2011 Subaru Outback

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

• 12/31/2024· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  Coolant leak, steering power fluid leak, break pad leak, gasoline line leak, seat heater, clicking noise after turning off car, leaking seats and rear view mirror also leaking, steering wheel expanding due to possible air bag, heater and ac vents lose and also chemical smell/gas/coolant coming from front and back of car, sunroof not secured. Every wiring wet, charger port in middle compartment wet when plugging something in. Everything auto does not work. Car sounds like something is constantly leaking air or gas somewhere, even when off. My safety was at risk by having severe chemical burns on my skin everywhere, hair falling out due to exposure, almost passing out while driving due to inhaling components, low visibility due to auto dimming in rear view and side mirrors. The problem has not been confirmed due to me being in a financial bind at the moment. The car has not been inspected. due to financial problems I am not able to get the vehicle looked at. There were no warnings except for the blue temp light came on but immediately will shut back off. Car also severely vibrates when turning on. They started appearing around against of 2024

• 12/31/2019· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

• 12/31/2015· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE STALLS WHEN BRAKING HARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP.

• 12/30/2024· AIR BAGS

  The contact owned a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V001000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

• 12/29/2018· ENGINE

  ENGINE SOMETIMES FALTERS AND DIES WHEN COMING TO A STOP; USUALLY ONLY IN THE FIRST FEW MILES OF DRIVING. SIMILAR TO WHAT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WOULD DO IF YOU DON'T PUT THE CLUTCH IN, EXCEPT THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC. GIVING IT A LITTLE BIT OF GAS WHEN IT FALTERS CAN ABORT THE STUTTERING, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AND IT ISN'T ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO DO SO SAFELY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO COME TO A STOP. I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS HAND IT'S HAPPENED 7-8 TIMES. TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART AFTER IT DIED. TURNED OVER BUT DIDN'T ENGAGE THROUGH A HALF DOZEN TRIES, THEN WOULDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT ON A HILL. A MINUTE OR SO LATER, IT FIRED UP AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON.

• 12/28/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  When the check engine light is illuminated for any reason, it could be as simple as the gas cap isn't tight. It is designed to disable the cruise control, disable the traction control and what I feel is a safety factor, it disables the electronic hill holder. Being this is a manual transmission vehicle it has an electric parking brake. When the hill holder is activated, if you stop on a steep grade for traffic or traffic light, the electronic parking brake engages until you start to release the clutch. This would not be an issue on an automatic transmission, but on a manual transmission gravity will make the car start to roll backwards. I don't know how the design engineers figured this was a good idea to disable this when the check engine light illuminates. Also the fact that the parking brake is strictly a parking brake, it is not an emergency brake as it cannot be activated while the vehicle is moving. If you lose the service brakes for any reason, it's impossible to bring the car to a stop using the emergency brake as it will only beep because the car is in motion. I do believe that the braking system should in no way be interrupted due to a check engine light, supposedly this is done to get the driver's attention, but it seems a compromises the safety of the driver and passengers as well as any vehicle that could pull up close behind not knowing that it's a manual transmission and could roll backwards on startup. I just feel this is a flaw In the design of the electric parking brake and hill holder assist used on these vehicles with manual transmissions. This is not an isolated issue, this will happen anytime that the service engine light or check engine light if you will becomes illuminated. No specific date, just anytime that the check engine light becomes illuminated while driving.

• 12/28/2018· POWER TRAIN

  AT ABOUT 40K MILES, MY DEALER MAINTAINED 2011 OUTBACK BEGAN TO HAVE AN ENGINE SHUDDER IMMEDIATELY AFTER MAKING A FULL STOP IN GEAR, E.G. AT A RED LIGHT. IT HAPPENS VERY INFREQUENTLY AND CANNOT BE REPLICATED ON COMMAND. THE NEAR-STALL IS SIMILAR TO NOT DEPRESSING A CLUTCH WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE SHUDDER IS VERY BRIEF. SOMETIMES DASH LIGHTS FLASH, BUT THE ENGINE HAS NEVER COMPLETELY STALLED. THE ONLY CONSISTENCY IS THAT IT ONLY OCCURS AT A FULL STOP IN GEAR. IT IS VERY UNSAFE WHEN THE NEAR-STALL OCCURS AT THE SAME TIME I'M TRYING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION IS LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE MY ACTION DANGEROUS. SUBARU HAS HAD MY VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, SOMETIMES FOR WEEKS, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION TESTED GOOD. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, AND IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS, BUT IT DID NOTHING FOR ME. THE ENGINE SHUDDER HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR 45K MILES. THOUGH THE ISSUE STARTED WHILE UNDER FULL POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, SUBARU WILL NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICES AT THEIR COST. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2010-12 OUTBACK OWNERS. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE SUPPORTS THAT, INCLUDING A RELATED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS OCCURRING, NOR DOES SUBARU. IT IS FRUSTRATING TO HAVE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION.

• 12/28/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2011 OUTBACK AND HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT 4 TIMES AS OF TODAY. SEEMS TO BE FAILING WAY TOO OFTEN. VEHICLE HAS 41,000 MILES AND ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT, ORIGINAL OWNER.

• 12/28/2010· STEERING

  I PURCHASED A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED ON NOV 30 2010. ON THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE NEW CAR DEALERSHIP THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A SHIMMY AND THE ENTIRE CAR WAS VIBRATING. THE VIBRATION BEGAN 45MPH AND HAD GOTTEN WORSE AT 65/70MPH. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY DETERMINED BY TEST DRIVING THE CAR THAT THE FOUR CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. EVENTUALLY THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH NEW CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT. THE CAR IS RIDING MUCH BETTER AND SMOOTHER. THE DEALER WANTED TO INSTALL A VIBRATION DAMPER KIT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND I DECLINED. I PREFER TO KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM RATHER TO COVER IT UP. I HOPE THIS MAY HELP ANYONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/27/2019· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR JUMPS AND JERKS, SIMILAR TO A MANUAL TRANSMISSION STALLING. THIS HAS OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AT A RED LIGHT, TO DECELERATION IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC!! UPON TAKING IT IN FOR SERVICE AT THE SUBARU SCHUMACHER IN WEST PALM BEACH, FL. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM. SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF IT, YET THERE IS NO RECALL. SUDDEN STALLING OF THE VEHICLE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! APPARENTLY SOMEONE MUST DIE FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN! THE DEALER SAYS TO REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AT A COST OF $2345 + TAX. THEN MENTIONS THEY WILL TEST DRIVE THE CAR, AND IF NOT RESOLVED, THEY MUST REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT $3500 +TAX!!! ANY ONLINE SEARCH WILL TELL YOU THIS CAR WITH 114,000 MILES IS NOT WORTH THAT! SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND CONTINUES TO PLACE THESE FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN SERVICE. PROBLEM PERSISTS UP TO 2017 MODELS, SIMPLY BECAUSE 2018/19 MODELS HAVEN'T REACHED THE MILEAGE YET FOR FAILURE. THIS STATEMENT CAME FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER HIMSELF. THANK YOU ARNAUD FOR BEING HONEST. GOODBYE FOREVER SUBARU, YOU'VE LOST A CUSTOMER AND HOPEFULLY YOU DON'T GET ANYONE KILLED OVER THIS!

• 12/27/2016· POWER TRAIN

  CAR IS STALLING WHEN IN MOTION, AND COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT STEADY BRAKE PRESSURE. IT SHUTTERS THEN STALLS. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES SINCE FALL 2016. "NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10080367- AVAILABILITY OF COUNTERMEASURE TORQUE CONVERTER ASSEMBLY" -DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEM FOR CONSUMERS. LACK OF RECALL/ACTION ON A 2011 MODEL IS ALARMING! DOES THIS MALFUNCTION NEED TO HARM/KILL VICTIMS BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN?

• 12/27/2011· SUSPENSION

  MY 2011 OUTBACK IS UNSTABLE AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT TENDS TO WANDER AND HAS A DIFFICULT TIME KEEPING STRAIGHT AT 70+ MPH. THIS IS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING LONG DISTANCE. CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS ARE NECESSARY AT 70+ MPH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I NOTICED THIS SOON AFTER TAKING POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED 70+ MPH ON A 65-68 MILES TRIP TO WORK. I IGNORED THE SITUATION THINKING IT IS NORMAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE ALMOST WANDER INTO A BIG RIG TRUCK IN THE NEXT LANE DURING A LANE PASSING IN OCTOBER 2011. SUBARU DEALER HAS ALREADY PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT IN NOV 2011 WHICH HELPED FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, BUT THE WANDERING ISSUE APPEARS AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN IN DEC 2011, BUT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN IN SPEC AND DID NOT NOTICE THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE IF THIS IS A DEFECT OR IF THE VEHICLE WAS JUST DESIGN AS-IS. HOWEVER, I DRIVE WITH "WHITE KNUCKLES" AT SPEED 70+ AND FEEL THIS VEHICLE MAY NOT BE SAFE TO KEEP LONG TERM. *TR

• 12/26/2017· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  WHEN HAVING TO COME TO A HARD STOP THE ENGINE WILL DIE. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. OUR SHOP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND IT SHOWED A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

• 12/23/2013· VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT

  2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BACK UP CAMERA DEFECT AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK-UP CAMERA WAS NOT CENTERED PROPERLY, THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT RETRACT FULLY. THEREFORE, CAUSING IT TO GET STUCK IN THE CLOSING DOOR AND THE HEAT REGISTER AT THE DRIVERS FOOT SEEMED TO BE PARTIALLY BLOCKED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REASON WHY THE CAMERA WAS NOT CENTERED, WAS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN HIT, AND IT WOULD COST $99.00 TO REPAIR IT.

• 12/22/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE REPLACE ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE 6 YEARS I HAVE OWN THIS CAR.

• 12/22/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT EVER 8-10 MONTHS. NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BULB USED, THE LOW BEAM BULB OVERHEATS AND BURNS ITSELF OUT FASTER THAN ANY OTHER CAR.

• 12/20/2016· AIR BAGS,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TAKATA RECALL HAVE HAD TWO VERBAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT REPLACEMENT PARTS AND ONE EMAIL INQUIRY, BUT NO REPLY OR RESPONSE FROM MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SOUTH BLVD SUBARU CHARLOTTE NC AFTER CONVERSATION WITH A SALESMAN I SUSPECT "UNSOLD" VEHICLES ON THEIR LOT ARE RECEIVING REPLACEMENT PARTS BEFORE CUSTOMER VEHICLES. *TR

• 12/20/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ALL THE TIME ( 6 TIMES SINCE BUYING CAR) DRIVER SIDE 4 TIMES PASSENGER SIDE 2 TIMES. *TR

• 12/20/2012· AIR BAGSCrash

  THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN ITS FRONT END COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF A CAR MOVING SLOWLY ACROSS ITS PATH. THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT WORKED PROPERLY. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

• 12/20/2010· STEERING

  2011 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R - CAR HAS VIBRATION THAT CAN BE MOSTLY FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VIBRATION CAN ALSO BE FELT IN THE SEATS AND FLOOR. VIBRATION COMES AND GOES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. *TR

• 12/19/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHT BULBS ON MY 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK "BURNOUT" EVERY 4-5 MONTHS. I ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, TO NO SATISFACTORY END. THEY BASICALLY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO OTHER THAN REPLACE THE BULBS. SINCE THE FIRST INSTANCE I HAVE PERSONALLY REPLACED THE BULBS A MINIMUM OF A DOZEN TIMES. THE LATEST BURNOUT OCCURRED THIS WEEKEND WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM.THE ORIGINAL DEALER IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS NOW A "WARRANTY EXTENSION" IN PLACE TO REPLACE THE BULBS FOR A TEN YEAR PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO TO CORRECT THE OBVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE SERVICE WRITER STATED "THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE OTHER THAN REPLACING THE BULB". A SUBSEQUENT CALL TO SUBARU OF AMERICA PRODUCED NOTHING MORE THAN A "SIR, WE HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR UP TO TEN YEARS TO REPLACE THE BULBS" WHEN I REPEATEDLY QUESTIONED WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SUBARU IS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO RECTIFY. THEY ARE BAND AIDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY". THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WHEN HEADLIGHT BULBS JUST "BURNOUT", ALMOST ALWAYS AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIME. IS IT GOING TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BURNING TO THE GROUND DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, VOLTAGE SURGE OR WHATEVER ELSE IS CAUSING THE BURNOUTS, OR WORSE YET A SUBARU OWNER BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BEFORE SUBARU INITIATES A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF. *TR

• 12/18/2016· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE STALLS AFTER SUDDEN STOP REQUIRING IT TO BE RESTARTED . I WAS TOLD BY SUBARU SALES THERE IS A TSB # 16-90-13 R (1/6/14 ISSUED). THIS RELATES TO THE TRANSMISSION ( CVT) LOOKING UP AFTER A SUDDEN STOP DUE TO A THRUST WASHER INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY WITH A FULL RECALL.

• 12/17/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I OWN TWO 2011 OUTBACKS AND EACH OF THEM ARE CONSUMING LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WITH AT LEAST 4 BULBS CHANGED IN UNDER 50000 MILES. I HAVE FILED A SIMILAR REPORT FOR THE OTHER 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK I OWN AND CONSIDER THIS ISSUE SERIOUS BASED ON THE LACK OF LIFE OF THE PART REGARDLESS THE TYPE OF BULB REPLACED. MY PREVIOUS 2003 OUTBACK NEVER HAD A BULB CHANGED IN IT, YET THIS VEHICLE IS PLAGUED WITH BULB ISSUES AND COSTS. *TR

• 12/17/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES ON THIS OUTBACK BASED ON THEM BURNING OUT PREMATURELY. I OWNED A 2003 OUTBACK THAT NEVER HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CHANGED, AND THIS IS HAPPENING TOO FREQUENTLY AND IS OCCURRING ON BOTH 2011 OUTBACKS I OWN. THE MOST RECENT LIGHT FAILURE WAS LAST NIGHT AS THE CAR STARTED. THE FIRST FAILED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, AND THE SECOND ONE FAILED WITH 100 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS NOT REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

• 12/17/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CRUISE DISENGAGED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAR'S LOSS OF SPEED COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS THE LOSS OF SPEED WAS FAIRLY DRAMATIC. DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP, IT DID, BUT ONLY FOR A DAY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY 12/17/2012. *TR

• 12/16/2016· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  I OWN A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 93,000 MILES. THE CAR STALLED OUT AT RED LIGHTS IN THE CITY. ALSO, IT STALLED WHEN I WAS ON A HILL AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS FORTUNATE TO RESTART ENGINE AND GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A TORQUE CONVERTER COSTING $1,200. AFTER READING THE MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHY HASN'T SUBARU RECALLED THE TORQUE CONVERTERS?

• 12/16/2016· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

• 12/16/2016· POWER TRAIN

  TORQUE CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. CAR IS STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN, OR AT STOP LIGHT OR EVEN WHEN GOING TO A STOP THROUGH A WORK ZONE. IT SHUTTERS THEN STALLS. FEELS LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN A CLUTCH IS NOT FULLY PRESSED. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES SINCE THE END OF NOVEMBER 2016

• 12/15/2019· POWER TRAIN

  AUTOMOBILE STALLING COMPLETELY AFTER BRAKING TO COMPLETE STOP AT STOP LIGHT AND STOP SIGNS ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. SHUDDERING AND SHAKING OR AUTOMOBILE OBSERVED. TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED IN ORDER TO SOLVE PROBLEM. NOT KNOWN WHETHER OR NOT PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY FIXED.

• 12/15/2016· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE STALLED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC AND SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN TO NEUTRAL/PARK AND RESTART IT AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE THERE'S A FIREHOUSE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS ALREADY A TSB ON THE BAD DESIGN OF THIS PART AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AT THIS POINT, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT'S HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THAN NOT TO THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.

• 12/15/2016· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED ABRUPTLY AND THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECREASES. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. ESPECIALLY FOR MY PREGNANT WIFE TO BE DRIVING. WE BOUGHT A SUBARU BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THEY WERE BUILT RIGHT AND SAFE. WE WERE WRONG. *TR

• 12/14/2016· ENGINE

  STALLING WHEN COMES TO A STOP. TORQUE CONVERTER IS BAD

• 12/14/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL WE WERE NOTIFIED OF A RECALL FOR OUR CAR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US OF THE LACK OF AVAILABLE PARTS. WE WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE THE PASSENGER SEAT, ESSENTIALLY RENDERING OUR VEHICLE UNUSABLE FOR 4 TO 5 PASSENGERS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, NOR COULD THE VEHICLE BE SOLD IF WE HAD DESIRED. TAKATA COMPANY IS UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE CORRECTION IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. NO TEMPORARY SOLUTION HAS BEEN OFFERED. TAKATA IS RESPONSIBLE TO SUPPLY THE VICTIMS WITH COSTS FOR RENTALS. BUY BACK THE VEHICLE OR SETTLE ON A REASONABLE FIGURE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. THEY ARE A FOR PROFIT COMPANY AND ARE AT RISK FOR THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

• 12/14/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  REPEATED PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS, MARKER LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS. I'M AWARE OF THE RECALL REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS BUT THAT IS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM.

• 12/14/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THIS IS A LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ISSUE. I HAVE REPLACED CLOSE TO 6-8 LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS OVER A YEAR AND HALF. NO ONE CAN FIND THE ANSWER AND SUBARU DOESN'T DEEM IT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, ALTHOUGH I DISAGREE. I HAVE HAD MY BATTERY TESTED FOR POWER SURGES AND THIS IS NOT HAPPENING. I'VE SEEN COUNTLESS OTHER POSTINGS FROM 2011 SUBARU OWNERS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THE LOW BEAMS ARE BLOWING AND THE PROJECTION OF THE LIGHT IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I'VE ALSO HAD A SITUATION WHERE BOTH HIGH BEAM LIGHTS BLEW OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THAT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE. THE REPLACEMENT COSTS ARE ADDING UP BECAUSE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT BEING PUT ON A LIFT AT THE GARAGE. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/13/2019· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR EVEN SLOWING DOWN, THE CAR STALLS. AT TIMES, THIS IS AN ANNOYANCE. OTHER TIMES, IT IS VERY UNSAFE AS CARS BEHIND ME HAVE TO REACT TO A SUDDEN STOP (ESPECIALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC). SUBARU ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT ASSIGNED AN ARBITRARY 100K MILEAGE LIMITATION. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT SUBARU'S EXPENSE, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE THAT THE IMMINENT FAILURE OCCURS. THE DESIGN FLAW WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AS SUCH BY SUBARU THEMSELVES, IN A SERVICE BULLETIN #16-90-13R

• 12/13/2017· POWER TRAIN

  2011 SUBARU OUTBACK ONLY DRIVEN BY MYSELF, 93000 MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY. STALLING REGULARLY WHEN COMING TO A SUDDEN OR FAST STOP. SLOW STOPPING AND PUMPING BRAKES WOULD AVOID THE STALL. RPMS WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AFTER GOING BELOW 1200. OUT OF WARRANTY. VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN NOTED FOR MANY SUBARU CVT BETWEEN 2010 AND 2012 AND SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE AT NO COST TO OWNER DUE TO OBVIOUS FAULT IN DESIGN.

• 12/13/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS ON 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK CONTINUE TO BLOW. REPLACED ALL FRONT LIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND WILL CAUSE CRASHES AS LIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. SO FAR ONLY ONE HAS GONE OUT AT A TIME FOR I AM NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUES THAT SUBARU FAILS TO STAND BEHIND THE ISSUE. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED INTO PURCHASING ONLY SUBARU REPLACEMENT PRODUCT TO ACHIEVE SAFETY. THIS SOUNDS LIKE EXTORTION SINCE IT APPEARS THE ONLY ANSWER IS TO PURCHASE SUBARU ORIGINAL BULBS . THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATED AND I DO NOT HEAR OR SEE OF A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. I SEE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS, BUT AGAIN, NO RECALLS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SUBARU KEEPS TAKING MY MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM

• 12/13/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE OVER A PARKING BARRIER. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND TRAVELED INTO SEVERAL BUSHES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

• 12/13/2010· STEERING

  2011 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R LIMITED PURCHASED NEW IN OCTOBER 2010. VEHICLE HAD STEERING/HANDLING ISSUES FROM THE START. EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL/TIRE VIBRATION/SHIMMY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS IMMEDIATELY EVIDENT. IN ADDITION THE CAR HAD A PULSATION IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING HAD A "STICK-SLIP" PHENOMENON WHILE NEGOTIATING CURVES IN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A SERIES OF FIXES RECOMMENDED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) INCLUDING NEW TIRES WITH ROAD FORCE BALANCING, STEERING BOX REPLACEMENT BUSHINGS, STEERING HYDRAULIC PUMP REPLACEMENT, REPLACEMENT STEERING WHEEL, AND REPLACEMENT OF STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE VARIOUS FIXES THE TIRE VIBRATION WAS ESSENTIALLY ELIMINATED. HOWEVER, THE STEERING PULSATION/STICKING WAS ONLY AMELIORATED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT SOA WAS AWARE OF THE STEERING ISSUE AND WAS WORKING ON A SOLUTION, BUT THAT NOTHING FURTHER COULD BE DONE WITH MY VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE CONDITION I HAVE DESCRIBED IS, IN MY OPINION, A DANGEROUS ONE. WHILE DRIVING WINDING COUNTRY ROADS IN THE RAIN THERE IS A DISTINCT LOSS OF FEEL FOR THE ROAD, SIMILAR TO ENCOUNTERING A MOMENTARY PATCH OF ICE. BECAUSE OF THE VARYING RESISTANCE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR TENDS TO OVERSTEER AND UNDERSTEER IN THE TURNS. IT IS CLEAR THAT SOA'S PIECEMEAL REPLACEMENT OF PARTS TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE SOLUTION. THERE IS MORE LIKELY A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING ASSEMBLY THAT IS MITIGATED BUT NOT CORRECTED WHEN MAJOR PARTS ARE REPLACED, PERHAPS DUE TO COMPONENT TOLERANCES. THIS ISSUE MUST BE RESOLVED BY SOA AND A VEHICLE RECALL ISSUED. *TR

• 12/12/2017· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  OVER THE PAST YEAR MY MECHANIC HAS PUT IN TWO NEW BATTERIES IN MY CAR. MY 2011 OUTBACK HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING, THIS WAS BACK WHEN I HAD 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE CONNECTORS WHERE FINE AND HE CLEANED THEM. THE ISSUE STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED, HE CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATOR. THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES IN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, AGAIN NO CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN IT TO AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIPS AND THE ORIGINAL ONE I PURCHASED FROM TO NO PREVAIL. TODAY I WRITE WITH THE ISSUE OF MY CVT. THE FACT THAT I RECEIVED A ONE YEAR OR 100,000 MILES FROM DATE OF YEAR MADE IS OR WHICH EVER COMES FIRST IS COMPLETE CRAP. TODAY I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE CAR WANTING TO WHAT I DESCRIBE AS STALLING OUT. I WAS GOING DOWN MY ROAD WHICH WAS SLUSHY FROM SNOW/RAIN BUT MAINLY WET FROM THE RAIN THAT CAME. SUBARU TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND WON'T DO ANYTHING TILL SOMETHING BRAKES. SO IF THE PROBLEM WHICH HAS PLAGUED ALMOST FIFTY THOUSAND OUTBACKS CAUSING 'STALLING" LIKE MANUALS WHEN THE CLUTCH ISN'T ENGAGED AND BEING TOLD IT NEEDS TO BRAKE?? THIS IS NOT SAFE TO OWNERS. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO OTHER MOTORISTS.THIS IS DEATHS WAITING TO HAPPEN, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND MADE A RECALL. ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES CAN A MANUFACTURER GET AWAY WITH SUCH THINGS AS THIS. I'M HEADING INTO WINTER IN NEW ENGLAND, LAST THING I NEED IS FOR MY CAR TO FAIL IN A STORM, MEDICAL SITUATION ETC.. AND BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE AUTOMAKER ISN'T TAKEN FULL RESPONSIBILITY. SNOW BLOWS DON'T STOP ON A TIME, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THE PROBLEM ?? WHICH SHOULD BE A RECALL WHICH IS FAILURE ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR NOT FORCING THE ISSUE.

• 12/12/2016· POWER TRAIN

  ENGINE RANDOMLY STALLS WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN WHEN THIS HAPPENS IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS/TIMES. OUR SUBARU SERVICE ADVISOR HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS DUE TO A POOR DESIGN ISSUE "TSB 16-90-13R" WHICH REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER.

• 12/11/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT TWICE. THE CAR IS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK, AND IT HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE HEADLIGHT SETTING IS NOT KEPT ON THE "AUTO" SETTING. (SOME CLAIM USING THE AUTO SETTING CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO SWITCH ON-AND-OFF MORE CAUSING ADDITIONAL WEAR TO THE HEADLIGHT.) THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INSTALLED BY A DEALER, SO IT CAN BE ASSUMED THEY WERE INSTALLED TO CORRECT SUBARU SPECIFICATIONS. THE COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK EVERY DAY IS A SINUOUS, TREE-LINED ROAD, WITH THE OCCASIONAL DEER CROSSING. DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR, THE COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK IS IN THE DARK. HAVING ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT IS A SAFETY ISSUE; DRIVING WITH THE HIGH-BEAMS ON JUST TO SEE THE ROAD IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS ILLEGAL. *TR

• 12/11/2011· STEERING

  STEERING WHEEL SHAKES FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. IT HAPPENS WHEN STEERING AWAY FROM CENTER POSITION. IT ALSO PULLS IN A TURN TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BEING STEERED. *TR

• 12/10/2020· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  DURNING HARD/QUICK STOPS THE CAR WILL SHAKE JUST BEFORE STOPPING AS IF THE ENGINE WANTS TO STALL. MORE THEN HALF OF THE TIME THE CAR WILL STALL. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP BUT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE HAVING YOUR CALL STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 16-90-13R FOR THIS ISSUE. BASICALLY THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY ALSO EXTENDED THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO 100,000MI FROM 60,000MI. CARS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE OUT OF LUCK FOR ANY NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM SUBARU FOR A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. MY LOCAL SABARU DEALER JUST QUOTED ME $2500 TO FIX A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE ESTIMATED 1.5 MILLION SUBARU'S THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSES.

• 12/09/2019· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. *JS

• 12/09/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  OUR 2011 OUTBACK WAGON WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A BUS. IT WAS TOTALED. THE SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY.

• 12/08/2021· POWER TRAIN

  When coming to a stop, the transmission's torque converter does not disengage, causing the engine to stall. This was diagnosed by two independent repair shops and there is an open TSB from Subaru that addresses this problem. However, when slowing down at an intersection, the sudden stop can be dangerous.

• 12/08/2015· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR IS STALLING OUT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AS THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I COME TO A STOP. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO RESTART IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND CREATES A PUBLIC HAZARD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AS SOON AS THIS HAPPENED AND THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER TO THE TUNE OF $2600. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF THEIR PROBLEMATIC TORQUE CONVERTER SINCE THEY ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT SUBARU IS AWARE OF AND SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON. THIS CAR HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AS I BROUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN LATE 2011.

• 12/07/2018· ENGINE

  THE VALVE GUIDES CAN PULL OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING THE VALVES TO STAY OPEN.THIS WILL CAUSE A MISFIRE OR EVEN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE OPERATING. SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE RISK OF CRASH.