2004 Subaru Outback

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

• 12/28/2004· VISIBILITY

  CONSUMER STATES, "THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DEICER". THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AT NO CHARGE. WITHIN A YEAR OR MORE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED AGAIN IN THE SAME PLACE. AFTER THE CONSUMER USED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DEICER AGAIN. *JB

• 12/17/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. CONSUMER COULDN'T SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, AND COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

• 12/15/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2004 SUBARU OUTBACK: STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE THAT, ACCORDING TO SUBARU DEALER, IS CAUSED BY LEAKAGE OF FUEL UNDER THE HOOD. THE DEALER REP. FURTHER EXPLAINED THE LEAK IS CAUSED BY EXPANSION/CONTRACTION OF TUBING DURING COLD WEATHER. THEY ALSO STATED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE (IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN MY VEHICLE) AND ON THE DAY I HAD MY VEHICLE REPAIRED (DECEMBER 2009) THEY HAD ALREADY SEEN ABOUT 6 VEHICLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SITUATION POSES AND EXTREME RISK OF FIRE AND A HEALTH HAZARD FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. A RECALL IS NEEDED, NOW. *TR

• 12/13/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE IN JULY 2016, AND AM STILL WAITING! IT IS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT NOT TO BE ABLE TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?

• 12/08/2006· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IN MAY 2004. I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THE VEHICLE, HAVE MAINTAINED IT PER MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. ON JUNE 30, 2006 I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER IN RESPONSE TO A NOTICE STATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2004 OUTBACKS FOR AN "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING (REFLASH). SINCE THAT REPROGRAMMING THE RPMS ARE SLUGGISH IN RETURNING TO NORMAL IN BETWEEN SHIFTS AND AT IDLE. IN-BETWEEN SHIFTS, THE RE-ENGAGEMENT OF THE CLUTCH IS WHAT FORCES THE ENGINE RPMS DOWN TO MATCH THE TRANSMISSION REVOLUTIONS (I DO HAVE CONCERNS THIS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE ABNORMAL WEAR ON THE CLUTCH PLATE. IT CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 1.5-5 SECONDS FOR THE RPMS TO DROP FROM 3-4,000 RPMS TO 1,000 RPMS; AND LONGER AT HIGHER RPMS. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN A SUDDEN DECREASE IN SPEED IS ESSENTIAL FOR SAFETY (THE BRAKES ARE FIGHTING THE ENGINE REVVING EVEN THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN RELEASED). MY GAS MILEAGE HAS DECREASED DUE TO OVER-REVVING (I HAVE KEPT A MILEAGE LOG SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR). ON ONE ROAD TRIP LAST AUGUST, THE RPMS NEVER DROPPED BELOW 1000 AND, IN FACT, FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 1,000 AND 2,000 RPMS AT IDLE! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE LAST 5 MONTHS (AND 7,000+ MILES) TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. A CASE # WAS OPENED WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE ISSUE. A "FIELD REP" HAS COLLECTED DATA ON THE VEHICLE AND SENT IT OFF TO THE CORPORATE TECHS. THE LOCAL DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING THEY KNOW TO DO AT THIS POINT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING "WRONG" WITH THE CAR. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME; IT WAS A GREAT CAR UNTIL THE ECM RE-PROGRAMMING. I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR THE REST OF IT'S LIFE IN THIS CONDITION; NOR WOULD I WANT TO SELL IT TO ANOTHER PERSON DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. IT IS NOT SAFE. *NM

• 12/07/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2004 SUBARU OUTBACK: STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN COLD OUT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH OUTBACK AND IMPREZA WRX. SUBARU RECALLED THE WRX, WHY NOT THE OUTBACKS! THIS DEFECT POSES AN EXTREME RISK FOR FIRE AND A RECALL IS NEEDED. *TR

• 12/03/2003· VISIBILITY

  ON A VERY COLD DAY THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AFTER TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER. NO CRACKS WERE PREVIOUSLY OBSERVED ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD. *NLM

• 12/03/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  MY 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK COMES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS. WITH ONLY 900 MILES ON MY CAR, I WAS "T-BONED" BY A FORD EXPLORER UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. WE WERE STRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WITH ENOUGH IMPACT TO CAUSE MY WIFE, IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, TO HIT HER HEAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR POST CAUSING A CONCUSSION. SUBARU CLAIMS THAT THE SIDE AIRBAGS PERFORMED CORRECTLY BY NOT DEPLOYING. TOTAL DAMAGE TO DATE INCLUDING DRIVE TRAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS IS $9000. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT TESTED THE SIDE IMPACT BAGS ON THE SUBARU MODELS. IF THAT IS TRUE, HOW CAN SUBARU CLAIM THAT THE BAGS RESPONDED CORRECTLY? *NLM

• 12/01/2009· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT HAD BEEN LOCKED IN PARK, WHICH NEVER HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY. IT EVENTUALLY WAS RELEASED BY PUTTING THE TIP OF A KEY INTO THE AREA OF THE PANEL. ADVISED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE DRIVERS MANUAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TWICE MORE , IT WAS PARKED AGAIN. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A WHIRRING SOUND AND WHEN IT STARTED, IT SURGED FORWARD VERY RAPIDLY AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES.. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS OFF THE ROAD AND ROCKS PUNCTURED A TIRE. IT STOPPED. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE SUBARU REPAIR SHOP, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DID NOT ADVISE REPAIR, BECAUSE OF HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ETC. *TR

• 11/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK USED FROM OUR LOCAL DEALER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD 28,545 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE WE SMELL BURNING OIL AND ENGINE COOLANT- WE CURRENTLY HAVE 36,119 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WENT IN FOR REPAIR, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THERE WAS A "PIN SIZED HOLE" IN IT. AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS THE SMELL RETURNED AND WE BROUGHT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE VEHICLE THAT THEY SAID WAS RECOMMENDED BY SUBARU TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. WE ARE WAITING TO TAKE THE GAR BACK YET AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO SMELL THIS WAY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS EVEN TOLD US THAT THE SMELL WOULD BE ESPECIALLY BAD DURING THE WINTER WHEN GOING UP HILLS. THIS EXPLANATION SEEMS LIKE A BUNCH OF NONSENSE AND AN ATTEMPT TO GET US TO ACCEPT THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT SUBARU VEHICLES ARE. ALL WE WANT IS A CAR THAT WORKS AND DOESN'T SMELL LIKE COOLANT OR BURNING OIL. *TR

• 11/25/2008· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENT

  WITH YOUR APPROVAL, I HAD AN AOI ELECTRICAL AIR BAG SWITCH INSTALLED ON MY 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE AIR BAG ERROR LIGHT WILL NOT RESET AND SUBARU HAS INFORMED THEM THAT ALL AIR BAGS MAY BE IMMOBILIZED AS WELL AS THE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS. I CANNOT SEEM TO GET AOIELECTRICAL TO ATTEND TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/19/2014· AIR BAGS

  MY SUBARU HAS THE TAKATA AIR BAG AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. SUBARU HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST TO REPLACE THIS DANGEROUS, DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR

• 11/17/2014· AIR BAGS

  THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WEB SITE REFLECTS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AS ONE LISTED IN THE AIR BAG RECALL ALERT. CHECKING WITH MY DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AT GOLDSTEIN SUBARU, IN ALBANY, N.Y. AND HE ASSURES ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. LAST WEEK I SENT TWO E-MAILS TO SUBARU REQUESTING CLARIFICATION AND HAVE RECEIVED NO REPLY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 10 AND 1/2 YEARS AND IT IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. MY WIFE WILL NOT SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT UNTIL THIS IS CLEARED UP. ' *TR

• 11/16/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS FOR SUBARU QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. AS A FAMILY WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR 2002 HAD BAD PISTONS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT RUN CORRECTLY AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHAUL SO WE SOLD IT AND REGRETTABLY PURCHASED YET ANOTHER NEW 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, WHICH IS NOW AT OUR LOCAL DEALER HAVING PISTONS REPLACED IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A 4 CYLINDER OUTBACK IN OUR FAMILY HAS LET US DOWN. I NOW KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUALITY THEY BUILD INTO THEIR VEHICLES. WE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OWNERS AND WE MAINTAIN OUR VEHICLES TO A REALLY HIGH STANDARD. WE FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ENGINE PISTON QUALITY IN 2002-2004 (4 CYLINDER) OUTBACK WAGONS SO THAT OTHER OWNERS DO NOT FIND THEMSELVES IN AN UNFORTUNATE AND PRECARIOUS POSITION. THE ENGINE IS JUNK! *AK

• 11/13/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL LEAK WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO SUDDEN COLD BETWEEN 0 AND 10F. SO BAD THAT YOU CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR AS THE HEATER DRAWS IN THE FUMES (AND AT 4F YOU NEED TO USE THE HEATER). UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE IN ENGINE. CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP - APPARENTLY THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH SUBARU, WHICH IS WHY I AM FILING A COMPLAINT. IF SUBARU KNOWS OF THIS, IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO TAKE ACTION. OR WILL IT TAKE AN ENGINE FIRE AND POSSIBLE DEATH FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE? I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT! *TR

• 11/13/2008· VISIBILITYFire

  STARTED CAR TO DEFROST WINDOWS AND WARM UP BEFORE LEAVING HOME. CAR WARMED UP FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES,WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE TO LEAVE THE INSIDE DOOR OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE WHICH WAS SPREADING,I THREW MY COFFEE ON THE FLAMES SHUT OFF THE CAR OBTAINED WATER AND DOUSED OUT THE FIRE WHICH CONTINUED TO BURN AROUND THE WINDOW/DOOR SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED BY FLATBED TO THE ONEONTA,N.Y. SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY UNDER REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT USED PARTS ARE BEING OBTAINED FOR THE REPAIR WHERE POSSIBLE. THE COST CONTINUES TO MOUNT INCLUDING MILEAGE FOR A RENTAL/NOW LOANER CAR AND MY DEDUCTIBLE. MY CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR IS POOR AND MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN IS HIGH. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE SAFE. THE CAR IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

• 11/09/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL: I WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM SUBARU OR THE DEALER THAT THE PART HAS BECOME AVAILABLE. I HAVE CALLED BOTH SUBARU AND THE DEALER. I HAVE WAITED THREE MONTHS, THAT IS TOO LONG .

• 11/03/2005· POWER TRAIN

  EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM THE TRANSFER DUTY SOLENOID AND CLUTCH DAMAGE AT 26K. *JB

• 11/01/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,640.

• 11/01/2004· POWER TRAIN

  AUTO STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ABRUPTLY. THROTTLE WOULD REMAIN OPEN AFTER FOOT TAKEN OFF ACCELERATOR. CAR WOULD MAINTAIN LAST SPEED BEFORE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. THIS WOULD CONTINUE ON LEVEL GROUND AND EVEN UPHILL TO A LARGE EXTENT SPEED WOULD BE MAINTAINED WITH NO INPUT FROM DRIVER. CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. NO CODES GENERATED AND NO CHECK ENGING LIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED. COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BEFORE DEALER REPLACE THROTTLE POSITON SENSOR.*AK

• 10/31/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/16/17*LJ UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

• 10/31/2014· AIR BAGS

  SUBARU HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAG IN MY CAR. *TR

• 10/30/2017· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. NOT ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. ON WAITLISTS AT 2 LOCAL SUBARU DEALERS.

• 10/30/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESFire

  OUR SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK INTO A TARGET PARKING LOT. AS HE ENTERED HE NOTICED SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM DRIVER'S DOOR. HE STOPPED, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AS FLAMES WERE NOW COMING FROM THE DOOR. HE CALLED THE DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. INTERIOR OF CAR IN DOOR, DASH, WINDSHIELD AREAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. APPEARS TO BE ELECTRIC PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NO WINDOWS OR ANYTHING IN THIS DOOR AREA WERE IN OPERATION. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. CAR TOWED TO AAA AND WILL TAKE IT TO SUBARU DEALER NEXT WEEK. HE AVOIDED GETTING BURNT, BARELY. *TR

• 10/29/2014· AIR BAGS

  S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING A NATIONAL RECALL ON ALL CARS THAT HAVE OR MAY HAVE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAGS. *SMD

• 10/17/2020· SERVICE BRAKES

  AUTOZONE SOLD ME (VIA WARRANTY EXCHANGE) AFTERMARKET BRAKE PADS THAT SUPPOSEDLY WERE THE SAME PART #D929 AS THE BRAKE PADS AUTOZONE HAD PREVIOUSLY SOLD ME AND WAS REPLACING UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PADS THAT THEY PROVIDED TO ME TODAY AS WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS WERE TOO LARGE FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER AND WOULD BE UNSAFE IF INSTALLED AND FORCED TO FIT IN THE CALIPER. SPECIFICALLY, THE INNER SHOULDER DIMENSION ON THESE PADS IS TOO LARGE TO FIT PROPERLY IN THE CALIPER. I VERIFIED THE PROBLEM BY PURCHASING BRAKE PADS FROM A DIFFERENT AUTO SUPPLY STORE AND INSTALLING THEM WITH NO DIFFICULTY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BECAUSE IT HAPPENED DURING BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT.

• 10/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V361000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. *TR

• 10/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 10/01/2014· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND COOLANT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 09/30/2017· AIR BAGS

  I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN JULY 2016..I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE INFORMED BY MAIL WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR BY MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. IT'S 14 MONTHS LATER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER NOTICE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND STILL CANNOT HAVE PASSENGERS IN FRONT SEAT.

• 09/20/2010· SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT

  2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

• 09/16/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PISTONS. THE NOISE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH NEW PISTONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,100.

• 09/14/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL - I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN JULY OF 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO EFFORT BY THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A REMEDY IN THE FORM OF THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED I SHOULD NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE RECALL WORK IS COMPLETE. THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE SOLUTION FOR A PROBLEM WITH A PASSENGER VEHICLE AS IT PREVENTS MY USE OF THE VEHICLE AS DESIGNED AND AS PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE REQUIRED TO COMMIT TO COMPLETING THE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER, SUCH AS 60 TO 90 DAYS.

• 09/07/2016· AIR BAGS

  "TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME THE AIR BAGS ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED, "DO NOT LET PASSENGERS USE THE SEAT", NO DATE FOR REPLACEMENT, NO PARTS IN STOCK, DOES THIS ABSOLVE THE COMPANY OF ANY LIABILITY? CANT TAKE ANY TRIPS WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS THAT WOULD HAVE TO SIT IN THE REAR SEATS? WHAT OPTIONS ARE LEFT FOR ME TO USE MY VEHICLE FOR TAKING MY FAMILY ANYWHERE???

• 09/05/2013· ENGINE

  MULTIPLE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 60,000 MILE INTERVALS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT SEEMS LIKE THE MANUFACTURER IS COVERING UP A VERY BAD ENGINE DESIGN AFTER LOOKING ONLINE OF VERY SAME REPORTS. I AM SURPRISED WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS IT IS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR CORRECTED. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COSTS OF REPAIR I AM FORCED TO SCRAP THE CAR AND FIND A DIFFERENT CAR COMPANY. *JB

• 08/31/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ON JUNE 28, 2004, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 30 MPH, THE SPEED DROPPED TO 5 MPH. THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ON JULY 4, 2004, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45 TO 50 MPH SPEED DROPPED TO 5 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 5 TO 70 MPH IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *SC *JB

• 08/31/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MY SUBARU, FORESTER XT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAD 5000 MILES. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT. THE CAR HAS AN INTERMITTENT MISS AT IDLE, CRUISE CONTROL THAT DISENGAGES AT WILL, IS DIFFICULT TO START INTERMITTENTLY; SPITTING AND SPUTTER FOR 30 SECONDS, ACTS AS IF IT WILL STALL OCCASIONALLY WHILE BRAKING, AND THE CLUTCH DOES NOT GRIP THE FLYWHEEL PROPERLY. WHILE PASSING ON 2 LANE ROADS, I HAVE NEARLY HAD NUMEROUS HEAD-ON ACCIDENTS; THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE CONSISTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT HAS NEARLY CAUSED MANY OTHER ACCIDENTS IN DISTINCT CONDITIONS: 1. WHILE ASCENDING HILLS, I HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR-ENDED BY OTHER CARS WHEN MY CAR LOSES SPEED WITHOUT WARNING 2. WHILE DESCENDING HILLS, I HAVE NEARLY LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR ACCELERATES WHILE CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR WHEN I MUST TAKE OFF HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING A BUSY STREET. WHEN LAUNCHING HARD, THE CLUTCH WILL SLIP EXCESSIVELY. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE; IT WILL ONLY BURN THE CLUTCH CREATING A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHICH GEAR I SWITCH TOO OR HOW MUCH THROTTLE I APPLY; THE CLUTCH WILL NOT GRIP UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP, WHEN THE ENGINE IDLES DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL SINK AN ADDITIONAL HALF AN INCH. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND INVOLVED SUBARU'S REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER. ALL EFFORTS TO REPAIR MY CAR HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL OR IGNORED. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE ONLY ADJUSTED SWITCHES AND REPLACED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOW CLAIMED THAT THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A REPAIR ORDER, SINCE THE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT, EVEN THOUGH THE LEAD TECH HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. I AM STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS I DRIVE 1500 MILES PER WEEK THROUGHOUT A 6 STATE REGION.*AK

• 08/29/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL: REMEDY NOT TO DRIVE CAR WITH PASSENGERS UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE IS ONE THAT HAS ME WONDERING IF I NEED TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER GETTING RID OF THE CAR AND GET ANOTHER THAT I CAN USE. CAN WE BE PROVIDED AT LEAST WITH SOME SORT OF ESTIMATION OF 'WHEN' PARTS ARE FORECASTED TO BE AVAILABLE?

• 08/28/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP CAR LURCHES FORWARD. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMOOTH ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE. AFTER READING ALL OF THE OTHER INCIDENCES OF THIS AND WORSE ON THIS MODEL CAR ON THIS SITE, I WILL FILE A COMPLAINT AND DUMP THE DARN CAR. THIS WAS MY FIRST SUBARU, PURCHASED USED, AND I WAS EXCITED TO HAVE PURCHASED IT. NOW IT SEEMS LIKE A CURSE. I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE CONSUMER REPORTS RATED IT AS ONE OF THE SAFEST FOR TEEN DRIVERS. CANCELED MY CONSUMER REPORTS SUBSCRIPTION. I BOUGHT IT FOR MY DAUGHTER - NOW I WILL NOT LET HER DRIVE IT. NO MORE SUBARUS FOR ME. *TR

• 08/22/2016· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND CAUSED THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO 70 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRASH INTO A TREE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

• 08/19/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  LAST MONTH I PURCHESED A NEW 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. AFTER MY PURCHASE I DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL THAT INVOLVED THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN OPEN AND THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. HAD I KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE NOT PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE REPAIRS OR RECALL AND I BELEIVED I WAS BUYING A NEW AND SAFE VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/03/2016· AIR BAGS

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• 08/02/2016· AIR BAGS

  SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON PASSENGER AIRBAGS (NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V-359). THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THERE IS NO SCHEDULE OF WHEN THEY MAY BE, AND THE VEHICLE OWNER IS INSTRUCTED TO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE, UNSAFE SOLUTION. IN ADDITION, THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION LISTED DOES NOT WORK. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY MY VEHICLE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

• 07/27/2015· AIR BAGS

  I CANNOT DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE IS ON THE TIKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST. THE DEALER SAYS IT ISN'T. THE NHTSA SITE SAYS IT IS, THE VIN SHOWS IT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY. MY QUESTION IS IF THE 2004 OUTBACKS ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR IF THE NHTSA INFO IS WRONG....PLEASE ADVISE.....UPDATED 10/02/15*BF UPDATED 12/28/15*JS

• 07/27/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK SEDAN WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY HIGH. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULD LURCH BACK SUDDENLY. AS I WAS DRIVING, I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND IT WOULD REMAIN AT THE SPEED I WAS GOING. IT WAS LOOKED AT TWICE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE SERVICE TECH STATED HE HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND WOULD CLEAN OUT THE THROTTLE BOX. APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS LATER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 40 MPH WITHOUT LURCHING BACK AND FORTH AND MAKING A VIOLENT BANGING NOISE, AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR SYSTEM WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND STATED THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY VEHICLE IS IN SHOP WAITING FOR TECH SUPPORT TO CALL.

• 07/26/2019· AIR BAGS

  I GET CARDS,I CALL,I GET LETTERS ,I CALL DOESN'T MATTER WHO SENDS THEM,YOU OR SUBARU DEALER ,TELLING ME I NEED TO HAVE AN AIRBAG SWAPPED OUT AS BEING DEFECTIVE,AND ME TELLING YOU I DO NOT HAVE THE CAR ANYMORE,IT WAS PICKED UP BY AN AUCTION HOUSE BUT IT NEEDED ALOT DONE TO IT SO THEY MAY HAVE SCRAPPED IT,I DON'T KNOW. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THIS IS THE LAST YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME ABOUT THIS CAR, AND YOU CAN WASTE AS MANY TREES SENDING ME NOTICES. FROM NOW ON THEY GO IN THE TRASH,NO MORE CALLS FROM ME,AND DON'T CALL ME ABOUT IT,THE CAR WAS JUNKED,PERIOD

• 07/22/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO BEGAN TO HEAR AN ABNORMAL SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE PERSISTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DISARRANGED CAUSING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO A ROD IN THE ENGINE FROM THE DAMAGE OF THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V128000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 07/14/2014· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  I WAS PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A BOAT ON A TRAILER IN MY DRIVEWAY SENDING IT INTO THE SIDE OF MY HOME THE MORE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE ENGINE ACCELERATED I EVENTUALLY ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A TREE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. *TR

• 07/14/2012· SUSPENSION

  FRONT AXLE FAILURE. *TR

• 07/10/2006· AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  2002 L.L. BEAN OUTBACK ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY, MAKING THE VEHICLE VIBRATE. VEHICLE WENT UP OVER PARKING BARRIERS AND SHRUBBERY AND ROLLED OVER. *KB THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF BODY PAIN, BUT REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED IN HIS REPORT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND HAD EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A HESITATION IN SHIFTING AND VARIATION IN ENGINE SPEED. *JB