2001 Subaru Outback Complaint Log

THE CAR OVERHEATED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME. I DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE FROM SUBARU REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES. I HAVE A 2001 OUTBACK LIMITED SEDAN. AND NOW I HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES AND NO CHANCE OF WARRANTY. SUBARU KNOWS ALL ALONG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND YET NO RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED EIGHT TIMES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE STEERING FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE UNCONSCIOUS. SHE SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS, BRUISES, AND SPRAINS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. SHE HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

BOUGHT OUTBACK FROM NATE WADE SUBARU IN SALT LAKE CITY IN NOV. OF 2006. I WAS TOLD THAT NATE WADE PERFORMED A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD BY THE SALESMAN, BRYCE, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR(ALONG WITH POWERTRAIN WARRANTY), I NOTICED THAT IN COLD WEATHER, THE BELT SQUEALED. TALKED TO DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW I'M VERY INSECURE ABOUT THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF THE CAR. I'M NOT SO SURE THAT THE SALESMAN OR THE DEALER WAS BEING HONEST ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE CAR. ONCE THE WEATHER BEGAN HEATING UP, THE CAR WOULD OVERHEAT. I TOOK IT INTO NATE WADE SERVICE. THEY SAID ALL THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WAS A NEW RADIATOR CAP AND FLUSHED THE LINES. PAID FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN. SERVICE TOLD ME THEN THAT I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WHEN I VISITED NATE WADE SERVICE A WEEK PRIOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT OVERHEATING DUE TO THE RADIATOR BECAUSE THE RADIATOR LEAK WAS MINIMAL. NATE WADE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BESIDES REPLACING THE RADIATOR. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BEEN LOSING POWER AND A SEVERE DECREASE IN FUEL MILEAGE. TOOK THE CAR TO NATE WADE. NATE WADE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AT ALL, BUT THAT I COULD GET A TUNE UP FOR 150. BUT, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SPARKPLUGS OR THE TIMING. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BUT ALL THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO DO IS THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM, AND STALL UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES THIS NOVEMBER. THEY REFUSE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT WANT ME TO JUST KEEP SPENDING MONEY TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AS WAS PROMISED BY BRYCE, THE SALESMAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE. A VALID VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

STARTING AROUND 62K MILES, I HEARD A WHINING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND HIGHER WITH WHEEL SPEED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD DIFFERENTIAL BEARING, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE RECOMMENDED FIX WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING BOTH DIFFERENTIALS. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO CONFIRM THIS, THEY QUOTED ME $6,000-$8,000 FOR THE REPAIR. I TRIED TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA, SINCE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY GOES FOR 60K MILES, BUT THEY WERE UNWILLING. THIS CAUSED THE VALUE OF MY CAR TO GO TO ZERO, SINCE IT'S WORTH ABOUT $8,000 WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

IT'S BEEN RATHER COLD HERE THE PAST COUPLE DAYS (SINGLE DIGITS, -20 WIND CHILL). I WAS SITTING IN MY 2001 OUTBACK YESTERDAY EVENING LETTING IT WARM UP. I TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFROSTER INCLUDED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I ACTUALLY WATCHED THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE DEFROSTER ELEMENT! WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT FURTHER. THE CRACK EXTENDS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE DEFROSTER ELEMENT ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE, I AM HAVING TO PAY $300 FOR A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACKS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND A MAJOR SAFETY RISK. THOUGH THE GLASS MAY NOT BLOW IN, THE SHATTER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH WOULD CERTAINLY CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JB

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE TEMP FALLS BELOW 20, AND THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, BRAKES WILL MOMENTARILY NOT WORK. SPECIFICALLY, I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THEY WILL FEEL HARD TO PUSH AND WILL SLOW THE CAR, I LET UP AND PUSH AGAIN, THEY FEEL EVEN HARDER, AND WILL NOT SLOW THE CAR. USUALLY THE FOURTH TIME I PUMP THEM THEY RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP, WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. PADS WERE FINE, NO WATER IN THE FLUID. FLUID WAS CHANGED AND PROBLEM HAS RECURRED SINCE THEN. *NM

1) UPON COLDER WEATHER STARTING AND DURING THE FIRST 30-40 MINUTES OF OPERATION OUR 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK GETS FUEL VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. 2) FUEL SMELLS CAUSE USE TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN TO KEEP BREATHABLE AIR AVAILABLE. FUEL VAPOR IS A CARCINOGEN, OF COURSE. OCCUPANTS COMPLAINED OF NAUSEA AND HEADACHES. 3) TOOK CAR TO PAUL BROS. SUBARU AND THEY TOLD US THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. 4) SUBSEQUENTLY, LEARNED OF HUNDREDS OF LIKE COMPLAINTS AND A SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING LEAKY HOSES DUE TO LOOSE FUEL CLAMPS AND POOLING FUEL ON CREVICES ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. CONSIDERED NOT A "ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN ISSUE IN WARRANTY AND COST TO REPLACE HOSES HAS BEEN CHARGED TO OWNERS AT MORE THAN $600. PERSONS "INJURED" IS HARD TO DETERMINE DUE TO CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF FUMES IS AN UNCLEAR CONNECTION TO A SINGULAR INJURY. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF HOSES AT SUBARU'S EXPENSE. THE HOSES PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER WAS KNOWN TO SUBARU BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR (IN CANADA THIS IS A FAR LARGER ISSUE BTW). I SHOULD EXPECT HOSES TO PERFORM OVER THE PUBLISHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE OR IN WHAT EVER REGION SUBARUS ARE SOLD. *JB

POWER SUBARU OF SCOTTSDALE FINALIZED THE REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 ON OUR SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. WHILE IN FOR REPAIR FOR THE HEAD GASKET, THE DEALER NOTED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. POWER SUBARU REPLACED THE TENSIONER WITH A NEW SUBARU TENSIONER (PART #13033AA042.) IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT POWER SUBARU TEST DROVE THE CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS BASED ON THE MILEAGE IN AND OUT SHOWN ON THE SERVICE INVOICE. THE CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON STATE HIGHWAY 87 WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT THE POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR AS WE LEFT THE DEALER THAT DID THE REPAIR. THAT ENGINE FAILURE CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY WIFE, MARGARET, WHO HAD TO COAST DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO A SMALL ROAD TO SAFELY PULL OFF. IF THE ROAD/PULL OUT AREA HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO HER, SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PARTIALLY BLOCK THE HIGHWAY LANE OF TRAFFIC SHE WAS IN. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR COMING BEHIND HER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INJURING/KILLING HER OR POSSIBLY OTHERS. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES CREATING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. POWER SUBARU TOLD ME SINCE THAT THE ENGINE WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER THEY INSTALLED SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE NEW TIMING BELT TO BREAK WHICH THEN CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. SUBARU HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A MANUFACTURE REBUILT ENGINE AND WILL WARRANTY THE ENGINE FOR 36,000 MILES OR THREE YEARS, BUT HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE US WITH A RENTAL CAR REPLACEMENT FOR THE TWO WEEK REPAIR TIME. WE NEED AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OR 4 WHEEL DRIVE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE SINCE WE HAVE SNOW. THEY ONLY OFFERED TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE RENTAL COST OF A SMALL TWO WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WHICH IS NOT ADEQUATE. SUBARU SHOULD CHANGE THE MANUFACTURING OF IT'S TIMING BELT TENSIONER SINCE THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED IT'S OTHER VEHICLES AND IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. *NM

WITHIN 4 YEARS, MY SUBARU OUTBACK VCD NEEDED 3 SETS OF BRAKES AND 4 SETS OF ROTORS (NOT INCLUDING THE "RESURFACING" TO EXTEND THE ROTORS). EVERYTIME WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ATTRIBUTE THE PROBLEMS TO MY DRIVING PATTERN. BUT I OWNED THREE OTHER CARS BEFORE (ALL WERE LESS EXPENSIVE), AND NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES NOR ROTORS. AS POSTED IN THIS WEBSITE, THERE ARE 13 OTHER COMPLAINS, WITH VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NHTSA ENGINEERS TO ANALYZE THE 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK BRAKES AND ROTORS. NOT ONLY IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS ALSO A COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY ISSUE: SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COST, NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE, OUR TIME, EMOTIONAL STRESS CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS. *NM

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

2001 OUTBACK HAD A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING, AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY HAD THE WORK DONE BY HIS LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THEM VERIFY THAT THE WORK WAS DONE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO HIM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET USED WAS 3 PIECES AND THE WORK DONE PREVIOUSLY ONLY 1 PIECE WAS REPLACED, WHICH WAS OPPOSITE FROM THE # CYLINDER. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET FOR THE THIRD TIME, TOLD THE CONSUMER HE UTILIZES ONLY A SOLID ONE PIECE GASKET AND HAD THE BEEN DONE ORIGINALLY, THE CONSUMER MAY NOT HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEMS. *JB

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LEAKS FUEL IN COLD WEATHER. READ ON THE WEB ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BELOW ABOUT 25 DEGREES FUEL SMELL FILLS THE PASSENGER CABIN. APPEARS TO COME FROM UNDER THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. HOPE TO NOT PASS OUT FROM FUEL VAPORS. HAVEN'T HAD A FIRE YET. 2ND ISSUE IS HEAD GASKET LEAK WHICH WAS A $1500 REPAIR. ALSO APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARU. *TR

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AT 90K AFTER 2.5 ENGINE IS STARTED IT RATTLES LIKE THE VALVE LIFTERS ARE NOT GETTING OIL LUBRICATION. IT LAST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE ENGINE TEMP GAUGE IS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. IT DOES THIS WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SITTING MORE THAT 8 HOURS WITHOUT STARTING. CHANGING OF OIL IN CRANKCASE, DID NOT CHANGE THE RATTLING SOUND. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTER FEATURE OF 2001 AND NEWER SUBARU'S THAT HAD THE 2.5 ENGINE AND WAS CAUSED BY PISTON SLAP IN THE ENGINE. THE CORRECT THE NOISE THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT TO STOP THE PISTON SLAP. *JB

WE HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS AND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO THE DEALER, MY HUSBAND FOUND THERE IS A PIN THAT THE CALIPERS SLIDE ON AND IT WAS LOCKED UP. HE TOOK IT APART, LUBED WITH "NEVER SEIZE" AND PROBLEM SOLVED. UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER MUCH $$$$ PAID TO DEALERS WITHOUT ANY HELP. *NM

THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE CONNECTING THE #1 CYLINDER FUEL LINE LEAKS. THIS IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES FROM THE #1 CYLINDER FUEL INJECTOR. THE HOSE CLAMP SCREWS/NUTS ARE NOT SELF-LOCKING AND HAVE LOOSENED OVER TIME CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH LED TO A FIRE INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM

IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE--NHTSA ITEM # 616334, SERVICE BULLETIN # 010101. THE TSB RECOMMENDS AN "INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF 3 FUEL HOSES". HOWEVER, THE SUBARU DEALER INDICATES THE ISSUE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL RAIL--COSTING MORE THAN $400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE NHTSA NOR SUBARU HAVE NOT CATEGORIZED A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GASOLINE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

BRAKES REQUIRE FREQUENT SERVICING. FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WORN AFTER 37,000 MILES, NEEDING FULL REPLACEMENT. REAR ROTORS TURNED AND REAR PADS REPLACED AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IN THE DESIGN OF THE ROTORS FOR WEIGHT AND WHEEL SIZE OF VEHICLE. *NM

CLUTCH CHATTER: MY CLUTCH IS CHATTERING OR SHUTTERING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR I AM DRIVING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DAY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO.

I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. AFTER HEARING A WHINING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC. HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEEDED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. BECAUSE THE MILAGE ON MY CAR WAS AT 62,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT ONLY EXTENDED TO 60K. ASTOUNDED THAT ANY CAR WITH ONLY 62K MILES ON IT WOULD NEED ITS ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, I APPEALED TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICES AND ASKED THEM TO OWN UP TO THE DEFECT. THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST.

MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN OUR 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE CAR ACCELERATING AT SLOW SPEED WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THIS IS IDENTICAL TO ODI ID NUMBER : 742080. THE CAR RAN INTO A BUILDING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING AND THE CAR AND INJURING MY WIFE.

IN 2003 AT 74,000 MILES THE LEFT GASKET WAS REPLACED ON 2001, SUBARU OUTBACK LTD. WAGON. IN 2003 AT 94,000 MILES RIGHT GASKET WAS REPLACED. 20 MONTHS LATER LEFT GASKET WAS BLOWN OUT AGAIN. TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TOLD CONSUMER THAT RIGHT GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER NO. SUBARU OF AMERICA PAID FOR THE REPAIRS OF BOTH OF THE INITIAL GASKET REPLACEMENTS, BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR THEY REFUSED TO COVER THIS DEFECTIVE PART. IN 2004 CAR WAS RECALLED TO RECEIVE A SEALANT ADDITIVE TO ADDRESS THE GASKET PROBLEM. CLEARLY IT DIDN'T WORK. MANY OF CONSUMER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS, AND 2 OTHERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HAVE HAD BLOWN GASKETS ON FAIRLY NEW VEHICLES. *AK

WHILE PARKED IN NEUTRAL, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, AND NO OCCUPANTS, OUR STANDARD TRANSMISSION VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET & INTO THE YARD ACROSS THE STREET. OUR DRIVEWAY HAS ONLY A VERY SLIGHT GRADE (LESS THAN 5%), SO I'M ALRARMED WITH THE EASE WITH WHICH THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE ABOUT 8 CHILDREN PLAYING AROUND THE STREET & YARDS. MY NEIGHBOR & I BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, WHICH I ALWAYS ENGAGE BEFORE EXITING THE CAR. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ITSELF, OR IF I SIMPLY DID NOT PULL UP ENOUGH ON THE BRAKE; HOWEVER, IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO A SAFETY HOUND LIKE ME, I'M ASSUMING I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE & THAT IT'S A COMMON ENOUGH OCCURENCE TO WARRANT SOME KIND OF INDICATOR TO ALERT THE DRIVER AS TO WHETHER THE PARKING BRAKE IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED.

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.

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED TWO WEEKS AGO. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REQUESTED THAT SHE SEND THE INVOICES FROM THE DEALER, WHERE THEY WOULD MOSTLY LIKELY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED, HOWEVER, THAT THE INVOICES AND REPAIRS WERE DONE SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,500.

(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

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. *NM

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

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

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

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

WE STRONGLY AGREE WITH THE COMPLAINT FILED 12/9/09 LISTED BELOW. WE ALSO HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AND HAVE HAD THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE HAD FUEL HOSES REPLACED AND CLAMPS TIGHTENED AND REPLACED MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS ELSEWHERE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. WHILE EVERY WINTER FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 5-6 WINTER SEASONS OUR FAMILY SMELLS AND BREATHES IN GASOLINE FUMES AND HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE CABIN FROM THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. WE ALSO REFRAIN FROM USING THE HEATING SYSTEM AT TIMES BECAUSE THE SMELL IS MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN WE RUN THE HEATER. WE HAVE ALSO FOUND COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS SUBARU ISSUE. DOES A FIRE, DAMAGE, CRASH, INJURY OR DEATH HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SUBARU OR THE NHTSA WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE DETAILS: IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE--NHTSA ITEM # 616334, SERVICE BULLETIN # 010101. THE TSB RECOMMENDS AN "INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF 3 FUEL HOSES". HOWEVER, THE SUBARU DEALER INDICATES THE ISSUE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL RAIL--COSTING MORE THAN $400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE NHTSA NOR SUBARU HAVE NOT CATEGORIZED A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GASOLINE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR OCCURRENCES: 1 INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 12/07/2005 DEATHS: 0 DATE ADDED TO DATBASE: 12/9/2009

DT: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND BRAKING, WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IT TAKES RIGHT OFF, CAN TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND IT STILL SURGES FORWARD. IT IS HARD TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN HITTING BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULDN'T LET CONSUMER MAKE A TURN. HAD TO KEEP GOING FORWARD INSIDE. RAILROADS TRACKS WERE THERE AND HIT THE MOUND. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. IT WAS 1000.00 MILES WHEN IT WAS DONE LAST JUNE.*AK

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

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

CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE OR CLUTCH. *AK

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

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

MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A CLUTCH SHUDDER ( JUTTER ) THAT IS REPORTED TO OCCUR IN ALL SUBARU MODELS WITH THE 2.5 LTR ENGINE. THERE ARE INUMERABLE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND YET SUBARU BURRIES ITS HEAD IN THE SAND AND PRETENDS THERE IS NO PROBLEM.*AK

SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES THE CLUTCH SHUDDERS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. USUALLY ONLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD BUT NOT 100% OF THE TIME. HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SOME SUBARUS BUT NOT ALL DEALERS ADDRESS IT.

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

THE VEHICLE EMITTED WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WAS ONLY NOTICED IN 25 DEGREE WEATHER AND BELOW. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

"THIS IS GRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE LIKE SUBARU 'FORGETS' TO FIT A $1 SPRING CLIP. THE THROTTLE PROBABLY STUCK AT AROUND 3/4 OPEN AS SHE HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE. THE ROAD THEN DIPS DOWN AND GOES INTO A SERIES OF S BENDS, SHE LEFT THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 80MPH AND HIT A TREE 5 FOOT UP IN AIR FROM THE ROAD'S SURFACE. IT WAS A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY, NO PRECIPITATION, SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THERE FOR 45 MINS AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE DOOR PILLARS THEY TRIED TO CUT WITH THEIR HURST CUTTERS THE CAR SURVIVED REMARKABLY. BUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS WRECK SAID IT WAS NOT A SURVIVABLE ACCIDENT. I WONDER IF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR BIG CORPORATIONS EVER CONSIDER THESE TYPE OF THINGS, OR WHETHER THEY SLEEP AT NIGHT???"

ODOR MOST LIKELY DESCRIBED AS HEATED ANTIFREEZE, ALSO ROTTEN EGG ODOR - AT LEAST TEN DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY ODOR AND FIND CAUSE. CAR NOW HAS 59,000 MILES.

RECALL 03V153000 CONCERNING REAR SUSPENSION SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY: VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS COULD NOT BE DONE BECAUSE NO SPRAY BOOTH WAS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HELP THE CONSUMER FIND A DEALER WITH A SPRAY BOOTH.*AK *JB *NLM

MY SUBARU OUTBACK UNLIMITED 2001 NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY 74,000. ALL THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE WERE PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP INCLUDING THE 60,00 MILE MAJOR TUNE-UP. ALL THE SERVICE WAS DONE TIMELY AND AS RECOMMENDED. THE DEALER FIRST SAID THE NOISE WAS THE ALTERNATOR AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER WHO SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND SUSPECTED IT WAS NOT SERVICED APPROPRIATELY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AT THEIR REQUEST. THEY THEN REMOVED THE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND RETURNED MY ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR, BUT REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB