
MY CLUTCH SHUDDERS WHEN COLD AND SOMETIMES WHEN WARMED UP. BEEN HAPPENING SINCE AROUND 20K MILES. TOOK TO DEALER AT 25K MILES BUT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THEY SAID BRING IT BACK WHEN PROBLEM WORSENS. BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER AT 56K MILES, AND DEALER SAID CLUTCH WAS BAD. WOULDN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY SAID IT WAS "USER WEAR". YEAH, RIGHT! I HAD TO PAY FULL COST TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH!! I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED SINCE MANY PEOPLE WITH OUTBACK CLUTCHES HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I'VE LOOK AT OUTBACK MODEL YEARS 2000-2003 ON THE NHTSA COMPLAINT WEB SITE AND THERE ARE MANY INCIDENCES ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE CLUTCHES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071973May 3, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THERE WAS VIBRATION IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Outback