How many problems does the 2007 SUBARU Outback have?

The 2007 SUBARU Outback currently has 129 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 2007 SUBARU Outback?

The most common problems reported for the 2007 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 2007 SUBARU Outback problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2007 SUBARU Outback comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2007 SUBARU Outback Problems

AIR BAGS

36 complaints

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V003000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle due to possible damage to the dashboard while replacing the air bags. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

Aug 15, 2025

A couple of months ago I noticed the airbag lamp stayed on after starting my car. After I had parked and later restarted the car, the airbag light went off as normal. A month or so later the airbag light again stayed on after starting the car. I also noticed that the passenger airbag indicator (on or off) didn’t seem to be working. It didn’t say “on” or “off”. It only said “Passenger”. I took it to the dealer and they diagnosed it and said I needed a new overhead lamp assembly that would cost $400 installed. They said it would take several days (it took over 2 weeks) to get the part. In the meantime, they could not tell me whether the airbag system would function properly in an accident. The part was ordered and I kept driving the car, hoping the airbag light wouldn’t stay on which was very stressful. The repair was finally made today and appears to be functioning properly. After some online research, I found out that this is a known issue with these cars. There is a soldered connection inside the overhead lamp assembly that was either improperly or insufficiently soldered or used defective solder. People have videos posted online of them taking the assembly apart and re-soldering the connection which appears to resolve the issue. I wasn’t comfortable doing that since properly functioning airbags are a critical safety component. I believe that Subaru either knows about this or should know. I would bet they have fixed this issue on newer vehicles. But lots of these vehicles still on the road.

Dec 17, 2021

WAS TOLD TO COME HERE TO RENDER A COMPLAINT. THEY WANT ME TO TRAVEL 4HRS THERE AND 4HRS BACK TO GET RECALL DONE. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO GET THIS DONE. AND I DON'T BELIVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PUT 8HRS OF WEAR AND TEAR ON MY VEHICLE FOR A SAFETY RECALL WHICH IS THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY.

Mar 24, 2021

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR NO CHARGE. PLEASE ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON UNDER ALL CONDITIONS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE

Feb 11, 2020

RED AIRBAG WARNING IS INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED ON DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ALSO SHOWN AS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CAR CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

Jan 25, 2020

+ 31 more complaints for this component

ENGINE

9 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET. LIBERTY AUTO CITY SUBARU (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-3800) DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *BF *TR

May 24, 2019

IN 2015 AT 90,000 MILES THE HEAD WAS LEAKING FROM A FAULTY HEAD GASKET. HAD TO HAVE THE TOP END OF THE MOTOR TOTAL REBUILT. I HAVE READ THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES.

Aug 07, 2017

I JUST BOUGHT A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK FROM A CERTIFIED SUBARU DEALER (STOHLMAN SUBARU IN VA), IT HAD 65000 MILES ON IT, I DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE AND MINOR REPAIRS ON IT. I PAID $12,000 FOR THE VEHICLE. ON 2/5/2017, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING SO I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. APPARENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF OIL DESPITE THAT IT WASN'T DUE FOR ANOTHER OIL CHANGE IN 1500 MILES AND WE HAD CHECKED THE OIL A WEEK BEFORE AND IT WAS FULL. THE ENGINE HAS SIEZED UP AND REQUIRED A NEW ENGINE. NO OIL INDICATOR LIGHT HAD COME ON, NO SMOKING OR OVERHEATING, AND FROM THE SERVICE STATION, NO LEAKS ON THE VEHICLE. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER SUBARU SPECIALIST SERVICE STATION IN FREDERICK, MD AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. OWNED THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR, NO LEAKS, NO INDICATOR OF LOW OIL, THE OIL JUST DISAPPEARED? THE AUTO MECHANICS ARE DUMBFOUNDED AT WHAT CAUSED THIS.

Feb 10, 2017

NO HEAT, ENGINE TEMP. CLIMBED. ENGINE COOLANT BOILED OUT A MILE LATER. 2.5 ENGINE. *TR

Nov 03, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Oct 16, 2014

+ 4 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 complaints

DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR ON HWY 213, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, LOST POWER(LIMP MODE), CRUISE CONTROL FLASHING. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD ON HILL(BARELY ABLE TO MAKE SAFE SPOT). TURNED OUT VEHICLE. RESTARTED(LIGHTS STILL WARNING), BACK UP AND FORWARD TO ASSURE POWER. DECIDED TO TRY TO GET TO NEARBY COMMUNITY/AUTO SHOP. WAS ABLE TO DO SO. DIAGNOSIS: P2138. THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE, RESULTS INCONCLUSIVE. CYCLED THE ACCELERATOR THROUGH NUMEROUS POSITIONS AND RATERS WITH VARIATIONS ON POSITION/PRESSURE APPLIED TO PEDAL, AND MONITOR LAB SCOPE. SENSOR SIGNALS WERE PRECISE AND WITHOUT ERRORS. OWNER RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS CASED OF SAME-WITHOUT RESOLUTION FOR MANY PEOPLE-REOCCURRING WITH COSTLY REPAIRS TO ATTEMPT REPAIR. SUGGESTED CALLING SUBARU.COM WHICH I DID. NO REASSURANCE AS TO PROBLEM BEING FIXED, JUST SAID TAKE IT TO A DEALER. CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AS I DRIVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN CAR, AS WELL AS SAFETY FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. WILL TAKE IT TO DEALER BUT NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A PERMANENT FIX AND SAFETY OF FUTURE DRIVING.

Oct 02, 2017

PROBLEM P2138 THROTTLE CEASES TO CONTROL CAR ENGINE SPEED. IN NEUTRAL IT SETTLES AT ?4000 RPM. STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR STOPS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES FOR 1-2 DAYS. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUNCTIONAL WHILE IN THIS STATE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED, BUT TYPICALLY AT 55-60. HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, NOW 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. HAD THE THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED ONE YEAR AGO, AND WE HAD NO PROBLEM FOR 11 MONTHS UNTIL THE PAST MONTH. *TR

Sep 11, 2014

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO RESPONSE FROM GAS PEDAL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND BEGAN TO TURN RIGHT AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THE VEHICLE THEN ACCELERATED TO AROUND 20 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND STOP, AS THERE WAS A SCRATCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS TURNING ABOUT 2,000 RPM AND WAS RESPONDING TO THE AIR CONDITION CYCLING. WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, THE IDLE SPEED WENT UP TO AROUND 2,400 RPM. ALSO, A FLAG WAS SET FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE ENTIRE TIME, WHICH HE WAS INFORMED IT WOULD CAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT TO BLINK AT A VERY SLOW RATE.

Jan 31, 2013

'07 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS COOL CODE P0720 WAS SET FOR VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE ERROR WOULD RESET AS SENSOR PRESUMABLY WARMED AND BEGAN WORKING NORMALLY. I IDENTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THE FRONT VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM. A WEEK AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE, AND PRIOR TO MY BEING ABLE TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, THE BEHAVIOR OF THE FAILURE CHANGED: AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60-65MPH) THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AND FEEL LIKE THE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON. THIS BEING AN OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS AND SCARY SITUATION, MY SHORT TERM SOLUTION WAS TO CUT THE WIRE GOING TO THE SENSOR UNTIL I COULD REPLACE IT. (THE SENSOR IS HARD-WIRED INTO A 3-SENSOR WIRE HARNESS THAT REQUIRES ACCESS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED). JUST PRIOR TO THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING INTO FIRST GEAR I ALSO HEARD THE SAFETY SOLENOID IN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY (THE ONE THAT PREVENTS THE OPERATOR FROM PUTTING THE SHIFTER INTO PARK WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING) QUICKLY CYCLING ON AND OFF, SO MY ASSUMPTION WAS THAT A PARTIAL SIGNAL WAS BEING SEEN BY THE ONBOARD COMPUTER AND INTERPRETED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOWER SPEED THAN IT REALLY WAS. AFTER CUTTING THE SPEED SENSOR OUT OF THE CIRCUIT THIS ASPECT OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF. *TR

Jul 06, 2011

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON [XXX] PURCHASED CAR NEW. HAD WHAT I CALLED ENGINE 'REVVING' OR INCREASED ACCELERATION FROM FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING CAR. REPORTED PROBLEM TO DEALER AND THEY WENT THROUGH A SERIES OF REPAIRS WITH NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. THEY SENT A 'CORPORATE' MECHANIC TO TEST THE CAR. HE EXPERIENCED THE INCREASED RPM'S WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT STATED THE CAR WAS NORMAL. HE THEN TOLD ME TWO THINGS, THEY HAD FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM IN ANOTHER CAR AND THEY HAD A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 BUT NOT 2007. 1) WHEN FOOT IS OFF GAS, THE CAR ACCELERATES. 2) COMMONLY OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME I PRESS CLUTCH AND TURN. HAS ONLY HAPPENED 2 TIMES WHILE IN GEAR AND DRIVING. APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE DID SLOW THE CAR 3) CORRECTIONS INCLUDE: GAS/AIR RATIO SENSOR REPLACED, SUGGESTED I RUN 3 TANKS OF PREMIUM GAS, REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP, REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL, DISCONNECTED IDLE SWITCH FROM POWER STEERING PUMP AND SUGGESTED I LEAVE THIS DETACHED WHICH I DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, I HAVE TRIED FOR A RESOLUTION THROUGH THE DEALER, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND SUBARU CORPORATE WITH NO RESULTS. *TR

Mar 10, 2010

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES

6 complaints

Lost brakes. Corroded brake lines. Recall was completed for this very issue. Fix was ineffective.

Nov 01, 2024

2007 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5i automatic. Had recall campaign 14V311 completed in 2018 for brake lines. According to Subaru brake lines were rustproofed and/or replaced. 9 June 2024 I start vehicle and place it into drive in doing so applying brake pedal to allow selection of transmission range. Pedal goes to floor without feedback pressure. No brakes. I check rear of car to find large amounts of brake fluid covering rear passenger wheel well area. Brake line has failed at rear junction as described in recall. Recall was not curative and did not address safety fault. 73k miles.

Jun 10, 2024

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *JS

Aug 17, 2020

STEPPED ON THE BRAKES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GRAB THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DODGE INTO THE NEXT LANE OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE/INJURY. I USED THE PARKING BREAK AND MANUAL SHIFTING OPTION TO LIMP IT BACK TO MY HOUSE A FEW MILES AWAY. I WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND A METAL BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING FLUID WHERE IT WAS CLAMPED TO THE VEHICLE BODY. AS I WAS LOOKING FOR THE PART/INFORMATION ON IT, I CAME ACROSS A KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE ON 8/8/2014. PART OF THE RECALL STATED THAT IF IT WASN'T LEAKING AT THE TIME, THEY WERE TO SPRAY IT WITH AN ANTI-CORROSION OF SOME SORT AND CALL IT GOOD. APPARENTLY THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE BECAUSE THE LINES ARE VERY RUSTY AND CORRODED. NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED. IF THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE AND THE RESULTS OF FAILURE ARE POSSIBLY CRASHING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURES, HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO SPRAY AN ANTI-CORROSION FLUID OVER TOP OF RUST AND WASH THEIR HANDS OF SUCH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS/FATAL KNOWN PROBLEM? RECALL #WQK-47, 14V311000, AND WQG-43

Dec 05, 2019

BRAKES FAILED ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHING HIGHWAY ON-RAMP - CAR BEING DRIVEN BY A 17 YEAR OLD NEW DRIVER - THANKFULLY NO COLLISION OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY OCCURRED. AFTER INSPECTION, REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION/PERFORATION AT 2-2 WAY CONNECTOR AT 176K MILES AFTER TWO PREVIOUS RECALLS WERE SUPPOSEDLY EXECUTED. DATES OF NOTE: ' 2007 - VEHICLE SOLD BY ANCHOR SUBARU, NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI TO ORIGINAL OWNER (NOT ME) ' JUNE 11, 2013 - RECALL WQG-43 PERFORMED WITH FIRST OWNER AT ANCHOR SUBARU ' SPRAY WAX APPLIED ' CAR HAS 132K MILES ' AUGUST 13, 2014 - RECALL WQK-47 PERFORMED WITH FIRST OWNER AT ANCHOR SUBARU ' SPRAY WAX APPLIED A SECOND TIME ' CAR HAS 152K MILES ' MAY 7, 2017 ' VEHICLE RE-SOLD TO 2ND OWNER (ME), ' CAR HAS 166K MILES ' MARCH 12, 2019 ' VEHICLE BRAKES FAIL ' CAR HAS 176K MILES MAKES NO SENSE HOW, IN A SPAN OF ONLY 24K MILES FROM WHEN THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED THE SECOND TIME AT 152K MILES, UNTIL THE BRAKE FAILURE AT 176K MILES, THE TWICE-APPLIED WAX 'REMEDY' PERFORMED IN THE RECALL ACTIONS WORE OFF COMPLETELY, AND, THE BRAKE LINE COMPLETED CORRODED AND FAILED. THIS DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE NOR PROBABLE, AND, IF IT IS POSSIBLE, THEN THE 'REMEDY' THAT WAS PROVIDED BY SUBARU WAS UNSUITABLE, OR, THE DEALERSHIP INCORRECTLY APPLIED THE MATERIAL THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE CORROSION FROM HAPPENING. I HAVE NO PROOF THAT THIS WORK WAS ACTUALLY PERFORMED. I BELIEVE THAT THE SPRAY-ON WAX WAS NOT CORRECTLY APPLIED IN NEITHER METHOD NOR QUANTITY ON MY VEHICLE. ANCHOR SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER THIS UNDER THE RECALL. PAID MY OWN MECHANIC TO FIX THE ISSUE. SENT REGISTERED LETTERS TO SUBARU OF AMERICA AND TO THE 3 OWNERS OF THE DEALERSHIP OVER A MONTH AGO AND NONE HAVE RESPONDED TO MY CONCERNS.

Apr 24, 2019

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Both front driver and passenger side CV Boots have failed prematurely on several occasions well before the expected life and mileage expectancy for these parts (they have been replaced on four separate occasions). The CV boots hold grease in to provide lubrication to the axels. Safety was at risk as lack of lubrication increased chances of axel and associated component damage (braking and steering) at higher driving speeds. Subaru dealer has verified on each of the four separate occasions that the CV boots failed prematurely. The car has never seen any off road or rough condition driving conditions. The vehicle has always been meticulously maintained and all preventive maintenance requirements complete ahead of or on schedule and any recommended repairs by authorized mechanics are addressed immediately. Was urged by Subaru Dealer to contact Subaru of America (SOA) about the CV boots again failing prematurely. Previously, SOA was contacted and acknowledged parts should not have failed in the timeframes as it had. This time with even less mileage and time in service, Subaru is refusing to address the problem and replace the Subaru OEM parts at their expense.

Dec 01, 2023

... INNER-RIGHT FRONT CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT PERCHED, DIRECTLY OVER THE STARBOARD SIDE EXHAUST, COOKS THE CV BOOT, CAUSING IT TO FAIL, SCATTERING GREASE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY FLASHES ON THE EXHAUST DIRECTLY BELOW, INDUCING AN ENGINE BAY FIRE - A.S. JOSEPH

Feb 19, 2018

Fire: 1

I HAVE HAD TWO WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. FRONT PASSENGER AT 65,000 AND REAR PASSENGER AT 73,000. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR TREATED BADLY. SUBARU'S IN THE PAST HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THIS PART. I THINK THERE IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

Oct 18, 2011

VERY INTERMITTENT VIBRATION FROM THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE-TRAIN THAT STARTED ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, CULMINATING WITH THE CAR SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVE-TRAIN SUDDENLY LOCKING UP ALL FOUR WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. OF COURSE, VEHICLE CONTROL IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED. VERY FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO VEHICLES FOLLOWING OR THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I"M HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO OUR LOCAL DEALER ON THURSDAY MORNING. *TR

Aug 06, 2009

ON 2 LANE HWY, HAD TO BRAKE SHARPLY ( 60 TO 10) FOR DEER. SEMI BEHIND ME, NOT CLOSE. DEER CROSSED. FLOORED ACCELERATOR, ENGINE SAT AT REDLINE 3 SEC BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED. SEMI JACKNIFED BEHIND US, BUT DID NOT HIT US. THIS ACTION IS REPEATABLE. I SUSPECT IT'S RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DOWNHILL FAILURE (UN-COUPLING THE TORQUE CONVERTER???). *TR

Jan 14, 2008

+ 1 more complaint for this component

SUSPENSION

6 complaints

VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN NORMAL SPEED, STRAIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING THIS MORNING ON I-69, SOUTH OF LANSING, AND ON I-94, BETWEEN I-69 AND M131. ROAD HAD NO SNOW, BUT PATCHY ICE CONDITIONS. BACK OF VEHICLE WAS LOADED WITH SUITCASES AND TELESCOPE. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS FELT MULTIPLE, SLIPPAGE IN CONTROL OF VEHICLE = UNSAFE. OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING AT GREATER SPEEDS THAN OURS WERE NOT EXPERIENCING ISSUES. CONFIDENCE WAS LOST IN THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN TRACTION. DRIVER FEEL WAS THAT TWO REAR TIRES WERE ALTERNATING WHICH TIRE HAD MORE AUTHORITY IN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FELT AS UNNERVING AS PRIOR DRIVER EXPERIENCE WITH BLOWING OUT THE REAR TIRE ON A GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE. DRIVER FOUND THIS ON INTERNET, AND IT DESCRIBES EXPERIENCE WE HAD TODAY: "SUMMARY OF THE GHOSTWALKING SYMPTOMS: IN WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ESPECIALLY ON ICE, SOME USA 2005-2009 OUTBACKS APPEAR TO HAVE A CHASSIS TUNING ISSUE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION OSCILLATES IN SUCH A WAY TO CAUSE REAR-STEER. THIS IS NOT FISHTAILING DUE TO USING TOO MUCH GAS, LIFTING OFF THE GAS MID-CORNER, OR HITTING THE BRAKES TOO ABRUPTLY. THIS CAN OCCUR DURING STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING AT MODERATE SPEEDS. ROAD FEEL AND HANDLING CONFIDENCE IS TOTALLY LOST WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE SYMPTOMS ARE NOT 100% REPRODUCIBLE AND SUBARU HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. SUBARU DID REVISE THE REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR THESE CARS IN 2007 DUE TO REAR TIRE WEAR COMPLAINTS. THE CHANGE TO ALIGNMENT SPEC TIGHTENS THE TOLERANCE FOR REAR TOE."

Jan 01, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR SHOCK SUPPORT WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. BILL MCBRIDE SUBARU (5105 U.S. AVE, PLATTSBURGH, NY 12901, (518) 561-7400) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Sep 22, 2017

MY 2007 OUTBACK WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT HAS REQUIRED 2 WHEEL BEARINGS PREVIOUSLY. TODAY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDED TWO MORE, REPLACING ONE THAT HAD LESS THAN 6 MONTHS ON IT. SUBARU EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE 2006 MODELS BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. FROM REVIEWING THE FORUMS IT SEEMS THIS PART IS PRONE TO EARLY FAILURE. I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AT WARRANTIED TO AT LEAST 100,000 MILES AS THEY DID WITH THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. *TR

Sep 17, 2012

I OWN A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS AN EARLY WARNING INDICATOR FOR BLACK ICE ON THE ROAD SURFACE. THE OUTBACK VEHICLE HAS A STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEM IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED (CONSTANT AND LOW THROTTLE POSITION) ON A FLAT ROAD, THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE TENDS TO OSCILLATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN ICY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO SPIN OUT, ALTHOUGH THAT HASNT HAPPENED TO ME YET. OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME SEEM TO HAVE ADEQUATE TRACTION (2WD, AWD, 4WD). THE PROBLEM IS NOT TRACTION WHILE: 1) CORNERING UNDER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS, 2) HARD ACCELERATION ON ICE, OR 3) BRAKING ON ICE. ROAD CONDITIONS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE OSCILLATION ON ARE VERY THIN ICE (BLACK ICE). I SUSPECT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION DESIGN ON MY 05-09 OUTBACKS. THE PROBLEM IS MORE PREVALENT AND PRONOUNCED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS OCCUPANTS IN THE REAR SEATS. THE STABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE MARGINAL AND IT ONLY TAKES CERTAIN CONDITIONS (ROAD AND VEHICLE PARAMETERS) TO BE ON THE EDGE OF DISASTER. SUBARU RELEASED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 05-36-07 WHICH ELIMINATED THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE ORIGINAL TOE TOLERANCE FOR REAR TIRE ALIGNMENT. I THINK THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LARGE REAR TIRE TOE IN WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED. I SUSPECT THIS LARGE REAR TIRE TOE IN WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED CONTRIBUTES TO THE STABILITY PROBLEM IN ICY CONDITIONS I HAVE BRAND NEW (JAN 2010) HANKOOK IPIKE W409 STUDLESS WINTER TIRES. ITS NOT THE TIRES. THOSE WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS SITUATION NATURALLY RESPOND BY SAYING IT IS ICE, WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTING, JUST SLOW DOWN. I HAVE LIVED IN COLORADO SINCE 1981 AND CONSIDER MYSELF A COMPETENT DRIVER IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. WITHOUT A DOUBT, I WOULD ACTUALLY FEEL SAFER AND MORE IN CONTROL DRIVING MY 2WD MINIVAN (OR ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED) IN THESE CONDITIONS. I IMPLORE YOU TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE. IT IS UNSAFE.

Apr 02, 2010

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WITH SNOW TIRES (SNOW FLAKE SYMBOL). I FIRST NOTICED THE OCCURRENCE LAST YEAR WHEN DRIVING SLIGHTLY SNOWY ROADS IN COLORADO,. THE BACK END OF MY CAR WOULD WOBBLE SIDE TO SIDE AT A HIGH RATE -- PROBABLY 5 INCHES TO EACH SIDE. IT FELT AS IF THE CAR WAS SENDING POWER TO EACH WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FASTER I WOULD GO, THE MORE VIOLENTLY IT WOULD WOBBLE SIDE TO SIDE. I WAS SUDDENLY HAVING TO DRIVE 20MPH ON INTERSTATE 70, I WAS BEING PASSED BY LARGE SEMI- TRUCKS AND LITTLE MIATAS. SINCE THEN, I HAVE FELT THE WOBBLE ON GROOVED CONCRETE SURFACES, BUT MOSTLY ROADS THAT HAVE A LITTLE SNOW ON THEM, BUT I CAN STILL SEE THE ROAD SURFACE. ONE TIME, THE CAR WOBBLED SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT SWUNG INTO ANOTHER LANE. I'VE CONTACTED SUBARU AMERICA, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN VERY LITTLE HELP AND DO NOT SEEM TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I KNOW SEVERAL OTHER 2005-08 SUBARU OUTBACK DRIVERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. OUR BEST THEORY IS THAT THE SUSPENSION IS TOO SOFT AND WHEN IT GETS WEIGHTED DOWN (WITH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE IN THE CAR) IT CHANGES THE GEOMETRY OF THE SUSPENSION AND THE ALIGNMENT WITH SOME HOW PLAYS WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *TR

Mar 06, 2010

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE FOUR WIRES NEAR THE REAR DEFROSTER THAT WERE CUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONTROLLED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HATCH DOOR LOCK, DEFROSTER, AND REAR STOP LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,313.

Apr 21, 2021

AUDIO/HVAC CONTROLS FLASH AND DO NOT RESPOND TO ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE MODES OR CUT OUT ALTOGETHER. PROBLEM STARTED ON A VERY HOT SUMMER DAY FOUR YEARS OR SO AGO. WHEN CONTROLS ARE ACTING UP, NOT ONLY DOES THE PANEL NOT DISPLAY PROPERLY, BUT ALSO FAILS TO RESPOND TO ANY ADJUSTMENTS. NOT BEING ABLE TO ADJUST THE AUDIO OR CLIMATE CONTROL IS AN INCONVENIENCE. HOWEVER, NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST FRONT OR REAR WINDOWS WHEN NEEDED IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SUBARU FORUMS (FOR EXAMPLE, HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/80-ELECTRICAL-ELECTRONICS/23909-08-O-B-RADIO-HVAC-CONTROL-LIGHTING-PROB.HTML). PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER IGNITION. GOES AWAY SOMETIMES ON ITS OWN, SOMETIMES WHEN TURN OFF CAR AND TURN BACK ON, SOMETIMES DOESN'T RESOLVE EVEN WITH RE-IGNITION. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND ON HIGHWAYS BUT I SPEND MORE TIME ON CITY STREETS.

Jul 04, 2017

SEVERAL BROKEN WIRES IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FLEXIBLE JOINT WHERE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING TRAVELS BETWEEN THE REAR CARGO AREA AND THE TAILGATE WERE DISCOVERED. IT APPEARS THAT INFERIOR WIRE INSULATION BECOMES BRITTLE OVER TIME AND LEADS TO BROKEN WIRES. SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE REAR WINDOW WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILS SPORADICALLY / DOES NOT RETURN TO HOME LOCATION, AND THERE IS NO POWER AT THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT. WIRING FOR REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND LOCKS ALSO TRAVEL THROUGH THIS JOINT AND CAN BE AFFECTED. MANY SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS ARE DISCOVERING THIS ISSUE AND DISCUSSING ONLINE. SINCE THIS CAN AFFECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND THE REAR LIGHTS, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF OWNERS DISCOVERING THE ISSUE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Jan 03, 2015

THE 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK (MANUAL) PULSATES AND SURGES WHEN DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACES OR WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AND WHILE LIGHTLY PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. CONCERN EXISTS FOR WHEN DRIVING ON WET OR ICE/SNOW PACKED ROADS AND THE VEHICLE SURGES WITH THE POTENTIAL TO THROW IT INTO A SPIN OR OTHERWISE OUT-OF-CONTROL. MANUFACTURER HAS INDICATED IT IS AN INHERENT CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE WITH NO FIXES AVAILABLE, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE A QUALITY MONITORING REPORT IN PLACE TO HOPEFULLY IMPROVE IN FUTURE YEARS. *TR

Jan 10, 2008

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 complaints

All rear lights, rear hatch lock, brake lights all failed due to wiring going from the body to the hatch getting cut from the action of opening and closing the hatch door. This seems to be a pretty common thing with at least the 2005-2007 models years.

Dec 01, 2021

MY 2007 OUTBACK WAGON TAILGATE LIGHTS, LOCK FAILED TO WORK. SOME OF THE WIRING WITHIN THE FLEXIBLE RUBBER CONDUIT BROKE AND SHORTED OUT THE FUSE. THE WIRES COULD NOT ENDURE THE REPEATED MOTION OF THE TAILGATE MOVEMENT. I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE UPPER BRAKE LIGHT, REVERSE LIGHTS, TAILGATE LOCK ARE AFFECTED. I BELIEVE THE REAR WIPER MOTOR WIRING IS IN THE SAME HARNESS. A PREVIOUS OWNER MADE A REPAIR OF ONE WIRE AS SEEN IN THE PHOTO. REPAIR DID NOT HOLD UP. SUBARU SHOULD CORRECT THE CONDITION AT NO CHARGE.

Nov 24, 2018

HATCH WON'T LOCK, AND BACKUP LIGHTS DON'T WORK. FOUND 2 BROKEN WIRES ON RIGHT SIDE WIRE HARNESS, I HAVE READ LOTS OF OTHER POSTINGS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Jul 05, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

3 complaints

I BOUGHT THE 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK LL BEAN NEW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE FIRST TIME I REPLACED THE OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS TIME I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ONE. THE SOLDER JOINTS IN THE CIRCUIT BOARD ARE FAULTY, CAUSING LOOSE CONNECTIONS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA MANY TIMES BY OTHER OWNERS. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS CURRENTLY A SECOND RECALL ON THE AIR BAGS THEMSELVES, BUT NOT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS DOES THERE HAVE TO BE FOR YOU TO DEMAND A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM?

Feb 01, 2020

WE HAVE EXPERIENCE A MULTITUDE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE LL BEAN VERSION OF THE 2207 OUTBACK. MOST RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON CONSISTENTLY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE A REPORTED ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION WITH THE LIGHT ON, IT IS COSTLY TO REPAIR OVER $400 + DIAGNOSTIC OF $115. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, IT WOULD COM EON INTERMITTENTLY, NO IT REMAINS ON 100% OF THE TIME. I COMMUTE 100 MILES EACH DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK ON A TWO-LANE, RURAL HIGHWAY AND WORRY I NEED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE SOONER THAN LATER DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS ONLY PASSING THE SAFETY ISSUE TO A NEW OWNER. THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE SUBARU'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX AS THERE ARE MANY THAT CANNOT AFFORD SUCH A FIX AND IS NOT REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THIS SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE. NOT SURE IF I WOULD BUY A SUBARU AGAIN AFTER OWNING THIS ONE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE REAR WIRE HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE REAR DEFROSTER, ETC. $800 TO REPLACE THIS AFTER WE HAD DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETED DURING OUR LAST TUNE UP. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE ARE MANY FAULTY ELECTRONIC ASSEMBLY ISSUES THAT WERE NOT OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY - MAYBE A TAPING OR SOLDERING ISSUE. HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T SPARK AND START A FIRE....

Jul 18, 2019

DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON. AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM IS SUBSEQUENTLY DISABLED, EVEN IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SOURCE OF PROBLEM IS TRACED BACK TO INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE OVER HEAD CONSOLE. THE WARNING LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP AS THEY SHOULD. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT OR OFF LIGHTS DO NOT APPEAR WHEN THEY SHOULD SOMETIMES THEY ARE DIM AND RESOLVE WITH A LIGHT TAP OR CHANGE IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THIS IS COMMON AND IS THE RESULT OF FAULTY SOLDER IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE. DEALERSHIP ADVISES REPLACE THE ENTIRE CONSOLE AT OWNER EXPENSE. PART COSTS $130, LABOR IS EVEN MORE. I AM NOT AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND HAVE NO IDEA IF SOLDERS SHOULD FAIL AT 8 YEARS. THIS PARTICULAR SOLDER IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SUBARU SHOULD REMEDY THIS WITH A RECALL OR AT LEAST REIMBURSE MY COST. I WILL PROVIDE THE DEALERSHIP WITH A COPY OF THIS REPORT.

Feb 26, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 complaints

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET WHEN MY CAR ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT I HAD NO GAS PEDAL RESPONSE .SO L COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD AN SHUT IT OFF AN STARTED IT .THEN AFTER I DID THAT I GOT GAS PEDAL RESPONSE .THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AFTER RESTARTING VECHILE SO I HAD A CODE SCAN CHECK IT,AN A CODE P2138 SHOWED . THE CODE IS FOR THE THROTTLE/PEDAL SENSOR. I'M JUST GLAD I WAS NOT DOING 65 ON A HIGHWAY AN A SEMI WASN'T BEHIND ME OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE

Nov 02, 2019

WELL I LOST ALL THROTTLE CONTROL FOR THE FIRST TIME. ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WHICH DISABLED THE VDC AND CRUISE AND THE GAS PEDAL. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. WHEN SHUTTING THE CAR OFF IT IS VERY HARD TO RESTART. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND YOU TRY TO STOP THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO IT JUST PULSES FORWARD SO MORE BRAKE PEDAL IS NEEDED. IF YOU PUT IT IN PARK THE ENGINE REVS HIGH. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TPS NOT BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE THROTTLE SERVO VIA THE TCM. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS AT RANDOM. USUALLY WHEN I'VE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

Jul 14, 2019

THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT TO BE FILED. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE 2013. MY 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK LOSES VEHICLE POWER AS THE ACCELERATOR STOPS RESPONDING. THE CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ALL BECOME ILLUMINATED OR FLASHING. THIS IS ESPECIALLY COMMON UPON RESTARTING THE CAR AFTER A SHORT DRIVE, COMING TO A STOP, OR AFTER 5-10 MINUTES FROM A COLD START. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART AND THEN RESTARTING ONCE MORE RESETS THE ISSUE FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS. CLEANING THE CONNECTOR PLUG TO THE ACCELERATOR TEMPORARILY RESOLVES THE ISSUE ANYWHERE FORM 6 MONTHS TO ONE WEEK. SUBARU HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND ISSUED A GENERIC RESPONSE MOSTLY DEALING WITH AIR BAG SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS IS A VERY HAZARDOUS DEFAULT IN THE VEHICLE WHICH IS BEING IGNORED.

Jul 08, 2016

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

The Airbag light on my dash was lighting intermittently. I called Kendall Subaru here in Fairbanks, AK and was told I shouldn't drive the car as such a light indicated a problem with my airbags and that even a low level bump could set them off or that they might not function at all in a major accident. I scheduled an appointment to have this problem diagnosed. They told me there was a fault in the wiring and that I'd have to have the passenger seat indicator replaced. I have done some online research and found that there are several instances of faulty soldering in the wiring for the indicator. This would seem to me to be a reason for Subaru to issue a safety recall as a pot hole hit could set this thing off or people could get killed because the airbag didn't deploy! Kendall told me that they didn't have the part in stock. It would be in in 7-10 days. That was a month ago. I have noticed that since my vehicle was in for diagnosis, that the light has only come on whe the car is started, like it's supposed to!

Oct 19, 2021

DRIVER SIDE IMPACT TO 07 SUBARU OUTBACK DAMAGED FRAME, INSURANCE TOTALED VEHICLE, SEATBELT DID NOT HOLD DRIVER IN SEAT AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN PERMANENT INJURIES TO NECK AND LOWER BACK AS WELL AS HEAD HITTING ON DRIVER SIDE FROM BEING RAG DOLLED. I BELIEVE IF FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYED OR SEATBELT LOCKED, THE INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE. *TR

Oct 05, 2010

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STEERING

2 complaints

ON 11/23/2018, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND DOWN A HILL IN THE INSIDE LANE OF A HIGHWAY IN LIGHT DRIZZLE, SPEED APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE HIGHWAY WAS WET BUT NO STANDING WATER. SUDDENLY THE FRONT WHEELS BEGAN ALTERNATELY PULLING TO THE LEFT, THEN RIGHT, THEN LEFT, THEN RIGHT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WEAVE UNCONTROLLABLY. AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS THE CAR SWERVED ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE, SPINNING TO FACE THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC. THE CAR THEN SWUNG UP AN EMBANKMENT ALONG THE ROADSIDE, SKIDDED BACKWARDS ON ITS LEFT SIDE, THEN CAME TO REST ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY, STILL FACING THE WESTBOUND TRAFFIC. IN A FEW MINUTES, HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED, AND A PATROLMAN BACKED THE CAR DOWN THE HILL ABOUT 200 YARDS TO AN EXIT. AS HE WAS BACKING, THE FRONT END AGAIN WAS WEAVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS THAT HAPPENED, BUT IT DID NOT BEGIN WITH APPLYING BRAKES OR SKIDDING ON THE WET SURFACE.

Nov 27, 2018

Crash: 1

WE PURCHASED A SUBARU OUTBACK ON 2/3/07 AND THE ACCIDENT WAS ON 2/7/07, AT 10:05 AM. I WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH AND I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE, ALL OF A SUDDEN I STARTED TO GO TO THE LEFT, AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL, I THOUGHT I WAS ON BLACK ICE, BUT THE ROAD WAS DRY, BUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS ICE, I DID NOT TOUCH THE BRAKE, AND THEREFORE I WAS STILL GOING 60 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND BACK TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT AGAIN, STILL ON CRUISE CONTROL, I HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON MY RIGHT...HEAD ON...THEN THE CAR BACKED AROUND AND STOPPED WITH THE REAR BUMPER ON THE SAME GUARD RAIL THAT I HAD HIT HEAD ON. *JB

Feb 19, 2007

Crash: 1

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

2 complaints

DRIVER'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS WILL CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION. A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THE SAME ISSUE IS ONGOING FOR MANY 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK MODELS. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE DUE TO FAULTY SOLDERING OF THE OVERHEAD CHIP FOR THE AIRBAGS. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY INCIDENT. *TR

Mar 25, 2015

A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY FOR A PEDESTRIAN, AND I REAR ENDED IT. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I ENDED UP WITH A CONCUSSION. HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE THINKING AND SLEEPING - AND FINALS ARE NEXT WEEK! *JS

Dec 03, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END SWERVED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A LOCAL AUTO SPECIALIST PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. ..UPDATED 08/11/14 *BF

Jan 29, 2014

WHILE DRIVING ON SNOW COVERED ROADS WITH THREE PEOPLE AND SKI EQUIPMENT IN THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS, ABNORMAL HANDLING. THIS PHENOMENON HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER 2005-2009 SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS, AND IS BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION SYSTEM. SPECIFICALLY, THE OUTBACKS APPEAR TO HAVE A CHASSIS TUNING ISSUE WHERE THE REAR SUSPENSION OSCILLATES IN SUCH A WAY TO CAUSE REAR-STEER. WHEN THIS OCCURS ROAD FEEL AND HANDLING CONFIDENCE ARE COMPLETELY LOST. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND SEE THAT IT IS PROPERLY ADDRESSED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. *TR

Jan 10, 2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 complaints

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AFTER MARKET FRONT DISC BRAKE PADS ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PADS HE PURCHASED WERE A FULL HALF-INCH SHORTER IN LENGTH THAN THE ORIGINAL PADS THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE. THE ESTABLISHMENT INSISTED IT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE BRAKING FORCE. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE PADS AND WENT TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT, WHO PROVIDED HIM WITH THEIR FRONT PADS WHICH WERE THE SAME LENGTH AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.

Apr 22, 2013

THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKING ACTION WHATSOEVER. I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND EVENTUALLY STOP BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED (60K INTERVAL) BY THE DEALER INCLUDING FLUSHING THE BRAKE LINES AND INSTALLING NEW REAR BRAKE PADS. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION BY A DIFFERENT DEALER REVEALED THAT THE CALIPER AND BRAKE PAD HAD FALLEN OFF THE CAR, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND PUTTING OCCUPANTS (INCLUDING A 4 YEAR OLD) AT EXTREME BODILY RISK. *TR

Feb 16, 2012

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOUSING FOR THE REAR PARKING LIGHTS WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND WERE MELTING THE LIGHT FIXTURES AND REFLECTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST UNLESS THE VEHICLE WERE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED AND THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,841.

Jun 16, 2011

Fire: 1

THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. *TR

Jan 04, 2009

STEERING,SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

Driving down the freeway, snowy conditions, going roughly 50 mph in a straight line, no curves or turns in sight, hit a very small hump in the road and suddenly I found myself sideways from what seems like a rear steer situation, i corrected as best i could and luckily i was in the only section of the road that didn't have a wall, ended up backwards in a shallow ditch. No immediate damage noted, I was able to drive away, but confidence with driving in snowy and icy conditions has been severely diminished (been driving in snow and ice for 20+ years). My previous vehicle, 1988 chevy s10 was WAY more reliable in the snow that this thing. I have since felt this car try and "kick out" while going well under the speed limit but in slightly icy conditions. The only reason I can think that this hasnt happened again is due to myself being aware of the isssue, new struts and brand new $600 dollar tires i recently purchased. This is a huge issue, and Subaru needs to own up to it, I know i'm not the only one who's experienced this.

Jan 22, 2023

Crash: 1

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went over a bump in the roadway and went sideways. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the rear stabilizer bar had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Jun 16, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

AS I'M DRIVING MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND CRUISE CONTROL GETS DISCONNECTED ONE DAY IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT DAY IT WON'T

Aug 10, 2020

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

AN ACCELERATOR THAT BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON 3 LANE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT WITH SUBARU AND YOU CAN READ ABOUT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM WHICH IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU GO ONLINE AND SEARCH FOR SUBARU OUTBACK CODE P2138/THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR YOU WILL FIND THAT THE SENSOR HAS INTERMITENT FAILURES WHICH CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. EVEN WHEN PEOPLE GET THIS RESET AT A MECHANIC AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT WILL BEGIN RECURRING AGAIN. OR SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC CANNOT MAKE THE CAR FAIL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS A SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. SUBARU MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM!! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES NOW OVER THE LAST YEAR.

Jan 16, 2020

AIR BAGS,INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE MAP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO TURN OFF. LIBERTY AUTO CITY SUBARU (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-3800) CONFIRMED THAT THE MAP LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO TURN OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *AS

May 24, 2019

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSUES REGARDING DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLING FANS & MOTOR THAT PROPELS THE FANS TO SPIN PROPERLY.

Apr 24, 2019

EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE A FLAT FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, THE JACK COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE JACK FAILED TO HOLD THE VEHICLE'S WEIGHT. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE GARAGE AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE ON A FLAT SURFACE AND THE JACK WAS PROPERLY INSERTED INTO THE LIFT AREA SUGGESTED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mar 12, 2018

SEATS

1 complaint

NOTICED PASSENGER SIDE OF ELECTRIC DRIVER SEAT BOTTOM DID NOT RAISE CORRECTLY. REMOVED SEAT TO FIND BROKEN SPOT WELDS ON BRACKET CONNECTING THE BAR THAT RAISES SEAT FRONT TO THE SEAT FRAME ITSELF.

Sep 02, 2017

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT IS HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE SHORT VERTICAL HOOK ON TO WHICH THE FLOOR MAT FITS. AFTER ONLY A SHORT TIME DRIVING, THE FLOOR MAT BECOMES UNHOOKED AND SLIDES UNDERNEATH THE PEDALS, WHICH CAN PREVENT THE PEDALS FROM BEING PUSHED IN ALL THE WAY.

Jul 20, 2017

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

MY SUBARU HAS A 2.5L ENGINE. A SUBARU SERVICE CENTER HAS VERIFIED THE HEAD GASKETS HAVE A SEVERE OIL LEAK. MY CAR IS ALSO LEAKING ANTIFREEZE, MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKETS. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL ON THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS SAME SIZE ENGINE BACK IN 2002. I AM STUCK WITH A $2600 REPAIR. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME ENGINE ON DIFFERENT YEAR MAKES OF SUBARUS ON THIS SITE. HTTP://WWW.SMART-SERVICE.COM/BLOG/2010/02/SUBARU-HEAD-GASKET-WILL-SUBARU-PAY-FOR-REPAIR

Apr 11, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT REFUSES TO REPAIR/REPLACE VEHICLE RADIO. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $1,00 TO REPLACE THE RADIO. *JB

Oct 12, 2016

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SENSORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Aug 30, 2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND TRACTION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 249,000.

Mar 10, 2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 complaint

WIRE HARNESS, THAT PASSES THROUGH RUBBER ARTICULATED GASKET THAT CONNECTS BETWEEN VEHICLE BODY AND REAR HATCH DOOR OF WAGON, SUFFERS FROM WIRE FATIGUE THAT CAUSES INDIVIDUAL WIRE INSULATORS TO CRACK AND CONDUCTING WIRES TO BREAK, LEADING TO FAILURE OF CRITICAL AUTOMOBILE SAFETY EQUIPMENT; NAMELY, REAR WIPER MOTOR, REAR BACK-UP LIGHTS, REAR MIDDLE BRAKE LIGHT, REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. THIS DESIGN DEFECT HAS BE REPORTED BY NUMEROUS OWNERS AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ON YOUTUBE (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AMEKPTVGMHS) AND OUTBACK OWNERS' BULLETIN BOARD WEBSITES (HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/66-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE/20718-REAR-WIPER-DOES-NOT-RETURN-PARK-HOME-POSITION.HTML). PROBABLE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS INCLUDE: (I) ORIENTATION OF RUBBER ARTICULATED GASKET THROUGH WHICH REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS PASSES IS SUCH THAT IT CAUSES UNDUE FLEXING OF WIRE HARNESS WIRES UPON OPEN / CLOSE SEQUENCE OF REAR TAILGATE, AND (2) DEFECTIVE AND/OR UNDERSIZED WIRE HARNESS WIRES UNABLE TO WITHSTAND THE OPEN / CLOSE SEQUENCE OF REAR TAIL GATE.

Jun 28, 2015

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

I WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT AND A FULL SIZED PREGNANT DEER JUMPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE DEER FULL SPEED. IT DID OVER $8000. IN DAMAGE TO THE CAR, BUT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. IT WAS LIKE AN EXPLOSION, AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS MASHED UP AND HEAD LIGHTS KNOCKED OUT, ETC. THE DEER WAS CUT IN 1/2 AND FLEW AROUND THE CAR, BUT IT DID NOT HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF, I REPEAT, AND I'M KIND OF CONCERNED THAT IT WOULDN'T WORK IN A COLLISION. *TR

Feb 23, 2015

Crash: 1

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF EXHAUST FUMES OR GAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN YOU TURN THE CLIMATE CONTROL TO THE CABIN AIR RECIRCULATING POSITION THE SMELL DECREASES DRAMATICALLY. THIS CAR MUST BE DRIVEN WITH A WINDOW PARTIALLY OPEN FOR FRESH AIR FOR SAFETY. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE NAUSEA. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH SUBARU. SUBARU HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL TO THE BEST OF BY KNOWLEDGE. *TR

Jan 21, 2015

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

IN JUNE OF 2013 I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR SERVICE AFTER NOTICING A BURNING SMELL. I WAS TOLD MY FRONT RIGHT AXLE WAS BROKEN. SEVEN MONTHS LATER (JANUARY 2014) I RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THIS TIME THE LEFT AXLE AND LEFT WHEEL BEARING WERE BROKEN. TWO MONTHS LATER (MARCH 2014) I WAS BACK AT THE DEALER AND MY RIGHT AXLE AND RIGHT AXLE SEAL WERE BROKEN AGAIN. THAT IS THREE AXLES IN NINE MONTHS! THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT SUBARU TOLD ME THIS WAS NOT ABNORMAL; THAT THE CAR HAS A "DESIGN FLAW" WHERE THE AXLE BOOT SITS VERY CLOSE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SO IT HEATS UP, WHICH CAUSES THE AXLE TO CRACK AND BREAK. *TR

May 09, 2014

STEERING,SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

REFER TO NHTSA COMPLAINT 10558038 VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A COUPLE OF TIMES ON GOOD DRY ROADS AFTER DECEMBER COMPLAINT ABOUT REAR END STABILITY AND TRACTION PROBLEMS. ON JAN 29TH, MID MORNING DRIVER WAS DRIVING WITH 1 PASSENGER ON A SLIGHTLY SNOW COVERED GRAVEL ROAD. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM TURNED OFF AND WHEN HE ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WITH SLIGHT THROTTLE PRESSURE, HE STATED "THE CAR STARTED DRIVING ITSELF AND BECAME TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE." HE SAID "IT SPUN AROUND ONE WAY THEN THE OTHER" BEFORE GOING THROUGH A DITCH, RUNNING THROUGH A FENCE AND INTO A RAILROAD TIE POST. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TRIED EVERY THING POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE CRASH AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SAME DRIVER IN PREVIOUS COMPLAINT THAT IS A EX-RACE CAR DRIVER, HAS HAD NUMEROUS SPIN OUTS AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE TRACK AND IS ALSO A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER. HE DROVE AN OLD 2 WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCK LATER THAT DAY UNDER WORSE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE TO GET IT HOME. ON THE WAY TO THE BODY SHOP, 40 MPH IT AGAIN STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH ERRATICALLY WHEN HE DROVE OVER A PATCH OF ICE ON THE ROAD. THE CAR IS AT THE BODY SHOP WITH OVER $3000 DAMAGE. *AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Feb 05, 2014

Crash: 1

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

THIS IS THE 5TH SUBARU I HAVE OWNED IN MY LIFE AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THEM WITH STABILITY IN SNOW AND ICE. I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES AND 4. I PURCHASE THIS CAR IN JUNE OF 2012 AND ALWAYS FELT THAT IT WAS NOT STABLE ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE SNOW FELL, I WAS TESTING THE ROAD CONDITIONS ON VERY DRY CRUNCHY SNOW, WHEN I TURNED THE VEHICLE TO GO AROUND A LEFT CORNER. (THIS IS SOMETHING MY OTHER 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS NO PROBLEMS WITH.) THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TURN AND THE REAR END CAME UNDONE AND THE CAR SLID INTO A 4 WHEEL SKID. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE WHOLE REAR END HAD LOST ANY TRACTION. IT TOOK ACCELERATION TO GET IT TO ENGAGE AGAIN. BOTH OF MY SUBARU'S HAVE ALL SEASON RADIALS THAT ARE IN GREAT SHAPE. LATER IN DECEMBER MY HUSBAND (WHO IS ALSO A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER) AND I WERE TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 38 DEGREES AND THE ROAD SURFACE WAS WET. WE HAD JUST A FEW GROCERIES IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND IT WAS NOT HEAVILY LOADED. WE HIT A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE CAR STARTED SWAYING AND WOBBLING LIKE ON ICY ROADS. HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL, BUT BOTH OF US WERE SHOCKED AT HOW UNSTABLE IT WAS. WE AGAIN CHECKED THE ROAD SURFACE AND IT WAS NOT ICY. I HAVE ALSO ENCOUNTERED INSTABILITY IN SNOW AND SLUSH, THAT IS NOT NORMAL TO THE SUBARU OUTBACK. MY OTHER CAR HAS NO PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Dec 31, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

VEHICLE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT DURING RUSH HOUR. TRIED TO ACCELERATE FOR RIGHT TURN, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. CHECKED THE DISPLACE FOR INDICATOR LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE ON STEADILY WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BLINKING. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF HEATER, SEAT HEATER, AND RADIO, AND PROCEEDED TO COAST DOWN A HILL AT IDLE. GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD AFTER 0.3 MILES. RESTARTED THE CAR TWICE AND THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND GAS PEDAL STILL DID NOT WORK. A THIRD ATTEMPT TO RESTART RESULTED IN THE ENGINE TURNING OVER BUT NO IGNITION. AFTER SEVERAL MORE RESTARTS THE GAS PEDAL WAS RESPONSIVE BUT INDICATORS LIGHTS WERE STILL PRESENT. DROVE TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP WITH NORMAL SPEED CONTROL WHERE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS PROMPTLY TURNED OFF. SENSOR HISTORY INDICATED P2138 CODE FOR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *TR

Apr 03, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK SW ON A 6 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND LOST ALL GAS PEDAL RESPONSE. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALTHOUGH SHE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. THE CAR STARTED FLASHING THE CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE DASH LIGHTS. AFTER ALLOWING THE CAR TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND GET HOME. I CHECKED THE ERROR CODES AND GOT A P02138. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SUBARU BLOGS. ALL OF THE OTHER REPORTS POINTED TO THE SAME SOURCE(S) THE GAS PEDAL POSITION SENSOR OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. MOST REPORTED SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENTS CLAIMING NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE EVER HAPPENING BEFORE. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IN BOTH LOCAL AND HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. I HAVE CLEANED THE TERMINALS ON BOTH SENSORS AND THIS SEEMS TO HELP, BUT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS RETURNS. I READ WHERE SEVERAL OTHER DRIVERS HAD THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY CHANGED AND THE ISSUE SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. HAVING A CAR SUDDENLY BECOME DEAD ON THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS TO ANYONE AROUND. *TR *JS

Mar 11, 2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL WOULD SPILL BACK OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VENT VALVES IN THE DUEL FUEL CANISTER SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 49,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF MECHANIC STATED THE EVAP WAS FROZEN SO GAS COULD NOT GO IN AND FUMES COULD NOT PASS THROUGH. UPDATED 08/05/11

Jun 13, 2011

SUSPENSION,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

1 complaint

OUR 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK FISHTAILS ALL OVER THE PLACE ON ICY ROADS THAT ALL OTHER VEHICLES SAFELY TRAVEL ON AT TWICE THE SPEED AS WE ARE ABLE TO DO IN OUR OUTBACK. THIS ISN'T THE DRIVER OR THE TIRES. THIS IS THE CAR. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED (HONDA CRV, SATURN SW2, 2WD GMC S-15, CHEVY CORSICA) AND I HAVE DRIVEN IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS MANY TIMES. IT IS MISERABLE AND FEELS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU DON'T FEEL IN CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE AT 30 MPH ON ICY ROADS THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS TRAVELING 50-60 MPH ON. I'VE ONLY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY LOADED. THE CAR FEELS EXTREMELY STABLE ON SNOWPACK AND DRY/WET PAVEMENT. BUT AS SOON AS ROADS HAVE SOME ICE ON THEM, THIS CAR BECOMES GARBAGE (JUST WHEN YOU NEED A CAR TO BE AT IT'S BEST). I HAVE WITNESSED THIS EVENT TWICE NOW IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. ONCE IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS, AND ONCE IN NORTHERN COLORADO. THESE ARE ALSO THE ONLY TWO ICY ROAD CONDITIONS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN ON. I WOULD EXPECT THIS VEHICLE TO BEHAVE THIS SAME MISERABLE WAY EVERY TIME AS IT HAS EXHIBITED THIS CHARACTERISTIC 100% OF THE TIME ON ICY HIGHWAY ROADS. *TR

Feb 10, 2011

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

AUDIO/HVAC CONTROLS FLASH OR CUT OUT ALTOGETHER. PROBLEM STARTED INTERMITTENTLY IN JAN. 2010 AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES BUT HAS NOW BECOME CONSISTENT AS OF OCTOBER 2010 AT ABOUT 22,000 MILES. WHEN CONTROLS ARE ACTING UP, NOT ONLY DOES THE PANEL NOT DISPLAY PROPERLY, BUT ALSO FAILS TO RESPOND TO ANY ADJUSTMENTS. NOT BEING ABLE TO ADJUST THE AUDIO OR CLIMATE CONTROL IS AN INCONVENIENCE. HOWEVER, NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST FRONT OR REAR WINDOWS WHEN NEEDED IS A SAFETY HAZARD. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SUBARU FORUMS (FOR EXAMPLE, HTTP://LEGACYGT.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/LOSS-OFF-POWER-RADIO-AND-CLIMATE-CONTROL-3459.HTML?P=2220291&POSTCOUNT=114 [SEE #114 AND #137, IN PARTICULAR] AND HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/80-ELECTRICAL-ELECTRONICS/23909-08-O-B-RADIO-HVAC-CONTROL-LIGHTING-PROB.HTML). PROBLEM SEEMS TO STEM FROM A POORLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BOARD. HONDA HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH POORLY MADE CIRCUIT BOARDS, BUT HAS ISSUED A TSB THAT NOW COVERS THESE UNITS FOR 7 YEAR/100,000 MILES. IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMETHING SIMILAR WOULD BE ISSUED FOR SUBARUS AS OWNERS EXPERIENCES WITH DEALERSHIPS HAVE RANGED FROM THEN NEVER HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE IT TO HAVING IT BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY WORK WITH SOA TO PROMPTLY ADDRESS AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER. *TR

Oct 17, 2010

WHEELS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LUG STUDS EXHIBITED STRESS FRACTURES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DEALER PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE PREVIOUS AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Aug 23, 2010

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

MY SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK BUCKS, SURGES WHEN GOING ON ANY SMALL OR BIG INCLINE. IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME.IT TENDS TO MAKE ME SLIDE MORE CAUSE OF THE SURGES ESPECIALLY WHEN ICY OR WET. I TOOK IT IN 3 TIMES TO A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE 07,08'S HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT WAS IN THE COMPUTER/ELECTRONICS. THEY DID NOTHING TO FIX IT. I SEE THAT TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS AND IGNORED THIS PROBLEM. SO IS SUBARU. IT IS A COMPUTER DEFECT THAT SUBARU SAID THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY FIX. IT WAS THE COMPUTER HOOKED TO THE DRIVER'S PEDAL AND GAS. I SENT LETTERS TO THE MAIN SUBARU OFFICE, TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO AFTER THIS. *TR

Feb 24, 2010

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,TIRES

1 complaint

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I, 4 SNOW TIRES, 5MT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT (NO TURNS) ON SLIGHTLY ICY OR BLOWING SNOW ROADS, THE REAR END BEGINS TO WOBBLE APPROXIAMTLEY 3INCHES SIDE TO SIDE. I AM GIVING THE CAR LITTLE TO NO THROTTLE AND IT WILL STILL SWAY. THE SWAYING BECOMES MUCH WORSE WITH MORE WEIGHT IN THE CAR (1 FOOT SIDE TO SIDE). THE SWAYING IS SO BAD THAT I OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE 15-20MPH SLOWER THAN GENERAL TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON (SNOW TIRES) AND HAD THE CAR ALIGNED. IT STILL OCCURS. *TR

Jan 08, 2009

TIRES

1 complaint

I EXPERIENCED AIR LOSS IN A TIRE. WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PUNCTURE. TOOK IT TO A TIRE DEALER WHO FOUND A BROKEN VALVE STEM. THIS IS THE SENSOR TYPE OF VALVE STEM. IT APPEARED TO BE BROKEN IN HALF. THE SUBARU DEALER DIDN'T SEEM SURPRISED, AND AFTER CHECKING SAID THERE SEEMED TO BE A RUN ON THEM AND IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BEFORE THEY COULD OBTAIN ONE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN PART. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL AND HE SEEMED ALARMED AND VERY DEFENSIVE. *TR

Nov 03, 2008

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

THIS IS A 2007 OUTBACK 2.5I PZEV WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE WILL BOG DOWN UNLESS THE ENGINE IS REVVED HIGH PRIOR TO RELEASING THE CLUTCH. WHEN IT BOGS DOWN, THE RESULT IS VERY SLOW ACCELERATION. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING LEFT IN TRAFFIC. TO GET THE CAR OUT OF THIS MODE, THE CLUTCH NEED TO BE PUSHED IN AGAIN AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGHER RPM. ONCE THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES QUICKLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO WAY TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY AND QUICKLY. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN USING GASOLINE WITH 10% ETHANOL AND IS MUCH WORSE WITH MOBIL REGULAR GAS. *JB

Oct 09, 2007

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY. UP UNTIL LATE MAY, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS WORKING FLAWLESSLY. IT THEN STARTED BLOWING COLD FOR ABOUT TEN SECONDS AND THEN WARM FOR FIVE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BEHAVE ERRATIC, THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND THE ENGINE TO SURGE BECAUSE THE COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR THIS ISSUE FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST THREE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS OVERCHARGING OF THE AC SYSTEM. THE LAST ONE I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION (BUT WHY JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN START AT 4000 MILES?) *TR

Aug 23, 2007

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE KEY FOB AND THE INNER BUTTONS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 09/12/07 *TR

Aug 14, 2007

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

2007 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION -- WHEN MY FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO SHIFT THE ENGINE ACTUALLY ACCELERATES RATHER THAN DECELERATES. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD MUCH QUICKER THAN THE DRIVER PLANNED WHEN THE NEXT GEAR IS SELECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.*AK

Apr 15, 2007

SEATS,CHILD SEAT

1 complaint

THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR FAILURE. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK AND NEITHER OF OUR CAR SEATS FIT SAFELY IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE THE PEG PEREGO INFANT SEAT AND THE BRITAX MARATHON CONVERTIBLE SEAT. THE SALES MANAGER, MYSELF, MY HUSBAND, AND THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT GET EITHER SEAT TO FIT IN PROPERLY. WE HAD TO RETURN THE CAR AND PURCHASE THE MORE EXPENSIVE TRIBECA. THE CAR SEAT NOW FITS SECURELY IN THE BACK SEAT. *JB

Jan 16, 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED ON VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPUTER SOFTWARE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT RESET THE COMPUTER AND COULD NOT EXCHANGE IT EITHER. ALSO, THE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THIS WAS A 2007 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 I WAGON. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

Oct 17, 2006

2007 SUBARU Outback Problems & Complaints

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