2008 Subaru Outback

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

• 12/30/2016· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  AIR BAG: THE "OVHD CONSOLE PASS ON OFF INDICATOR" HAD TO BE REPLACED. SEAT BELTS: THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT RELIABLY. IT HAS BROKEN THE LEFT FRONT DOOR SWITCH TWICE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS: THE WIPER BLADE TRANSMISSION UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED.

• 12/30/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING OUR NEW 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IN DARKNESS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT THE BEAM FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO ADEQUATELY SEE. THIS CONDITION IS VERY NOTICEABLE IN HILLY TERRAIN WHERE AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING IN A FORWARD DOWN MOTION WITH A UPWARD HILL APPROACHING. THERE IS A DEFINITE HORIZONTAL PLANE OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS. AT TIMES THIS SITUATION HAS CAUSED US TO BRAKE QUICKLY DUE TO THE POSSIBLY OF COMING IN CONTACT WITH SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT WE WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO AVOID WITH ADEQUATE LIGHTING. *TR

• 12/29/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  DASH AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG. DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT CAN ONLY FIX BY TRIAL AND ERROR REPLACING (EXPENSIVE) COMPONENTS. IT HAPPENS MOST ON COLD WET WEATHER DAYS, OFTEN GOES OFF WHEN CAR WARMED UP, SO PROBABLY ELECTRICAL. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS NOW, STILL HAPPENING AT 105,000 MILES. MANY MANY EXAMPLES ON INTERNET BOARDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! *TR

• 12/27/2017· AIR BAGS

  "TAKATA RECALL" I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE DRIVING A CAR WITH THESE AIRBAGS AND THAT THEY MAY CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE OR DEATH IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NOTHING HAS YET HAPPENED, BUT IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THERE COULD BE SOMETHING SERIOUS.

• 12/27/2016· SERVICE BRAKES

  ON THURSDAY, DEC. 22, ABOUT 11:25 A.M., I CAME TO A INTERSECTION OF MEADOWLARK LANE AND RT. 528 IN RIO RANCHO, NM. AND GOT IN THE RIGHT TURN LANE. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL PART-WAY, FELT AND HEARD THE GRINDING UNDER MY FOOT. I LIFTED OFF MY FOOT AND DEPRESSED IT FULLY (NO NOISE OR GRINDING) AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TURNED INTO THE RIGHT LANE OF THE 3-LANE STREET. I WANTED TO GET TO THE FAR LEFT LANE. I SIGNALED AND TURNED LEFT. THE CAR PASSED THROUGH THE CENTER LANE. AS THE CAR ENTERED THE LEFT LANE, IT SUDDENLY VEERED RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND CONTINUED FORWARD IN A "S" PATTERN FOR A FEW FEET! THE ROAD WAS DAMP, BY NO MEANS SLICK (NOT SHINY AND NO PUDDLES OR VISIBLE WATER OR ICE ON THE ROAD). I BELIEVE THE TEMP WAS ABOVE FREEZING. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK TO THE FAR LEFT LANE. THE NEXT DAY, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANICS FOR AN APPT. I HAD MADE FOR TO HAVE THE CV BOOTS? REPLACED AND THEY SAID THEY CHECKED OUT THE STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. AND TRIED TO REPRODUCE THE SAME THING. THEY SAID THEY WAS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. POSSIBLY THE ANTI-SKID ACTION WAS SET OFF. THIS WAS VERY UNNERVING. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/25/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING AND CAN REMAIN ON FOR MINUTES, HOURS, OR CONSISTENTLY OVER CONSECUTIVE DRIVING DAYS. IN SOME INSTANCES, ILLUMINATION OCCURS DURING COLD AND/OR HUMID WEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS SUSPECTED TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE OVERHEAD/MAP LAMP ASSEMBLY PC BOARD. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BOARD, NUMEROUS SURFACE MOUNT COMPONENTS HAD SOLDER CRACKS AT THEIR COMPONENT TERMINALS. THERE WAS NO APPARENT PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE MAP LAMP ASSEMBLY ENCLOSURE.

• 12/25/2010· SUSPENSION

  GHOSTWALKING SUBARU OUTBACK, 2008. DRIVING MY FAMILY (2 ADULTS, 2 TEENS) TO A FAMILY EVENT, ALONG WITH LUGGAGE, EXPERIENCED REAR END SWAY BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS (SLUSHY CONDITIONS). IT FELT LIKE REAR END WAS SWAYING INTO TRAFFIC IN ADJACENT LANE. IT WAS EXTREMELY UNNERVING. OCCURS IN SPEEDS ABOVE 50 KM/H. PROBLEM CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 KM/H WITH SLICK ROAD. HAD TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 50 KM/H ON HIGHWAY (WHICH IS ILLEGAL). *TR

• 12/19/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE

  THE REAR TRIM THAT RETAINS THE CENTER LIGHT WILL BREAK OFF IF THERE IS ICE BUILT UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HINGE AREA. ALL ICE AND SNOW CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SEAL BETWEEN THE REAR HATCH AND THE BODY TO PREVENT ICE FROM BUILDING UP. THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THE CAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE OWNER UNTIL IT TOO LATE AND YOU HAVE BROKEN THE WING OFF THE CAR. *TR

• 12/17/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RECENTLY REPLACED HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON A RETURN TRIP HOME. THEY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *TR

• 12/17/2013· STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN THE REAR WHEELS WOULD LOSE TRACTION AND START TO FISH TAIL. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT THE GAS APPLIED, WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE IN THE BACK. THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. OTHER VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING WITHOUT ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS GHOST WALKING IN ON LINE BLOGS. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

• 12/16/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKED OFF & ON AND THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING, THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. IT GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INVOLVING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE MOVING.

• 12/12/2013· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD BE DEFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY SUBARU AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS YEAR OUTBACK. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF AND IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT. *TR

• 12/12/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MY WIFE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION EVENT IN HER 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. SHE DIDN'T THINK THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED. SHE HAD WINTER BOOTS ON AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. HER FRONT LICENSE PLATE WAS TORN AND SHE DID ABOUT $700 OF DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR'S REAR BUMPER. *TR

• 12/08/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE FRONT DASH COMES ON WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR FRONT END IMPACT. MY VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THE SUBARU DEALER DIAGNOSES THIS AS A CODE 26 WHICH REQUIRES THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $400. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT UNLESS THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS REPLACED. A SAFETY RECALL SEEMS WARRANTED GIVEN THE NUMBER OF SUBARU CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, AND THE COMPROMISE IN SAFETY THAT COULD RESULT FROM NEGLECTING TO GET IT REPLACED

• 12/05/2014· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATES DUE TO A FLAWED PART IN THE SYSTEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF SUBARUS AND DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHILE THE CAR IS IN USE, A VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PART AND ITS REPLACEMENT ARE EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN DOES NOT GET REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. MY FEELING IS THAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE WARRANTED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REASONABLE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE FLAWED PART HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS WITH SUBARU'S FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PART IS FLAWED. *TR

• 12/04/2018· AIR BAGS

  SOMETIMES THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EITHER WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED OR ONCE IT'S DRIVING. IT'S VERY SPORADIC.

• 12/04/2017· ENGINE

  TRANSMISSION FAILED, ON THE ROAD, PROBLEM SHIFTING, I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL. I COULD FIND THE PLACE TO ENTER THAT INFO. I AM NOT A MACHANIC!

• 11/27/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLANZMANN SUBARU (95 OLD YORK RD, JENKINTOWN, PA 19046, 215-885-8282) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONCE AND COULD NOT BE DONE AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/26/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WIRE HARNESS GOING TO REAR HATCH HAD MULTIPLE WIRES SEVERED BY REPEATED OPENING/CLOSING OF REAR HATCH. LOCK AND TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BROKEN THOUGH. 4 OTHER WIRES HAD THEIR INSULATION CUT AND THE CONDUCTOR WAS EXPOSED. IN SEARCHING THE NET THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE.

• 11/23/2010· TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  I HAVE A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH GOOD WINTER TIRES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON WINTER ROADS MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE REAR END OF THE CAR STARTS TO SWAY AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL BY BRINGING DOWN MY SPEED, AND I END UP TRAVELING MUCH SLOWER THEN THE TRAFFIC FLOW. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS THE SAME CAR AND EXPERIENCES THIS PROBLEM AS WELL WITH HIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW WITH THIS CAR AND SUBARU NEEDS TO COMES TO GRIPS WITH IT AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE ON SLICK WINTER ROADS. *TR

• 11/22/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR FRONT END IMPACT. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATES THAT IT IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. IT IS A HARD FAULT SINCE IT IS UNABLE TO BE CLEARED. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR. ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY.

• 11/21/2016· AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  "TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO "SUBARU OF PLANO" IN PLANO, TX. FOR AN OIL LEAK, WAS THERE FOR 3 WEEKS WHILE I WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ON THE SECOND TO LAST DAY I LEARNED OF THE AIR BAG RECALL AND CALLED TO INFORM MY SERVICE ADVISOR OF THIS SINCE AT THIS POINT I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL. GOT A CALL FROM HIM THE NEXT MORNING STATING THAT ALL OF THE REPAIRS HAD BE COMPLETED AND MY CAR WAS READY...? (SOUNDED FISHY TO ME..) ANYHOW, I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY DRIVEN 2 MILES IN THE THREE WEEKS IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP. NEEDLESS TO SAY I MADE IT A WHOLE 4 MILES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED TO DIE AND TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD... TOOK THE CAR TO A NEAR BY SERVICE CENTER AND FOUND THAT THE DEALERSHIP PUT 2 TIMES THE AMOUNT OF OIL IN THE CAR THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE WHICH IS CONCERNING BUT WHAT I'M REALLY CONCERNED WITH IS THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME IT TOOK TO INSTALL THE NEW AIRBAG, SINCE THE RECALL DEPARTMENT I ORIGINALLY SPOKE WITH STATED THAT THE PARTS WHERE STILL ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER?

• 11/21/2014· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  IN JULY FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER I WROTE TO SUBARU TO INQUIRE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $728.08. APPARENTLY ONLY SEVEN STATES ISSUED A MANDATORY RECALL. VIRGINIA ISN'T ONE OF THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAINED, ALL SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTATION. AT 97,600 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WEARING OUT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PART ITSELF. REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN OUR FUTURE DECISION OF WHICH BRAND CAR TO BUY. IT'S KNOWN IN MARKETING IT COSTS A LOT LESS TO KEEP A CUSTOMER THAN TO GAIN A NEW ONE. *TR

• 11/20/2014· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON. LIKELY DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BEHIND THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT! THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

• 11/19/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INTERSECTION ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER CAR. THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SEVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $11,000. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. I REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER SO THAT ANY DEFECT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DISCOVERED AND THEIR ACTION MIGHT PREVENT WORSE INJURY TO THE NEXT PERSON. HOWEVER, THEY SEEM TO BE TOTALLY UNINTERESTED AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

• 11/18/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  HVAC / RADIO (CD 6 DISC CHANGER MODEL) FAST FLASHING, ALL FUNCTIONS STAY ENABLED BUT CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED FROM THE PANEL. CAN NOT TURN ON DEFROST UNIT OR ADJUST TEMPERATURE OR RADIO CONTROLS WHILE FLASHING OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A YEAR AND HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE WHERE CONTROLS ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE AT A TIME. DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WINTER WHEN YOU CAN NOT USE THE DEFROST BUTTONS TO DEICE WINDOWS OR CONTROL WINDOW FOGGING. *TR

• 11/16/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OVER EAD CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

• 11/15/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION CONNECT.

• 11/14/2012· POWER TRAIN,WHEELS

  I PURCHASED THE 2008 OUTBACK 2.5 LIMITED USED WITH 32K MILES. AT 41K MILES THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THE BEARING WAS REPLACED UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. YESTERDAY I WAS INFORMED THAT MY LEFT FRONT BEARING HAS GONE OUT, NOW AT 80K MILES (ALL HIGHWAY MILEAGE). NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE 2 SHOPS I SPOKE TO REGARDING THE ISSUE STATED THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY COMMON ON THESE SUBARU MODELS AND THEY GENERATE QUITE A BIT OF BUSINESS. SUBARU NEEDS TO PROVIDE A TSB AND FIX THE ISSUE AS THEY HAVE SPEC'D FAULTY WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

• 11/11/2020· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL PUMP OVER HEAT.

• 11/10/2015· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND STAYS ON. I NOTICE THIS MORE IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN IT'S COLD BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS NOW. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU IS FULLY AWARE OF.

• 11/09/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. SOMETIMES CEILING CONSOLE PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE BAG IS OFF (SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN WHEN LESS THAN 25 LBS IN PASSENGER SEAT) AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES DASHBOARD RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE MALFUNCTION WITH BAG AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT SHOWS DIMLY AS IF IT'S TRYING TO ILLUMINATE. SEEMS LIKE A WIRING PROBLEM BASED ON INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION BUT DEALER SAID NEEDED NEW $300 PLUS INDICATOR SWITCH BUT THEY WERE SURE AIRBAG WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE ALREADY HAD SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH QUALITY OF WORK DONE BY THIS DEALER SO UNSURE OF WHETHER THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. WHY NO RECALL FROM SUBARU? I SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/08/2016· ENGINECrash

  MY CAR HAS HAD CYLINDER MISFIRES FOR OVER A YEAR. SUBARU HAS TOLD ME IT IS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM" AND THEY HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $2,000 FOR THE VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY JUST "FIXED" IT LAST WEEK AND WITHIN 1 DAY, ALL MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, AND WITHIN 3 DAYS IT IS MISFIRING AGAIN. THEY DO NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR PROPERLY SERVICE MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINE RECALL PROBLEM THEY ARE AVOIDING FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I DO NOT WANT THIS DANGEROUS CAR.

• 11/06/2016· AIR BAGS

  WE WERE CONTACTED TO HAVE PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACED. THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED US IN SEVERAL MONTHS.

• 10/31/2014· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER IGNITION AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL I REPLACED THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE RECENTLY. PROBLEM SOLVED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS IT AFFECTS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, I.E., THE AIRBAGS. *TR

• 10/24/2018· AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  STICKY, MELTING DASHBOARD, SHINY AND REFLECTIVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT CREATING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS, UNSURE HOW IT WILL REACT IF PASSENGER AIRBAG MUST BE DEPLOYED THRU DETERIORATING DASHBOARD, AFFECTING RESALE VALUE. DASHBOARD LITERALLY COMES OFF ON HANDS OR WIPING RAGS, POSSIBLE RELEASE OF CHEMICALS INTO INTERIOR? SUBARU WILL ONLY ADDRESS 1/3 OF THE DEFECT REPAIR COST. TOTAL AVERAGE COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROX $1500-1600.00, ACTUAL DASHBOARD ITSELF RETAILS FOR $502.50 FROM DEALERS AND IS APARENTLY AVAILABLE WITHIN A FEW DAYS WHEN ORDERED. SUBARU GAVE CREDIT FOR $500.00, ALMOST COVERING THE COST OF THE DASHBOARD / COVER ONLY*** APPROX. $1000 .00 IN LABOR MUST BE PAID BY CUSTOMER. CAR IS IN OTHERWISE IMMACULENT CONDITION. THIS IS A DEFECT AFFECTING SAFETY, AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SUBARU EFFECTING ALL OF THIS MODEL AND SIMILAR MODELS WITH HIGH SUN EXPOSURE. IT IS ALSO CROSS MANUFACTURER AFFECTED, IE; TOYOTA, NISSAN, ETC. THEY HAVE TAKEN THE ROLE OF RECALL AND REPLACE. SUBARU HAS NOT TO DATE. SUBARU IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM YET REFUSES TO ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR.

• 10/23/2017· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG REPLACED AS PER RECALL, BUT NOT LONG THERAFTER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND WON'T GO OFF. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND SUBARU SHOULD COVER IT. ALSO, REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING AT 48K, VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR THEM TO NEED TO BE REPLACED.

• 10/21/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AUDIO AND THE WHOLE PANEL RELATED TO THE HEAT/AIR AND DEFROSTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUDIO AND H-BACK CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS WERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

• 10/19/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  When I braked downhill the main brake line, from front to rear, ruptured underneath in the middle of the Subaru. This car came from Wisconsin and apparently had a lot of rust, caused by salt, affecting the steel brake lines. Subaru calls Wisconsin the Salt Belt. I could avoid an accident, using the parking brake. I looked up recalls recently and learned that 2 recalls have been offered by Subaru. Only the first one was carried out: In 2014, after "6 years of rusting", they applied wax on the already rusted brake lines, to no avail. The second recall (there is a 40 pages document issued by Subaru) would require replacement of all 4 main brake lines, "in any cases of rupture". I contacted Subaru of Gwinnett (Georgia) and then SOA Subaru of America, case number 2210041700431 in order to get the second recall carried out, which was denied. I was told "Subaru has no further obligation, because the first recall was successfully (!) done" - in spite of the rupture! Now the vehicle, which has gotten a makeshift repair in the meantime, must be considered unsafe and a danger in public traffic. There is a reason why Subaru requires replacement of all 4 main brake lines in case of rupture: It can happen again; all 4 are equally affected by rust. I want to keep this car, it's our daily driver, and I want the second recall performed. (Repair invoice of makeshift repair available, can be sent separately, $550.)

• 10/18/2011· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THERE APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE THAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM. WHEN OCCURRING, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM BECOMES DEACTIVATED AND POSES A DECREASE IN SAFETY. SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT TELL ME HOW MANY OF THESE UNITS HAVE BEEN REPLACED OR THEIR REPORTED RATE OF FAILURE. *TR

• 10/16/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  REAR HATCH WIRING INSULATION FAILED AFTER 8 YEARS & 70,0000 MILES RESULTING IN (AMONG MANY OTHER PROBLEMS) FAILURE OF ALL BRAKE LIGHTS. WIRES SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN BLOWN BRAKE LIGHT FUSE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS ON ANY DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THIS VEHICLE (KNOWN TO HAVE UNSAFE AIRBAGS) WAS ALSO DRIVEN WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON FAILURE POINT AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.

• 10/15/2016· AIR BAGS

  NOTHING HAPPENED YET, JUST WANT THE AIRBAG REPLACED.

• 10/15/2014· ENGINE

  BLOWN HEAD GASKET, DAMAGE OCCURRED OVER MANY YEARS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS BEING SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE SUBARU DEALER. NO NOTIFICATION OF THIS DAMAGE WAS GIVEN TO ME UNTIL THE CAR WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF ITS WARRANTY. PREVIOUSLY SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF THAT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY. *TR

• 10/15/2008· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  2008 OUTBACK SUBARU - DROVE THE CAR FOR OVER 1 YEAR WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING INTO GEARS. I HAD THE DEALER/MECHANICS CHECK IT 4 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE 3,000 MILE OIL CHANGE SERVICED BY THE DEALER - 6X AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. ON 10/9/08 TOOK TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THEY FIND THE PROBLEM - I THINK THEY CALLED IT - A REFLASH - A COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT. THE CAR NOW DRIVES GREAT. WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT? I THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD HAVE CALLED A RECALL. I AM ALSO CONCERNED IF IT DID ANY DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 10/13/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 10/13/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  WE TOOK OUR SUBARU INTO THE DEALER TO GET REGULAR SERVICES. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE WAS COMPLETELY GROUND DOWN WHILE THE OTHERS WERE FINE AND OR NORMAL FOR OUR MILEAGE. OUR CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND ALTHOUGH THE DEALERS EXPLANATION WAS " A STUCK BRAKE CALIPER" THEY MADE US PAY FOR NEW BRAKES. AND, THEY FAILED TO GIVE US A NEW BRAKE CALIPER. WHEN WE ASKED FOR THE MANAGER, HE REFUSED TO HELP US AND BLAMED IT ON THE REGIONAL REPAIR MANAGER. WE COMPLAINED FOR NEARLY A YEAR AND WERE FINALLY GIVEN THE MONEY BACK JUST FOR THE BRAKE, BUT SINCE WE HAD BROUGHT THE CAR IN , THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE BRAKE CALIPER AS WELL. THIS WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING AND WE HAD BOUGHT THE CAR "BRAND NEW" . WE THINK THIS IS A AN OVERALL MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BUT WHEN WE CALLED SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICES , THEY SLAMMED THE DOOR IN OUR FACES AND WE WERE NEVER ALLOWED TO TALK TO A PERSON OTHER THAN "CUSTOMER SERVICE" IN THE SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICES. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO 3 SUBARU DEALERS AND ALL 3 REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS AND SERVICES FOR FREE. WE HAVE EMAIL AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM. PLEASE HELP US. *TR UPDATED 11/14/12 *CN UPDATED 11/14/2012*JS

• 10/06/2012· AIR BAGS

  AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT( OFF) STAYS OFF. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR COOLANT FLUSH. I ASKED SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE ISSUE HE STATED THAT IT IS IN THE MAPLIGHT AND IF THE LIGHT BURNS OUT THE AIRBAG ON THE DASH WILL LIGHT UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SO MEANING AS CONSUMER I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MAPLIGHT CONSOLE AND PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A KNOWN SUBARU ISSUE OR MORE FAULT IN DESIGN. *TR

• 10/06/2008· STEERING

  2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 11,000 MILES HAS HAD A PERSISTENT PROBLEM PULLING TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT ALIGNING THE VEHICLE HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY THE FACTORY REP HAS ADVISED THE DEALER TO ADJUST THE CAMBER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL TRACK STRAIGHT. THIS HAS ONLY MADE THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WORSE AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

• 09/29/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  (VEHICLE HAS 112K MILES) BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY IN THE MARCH 2015 TIMEFRAME, THE RADIO CONTROLS/DISPLAY BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. AT FIRST, THE RADIO DISPLAY WOULD BLINK OFF/ON, AND THEN PRESET STATION BUTTONS STOPPED/STARTED WORKING, THEN THE CD/RADIO/AUX CONTROL KNOB STOPPED/STARTED WORKING, ETC. CONTROLS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL APPEAR UNAFFECTED. THERE WOULD BE ONE PROBLEM ON ONE DAY, WHICH WOULD SEEMINGLY "GO AWAY." THEN, AT RANDOM (SOMETIMES DAYS OR WEEKS LATER), ANOTHER PROBLEM WOULD PRESENT ITSELF. IT, TOO, WOULD "GO AWAY" IN SHORT ORDER AND THE PROCESS WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ON START-UP AS WELL AS SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION (IN MAY 2015, I HAD THE RADIO GO OFF ABOUT MIDWAY ON A 150-MILE TRIP.) ON SEPT 16, THE RADIO CONTROLS BECAME COMPLETELY INACTIVE, BUT THE UNIT FUNCTIONED AND THE DISPLAY WAS ON. THEN, ON SEPT 24, I WAS TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS AND RADIO/AC DISPLAYS SUDDENLY WENT DARK. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN. THE HIGH BEAMS AND RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE REGULAR LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION. I DID NOT TEST THE FOG LIGHTS AND I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE CAR. I AM USING MY WIFE'S CAR. UNTIL I CAN TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE, ITS USE IS LIMITED TO DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE ISSUE HAS REMAINED AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE "GOING AWAY". WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, THE RADIO/AC DISPLAYS GO BLANK AND THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT.

• 09/24/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  HVAC FAILS TO OPERATE. DEFROSTER WILL NOT OPERATE. SYMPTOMS ACCOMPANIED BY FLASHING CONTROL PANEL FOR HVAC AND RADIO. WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM SHARED ON CAR OWNER INTERNET FORUMS.