Subaru Outback Complaints (2004)

90 consumer complaints on file.

#10433847November 1, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,640.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425771September 16, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PISTONS. THE NOISE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH NEW PISTONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405752June 9, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WHILE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACTS FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE ALSO INJURED HER ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10402132May 19, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK LL BEAN 3.0L H6 HAS HISTORY OF INTERMITTENT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, MISFIRE (SURGING) AT HIGHWAY SPEED, NOT SLOWING DOWN WITH FOOT VISIBLY NOT NEAR GAS PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL, ACCELERATION IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUT TOUCHING BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL, ERRATIC IDLE. DEALERS ATTRIBUTE TO BAD SENSOR (REPLACED PART NUMBER 22627AA130 SENSOR ASSY-PRESS), DIRTY THROTTLE BODY, GAS TREATMENT NEEDED IN GAS TANK, AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM EVER (DISBELIEF). ALSO, WHEN AT ITS WORST, SYMPTOMS INCLUDE EXTREME (BANGING) SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS. AFTER OWNER RESET ECM (DISCONNECT BATTERY, DRAINED ALL KNOWN ENERGY FROM ELECTRONICS, RECONNECTED BATTERY) "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON"T CAME ON, AUTOMOBILE OPERATED NORMALLY, AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WENT OUT WITHIN 50 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION DUE TO UNINTENDED THROTTLE INPUTS, SPEED NOT SLOWED WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE, AND (OBVIOUSLY) IMPAIRED BRAKING DUE TO ENGINE SURGE PRIOR TO FULL-STOP. HOWEVER, FOLLOWING FULL-STOP, ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN TO NEAR "NORMAL" IDLE. FILE UNDER, AMAZING, BUT TRUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386223March 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DURING EARLY DECEMBER 2010 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HEARD A HUGE RATTLING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND WE GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VALVE ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER GOT DAMAGED AND AS A RESULT THE VALVE STEM HAS FALLEN INTO THE CYLINDER. AS THE PISTON WAS MOVING, IT GOT DAMAGED. SO WE NEEDED TO REPLACE TWO PISTONS. WHICH WE DID. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AS DIFFERENTIAL MATERIAL EXPANSION HAS CAUSED THE STEM TO FALL AND DAMAGE THE PISTON. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED BY BAD DESIGN AND USING TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS FOR ENGINE VALVE AND BLOCK. SUBARU NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING. THE CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD ONLY 65,000 MILES. GOT IT REPAIRED. SUBARU WAS OF NO HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363037October 30, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
OUR SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK INTO A TARGET PARKING LOT. AS HE ENTERED HE NOTICED SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM DRIVER'S DOOR. HE STOPPED, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AS FLAMES WERE NOW COMING FROM THE DOOR. HE CALLED THE DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. INTERIOR OF CAR IN DOOR, DASH, WINDSHIELD AREAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. APPEARS TO BE ELECTRIC PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NO WINDOWS OR ANYTHING IN THIS DOOR AREA WERE IN OPERATION. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. CAR TOWED TO AAA AND WILL TAKE IT TO SUBARU DEALER NEXT WEEK. HE AVOIDED GETTING BURNT, BARELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356534September 20, 2010
SUSPENSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323338April 1, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN; HOWEVER, WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322807March 30, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND ADDED COOLANT TO THE RADIATOR. THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK OUT OF THE RADIATOR; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE REPAIR WAS ONLY GOOD FOR A YEAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,380.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321730March 24, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0420 (CATALYST SYS). VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO CODE. 85000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A COMPUTER UPGRADE FOR THIS COMPLAINT PUT OUT BY SUBARU. DEALER PERFORMED UPGRADE THEN INFORMED ME HEADGASKET WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET "GOODWILL". DAT AFTER REPAIR CODE 0420 CAME BACK AND NOW NEED CONVERTERS REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1800.00 TO $2200.00 DUE TO CONTAMINATED CONVERTERS. FUEL, OIL LEAKING INTO EXHAUST FROM FAILED HEAD GASKET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319902March 15, 2010
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBURU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, HE NOTICED THAT THE CV JOINT HAD BROKEN. ONE WEEK AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT SHEARED 1 INCH OFF OF THE DRIVE SHAFT. SUBURU CONFIRMED THAT THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE FAILURE. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT 350 POUNDS OF PRESSURE ON THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS BEING HELD TOGETHER BY A SINGLE O-RING. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 04/28/10 UPDATED 05/13/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/17/12 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317786March 8, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK, H6 (6-CYLINDER) WITH A FAULTY PULSATION DUMPER/DAMPER VALVE. PART OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, THE VALVE ASSEMBLY SITS ABOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE. THE PASSENGER SIDE VALVE (METAL CONSTRUCTION) WAS LITERALLY WEEPING GASOLINE (STRONG SMELL INSIDE CABIN WAS THE TIP OFF). I REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED THE HOSES FIRST, BUT THE VALVE WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE TOP SURFACE WALLS (NOT A SEAM). AWAITING REPLACEMENT PARTS NOW. IT APPEARS THAT THE FOAM CUSHIONING MATERIAL UNDERNEATH THE METAL FUEL RAIL PROTECTOR WAS IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE VALVE OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. CORROSION OF THE EXTERIOR VALVE WALL IS THE MOST LIKELY CULPRIT. SUBARU CLAIMS THEY'VE "NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ONE" (3 DEALERS) AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE VALVE EVEN DOES. LUCKILY, I OBSERVED AND WILL HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE A VEHICLE FIRE. THIS IS AN IMMINENT THREAT FOR OTHER H6 OWNERS WITH THIS VALVE CONFIGURATION. IF CORROSION OF THE VALVE IS PRESENT AT ALL, THE VALVE SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. SUBARU WAS UNINTERESTED IN EXAMINING THE ISSUE OR THE PARTS INVOLVED. IF THE VALVE LEAKS MORE, THE RUNNER LINES ADJACENT TO IT WOULD QUICKLY MELT AND THE CAR WOULD BE DESTROYED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308921February 12, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, UNWANTED, UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION, UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE RESULTING IN COLLISION, THE COLLISION INCIDENTS WERE WHILE IN REVERSE AND THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS COLD ( 0-22 F). GENERALLY THE ACCELERATOR IS OVERSENSITIVE MOST OF THE TIME. IRA SUBARU DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP LOOK AT IT AND THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE IT . *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295762December 15, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK: STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE THAT, ACCORDING TO SUBARU DEALER, IS CAUSED BY LEAKAGE OF FUEL UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER REP. FURTHER EXPLAINED THE LEAK IS CAUSED BY EXPANSION/CONTRACTION OF TUBING DURING COLD WEATHER. THEY ALSO STATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE (IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN MY VEHICLE) AND ON THE DAY I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED (DECEMBER 2009) THEY HAD ALREADY SEEN ABOUT 6 VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SITUATION POSES AND EXTREME RISK OF FIRE AND A HEALTH HAZARD FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. A RECALL IS NEEDED, NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294158December 1, 2009
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT HAD BEEN LOCKED IN PARK, WHICH NEVER HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY. IT EVENTUALLY WAS RELEASED BY PUTTING THE TIP OF A KEY INTO THE AREA OF THE PANEL. ADVISED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE DRIVERS MANUAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TWICE MORE , IT WAS PARKED AGAIN. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A WHIRRING SOUND AND WHEN IT STARTED, IT SURGED FORWARD VERY RAPIDLY AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES.. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS OFF THE ROAD AND ROCKS PUNCTURED A TIRE. IT STOPPED. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE SUBARU REPAIR SHOP, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DID NOT ADVISE REPAIR, BECAUSE OF HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ETC. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268730May 14, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING ABNORMALLY REVERTS TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267678May 4, 2009
WHEELS
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 75,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264187April 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261399March 10, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
BLOWN HEADGASKET AT ONLY 40K. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE WITH EXTRA CARE CAR WHEN NEEDED. TOOK TO DEALER AND COMPLAINED OF SMELL OF COOLANT IN THE INTERIOR OF CAR WHEN DRIVING AND AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN OR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP. TOOK TO DEALER COMPLAINING OF A NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE. AFTER THE DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE NOTHING WAS FOUND AS PER REPORT. I TOOK THE CAR FOR BRAKE REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC NOTED A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE LEFT BANK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. HE STATED THAT HE CAR HAS A BLOWN HEADGASKET ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE CYLINDER BLOCK. THE WARRANTY ON THE POWERTRAIN IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT AND HE ADVISED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. HE DID STATE THAT THE DEALER WILL ONLY REPAIR THE BANK THAT IS LEAKING AND THE OTHER WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND SHOULD BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME TO PREVENT THE OTHER BANK FROM BLOWING OUT DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE BALANCE OF PRESSURE ON THE BLOCK RESULTING FROM THE REPLACEMENT OF ONLY ONE HEADGASKET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255393January 17, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS (FUEL) SMELL (FUMES) IN CABIN WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER. KNOWN PROBLEM: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F117C3E HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755&PAGE=47. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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