How many problems does the 2001 SUBARU Outback have?

The 2001 SUBARU Outback currently has 170 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2001 SUBARU Outback?

The most common problems reported for the 2001 SUBARU Outback are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2001 SUBARU Outback problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2001 SUBARU Outback comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2001 SUBARU Outback Problems

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

23 complaints

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED. WHEN COLD WEATHER ARRIVES, VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MUST OPEN WINDOWS TO LET IT VENT. CONTINUES THROUGH COLD WEATHER YEAR AFTER YEAR. *TR

Dec 21, 2014

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 AND THIS IS AT LEAST EVERY YEAR IT HAS TO BE DONE THAT'S SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME I TIGTHEN THE SCREWS A FEW TIME AND SOMEHOW WHEN IT'S COLD WEATHER IT TEND TO GET LOOSE AND VAPOR COMES OUT VERY DANGEROUS I CHECK THIS ISSUE ONLINE USING GOOGLE SEARCH AND NOTICE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES AND GOES BACK MANY YEARS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE 2002 IT IS THE SAME HOSE SAME AREA. THIS MAKES NO SENSE THAT SUBARU WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE WITH A BETTER SOLUTION THAN REPLACE THE HOSES AND CLAMPS EVERY YEAR. *TR

Oct 25, 2013

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

Mar 19, 2012

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

Dec 29, 2011

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

Feb 03, 2011

+ 18 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

22 complaints

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

Jan 05, 2010

Crash: 1

WHEN THE WEATHER IS VERY COLD OUT (IT WAS -15 TO -20 CELSIUS WHEN THIS HAPPENED) THERE IS NO VACUUM ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM (CHECK AT WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG). THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A CHECK VALVE IN THE VACUUM LINE RUNNING TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. IN COLD WEATHER, THE CHECK VALVE FREEZES AND THERE IS NO VACUUM TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THIS MAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTREMELY HARD TO PUSH AS THE IS NO POWER ASSIST WHEN THERE IS NO VACUUM TO THE BOOSTER. *TR

Jan 20, 2009

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

Feb 10, 2007

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

Feb 05, 2007

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

Dec 17, 2006

+ 17 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

22 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

Sep 09, 2008

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. WITH SELECTOR LEVER IN "PARK " AND CAR TURNED OFF AND IGNITION KEY REMOVED, THE CAR ROLLS. IN THE EARLY YEARS, THE CAR ROLLED ONLY SLIGHTLY AND FINALLY "ENGAGED": NOW, THE CAR ROLLS SEVERAL FEET AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE, REQUIRING USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FOR ALL PARKING. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, WE SEARCHED FOR REPAIR & RECALL INFORMATION. WE FOUND THAT ALTHOUGH OUR MODEL & YEAR ARE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS PARK MECHANISM, OUR VIN# IS NOT. *TR

Apr 09, 2008

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

Feb 12, 2008

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.

Jul 12, 2005

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.

Jun 27, 2005

+ 17 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

14 complaints

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

Feb 04, 2011

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER. $2,800 REPAIR REQUIRED; SERVICE DONE AT CARTER SUBARU, SEATTLE. *TR

Jan 21, 2008

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 OUTBACK, 2.5L ENGINE, ONE OF THOUSANDS OF SUBARUS IMPACTED BY SUBARU'S BULLETIN FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. ON DEC. 6, 2007, I PAID THE OFFICIAL SUBARU DEALER IN ALASKA, CONTINENTAL SUBARU, $1,330 TO DO A HEAD GASKET REPAIR JOB (ALSO A TIMING BELT CHANGE). GO HERE FOR THAT BULLETIN: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUPROBLEMS.COM/INDEX.HTM. ON DEC. 6, 2007, I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA'S CORPORATE OFFICE IN AND SPOKE WITH A REP NAMED "DAVE." (HE WOULD NOT GIVE A LAST NAME.). HE SAID HIS COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER THIS WORK (THOUGH IT IS PART OF SUBARU?S RESPONSE TO A FAILURE IN POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF SUBARU ENGINES FROM 1999-2002). THE CAR HAD LITTLE OVER 93,000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND SERVICED. THE EXPLANATION THAT "DAVE" AND CONTINENTAL SUBARU PROVIDED WAS THAT THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE/LEAKING PROBLEM WAS INSIDE THE BLOCK, NOT AN EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK, AND THUS NOT COVERED BY THE SERVICE BULLETIN/RECALL. THAT A LEAK INSIDE SOMEHOW IS NOT CONSIDERED IMPACTED BY THIS DEFECT, RATHER THAN A LEAK OUTSIDE SEEMS SPURIOUS AT BEST. I HAVE NO WAY OF VERIFYING THAT THE CONTINENTAL SUBARU MECHANIC THE CORPORATE OFFICE SPOKE WITH WAS TELLING THE THE FULL STORY. ALL I CAN SAY IS, I CANNOT TRUST THE WORD OF THIS DEALER BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO RAISE THE BULLETIN ISSUE AND THE ISSUE OF WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THEY BARELY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WARRANTY POSSIBILITY ONLY AFTER I TOLD THEM I KNEW ABOUT IT. I'M WAITING TO SEE IF SUBARU'S CORPORATE OFFICE WILL REIMBURSE ME IN PART OR FULL FOR THE GASKET JOB. I WAS TOLD TO SEND THEM EVERY SERVICE RECORD FOR THE CAR THAT I HAVE. I DID. THIS PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS OF THIS VINTAGE IS WIDESPREAD. GO HERE: HTTP://SCOTT.MCGERIK.COM/2004/02/18/SUBARU-OUTBACK-HEAD-GASKET-LEAK/; AND HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_56499.HTML. *TR

Dec 10, 2007

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

Nov 29, 2007

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

Oct 02, 2007

+ 9 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

13 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Aug 14, 2014

Crash: 1

I WAS TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT 65-70 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN SUDDENLY. MY FIRST REACTION IN THIS CASE IS TO PULL THE SPEED CONTROL LEVER TOWARDS ME TO DISENGAGE IT AND TAKE MANUAL CONTROL OF THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN BY BRAKING OR DOWNSHIFTING, AS PER USUAL PROCEDURE. IN THIS CASE THROTTLE FAILED TO DECELERATE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, UPON WHICH I THEN REPEATEDLY STAMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH WAS ALSO UNRESPONSIVE (DID NOT CANCEL ACCELERATION OR SLOW THE VEHICLE). OUT OF OPTIONS, I SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID THE TRACTOR-TRAILER DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND REAR ENDED A MOVING VEHICLE IN THE LEFT LANE. WITH BRAKES STILL UNRESPONSIVE, I MANAGED TO CUT ACROSS TO THE SHOULDER WHERE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY DOWNSHIFTING IN ADDITION TO USING THE HANDBRAKE. *TR

Nov 20, 2013

Crash: 1

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.

Dec 06, 2007

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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.

Aug 20, 2007

"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???"

Feb 16, 2006

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 8 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION

11 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Dec 04, 2015

I CURRENTLY OWN AND DRIVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF AN ISSUE WITH MY SUB FRAME ROTTING OUT. THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON THIS ISSUE AND THE RECALL WAS APPARENTLY PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE. THE SUBSEQUENT PAINTING OF THE SUB FRAME ONLY MASKED THE PROBLEM, LEADING TO WHAT SEEMS AN UNAVOIDABLE FAILURE OF THE PART. WITH SOME INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT NEARLY EVERY SUBARU THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, IS NOW FAILING AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER I BROUGHT MY CAR TO EVEN STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR IN THEIR SHOP. THE TOTAL QUOTE FOR REPAIR IS AROUND $1400, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD AT THIS TIME. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT NUMEROUS CAR OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS FAILURE, AND THAT THE RECALL WORK DID NOTHING TO ABSOLVE THE SITUATION. SUBARU STATED BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR, BUT OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, THE CAR IS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. THE RECENT RECALL BY TOYOTA SEEMS EXTREMELY SIMILAR, AND I WAS HOPING THAT THIS WOULD BE RESOLVED IN A SIMILAR WAY. ANY INFORMATION ON HOW TO PROCEED WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

Mar 07, 2014

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

May 18, 2012

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.

Mar 12, 2012

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

Jul 27, 2011

+ 6 more complaints for this component

TIRES

9 complaints

TIRE SIDEWALL BLOWOUT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS. DOOR PLATE SHOWS 30 PSI, TIRE SHOWS 44 PSI, DIFFERENCE OF 14 POUNDS--TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE. *JB

Oct 06, 2003

HI, ON FEBRUARY 25, 2003 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK BLEW UP. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS NEXT TO MY CAR AT THE TIME THE TIRE BLEW AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE. THE TIRE WAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS 225 60-16 H-RATED. PART # 074772. THE CAR IS A SUBARU 2001 AND IT HAD ONLY 21000 MILES WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THE FIRESTONE SHOP ON DEMPSTER IN SKOKIE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES BECAUSE IF I REPLACE ONLY THE TIRE THAT BLEW, IT WILL DAMAGE MY TRANSMISSION. I ASKED WHY THE TIRE BLEW WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN BUT SAID THEY WILL SEND IT BACK TO THEIR FACTORY FOR INVESTIGATION. THEY WERE WILLING TO PRORATE ONLY THE TIRE THAT BLEW, NOT ALL 4 NEW TIRES. I HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO $400 FOR 4 NEW TIRES. I CONTACTED YOUR OFFICE BY PHONE THE SAME WEEK AND EXPLAINED MY PROBLEM TO A LADY IN YOUR OFFICE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL GET A FORM IN THE MAIL TO BE FILLED OUT BY ME BUT I DID NOT GET IT SO I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU BY E-MAIL. A FEW WEEKS LATER, WHEN I CHANGED MY OIL AT THE SUBARU DEALER ON GRAND AVENUE IN NAPERVILLE ILLINOIS, AN EMPLOYEE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF ANOTHER INCIDENT ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER THAT A LADY CAME INTO THE SHOP WITH A SIMILAR BLOW OUT ON THE SAME FIRESTONE TYPE WILDERNESS TIRE AND SHE HAD TO BUY 4 TIRES ALSO. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MIGHT BE MORE SUCH INSTANCES AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THE TIRE SEPARATED 360 DEGREES ON ITS SIDE AROUND WHERE THE WHITE CIRCLE IS ON THE SIDEWALL. I TOOK A NUMBER OF DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE TIRE THAT BLEW BEFORE FIRESTONE TOOK IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND THEM TO YOU EITHER BY E-MAIL OR I CAN MAKE PRINTS. *JB PLEASE ADVISE. ZELIG

May 07, 2003

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITH NO WARNING. *JB THE CONSUMER EXCESSIVELY CHECKED FOR CRACKS WHICH WERE FOUND ON ALL FOUR TIRES. SCC

Mar 14, 2003

THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. *JB

Feb 27, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH, CONSUMER STATES RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW 2 1/2 INCHES FROM THE RIM, AND THERE WERE SPLITS GOING ALL THE WAY AROUND TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

Jan 10, 2003

+ 4 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

7 complaints

I CONTACTED SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND TOLD THEM THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN AUGUST 2005 BUT THE SUBFRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU AND GET THEM TO OPEN ANOTHER RECALL ON THESE CARS BECAUSE THE FIX THAT THEY USED DIDN'T WORK

May 08, 2019

ON SUNDAY 29 2015 AT 12.30 AM .. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND A LOUD NOISE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR . HE HAD SOME TROUBLE TO TURN AND STOP ON THE SIDE. HE DID IT ,WE HAD TO TOW THE CAR. THE S ARM BROKE SUBFRAME BROKE OFF. WAS ALL RUSTED .. *TR

Mar 31, 2015

I WAS DRIVING ON I-84 IN CT WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW. THE CAR FISHTAILED BUT I GOT IT SLOWED DOWN AND OVER TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE GARAGE PUT THE CAR UP ON A LIFT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN RIGHT WHERE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM CONNECTED TO IT WHICH ALLOWED THE TIRE TO LEAN IN TOWARDS THE BODY OF THE CAR WHERE IT RUBBED AGAINST THE BODY, HEATED UP AND THEN RUPTURED. THESE TIRES HAD JUST BEEN INSTALLED 3 DAYS EARLIER. LOOKING AT THE SUBFRAME IT WAS BADLY RUSTED, THE VARIOUS CONTROL ARMS ATTACHED TO IT HAD SOME SURFACE RUST BUT NOTHING LIKE THE SUBFRAME. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR WAS NOT RUSTED. THE SUBARU DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $2000 TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME, SINCE THE CAR WAS WORTHLESS OTHERWISE I TOLD HIM TO PROCEED. I FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR "CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY " ..."WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME. IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." MY VEHICLE GOT "TREATED" FOR THE RECALL WHICH INCLUDED CLEANING THE SUBFRAME AND PAINTING IT. I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE IN THE COSTS SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE RECALL "TREATMENT" DID NOT WORK AND THERE WAS NO REASON, EXCEPT A DEFECTIVE PAINT JOB, FOR A SUBFRAME TO FAIL ON A 13 YEAR OLD CAR. THE DECLINED TO HELP ME CITING THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THE FACT THAT THE RECALL "WORK" HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THEY ALSO OFFERED A $500 COUPON IF I WANTED TO BUY A NEW SUBARU. I BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND THE REAR SUBFRAME REPLACED ON SUBARU DIME. *TR

Aug 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BENT INWARD AND THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250,000.

Jun 17, 2014

Crash: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION AND SUB FRAME WAS FOUND SEVERELY TO BE CORRODED DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE SUB FRAME AND SUSPENSION WERE ALSO FRACTURED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED AND DENIED ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000. ..UPDATED 04-22-14 *BF UPDATED 08/03/2017*JS

Feb 20, 2014

+ 2 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

7 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING LIFTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Sep 04, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Apr 27, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CORROSION HAD IMPAIRED THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Jan 23, 2015

CONSUMER SUBARU OUTBACK TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT QUITE OFTEN. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SOCKET WAS CORRODED. *TS THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING UP A SMALL HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED A BLOWN 30 AMP FUSE IN THE MOTOR SIDE FUSE BOX. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN FUSE AGAIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HATCH, WATER WAS POURING OUT OF THE LITTLE DOORS THAT HOUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS BULBS AND WIRES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LEAKING HATCH WAS RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR THE BURNED OUT TAIL LIGHTS AND ROTTING WIRES, BUT ALSO FOR THE ELECTRICAL SHORTS THAT BLEW OUT THE 30 AMP FUSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE THE DIE.*JB

Mar 14, 2006

WHILE CLOSING THE DRIVERS DOOR, INNER PANELS OR STRUCTURES PARTIALLY SEPARATED OR DELAMINATED FROM THE OUTER METAL PORTION OF THE DOOR IN TWO LAYERS. DATE IS AN ESTIMATE, IT WAS WINTER *JB

May 03, 2003

+ 2 more complaints for this component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 complaints

DURING COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR. IT'S COMING FROM A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I FIRST NOTICED IT ABOUT 4 YEARS (60,000 MILES) AGO. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 150,000 MILES ON IT. IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. IT HASN'T CAUGHT FIRE YET EITHER.

Jan 07, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Nov 20, 2014

SINCE THE COLD WEATHER STARTED NOV. 12, 2014 I HAVE SMELLED A RAW GAS SMELL IN MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN I START IT. IN TIME IT FADES AWAY, LIKE PERHAPS IT EVAPORATES ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP. I CAN ONLY GUESS AND SOME MORNINGS WHEN COLD THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING, A RAW GAS ORDER ~ NOT A FAINT SMELL OF GAS. VERY CONCERNED BREATHING THESE FUMES WHICH CAN'T BE HEALTHY OR SAFE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF ANYONE ENTERS...SUBARU OUTBACK COLD WEATHER GAS SMELL.. ON YOUR BROWSER YOU WILL LATTERLY SEE HUNDREDS IF NOT MORE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HELP. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Nov 17, 2014

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

Jan 29, 2013

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

3 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN ERASED THE FUEL TEMPERATURE CODE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT HAD RESURFACED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR AT THE COST OF $317. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $520. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,378 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,923. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED THE DEALER REPLACED REPAIRED A LOOSE CONNECTION AT THE FUEL PUMP SENSOR. *JB

Jul 29, 2008

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

Feb 13, 2008

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

May 17, 2004

VISIBILITY

3 complaints

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

Feb 07, 2007

WHILE DRIVING, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. *JB

Aug 08, 2003

VEHICLE IS LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY (HINGES). DEALER REPAIR AN CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS REOCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. WE DON'T HAVE NO RECALL LIKE THIS PROBLEM. MR

Nov 13, 2002

PARKING BRAKE

3 complaints

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.

May 16, 2005

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

Sep 15, 2004

Crash: 1

PARKING BRAKE LOSES HOLD OVERNIGHT AND CAR ROLLS DOWN HILL IF NOT IN GEAR. (5 SPD). *AK

Jun 11, 2002

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

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

Jan 14, 2005

WHEN HIT ON THEIR FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. *TT

May 28, 2003

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

May 15, 2003

STEERING

3 complaints

AT 30 MPH IN A CURVE ON CR73 FROM CONIFER TO EVERGREEN, CO. IN 3RD GEAR, STEERING RACK AND PINION BROKE, AND CAR DID A 360 DEGREE SPIN ON DRY PAVEMENT AND SLID INTO A DIRT MOUND. ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, HAPPENING WITH NO TRAFFIC, AND IN THIS LOCATION, WAS MY WIFE'S LIFE SPARED.POLICE REPORT WITH COLORADO STATE PATROL ON FILE.*AK

Jan 12, 2002

Crash: 1

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Nov 22, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Apr 30, 2001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

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

Oct 03, 2011

Fire: 1

TWO CATASTROPHIC WIRING FAILURES IN MAIN COMPUTER WIRING LED TO VEHICLE SUDDENLY GOING DEAD. FIRST AT 3000 MILES TRACED TO SHORT IN MAIN RELAY WHICH WAS REPLACED. SECOND AT 16,000 MILES TRACED TO SHORT IN WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL. POOR DESIGN PLACED THE ESSENTIAL COMPUTER WIRES UNDER THE PASSENGER FOOTWELL WHERE IT GETS CONSTANT PRESSURE WEAR. DEALER REPLACED WIRES INSIDE HARNESS AND ADDED CUSHIONING AROUND IT. THE SECOND FAILURE CREATES DOUBT THAT THE FIRST FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE MAIN RELAY. BOTH FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE DEAD. BOTH HAD NO WARNING EXCEPT THE FIRST TIME THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE CAR WENT DEAD.

Jan 18, 2003

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2 complaints

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

Feb 01, 2010

Crash: 1

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.

Jun 02, 2005

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

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

Jun 28, 2005

CAR ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. ENGINE ROARS AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP CAR. PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND USUALLY WHEN THE CAR IS GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP CAR.*AK

Jul 19, 2002

WHEELS

2 complaints

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

Feb 16, 2005

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WOULD GET STUCK. DO TO DRIVING IN THE SNOW. CONSUMER STATES THE RIM SIZE ON THE VEHICLE IS 16". DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Dec 31, 2002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

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.

Jan 15, 2004

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND STATED THAT OXYGEN SENSOR WAS BAD. *AK

Feb 11, 2002

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR ON MAY 23, 2015 WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY ENGULFED IN FIRE AND HE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE.

Dec 23, 2015

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 25 DEGREES F. I WAS LEAVING FROM THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. AS I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION THE BRAKES BECAME SO HARD THAT I COULDN'T PRESS THEM ANY FARTHER. I SIS SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY LOTS OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE CHECK VALVE ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER LINE FREEZES UP. IF I HAD BEEN MOVING ANY FASTER I WOULD HAVE WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. *TR

Feb 01, 2015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

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.

Jan 11, 2012

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASES A NEW 201 SUBARU OUTBACK (FIRST 500 MILES THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERE THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN SERTTING A LONG TIOME AND THE ROTORS WERE RUSTED BUT IT WOULD CLEAR UP. IT DIDN'T AND THEY TURNED THE ROTORS AND THEN REPLACED THEM STATING THAT IT WAS MY DRIVING THAT CUASED THE PROBLEM. I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE BEEN EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW. SOMW OF MY FRIENDS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THE BRAKES ARE UNSAFE AND ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE WHEN STOPPING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE BRAKES ARE NOE OUT OF WARRANTY HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT THE BRAKE PROBLEM.

Jun 04, 2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

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

May 20, 2005

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

1 complaint

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

Jun 25, 2004

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

INTERIOR LIGHTS TYPICALLY DO NOT GO OFF WHEN SHUTTING DOORS OR LIFT GATE. TO GET LIGHTS TO TURN OFF, DOORS NEED TO BE SLAMMED SO HARD I'M AFRAID THE GLASS WILL SHATTER. SUBARU DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER 3/36 WARRANTY. THEY SAID TO JUST TURN LIGHTS OFF WITH THE INTERIOR SWITCHES SO THAT THEY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN DOORS ARE OPENED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW.*AK

Sep 06, 2003

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT HESITATION DURING PERIODS OF ACCELERATION, USUALLY AROUND 2500-3500 RPM. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN MANY DRIVING SITUATIONS. HAVE REPORTED TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. RESPONSE IS ALWAYS "CANNOT REPRODUCE - COMPUTER SHOWS OPERATING AS DESIGNED". CAR ALSO HAS SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEED, SUCH AS FIRST TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE.*JB

Mar 11, 2003

SEATS

1 complaint

REAR HEADRESTS DO NOT LOCK INTO UPRIGHT AND DOWN POSITIONS BECAUSE THE METAL SLEEVE INSIDE SEAT SLIPS OVER TIME. HAPPENED EVEN AFTER BEING FIXED ONCE BY DEALER.

Jan 18, 2003

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

ORIGINAL JACK COLLAPSED WHILE JACKING UP FRONT END DRIVER SIDE. THE JACK WAS REPLACED AND AGAIN COLLAPSED WHILE JACKING UP THE DRIVER SIDE. IT APPEARS THE SHANK IS TOO LONG TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR.*AK

Jul 23, 2002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THERE IS SEVERE HESITATION WHEN PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. CONSUMER IS AFRAID OF BEING REAR ENDED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD A BAD HESITATION ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. ALSO BATTERY WAS DEAD. *YH

Jul 16, 2002

STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

ON SIX OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE. *AK ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE MOVING SLOWLY AHEAD, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OUT OF CONTROL. SCC

Jan 14, 2002

STEERING,SUSPENSION

1 complaint

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: 225/60/16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/60/16 )

Jun 02, 2001

2001 SUBARU Outback Problems & Complaints

Complaints by Component

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2001 SUBARU Outback have?

What are the most common problems with 2001 SUBARU Outback?

Where does this 2001 SUBARU Outback problem data come from?

Other Years - SUBARU Outback

Other SUBARU Models

Similar Brands