Subaru Outback Complaints (2008)

230 consumer complaints on file.

#11035894October 23, 2017
AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN
AIRBAG REPLACED AS PER RECALL, BUT NOT LONG THERAFTER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WON'T GO OFF. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND SUBARU SHOULD COVER IT. ALSO, REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING AT 48K, VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR THEM TO NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11020944August 31, 2017
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SUBARU HAS AN EXTREMELY COMMON FAULTY WIRING ISSUE WITH AN LED PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT IS PART OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM THAT RESIDES IN THE MAPLIGHT ASSEMBLY ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY COUNTLESS VEHICLE OWNERS ACROSS A NUMBER OF MODELS (INCLUDING OUTBACK AND FORESTER) ACROSS A NUMBER OF MODEL YEARS. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH USING THE KEYWORDS: "SUBARU CODE 26 AIRBAG" REVEALS A TREASURE TROVE OF INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS FREQUENT, PERSISTENT AND WIDESPREAD. THIS ISSUE HAS SPANNED A NUMBER OF MODELS AND MODEL YEARS. THE COMPANY AND ITS DEALERS CANNOT HELP BUT BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH INADEQUATE SOLDERING OF THE ELECTRONICS ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) RELATED TO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THIS DEFECT IMPAIRS THE ABILITY OF AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SUBARU REFUSES TO WARRANTY THIS DEFECT. IN ADDITION, SUBARU REFUSES TO HONOR THE TAKATA RECALL IF THIS FAULTY WIRING SYSTEM IS NOT FIRST REMEDIED. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN PRESENT ITSELF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. MANY WEB-BASED ACCOUNTS OF THE PROBLEM HAVE REPORTED THAT CHANGES IN VEHICLE TEMPERATURE DUE TO WEATHER (PARTICULARLY ON COLD DAYS) MAY BE RELATED TO THE SOLDERING JOINT TO MALFUNCTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016306August 19, 2017
ENGINE
VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERE OIL LEAKING FOR 4 YEARS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, BUT ONLY OFFERED REPAIR AT FULL SHOP RATE PRICES. I SEE THIS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11014554August 11, 2017
AIR BAGS, ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL-- SUBARU "REPAIR" OF DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS DANGEROUS. WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES REGULARLY. SUBARU REFUSES TO FIX. ----NOTE SUBARU ALSO REFUSED TO REPAIR LONG REPORTED ISSUES WITH BRAKES, AIR BAG, WINDSHIELD. THEY SOUGHT $$THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR BILLINGS. ALL THREE OF THESE LATER SUBJECT OF RECALLS. SUBARU REPORTED OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO GASKET LEAKAGE, CONCERN FOR CAT CONVERTER AS POTENTIAL REPAIR BILLING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FOURTH POTENTIAL SUBJECT OF RECALL NOW. ----- WHAT MORE HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE ON ONE CAR BEFORE ENTIRE CAR RECALLED?!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11012952August 5, 2017
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. REPORTING MY CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST. I WAS INFORMED WITH A LETTER FROM SUBARU MY CAR HAS THIS DEFECT. I AM MAKING AN APPOINTNENT TO HAVE IT REPLACED ASAP. IT HAS NOT DEPLOYED YET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10993821June 7, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LIGHTS AND THE RADIO ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY GO OFF AND ON SITTING STILL OR MOVING I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS NOT STOPPED AS OF 6/7/2017
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10992192May 30, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE FAILURE, LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON US HWY 221. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT FROM THE GAS TANK SPLASH SHIED. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. ACCORDING TO RECALL BULLETIN A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SPLASH SHIELD ALLOWS SALT TO ACCUMULATE IN THIS AREA. I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS WHY I HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE.RECALL PERFORMED PREVIOUSLY DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. SUBARU APPLIES BAND AID BY SPRAYING WITH ANTI-CORROSION NOXRUST. THIS DOES NOT ALLEVIATE/SOLVE THE CORROSION ALREADY OCCURRING LEADING TO FAILURE LATER ON, AS IN MY CASE. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE LOSS OF LIFE OCCURS. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU TO INFORM OF THE ISSUE INVOLVING MY SITUATION. THEIR AGENT INDICATES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE DUE TO PREVIOUSLY PERFORMING SERVICE WQK47. THIS DOES NOT REMOVE THE FAILING COMPONENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO DETERIORATE DUE TO SURFACE CORROSION. THIS SHOULD CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE ALARM TO ANY OWNERS KNOWING THEY COULD POSSIBLY EXPERIENCE MY SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY. NO ONE WAS INJURED OR NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE THE CASE. BE AWARE SUBARU IS TURNING A BLIND EYE TO THE REAL DANGER OF THESE FAULTY, CORRODED BRAKE LINES. I DO NOT TRUST THEM TO DO ANY FURTHER INSPECTION OR REPAIR OF MY VEHICLE AND WILL TRUST IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAS MY FAITH. SUBARU HAS FAILED!!!! MY HOPE IS THAT THE NHTSA WILL OPEN AN INVESTIGATION BEFORE THIS GOES MAINSTREAM NATIONALLY. WHO CAN REPLACE A LOST LIVE?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10991543May 24, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THREE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10979010April 18, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES
SEVER CORROSION OF REAR BRAKE LINE CAUSED SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND RESULTED IN LOSS OF ABILITY TO BRAKE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10968155March 23, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRING HARNESS PASSING FROM THE VEHICLE BODY THROUGH TO THE HATCHBACK IS CHAFFING AND HAS BROKEN WIRES. I DISCOVERED THIS WHEN MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING. AFTER REPLACING THE MOTOR THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ONLINE SEARCH PROVIDED MANY REPORTS OF THIS PHENOMENON. I CALLED SUBARU SERVICE AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REPORT THE FIX IS AROUND $500-600 AND ENTAILS REPLACING THE WIRING HARNESS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES GET BRITTLE WITH AGE AND IT IS A TIGHT FIT. MY ISSUE IS ON THE RUBBER BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY GARAGE AS I WAS TROUBLESHOOTING THE INOPERATIVE REAR WIPER MOTOR. 85,150 MILES ON THE CAR, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ALWAYS PARKED IN GARAGE. I CAN UPLOAD PHOTO DOCUMENTS IF REQUESTED. AS BARE WIRES ARE PRESENT IN THIS AREA I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL HAZARD. REAR WIPER IS ALSO INOPERATIVE DUE TO BROKEN WIRE AND COULD RESULT IN LIMITED REAR VISIBILITY. SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY AWARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWED REPORTS OF REAR BACK UP LIGHTS BECOMING INOPERATIVE AS WELL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10967192March 20, 2017
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF, BECAUSE OF A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY. HAD THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME BEEN ANY CLOSER I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT TURNS OUT THAT SUBARU HAS PROGRAMED THEIR VEHICLES TO DO THIS. WHY WOULD ANYONE PROGRAM A CAR TO HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OVER SUCH A MINOR ISSUE.RECALLS FOR "KEYS TURNING OFF" HAVE HAPPENED, AND THE MANUFACTURERS KNEW ABOUT IT. SUBARU KNOWS THIS HAPPENS AND I HOPE THERE WILL BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HOPE THIS IS BOUGHT TO THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS AT NHTSA AND IS ADDRESS PROPERLY. I HOPE NO ONE GETS KILLED BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10953690February 9, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE BACKLOGGED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10949251February 3, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DEALER, BUT THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10949106February 2, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10944929February 1, 2017
AIR BAGS
LETTER FROM CONSUMER REGARDING ISSUES WITH HIS 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK DUE TO A RECALL; SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN GETTING HIS VEHICLE CORRECTED BY JANUARY 31, 2017. *SMD THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 15V323000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10939641January 4, 2017
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10938852December 30, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, VISIBILITY/WIPER
AIR BAG: THE "OVHD CONSOLE PASS ON OFF INDICATOR" HAD TO BE REPLACED. SEAT BELTS: THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT RELIABLY. IT HAS BROKEN THE LEFT FRONT DOOR SWITCH TWICE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS: THE WIPER BLADE TRANSMISSION UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10937604December 27, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
ON THURSDAY, DEC. 22, ABOUT 11:25 A.M., I CAME TO A INTERSECTION OF MEADOWLARK LANE AND RT. 528 IN RIO RANCHO, NM. AND GOT IN THE RIGHT TURN LANE. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL PART-WAY, FELT AND HEARD THE GRINDING UNDER MY FOOT. I LIFTED OFF MY FOOT AND DEPRESSED IT FULLY (NO NOISE OR GRINDING) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TURNED INTO THE RIGHT LANE OF THE 3-LANE STREET. I WANTED TO GET TO THE FAR LEFT LANE. I SIGNALED AND TURNED LEFT. THE CAR PASSED THROUGH THE CENTER LANE. AS THE CAR ENTERED THE LEFT LANE, IT SUDDENLY VEERED RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND CONTINUED FORWARD IN A "S" PATTERN FOR A FEW FEET! THE ROAD WAS DAMP, BY NO MEANS SLICK (NOT SHINY AND NO PUDDLES OR VISIBLE WATER OR ICE ON THE ROAD). I BELIEVE THE TEMP WAS ABOVE FREEZING. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK TO THE FAR LEFT LANE. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANICS FOR AN APPT. I HAD MADE FOR TO HAVE THE CV BOOTS? REPLACED AND THEY SAID THEY CHECKED OUT THE STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. AND TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE SAME THING. THEY SAID THEY WAS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. POSSIBLY THE ANTI-SKID ACTION WAS SET OFF. THIS WAS VERY UNNERVING. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10928062November 26, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WIRE HARNESS GOING TO REAR HATCH HAD MULTIPLE WIRES SEVERED BY REPEATED OPENING/CLOSING OF REAR HATCH. LOCK AND TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BROKEN THOUGH. 4 OTHER WIRES HAD THEIR INSULATION CUT AND THE CONDUCTOR WAS EXPOSED. IN SEARCHING THE NET THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927345November 21, 2016
AIR BAGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO "SUBARU OF PLANO" IN PLANO, TX. FOR AN OIL LEAK, WAS THERE FOR 3 WEEKS WHILE I WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON THE SECOND TO LAST DAY I LEARNED OF THE AIR BAG RECALL AND CALLED TO INFORM MY SERVICE ADVISOR OF THIS SINCE AT THIS POINT I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL. GOT A CALL FROM HIM THE NEXT MORNING STATING THAT ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAD BE COMPLETED AND MY CAR WAS READY...? (SOUNDED FISHY TO ME..) ANYHOW, I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN 2 MILES IN THE THREE WEEKS IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. NEEDLESS TO SAY I MADE IT A WHOLE 4 MILES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED TO DIE AND TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD... TOOK THE CAR TO A NEAR BY SERVICE CENTER AND FOUND THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT 2 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE CAR THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE WHICH IS CONCERNING BUT WHAT I'M REALLY CONCERNED WITH IS THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK TO INSTALL THE NEW AIRBAG, SINCE THE RECALL DEPARTMENT I ORIGINALLY SPOKE WITH STATED THAT THE PARTS WHERE STILL ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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