2002 Subaru Outback

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I RECENTLY TOOK MY OUTBACK IN TO A LOCAL SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAS STARTED TO LEAK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. CALLED FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES, AND GOT ESTIMATES FOR ANYWHERE FROM $1500-$2100 (AFTER SPENDING $2K ON OTHER WEAR AND TEAR REPAIRS THIS SUMMER). EVERY MECHANIC I SPOKE WITH WAS KEENLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OBVIOUSLY MEANS THIS IS A VERY COMMON - AND EXPENSIVE - DEFECT! *KB

• 12/28/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

• 12/28/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I HAVE A SUBARU 2002 OUTBACK. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I PROVIDED TO THE DEALER IN THE LAST VISIT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, BEFORE MY WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED, I HAD ISSUES WITH LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINES AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINE AND THE LEAK SEEMED TO STOP. THERE WERE ADDITIONAL SMELLS OF FUEL IN COLD WEATHER SO I BROUGHT MY CARE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY OTHER LEAKS AND SPAYED A WHITE LEAK DETECTOR ON THE FUEL LINES. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN A FEW WEEKS LATER AND NO ADDITIONAL LEAKS WERE PRESENT. AT THAT TIME, SINCE THE ISSUE ONLY SEEMED TO HAPPEN COLD WEATHER, IF THE ISSUE RETURNED I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER. THE GAS SMELL RETURNED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ID THE SOURCE. HOWEVER, DURING HE COLD WEATHER LAST WEEK, I DISCOVERED IN COLD WEATHER SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR THAT THE SAME FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LEAKING FUEL AGAIN. AFTER I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS, THE FUEL LEAK STOPPED. SEVERAL CLAMPS WERE LOOSE ON OTHER PARTS OF THE FUEL LINES. THIS IS THE SAME SCENARIO THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY '07. TO ELIMINATE ANY FUTURE LEAKS CAN I HAVE THE TSB 09-36-03 WORK COMPLETED ON THE FUEL LINES. THE ISSUE IN MY OUTBACK IS THE SAME AS THE ISSUE NOTED IN THE TSB. HOW CAN I GET THE SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER? *TR

• 12/27/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CABIN. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE, INSISTS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR.*AK

• 12/26/2008· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH DEFECTS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON A SUBARU OUTBACK 20002. DEALERSHIP: LIBERTY, 1000 E PARK AVENUE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048 PROBLEM STARTED IN 2003 AND LASTED TO THIS DATE. IN AUG 2008, DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PRESENT DEFAULT BUT REFUSED TO CONCEDE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED IN 2003 (OIL CHANGES) WE MENTIONED A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER BLAMED THE "NEW HYDRAULIC CLUTCH" AND GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. NOW IN 2008, 3 YEARS LATER, THEY "DISCOVERED" THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE $1,300.00 TO FIX IT. WE REFUSED TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER GARAGE TOLD US THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUED AN ADVISORY ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER NEVER TOLD US. THE CLUTCH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANUAL GEAR SHIFT CARS WITH NO PROBLEMS, HAVING DRIVEN OUR PREVIOUS 1992 SUBARU OUTBACK TO 140,000 BEFORE IT NEEDED A CLUTCH REPAIR. THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALMOST RIGHT FROM THE START. WE HAVE SERVICE REPORT DATED 06/17/05 INVOICE # SUCS426989 SAYING: " REF#2 03SUZ : DRIVE LINE - TECK :553 - CUSTOMER STATES AT TIMES VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH AND TAKING OFF, MORE AMPLIFIED AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING. ---INSPECTED VEHICLE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AT THIS TIME- THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS THE FIRST WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE DEALER. THERE IS A SECOND WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: DATED 11/28/06, INVOICE SUCS476828, REF J#2 08SUZ CLUTCH ---TECH 42898: CUSTOMER STATES THE CAR IS CHUGGING IN FIRST GEAR - SEE LINE 1 LINE 1 STATES J# 1 40SUZDGRT DIAGNOSIS ROAD TEST - CUSTOMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANT TO STALL. PER SCANNER CODE, REPLACE FRONT O2 SENSOR AND REFLASH ECM" AS YOU SEE, THEY BLAMED THE O2 SENSOR AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/23/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2002 SUBARU OUTBACK- DEC. 08'- EXPERIENCING VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER. SAME SCENARIO UNFOLDED LAST YR. 07' WHEN IT GOT COLD. LAST YEAR DEALER CHARGED FOR INSPECT AND TIGHTENING OF CLAMPS ALONG FUEL LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACKS..WHY NO RECALL?..WITH FUEL LINE LEAKS AS COMMON AS THEY ARE WITH THIS MODEL I AM SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING SUBARU IS OFFERING TO HELP OWNERS RECOVER MONIES BEING SPENT ON THIS FIX? *TR

• 12/22/2007· STRUCTURE

  2002 SUBARU OUTBACK REAR SEAT LATCH CLIPS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO USE CHILD SAFETY SEATS (6 POINT HARNESS SYSTEM) CLIPS ARE TUCKED TOO FAR DOWN INTO SEATS. NEED EXTENSION CLIP TO ACCESS. *TR

• 12/19/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR WHEN COLD OUTSIDE (APPROX. 25 DEG F) OCCURS EVERY WINTER AT THESE TEMPERATURES FOR LAST 3 YRS (AT LEAST) DEALERS NEVER FOUND ANYTHING. *TR

• 12/18/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAB WHEN THE HEATER IS RUNNING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS IN MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. I TRIED CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING THE BRACKETS IN THE FUEL LINE AND THIS HAS NOT HELPED. MY INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARUS (DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS). I AM SURPRISED THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. IN SOME CASES, IT IS DUE TO LOOSE BRACKETS AND IN OTHERS LEAKY GASKETS IN THE FUEL INJECTOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A HEALTH ISSUE. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN WITH THE HEATER RUNNING (EVEN WITHOUT THE HEATER THERE IS A RESIDUAL FUEL SMELL). *TR

• 12/09/2013· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY WIFE DROVE HER CAR, A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, ABOUT 5 MILES HOME FROM WORK, AND TOLD ME IN THE EVENING HER CAR REEKED OF GASOLINE WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HOME. WHEN I CHECKED HER CAR THE GAS ODOR HAD DISSIPATED, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE THE GAS ODOR WAS VERY STRONG. I MOVED IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND SHUT IT OFF. I DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT THE ODOR WAS LIKELY DUE TO A FUEL HOSE LEAK ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD WEATHER START. THE TEMPERATURES HERE ARE COLD FOR MISSOURI, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 20'S. IT STILL IS COLD, ALBEIT AS A MINNESOTA BOY IT STILL SEEMS LIKE SPRING. AT ANY RATE, I FOUND A WEBSITE WITH USEFUL DIAGRAMS AND I LOCATED THE HOSE UNDER A BRACKET (OF COURSE), AND MANAGED TO UNCOVER THE HOSE AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMPS, WHICH WERE VERY LOOSE. AFTER RE-ASSEMBLY I DROVE THE CAR TO BURN OFF THE GAS REMAINING ON THE ENGINE AND I TESTED THE REPAIR WITH ANOTHER COLD WEATHER START LATER. I HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT HOSE FROM THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR 12 BUCKS. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALLS AND SERVICE ADVISORIES HAVE OCCURRED AND ARE IN PLACE FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS INCLUDING THE CLOSELY RELATED 2001 LEGACY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE 2002 OUTBACK AND EVERY OTHER SUBARU THAT USES THE HOSE PART # 807707130. THE DISCUSSIONS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE REVEAL SOME PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITH THEIR WINDOWS OPEN OR WITH CABIN AIR SET TO RECIRCULATE, OR WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP ENOUGH FOR THERMAL EXPANSION TO SEAL THE LEAK. AS AN INDUSTRY CHEMIST I FIND THIS IGNORANCE ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF GASOLINE FIRES APPALLING. HOWEVER I THINK SUBARU'S PIECE-MEAL APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING IS FRIGHTENING. DON'T THEY CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS? MY WIFE TEACHES CHEMISTRY, A TYPICAL CUSTOMER, ACCORDING TO SUBARU ADS. SHE LOVES HER SUBARU. SUBARU DOES NOT LOVE HER. *TR

• 12/07/2005· VISIBILITY

  2002 SUBARU OUTBACK VISIBILITY IS POOR WHEN IT RAINS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE CAN'T SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THERE ARE LINES IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FREEZE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. *JB

• 12/04/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS BELOW 35 DEGREES, MY CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR VENTILATION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS WORSE WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. MECHANICS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT I JUST READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE THEIR SUGGESTED FIXES TO MY MECHANIC.

• 11/29/2004· VISIBILITY

  FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE FORTH TIME DUE TO PECK IN THE WINDOW THAT DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

• 11/25/2008· STEERINGCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR MAKE ANY REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND WAS WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE AGENCY TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 11/22/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  PROMINENT GAS SMELL INSIDE CABIN WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE ON SUBARU'S BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY SUBARU TO RECTIFY THIS POOR ENGINEERING SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR BEHALF. I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND ON PHONE AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

• 11/18/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  RUBBER FUEL LINKAGES CONTRACT IN LOW (BELOW 30F) TEMPERATURES, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LEAKING FUEL CREATES A VERY STRONG, AT TIMES INTOLERABLE, FUEL VAPOR SMELL IN THE CABIN. SOME LEAKS DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND ENGINE BLOCK SO ENGINE FIRE IS A POSSIBILITY. *TR

• 11/18/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  IN COLD SEVERE WEATHER BRAKES SHUTTER. RECALL 02V079000 WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

• 11/08/2004· TIRES

  TWO FRONT TIRES NEED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEIR INSIDES WERE WORN. 20,000 MILES LATER THE TWO FRONT AND ONE RIGHT REAR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON. *AK

• 11/07/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  OUR 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK EDDIE BAUER EDITION HAS EXPERIENCED A CONSISTENT BRAKE FAILURE THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING ON DAYS WHERE THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS AT OR BELOW 45 DEG F. THE FAILURE IS REPEATABLE AS FOLLOWS: AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR INITIALLY SEEMS OKAY WITH NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL FEEL (SOFT BUT NOT STIFF) - IN ABOUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE THE BRAKE PETAL STOPS RESPONDING AND BECOMES VERY STIFF. ALSO, BRAKE ASSIST DISAPPEARS AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT (ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE) TO STOP THE VEHICLE, EVEN ON THE SLIGHT DOWNGRADE OF OUR DRIVEWAY. - UNDER THE FORCE OF GRAVITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE CAR TO DRIFT BACKWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS TO BE LOCATED BEHIND THE CAR SUCH AS PEDESTRIANS AND TRASHCANS, FOR EXAMPLE. NO ACCIDENTS OR NEAR-MISSES HAVE OCCURRED AS OF THE TIME OF THIS WRITING, BUT THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THEY COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL VEHICLE USE AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN OUR AREA. THE CAR USUALLY COMES TO REST WITHIN 2 TO 3 SECONDS AFTER WHICH THE BRAKES SEEMS TO RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION. - GOOD FUNCTIONALITY SEEMS TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SITTING IN THE COLD AND/OR AS LONG AS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS WARM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TO TWO LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS WHO BOTH INDICATED THEY HAVE NEVER SEE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. ALSO, ONE WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. GIVEN THEIR EXPERT COMMENTARY AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR MIGHT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGING SAFETY FLAW TO THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM. SYSTEM WILL BE REPAIRED BY CONSUMER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SUPPORT REGARDING THIS MATTER. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIALLY KNOWN ISSUE PER THE LIST OF NHTSA RECALL ACTIONS; HENCE, THEY TOOK NO ACTION TO REMEDY/INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. SEE SUBARU CASE #: 936244 FOR DETAILS. SEE ALSO NHTSB COMPLAINT #: 10106583. *NM

• 11/02/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2002 SUBARU OUTBACK SMELLS OF GAS EVERY TIME IT GETS COLD. A SHOP THAT WORKS ON JUST SUBARUS KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL AND TRIED A FEW THINGS TO FIX IT. AFTER $175, IT DID NOT WORK. LAST YEAR, I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN ON COLD NIGHTS THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG. ONE NIGHT IT WAS -20 DEGREES! THIS YEAR THE SMELL HAS COME BACK AT JUST 39 DEGREES AND STRONGER. MY GARAGE SMELLS AND I AM AFRAID THE CALL WILL BLOW UP OR I WILL GET SICK DRIVING IT. ON-LINE AND ON THE NHTSA I SEE MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVING TO PUT IT WITH THE SAME THING. CAN YOU FOLKS HELP? *TR

• 10/26/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CLEANED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE LATCH IN THE HATCH BACK. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LOOSE LATCH. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE LATCH WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2007 WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

• 10/22/2014· AIR BAGS

  ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS NOT LISTED ON THE AIRBAG RECALL, I AM CONCERNED MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THE AIRBAGS FROM TAKATA. THE YEAR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL STARTED IS 2000. MY CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK IS ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY CAR'S AIRBAGS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA? *TR

• 10/21/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  I BOUGHT CAR OCT 6; FIRST INSPECTION APPOINTMENT AT MY USUAL GARAGE MON OCT 12- FAILED DUE TO RUSTY SUSPECT BRAKE CONNECTION. SELLER HAD ME TAKE TO HIS DEALER- MASTRIA SUBARU IN RAYNHAM. THEY PUT A PAINT/COATING OVER RUSTY AREA. I WAS PRETTY SKEPTICAL BUT BROUGHT CAR TO MY GARAGE IN VT MONDAY OCT 19 AND THE LEAKY BRAKE FLUID MUCH MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE- DUE TO SMOOTHER (THOUGH BUMPY FROM OXIDATION BELOW) PAINT SURFACE. I ALSO SAW LEAKING COOLANT, LEAKS IN OIL PAN, AND A CRACK IN MUFFLER PIPE JUST ENGINE SIDE OF MUFFLER (IT HAD BEEN GETTING NOISIER AND NOISIER) MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE TIMING BELT GASKET WAS MISSING AND ONE BOLT 'MISSING' ; IT WAS STICKING OUT OF ANOTHER 'HOLE' THAT WAS FOR A FULLY THREADED BOLT. THE SELLER HAS SENT LONG-WINDED INSULTING E-MAILS AND STATES I MUST RETURN CAR TO HIM TO HAVE THE SAME DEALER SERVICE IT. I AM TAKING IT TO A&M, 400 MYSTIC AVE, SOMERVILLE THIS MORNING NEAR ME! FOR ESTIMATE TODAY. THERE'S A REJECT STICKER FROM READING PETROLEUM ON IT- I DIDN'T KNOW MA & VT HAD RECIPROCAL STATUS- BUT I THINK THE VT INSPECTION IS MORE STRINGENT, SAFER AND COMPREHENSIVE

• 10/14/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OUR MECHANIC FOUND OUR PROBLEM IS A CRACKED HEAD GASKET. MODEL-2002 OUTBACK SUBARU WAGON. WAS TOLD THESE MODELS WERE MADE WITH A THIN HEAD GASKET THAT CRACKS. TOLD TO CONTACT OUR SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID, YES A RECALL ON HEAD GASKETS BUT VIN # HAS TO END WITH PROPER 7 LAST DIGITS. OURS, OF COURSE, DID NOT HAVE THE NUMBER THEY WOULD COVER. WAS TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT. HAS BEEN REPLACING THE HEAD GASKETS IN THESE MODELS-AND SUBARU HAS BEEN PAYING 1/2. THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS WITH THAT STATEMENT. QUOTED COST OF $1350.00 AND SUBTRACT HALF. BRING CAR IN AND SUBARU WOULD BE CALLED BUT NONE HAS BEEN REFUSED FOR 1/2 THE COST COVERED. CALLED OUR MECHANIC. HE LAUGHED AND SAID- TAKING US FOR A RIDE AS THE PRICE IS JACKED UP SO IT APPEARS SUBARU IS PAYING 1/2 BUT THE CONSUMER IS REALLY PAYING THE FULL COST. OUR TWO YEAR OLD SON, WITH MEDICAL PROBLEMS, HAS BEEN SICK IN THE CAR FROM THE FUMES. AS ANTIFREEZE IS LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET AND SEEPING INTO THE CAR THRU THE HEATING VENTS. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT WE HAVE A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A CRACKED HEAD GASKET AND OTHER CARS OF THIS SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL ARE HAVING THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED AS THEIR VIN # MEETS THE LAST 7 DIGITS. WE HAVE THE SAME ENGINE/MAKE/MODEL AND PROBLEM AS THESE OTHER CONSUMERS BUT WE ARE HAVING TO ABSORB THE COST. WE HAVE TO GET THE CAR FIXED AS OUR YOUNG SON DOES NOT NEED TO INHALE THIS STRONG ODOR WITH HIS PRESENT HEALTH. OUR MECHANIC SAID THE HEAD GASKETS IN THESE SUBARU OUTBACKS ARE TOO THIN AND CRACK. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS NOT OUR FAULT. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE OUTBACK HAVE A CERTAIN VIN # ARE HAVING THEIRS REPLACED WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME ENGINE AND PROBLEM AS WE DO. THIS IS AN ADDITION TO CONFIRMATION # 10170783-MY HUSBAND SENT.

• 10/13/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN MAY OF 2007, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 71,000 MILES FIRST BEGAN HAVING OVERHEATING ISSUES. I TOOK IT STRAIGHT TO A SUBARU DEALER WHERE THEY UNPLUGGED A RADIATOR CAP AND ADDED SPECIAL COOLANT CONDITIONER. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE RANDOM OVERHEATING STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE OVERHEATING. THEY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS HEAD GASKET FAILURE WITH A WARPED HEAD. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR OVER A WEEK FOR THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO SAID HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 98-2002 MODELS, HOWEVER, MY 2002 MODEL FELL OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED VIN #S SINCE IT WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED (NOT ALL OF THE 2002 MODELS WERE COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY). THEREFORE, MY HEAD GASKET REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED BY SUBARU'S EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS FREQUENT PROBLEM. I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER AND ON THE WAY HOME IT OVERHEATED. I TOOK IT BACK IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REASSEMBLED IT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS ASSEMBLED PROPERLY AND REPLACED THE RADIATOR AS WELL JUST TO BE SURE THAT WASN'T THE CAUSE OF THE CONTINUED OVERHEATING ISSUES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON REPAIR AMONG SUBARU OWNERS. SUBARU DECIDED TO GRANT US A "GOOD WILL WARRANTY" TO COVER THE HEAD GASKETS WITH US PAYING A $300 DEDUCTIBLE AND THEY COVERED THE REST OF THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR (THEY DID NOT COVER THE RADIATOR, ETC - WE STILL PAYED AROUND $1,000 OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE, RADIATOR, ETC). I AM HAPPY THEY DID THIS FOR US, BUT IF OUR VIN FELL WITHIN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO INCUR THESE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. IT IS CLEAR SUBARU HAS A DEFECT IN THEIR HEAD GASKETS DURING CERTAIN YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS THEY NEED TO STAND BEHIND ALL THE CARS AFFECTED, NOT JUST SOME OF THEM. *TR

• 10/13/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE HEAD GASKET, TOO THIN, ON OUR 2002 OUTBACK SUBARU AND CRACKED. FULL RECALLS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO OWNERS OF OUTBACK MODELS FROM 2000-2002 FOR CRACKED HEAD GASKETS. VERY STRONG ANTI-FREEZE FUMES ARE SEEPING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. WE HAVE 2 TODDLERS BREATHING IN THESE FUMES-1 HAVING HEALTH PROBLEMS! CALLED DEALERSHIP. YES, IS A RECALL BUT OUR VIN NUMBERS NOT ON THE LIST. WAS INFORMED MANY OF THESE MODELS ARE COMING IN FOR HEAD GASKETS TO BE REPLACED. SERVICE DEPT. SAID SUBARU IS PAYING 1/2 THE COST FOR THE VIN NUMBERS NOT ON THE LIST. SUBARU, THEREFORE, IS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE IS A PROBLEM OR THEY WOULD NOT BE PAYING 1/2 THE COST OF REPAIR. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS TO THE SUBARU OUTBACKS ARE HAVING A TOTAL RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET AND THE REST ARE RECEIVING 1/2 OF THE COST TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. OUR HEAD GASKET SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED THE SAME AS OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2000-2002 SUBARU OUTBACKS. TOLD IT WILL COST $1350.00 TO FIX THE CAR AND 1/2 FROM SUBARU WILL MAKE THE COST $675.00. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THESE MODELS. THIS CAR IS AFFECTING OUR ONE CHILD'S HEALTH WORSE SO WE HAVE TO GET IT FIXED. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED TOTALLY BY SUBARU AS THEY RECALLED OUTBACK WAGONS NO MATTER WHAT THE VIN NUMBERS. THIS IS A HAZARD TO OUR SON'S HEALTH AND WE ARE NOT BEING TREATED EQUALLY WITH OTHER OWNERS OF OUTBACKS THAT HAVE HAD THEIRS REPLACED AT NO COST TO THEM. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF A PART THAT IS RECALLED ON SOME WHEN CLEARLY MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

• 10/10/2006· SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

  EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR GO THROUGH A CAR WASH THE SEAT BELT GETS WET AND IS WORSE WHEN THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN RETRACTED AS THE WET AREA NOW IS ALL ACROSS YOU. IT APPARENTLY IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SUNROOF. WHAT IS THE REPAIR FOR THIS, NEW SEALS IN THE SUNROOF OR THE ROOF RACK MOUNTING HOLES? *JB

• 10/07/2003· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH COMPARTMENT. ALSO, HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. DEALER URGED CONSUMER TO PUT A TOWEL AT THE WHEEL TO HIDE THE KEYS HOLDER. *AK

• 10/05/2015· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA; UPDATED 4/17/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED TRADED VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO ABOUT FIXING IT. *TR

• 10/05/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2002 LLBEAN OUTBACK ROTOR & BRAKE PROBLEMS. 8/29/02 7,681 MILES--VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED BRAKES--DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS. 12/30/02 12,464 MILES---VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED BRAKES & SCRATCHY NOISE WHEN APPLIED BRAKES.---DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKES (NO PAD LEFT). 6/4/03 20,309--VIBRATION WHEN APPLIED BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS & FRONT BRAKES. 10/4/03 25,460--BROUGHT CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE & DEALER INSPECTED BRAKES. FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE RESURFACED. DEALER RESURFACED. *JB

• 10/04/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  REPEAT FUEL LINE LEAKS IN 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WGN. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF SEVEN FLEXIBLE RUBBER HOSES THAT CONNECT THE FUEL LINE AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE CHASSIS. WHEN WEATHER IS COLD, HOSE CLAMPS/RUBBER HOSES LEAK. MY LOCAL DEALER SEEMED TO BE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS NOT BE ADDRESSED, AND SAID THAT SUBARU HAS NO PLANES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. OUTSIDE OF CAR, PASSAGE CABIN REEK OF RAW FUEL. *TR

• 10/03/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGINS TO BLOW HOT MOIST AIR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WORKING PROPERLY. MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A SPECIALTY SHOP CAN'T DIAGNOSE, AND THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE THE CLUTCH ISN'T SOLD SEPARATELY. I'VE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME "INTERMITTENT" A/C THAT ONLY WORKS ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, THEN STOPS WORKING SECONDS OR MINUTES LATER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AND THE A/C JUST QUITS.

• 10/01/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO FULL THROTTLE RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *NLM *SCC

• 09/30/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING; HESITATED(SEVERE) ON ACCELERATION (ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD/EVEN AFTER WARMED UP), THERE'S A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE ROOF/ROOF RACK-AND HAPPENS AT SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH/VERY NOISY, A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE-MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS, BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY(MAYBE THE STRUT), STALLING, AND WOULD SIT FOR1-2 HOURS, THEN WOULD START WITH DIFFICULTY, RUNS ROUGH FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN IS FINE. THE DEALER SUGGESTS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHIN THE SPECIFICATIONS. (THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES) SCC

• 09/30/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE REAR HARNESS CAUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS NOT TO WORK ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. NLM

• 09/27/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE ROUGHLY QUITE A FEW MONTHS PRIOR (DEALER UNABLE TO DETECT ANY PROBLEM), SUBSEQUENTLY EXPERIENCED HESITATION FROM STOP; PROGRESSED TO FLUCTUATING IDLE SPEED FROM 750 TO 500 RPM WITH SELF CORRECTION TO 750 AFTER CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND FULLY WARMED UP WHICH PROGRESSED TO EPISODE OF HESITATION WHILE DRIVING UP HILL WITH NEAR ENGINE STALL. THEREAFTER HAD A FEW EPISODES OF ENGINE SURGING WHILE STOPPING IN DRIVE, WHICH DID NOT STOP WHEN PUT INTO EITHER NEUTRAL OR PARK (DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE ANY PROBLEM, DID SOFTWARE REPLACED BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED TO DEGENERATE). ENGINE STALLED WHEN IT CAME TO STOP THEN WHEN RESTARTED CONTINUED TO HAVE SURGING AS ABOVE DESCRIBED. ENGINE WOULD HAVE HESITATION AND NEAR STALL ALSO DURING REGULAR OPERATION ON HIGHWAY EVEN AT CRUISING SPEEDS FROM 20 MPH TO 65 MPH. DEALER CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AGAIN.*AK

• 09/25/2002· PARKING BRAKECrash

  WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE SET, CAR ROLLED INTO BRICK GATE POST AND INTO STREET, JUMPED CURB, DOOR PANEL BROKE OFF, DOOR DAMAGED. NLM

• 09/24/2002· VISIBILITY

  MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT TOTALLY. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE VEHICLE MANUEL I FOUND THAT FAILURE OF THE WIPERS WAS NOT AN UNEXPECTED EVENT. MANUEL SAYS IT CAN HAPPEN IF WIPERS ARE RUN ON A DRY WINDSHIELD. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WITH MY WIPERS; THEY HAD BEEN RUN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN A DOWNPOUR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR BUT AFTER RUNNING MY WIPERS AGAIN IN A DOWNPOUR I DETECTED A BURNT SMELL AND FIGURE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE WIPER MOTOR GOES AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AT 70 MPH.

• 09/24/2002· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER STATES THE LOCATION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECEPTACLE IS SO LOW, THAT IT IS VERY DIFFCULT TO BUCKLE SEAT BELT INTO THE RECEPTACLE .CONSUMER AFRAID THAT IN THE WINTER, THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUCKLE UP, DUE TO MORE CLOTHING.CONTACTED DEALER.*JB

• 09/18/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2002 SUBARU OUTBACK H6 AWD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION -- WARPED AND GLAZED FRONT ROTORS AT RELATIVELY LOW MILES (25,600), REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF PADS AND TURNING OF ROTORS. -- DEALER INITIALLY CLAIMED WEAR AND TEAR ITEM, BUT AFTER REVIEWING SERVICE RECORD WITH SUBARU, OFFERED WARRANTY REPAIR. I HAD FREQUENTLY COMPLAINED OF A SHIMMY WHILE DRIVING AND RECENTLY BEGAN EXPERIENCING A STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY WHILE BRAKING (SINCE LAST TIRE ROTATION). THIS IS THE FIRST INDICATION FROM DEALER THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. CAR MOSTLY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY WITH INFREQUENT BRAKING. *JB

• 09/14/2006· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER RETURNING FROM A OUT OF TOWN TRIP, WE GOT TO OUR CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT DID NOT PROPORTIONATELY INCREASE IN SPEED. AFTER GAINING SOME SPEED THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THREE DAYS LATER AFTER SHIFTING FROM FIFTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL ON I-70 THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY SLIPPED OUT. THE CAR WAS UN-DRIVABLE BUT WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY PULL OFF ON THAT SIDE SO WE HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE RIGHT EMERGENCY LANE. WITH NO POWER WE COASTED THROUGH CARS FLYING BY HONKING AT 65 MPH. LUCKILY WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNHARMED BUT QUITE A FEW CLOSE CALLS. WE SMELT THE SMELL OF A BURNT CLUTCH AND COULD NO LONGER ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION OR MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD ONLY COAST BACKWARDS. WHILE WE WERE LUCKY SOME OTHER MAY NOT. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OTHER THAN A WEARABLE ITEM WEARING OUT. THIS CAR HAS 77,200 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AT 34,500 MILES UNDER TSB 03-51-02R. WE HAVE OWNED FIVE CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL OF WHICH WE DROVE FOR OVER 130,000 MILES AND NOT ONE HAS NEEDED OR HAD A CLUTCH REPLACED. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT STATED TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE LINE THAT THE "FLYWHEEL IS MAKING THOSE GO OUT SO THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THAT TOO." *JB

• 09/14/2004· POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY

  THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKS FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE LEFT DOOR PANEL BY THE WINDOW REGULATOR DRIVER WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING, THERE WAS NOISE WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL IN THE GEAR, AND A GAS SMELL WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATED. *SC

• 09/12/2002· STRUCTURE

  BUG DEFLECTOR "FLEW OFF" WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT DEFLECTOR COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO OTHER MOTORISTS.*AK

• 09/06/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PISTON SLAP IN 2.5 ENGINE. *NM

• 09/06/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2002 OUTBACK 3.0 WAGON HAVE WARPED CAUSING SEVERE SHIMMY WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEED. THEY WERE REPLACED AT ABOUT 30,000, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. MY OPINION AS A SCIENTIST IS THAT THE ROTORS ARE UNDER-ENGINEERED FOR THE SIZE/WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPRISED AT HIGH SPEED. MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE ROTORS DISTORT WITH A NORMAL AMOUNT OF BRAKING HEAT, AND THEN RETURN FLAT WHEN COMPLETELY COOLED, INDICATING DEFECTIVE METALLURGY IN THEIR COMPOSITION. *JB

• 09/06/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ENGINE STALLS ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP. AT TIMES THE ENGINE WILL DIE WHEN ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER. DEALER STATES THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS VEHICLES WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL OF THEM ARE 2002 MODELS. DEALER STATES THA TVEHICLE CANNON BE FIXED AT THIS TIME DUE TO A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT TO DO. THIS OCCURED THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2002. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2002 AND STATED THAT VEHICLE STILL COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE. DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINEERS IN JAPAN WERE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM BUT IT WILL BE AT LEAST TWO MORE MONTHS BEFORE IT WOULD BE KNOWN WHAT IF ANYTHING COULD BE DONE.*AK

• 09/02/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE STALLS WHILES DRIVING AND DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM WITH CAR. THE CAR HAS STALLED REPEATEDLY, AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN OUR POSSESSION, AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION.

• 08/30/2002· POWER TRAINCrash

  WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK IT WILL SLOWLY START TO ROLL BACK IN REVERSE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

• 08/30/2001· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING, EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT ENGAGED. AND IT SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD, ACROSS A FIELD, INTO TREES/ FLIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $8500.00 NO INJURIES.*AK

• 08/22/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK SPORT (BASED ON THE IMPREZZA) DISPLAYS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM BEING INEFFECTIVE WHEN BRAKING OVER BUMPS AS THE 2002, 2003 WRXS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY ODI (PE03-029). THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST LIMITED TO THE WRX VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT, IF THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERS A SHARP BUMP (E.G. A RAISED PAVEMENT SECTION AT AN EXPANSION JOINT) WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. NORMAL ABS FUNCTION WOULD MOMENTARILY EASE UP THE BRAKING PRESSURE ON THE FRONT WHEELS AS THEY BECOME UN-WEIGHTED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE BUMP, SO THAT THEY DO NOT LOCK-UP. AFTER THE FRONT WHEELS ARE FULLY WEIGHTED AGAIN THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ALLOW THE PREVIOUS BRAKING EFFORT TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED ALLOWING THE CAR TO STOP ALMOST NORMALLY. THUS THE BRAKING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE MIGHT BE EXTENDED BY THE LENGTH OF THE BUMP (PERHAPS 6 INCHES). THIS CORRECT BEHAVIOR IS EXHIBITED BY MY 1994 PROBE GT. IF I DRIVE MY SUBARU OVER THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A SHARP BUMP, THE ABS SYSTEM START FUNCTIONING AND CONTINUES FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME, EVEN AFTER PASSING OVER THE BUMP. THIS, IN ITSELF, SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, BUT DURING THIS TIME THE BRAKING EFFICIENCY IS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THIS TYPICALLY EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE SUBARU BY 10-30 FEET (WHEN STOPPING FROM 30MPH) OVER WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED IF THE BUMP HAD NOT OCCURRED. IF I IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDDLE, AND THEN FULLY APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR DOES STOP. SO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIRES ABILITY TO GRIP THE ROAD, OR THE BRAKES ABILITY TO STOP THE ROTOR/DRUM. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE ECU. THIS PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE AND FULLY DEMONSTRABLE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY FURTHER DETAILS TO HELP GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *JB