2003 Subaru Outback

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

• 12/22/2017· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALERSHIP IS 125 MILES AWAY. WHEN I CALLED SUBARU WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR MUST BE REPAIRED AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THIS CONSTITUTES A HARDSHIP FOR US TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT REPAIRED FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. 1) I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE TROUBLE SITTING IN A CAR FOR THAT LONG. 2) THERE IS 3 FEET OF SNOW ON THE GROUND 3) THIS IS OUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORT.

• 12/20/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON ICE. THE PARKING BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.*AK

• 12/17/2018· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY COMPLAINT IS MY HEADLIGHTS' THEY'RE CLOUDY. ON NOV. 29, 2018 THE INSTITUTE OF HIGHWAY SAFETY RELEASED A REPORT THAT SAID THAT 'MOST BASE MODEL CARS HAVE POOR-QUALITY HEADLIGHTS. MY COMPLAINT IS THE CAR MANUFACTURERS CREATED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THEY DECIDED DECADES AGO THAT PLASTIC WAS A BETTER SHIELD OVER THE HEADLIGHTS THAN GLASS. MY SUGGESTION IS TO MAKE THE CAR MANUFACTURERS GO BACK TO INSTALLING GLASS OVER THEIR HEADLIGHTS OR U.S. DRIVERS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS. EVEN WHEN WE BUFF THEM OUT AND MAKE THEM SHINE AGAIN, IT ONLY LAST 6 OR 7 YEARS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CHANGE THIS FLAW IN AUTO MANUFACTURING BY MAKING IT A LAW TO USE GLASS WHEN THEY BUILD THEIR HEADLIGHTS IN THE FUTURE.

• 12/16/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *AK.......SUBARU REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE MET WITH OWNER'S HUSBAND AND HAD DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER SEN TTO SUBARU FOR EVALUATION. REPRESENTATIVE CALLED AFTER A FEW WEEKS AND REFUSED TO DISCUSS REASONS FOR FAILURE. *AK

• 12/07/2007· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. WATER WAS LEAKING IN THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SUNROOF WITH SILICONE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FAILURE AGAIN WITH THE SAME SILICONE. THE SUNROOF WAS NEVER USED. THE WATER DID NOT CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,700.

• 12/04/2017· TIRES

  PRIMEWELL TIRES DEVELOPED WAVE AND INTENSE ROAD NOISE EVEN AT 50% TREAD.. HAVE BEEN BALANCED/ALIGNED REGULARLY

• 12/01/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DEALER SUBSTITUTED CHEAP AFTERMARKET SECURITY SYSTEM FOR REQUESTED SUBARU UPGRADE, TAMPERING WITH FACTORY WIRING IN PROCESS. WHEN CHALLENGED, DEALER REPLACED SYSTEM WITH SUBARU UPGRADE. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE STRIPPED, SOLDERED AND MOST LIKELY CUT WIRES IN THE FACTORY HARNESS COULD PRODUCE A SHORT OR BACKFEED THAT MAY DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OR LEAD TO FIRE. IN ADDITION, ONE BUNDLE OF WIRES INTERFERES WITH THE MOVEMENT OF MY RIGHT FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE. DT

• 11/29/2014· ENGINE

  I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALER. A FEW MONTHS LATER I STARTED NOTICING A BURNING SMELL AFTER DRIVING EVEN A SHORT DISTANCE. TOOK IT BACK TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE TO HAVE THEIR SERVICE CHECK IT. THEY SAID HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING AND QUOTED A REPAIR PRICE OF $1800 ! I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AFTER I DID A RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS! SOME CUSTOMERS WERE LUCKY AND DID GET SOME KIND OF COMPENSATION. I TOOK IT TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF THESE SAME CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE WAY THEY WERE MANUFACTURED! I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AGAIN BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED A $500 DISCOUNT ON A NEW VEHICLE! THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HONOR THIS COMPLAINT AND PAY FOR THE GASKETS REPLACEMENT AS IT IS HAPPENING IN TOO MANY OF THESE MODELS! *TR

• 11/28/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 09/07/2017*JS

• 11/27/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HEAD GASKET DEVELOPED A COOLANT LEAK. IT WAS LESS THAN 30 DAYS FROM THE WARRANTY RUNNING OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DID THE WARRANTY WORK BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT DO THE OTHER HEAD GASKET BECAUSE IT HAD NOT FAILED AND THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO REPLACE IT. IT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF THE ONE SIDE FAILED THAT THE OTHER SIDE WAS RIGHT BEHIND IT. *TR

• 11/18/2008· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL JUST KEPT TURNING AROUND, BUT THE WHEELS DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,000.

• 11/18/2003· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED CLUTCH PEDAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, MAKING IT HARD TO ENGAGE.*AK

• 11/17/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  SUBARU OUTBACK 4 CYL WAGON ENGINE COOLING PROBLEMS/HEAD GASKET FAILURE. CAR HAD TO BE TURNED OFF IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES,EXTREMELY HOT,FUMES GO IN THE CAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND IT IS PAST WARRANTY BY APPROX 10,000 MILES. IT IS A 4,000. JOB TO FIX. *TR

• 11/17/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURED ON 11/14/2002. CAR WAS NOT MOVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DEAD, CAR DID NOT TURN OVER. DT

• 11/14/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  AFTER SMELLING LEAKING OIL FOR MANY MONTHS, MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. OIL IS LEAKING DOWN ONTO THE EXHAUST CREATING A CONSTANT BURNING SMELL. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS IN ANY WAY, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. *TR

• 11/14/2005· STRUCTURE

  MY 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK, LL BEAN MODEL WITH 17,378 MILES, DEVELOPED A SERIOUS WATER LEAK THROUGH THE ROOF, ON JUN. 2, 2005. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 17TH WITH THE INTERIOR FLOODED WHICH NECESSITATED THE CARPETING IN THE REAR TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. ON NOV. 10TH, 2005, AFTER A LIGHT RAIN, THE ROOF LEAKED AGAIN FOR THE 3RD. TIME. THE CAR IS IN THE DEALER SERVICE NOW. *NM

• 11/13/2006· POWER TRAIN

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON WET ROADS, THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH, AND DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FOUND TO BE EMPTY, AND WAS REFILLED. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED, SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL DAYS LATER, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED.

• 11/07/2017· AIR BAGS

  ON OR ABOUT OCT 23, 2017, RECEIVED 3RD NOTICE OF AIRBAG RECALL. APPT WITH SUBARU MISSOULA, MT FOR RECALL. AT 9:45 ON FRI NOV 3, 2017 INFORMED THAT THE MANAGER "JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO" RECEIVED, RECALL OF RECALL" AND NO PARTS THERE. MY 2003 "MAY NOT NEED A REPLACEMENT." SAID WOULD DO A CHECK TO SEE. UNDER PROTEST I SIGNED, AFTER 1 AND HALF HOURS, REQUESTED ANOTHER SIGNATURE WHICH ALSO UNDER PROTEST I SIGNED. "IT WON'T COST YOU ANYTHING." 85 YEAR OLD SINGLE WOMAN. 50 MILES NEAREST SUBARU DEALER. NOTHING SAID ABOUT RESULT OF TEST. KEYS RETURNED TO ME.

• 11/05/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

• 11/05/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO FROM SENATOR SUBARU, 3655 FLORIN ROAD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95823, 916-427-1234. I PICKED IT UP ON OCTOBER 27, 2003. ON OCTOBER 31, 2003 I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS SHAKING BADLY AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND ON STARTUP. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP ON NOVEMBER 1, 2003, AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RESET AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I DID NOT RECEIVE A SERVICE REPORT CHECK OUT SLIP. ON NOVEMBER 1, 2003 IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND ON NOVEMBER 2, 2003, UPON START UP THE VEHICLE EMITTED A NOXIOUS CLOUD OF SMOKE FROM THE REAR. THE AT OIL TEMP LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE DURATION OF A SHORT DRIVE OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE ON NOVEMBER 3, 2003. THE MANAGER, MOE, TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT SENATOR SUBARUS PROBLEM; IT WAS SUBARU OF AMERICAS PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE UPSET TOO IF THIS HAPPENED TO HIM. THE DEALER FOUND A CODE 11" WHICH WAS A TRANSMISSION CODE NOT ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGINE CODE. THE MAINTENANCE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS INDICATED THAT THE CAR STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST FOUR OTHER COMPLAINTS REGISTERED WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OF STALLING WHILE BEING DRIVEN OR ON STARTUP FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. (SEE ATTACHED COPIES OF COMPLAINTS). ON NOVEMBER 4, 2003, THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER ASKED ME TO PICK UP THE CAR BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON NOVEMBER 5, 2003, THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER AGAIN CALLED ME AND SAID HE COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE CLEARED THE CODE 11; THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HE ADVISED ME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS CONDITION (STALLS WHILE BEING DRIVEN) WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP UNSUCCESSFULLY TWICE.*AK

• 10/28/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  SUBARU HAS BEEN SELLING CARS KNOWING OF PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURES. 1998 TO 2002 HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAKS. SUBARU HAS ISSUED THE WWP99 CAMPAIGN (UPTO 8 YR 100,000 MILE). THIS CAMPAIGN INTRODUCES AN ADDITIVE INTO THE COOLANT TO "PLUG" THE LEAK. THEY ALSO WILL REPAIR THE GASKETS IN RARE CASES. THE 2003 HEAD GASKETS ARE ALSO FAILING PREMATURELY EVEN WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. THESE FAIL WITH AN EXTERNAL OIL LEAK THAT DIRECTLY HITS THE EXHAUST CAUSING FIRE HAZARD AND NOXIOUS FUMES IN AND AROUND THE CAR. THE REPAIR IS $2000 AT DEALER. SUBARU IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS. *TR

• 10/22/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE VEHICLE SURGED AFTER COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE DEALER RESET THE COMPUTER, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SURGED NUMEROUS TIMES AFTER THAT, ALWAYS AFTER COMING TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER, WHO SUGGESTED THE COMPUTER BE REFRESHED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT SURGED SINCE THEN. *AK *SCC *JB

• 10/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V359000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 10/09/2017· AIR BAGS,ENGINE

  MY 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD A BAD AIRBAG INFLATOR AND HAS ALSO BLOWN THE HEAD GASKET SEVERAL TIMES, REQUIRING IT TO BE REBUILT THREE TIMES. WHILE I LOVE MY OUTBACK, I WONDER IF I WILL WANT TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. BEING STRANDED BY MY CAR AND HAVING TO TAKE THE BUS IN THE WINTER TIME WAS VERY DIFFICULT AS WAS HAULING GROCERIES ON THE BUS IN A ROLLING SUITCASE WHILE AWAITING REPAIRS.

• 09/17/2004· EQUIPMENT

  WHILE PLAYING THE CD PLAYER ON THE 7TH TRACK THE CD WOULD SKIP BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER REMOVED THE CD AND NOTICED THAT THE CD WAS EXTREMELY HOT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND THE CD PLAYER WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK

• 09/16/2009· WHEELS

  2003 SUBARU OUTBACK IMPREZA WAS ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN THE REAR LUG NUTS BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO COME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED 1 WEEK PRIOR. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0773-90. *JB

• 09/15/2010· SUSPENSION

  CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH AROUND 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS REGISTERED AND DRIVEN IN VERMONT YEAR-ROUND. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR STRUT RUSTED SEVERELY WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOWER SPRING MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STRUT. THIS CAUSED THE SPRING TO FALL AND COME TO A REST ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT BOLT. FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT OCCURRED HOWEVER THIS IS A CONCERNING FAILURE ON A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED WHICH WILL ENTAIL REPLACING THE STRUT WHICH FAILED. *TR

• 09/13/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  I RECENTLY HAD MY OUTBACK TOWED BECAUSE MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK. 1ST I CHECK THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, GOOD TO GO NO PROBLEM. THEN MOVE ON TO MY FUSES, OKAY GREAT. INVESTIGATE SOME MORE TO FIND OUT THE WIRING ON THE OUTBACK HAS SOME DEFAULTS, I LOOK MORE INTO IT AND IT SEEMS IT'S NOT JUST ME WITH THE PROBLEM. MY CAR IS OLD AND CARRIES A LOT OF MILES, KEEP IN MIND THIS CAR IS MADE FOR THAT, BUT PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME WITH LOWER MILES. THE CARS LIFTGATE WIRE HARNESS IS A HUGE WEAKNESS ON THIS CAR. I REALLY HOPE YOU GUYS WILL LOOK MORE INTO THIS AND RECALL IT. I LOVE MY SUBY AND HAVE GREW UP IN IT AND NOW HAVE THE HONOR OF OWNING IT. WE STILL HAVE MANY MORE YEARS OF DRIVING TOGETHER SO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SO I CAN KEEP HER AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. TEMP FIX IT TO REMOVE BRAKE #4 HARNESS AND UNPLUG TO KEEP FROM BLOWING AND SMOKING. KEEP IN MIND ONLY LEAVES ME WITH 3 BRAKE LIGHTS. (THE ONE UNPLUGGED IS THE ONE ON THE HATCHBACK RIGHT SIDE) THIS IS VERY UNSAFE TO NOT HAD STABLE WIRING IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS, MY CAR WAS SMOKING. I CURRENTLY DO HAVE A 30 FUSE IN THAT SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO HOLD BETTER.

• 09/13/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I TOOK MY 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE. THE AUTO MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS QUITE NOISY AND THOUGHT IT MIGHT NEED VALVE ADUSTMENTS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THINKING THAT THE DEALER WOULD COVER THIS UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT, THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS DEFECTIVE. BEING THAT OUR VEHICLE ONLY HAD 27,000 MILES ON IT, THE MAINTENANCE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS PROBABLY DEFECTIVE RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY. IF WE HAD NOT CAUGHT THIS AT THIS TIME, IT COULD HAVE CAUSE CONSIDERABLE ABOUT OF DAMAGE TO THE TIMING BELT OR ENGINE. THE WARRANTY COVERS 6 YEARS ON THE POWERTRAIN, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE OF THIS PART.

• 09/05/2008· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE BOUNCES, SHAKES, AND WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE FAILURE IS ALSO FOLLOWED BY A BUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IT IS CAUSING WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. SHE IS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING THIS WAY DUE TO THE ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VISCUS CUP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS FAILURE WITH THE STRUTS, BEARINGS, AND SUSPENSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

• 09/04/2014· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, WHICH RESULTED IN HER REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED A RECALL. HOWEVER, HER YEAR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB

• 08/31/2003· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING IN A MIDDLE LANE ON I-270, I SUDENLY BECAME AWARE OF A BUMPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER THROUGH SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC. WHEN I CHECKED THE TIRES, I SAW THAT THE SIDEWALL OF MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD BECOME COMPLETELY DISATTACHED FROM THE TREAD. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. A FIRESTONE DEALER INSPECTED THE TIRE IN DETAIL, BUT COULD FIND NO PUNCTURE OR OTHER CAUSE OF TIRE FAILURE BESIDES SPONTANEOUS DISINTEGRATION. FIRESTONE WANTED $56 TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY, AFTER TREADWEAR MEASUREMENT, EVEN THOUGH TIRE HAD ONLY 6800 MILES ON IT.*AK

• 08/29/2008· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  DEFECTIVE DRIVE SHAFT DEFECTIVE VISCOUS COUPLER DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION NO DEATHS OR ACCIDENTS YET I AM AFRAID THAT MY LIFE AND SAFETY ARE SERIOUSLY AT RISK AND NONE OF THE SUBARU TECHS WILL ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM OR AGREE TO FIX. I HAD THE ABOVE DEFECTS DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTO SHOP NOT AFFILIATED WITH SUBARU. THERE MAY BE OTHER PROBLEMS TOO. *TR

• 08/28/2003· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. ORINGINAL TIRES ON VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/27/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

  WATER IS GETTING INTO THE REAR DOOR OF OUTBACK SUBARU WAGON CAUSING THE CORRODING OF REAR LIGHT HARNESSES. TAILLIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE AND HAD ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE HOW/WHY WATER IS GETTING INTO THE REAR DOOR. AFTER HEAVY RAIN, THE WATER CAN BE HEARD MOVING AROUND IN THE DOOR. WATER DRAINS OUT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. *TR

• 08/26/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SUBARU HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THIS RECALL. MY WIFE AND I ARE OVER SEVENTY AND I NEED TO USE THIS VEHICLE WITH HER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IF REPLACEMENT IS CURRENTLY IMPOSSIBLE, SUBARU NEEDS TO PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER.

• 08/26/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL

• 08/24/2018· AIR BAGS

  2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED DUE TO BEING AFRAID OF ENTERING AN INTERSECTION LEADING TO THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP. *JS

• 08/20/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A FIRE IGNITED ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEAR THE CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE BODY DAMAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

• 08/20/2008· SUSPENSION

  MY WHEEL BEARING FAILED IN BOTH FRONT WHEELS--PASSENGER SIDE AT ABOUT 79,000 MILES AND DRIVERS SIDE AT ABOUT 84,000 MILES. THE CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. *TR

• 08/17/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  SERIOUS HESITATION IN FIRST GEAR WHEN STARTING AT INTERSECTIONS (MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 2.5L ENGINE). ENGINE SPEED DROPS SHARPLY. MUST STOMP GAS PEDAL IN UNSAFE MANNER TO RECOVER. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC - SPEED IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MODULATE IN FIRST GEAR WITHOUT USING CLUTCH. ENGINE IS STRONG AND PREDICTABLE IN ALL OTHER GEARS. *JB

• 08/16/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL: SUBARU HAS SENT ME A LETTER INFORMING ME OF THE RECALL. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER, AND THAT THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS TO EFFECT REPAIRS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT CAR SHOULD I DRIVE WHEN MY FAMILY NEEDS TO GO SOMEWHERE?

• 08/13/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL--THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. I'VE READ OF THE DEATHS FROM EXPLOSION OF THE TAKATA AIR BAGS WHICH COULD HIT ANYONE IN THE CAR. I FEEL IT VERY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THIS CAR WHICH MAKES MY CAR UNUSABLE. SUBARU HAS NO DATE IN SITE AS TO WHEN THEY CAN REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. I WAS ABOUT TO SELL MY CAR, BUT NOW IT HAS NO VALUE NOR WOULD ANYONE WANT TO BUY IT OR RIDE IN IT. I FIND THAT HAVING NO REMEDY UNSATISFACTORY AS WELL AS HAVING NO SAFE TRANSPORTATION. WHAT AM I TO DO?

• 08/13/2003· POWER TRAIN

  ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, AND WITH MULTIPLE DRIVERS, I HAVE HAD 2 2003 OUTBACKS WITH FREQUENT STALLING WHEN MOVING FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST, OR TO REVERSE. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WHEN MOVING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. SUBARU DENIES RECEIVING PRIOR COMPLAINTS (DESPITE THE MATERIAL ON YOUR SITE) AND IN GENERAL DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. THEY ALSO COMPELLED ME TO SIGN A "GAG" CLAUSE AS PART OF A DEAL WHEREBY THEY EXCHANGED CAR # 1 FOR CAR # 2. I HAVE ARBITRARILY PUT IN A SPECIFIC MONTH, DAY AND YEAR BUT IT HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ALSO CAR # 1 HAD 2 INCIDENTS OF THE ENGINE RUNNING TOO ROUGH TO BE DRIVEN, PROGRESSIVELY LOSING POWER AND THEN QUITTING - WHEN RESTARTED, RAN FINE. ALSO CAR # 1 HAD 1 EPISODE OF TURNING OVER WELL BUT REFUSING TO START.*AK

• 08/11/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WASN'T COOLING AND THE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE A LEAK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE VIN INFORMATION WASN'T AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 76,600.

• 08/10/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. SHE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAD TO BE THE CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87000. 11/9/10 *CN THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WHILE TRAVELING UP A 9% GRADE. THE CONSUMER STATED HER FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HITTING THE BRAKE DISENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATED 11/16/10

• 08/08/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V3410000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 08/05/2017· AIR BAGS

  WE RECEIVED A POSTCARD ABOUT THE TAKATA PROBLEM FROM COCHRAN SUBARU OF BUTLER COUNTY PA. PER INSTRUCTIONS, WE CALLED. THEY TOLD US PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND WE WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALER OR FROM SUBARU USA. WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US?

• 07/20/2012· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  HEAD GASKET FAILURE***** 2003 OUTBACK **** THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AS FOUR OF THE SUBARU'S WE'VE OWNED HAD HG ISSUES. ALTHOUGH IN THE PAST SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURES AND REPAIRED THEM UNDER THE WWP99 CAMPAIGN (1998-2002 MODEL YEARS). WHILE THIS FAILURE CONTINUES TO BE WIDESPREAD (JUST GOOGLE SUBARU HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS AND YOU'LL GET PAGES OF COMPLAINTS OF HG FAILURES) SUBARU HAS STOPPED REPAIRING THEM OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE SOLELY A COST SAVING STRATEGY. WHEN THE GASKETS FAIL, OIL LEAKS OUTSIDE THE ENGINE WHICH CONTACTS THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE BURNING OIL PUTS SMOKE AND FUMES INSIDE THE CAR. I WOULD THINK THIS IS ALSO A FIRE CONCERN. INSIDE THE ENGINE, OIL AND COOLANT MIX AND CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE/FAILURE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET THIS REPAIRED BY SUBARU? THEY SEEM TO BE GETTING AWAY WITH A HUGE CONSUMER INJUSTICE JUST BY ACTING LIKE IT DOESN'T EXIST. CAN THEY BE REQUIRED EXTENT THE CHAMPAGNE (WWP99) WITH THE 03 AND LATER MODELS? SUBARU CLEARLY ACKNOWLEDGES A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND LATER MODEL YEARS HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

• 07/15/2003· POWER TRAIN

  NAR 07-15-2003 THE CONSUMER VEHICLE MADE HIGH FREQUENCY NOISES THAT EFFECTED THE HEARING ON THE DRIVER INSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED ABOVE 50 ML HR, ALSO SERIES OF STRONG MULTIPLE JERKING OCCURRED. *CB