2013 Subaru Outback

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

• 12/30/2020· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE, A CRACK FORMED ON THE UPPER PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHECKED THE SECURITY FOOTAGE AROUND HIS HOME WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SAW NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THE CRACK IMPAIRED HIS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

• 12/29/2017· AIR BAGS

  IN MOTION DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN COUNTY ROUTE 80 ON A GOOD WEATHER DAY SLOWED DOWN GOING TO TURN INTO A SHOP AND TAKATA AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WAS LOUD BANG AND HORN WOULD NOT STOP GOING OFF. PULLED OFF ROAD IN FRONT OF A ART GALLERY, CALLED AAA THEY TOWED CAR TO A GARAGE CALLED "DON'S AUTO BARN" IN NEW WOODSTOCK, NY. DRIVERS HAND HURT BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF SEEING MD. HE IS A MD SO HE CARED FOR IT AS NECESSARY. SUBARU WON'T COVER AS WARRANTY IS UP. INSURANCE WON'T COVER AS IT WAS NOT A ACCIDENT. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE ARE NOW WITHOUT A CAR AS IT IS NOT REPAIRED AND NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR SUBARU. IT'S LIKE DRIVING AROUND WITH A RANDOM GUN GOING OFF WITH THIS JUST DEPLOYING. WHEN DON'S AUTO SCANNED CAR THERE WERE 2 CODES THAT SHOWED UP. OUR CAR BEEN TO DEALER IN OCTOBER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS, NOT EVEN FROM TAKATA!!

• 12/28/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-5 NEAR ORLAND, CA ON 12/26/18 WHEN MY OUTBACK BEGAN SHAKING AND ATTEMPTING TO "BRAKE" (I WAS DOING BETWEEN 65 - 70 MPH). I LOOKED DOWN AND THE PARKING BRAKE SIGNAL WAS ILLUMINATED. (I HAD NOT ENGAGED THE BRAKE.) I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I DISENGAGED THE BRAKE AND RESUMED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP, CARLSEN SUBARU, REDWOOD CITY, CA. I DISENGAGED THE BRAKE -- BUT THE BRAKE KEPT TRYING TO RE-ENGAGE. I COULD DRIVE BUT ONLY HAVE CONSISTENTLY AND CONSTANTLY MAKING SURE THE BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/27/18. AS SUSPECTED, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE. THE CHARGE WAS $185 FOR DIAGNOSIS AND ANOTHER ESTIMATED $1,250 FOR THE REPAIR. (SEE ATTACHED DIAGNOSTIC/ESTIMATE) ONE OF THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS GAVE ME THE NATIONAL SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER -- I CALLED AND ALERTED THEM. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING. HOWEVER, LATER THAT EVENING I DISCOVERED SUBARU HAS RECALLED 27,000 2010-2014 OUTBACKS & LEGACYS WITH FAILING PARKING BRAKES. THE SUBARU RECALL IS OFFERING REPLACEMENT OR EXTENDED WARRANTY PROVISIONS DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE CAR IS MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (WITH AFFECTED VIN NUMBERS). (RECALL BEGAN IN OCT 2018. I HAVE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION.) THE NATIONAL SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE MADE NO MENTION OF THE CURRENT RECALL TO ME. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN THIS MORNING (12/28/18)--GOT A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSIS/ESTIMATE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS DO NOT SEE THE RECALL IN THEIR SYSTEM WITH MY VIN NUMBER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR ISSUE TO OTHERS REPORTED IN THE RECALL -- SUBARU SHOULD LOOK CAREFULLY AT OTHER VEHICLES WITHIN THOSE SAME YEAR/MODEL RANGES. I FEEL THE CAR MAY BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

• 12/28/2016· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE, REGULARLY OCCURS WITHIN 6000 MILES OF OIL CHANGE BURNS ONE QUART OF SYNTHETIC ENGINE OIL. ALSO NOTE BUSHING IN DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS FAILED AS OF 50,000.

• 12/28/2014· ENGINE

  OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. OIL LIGHT COMES ON BEFORE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE. DID 1200 MILE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WITH NO OIL BURNED. AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES OIL LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB OUT BUT I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD FIX PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF EXPENSE. STILL UNDER WARRANTY. STILL WORKING WITH DEALER WHO HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO FAR. *TR

• 12/27/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WATER POURS INTO VEHICLE FROM CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT EVERY TIME IT RAINS. BLOOMINGTON SUBARU CONFIRMED ISSUE IS WATER LEAK VIA CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT. SOA CONTACTED, NO RESPONSE RECEIVED. ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW, CURRENT MILEAGE IS 30,000. STILL LEAKS.

• 12/26/2023· SEATS

  Electronic seat recliner motor (outer bushing) noise when reclining, but Kendall Subaru in Eugene saying motor can not be fixed (defective design), only replaced with another (defective) motor @ cost near $1,000. Seat then stuck all the way back; even with seat headrest behind my back (w/sweaters on top of it even) driving comfort/visibility are not as good. [This entire electronic seat recliner motor system is inferior/defective to begin with vs. a typical manual seat reclining lever design, for at least the following reasons: 1) much slower/less easy to operate 2) plastic activation buttons easily break off 3) much less reliable, where manual lever system safety & other problems are almost unheard of 4) much more costly].

• 12/26/2013· STEERING

  SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED VEHICLE I NOTICED DIFFICULTY KEEPING IT CENTERED IN LANE. CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO CORRECT STEERING AND HARD STEERING. I DRIVE ON INTERSTATE OFTEN AND I HAVE CHECKED TIRES CONTINUOUSLY AND NO DIFFERENCE IN THE HANDLING OF THE OUTBACK. ON FIRST SERVICE I TOLD THE SERVICE REP ABOUT IT AND SAID THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT, I BELIEVE THEY CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT, WHEN PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. IS IT UNSAFE, YES. NOW I HAVE 25000 MILE ON IT AND STILL CONTINUES. STILL MENTION IT AT SERVICE TIME BUT THEY DON'T REALLY EVEN RESPOND ANYMORE. *TR

• 12/19/2024· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to engage. The contact stated that eventually, the brakes would return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V562000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

• 12/15/2022· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  I experienced a sudden unintended acceleration of my 2013 Subaru Outback while braking to make a left hand turn at a stoplight on Federal Road in Brookfield, CT. I was able to squeeze the brake hard while shifting into neutral to avoid slamming into the car in front of me while the engine raced. The car would have gone out of control had I not been able to press very hard on the brake pedal. This incident was not the first time this unintended acceleration of the vehicle occurred. About a month ago, I was in a similar situation on the road when I was decelerating and applying the brake that the car had a rapid unintended acceleration that caused me to press very hard on the brake pedal to keep the car from lurching forward. I’ve owned the vehicle since December 2012 and this situation has probably occurred less than 5 times over the 10 years of operation. Each time I thought it was perhaps my error for somehow touching the accelerator with my foot while the brake was applied. After the recent November 22 incident, I now realize that there is likely a systemic problem with the accelerator. I plan to have accelerator inspected by the dealer.

• 12/13/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/11/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND MOVED FORWARD. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW UP BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ENGINE DID NOT REV UP. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL PUSHES ON THE ACCELERATOR ( 8 SECONDS WORTH) THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR ONCE AGAIN MOVED FORWARD JUST AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. ALL THIS TIME I WAS BLOCKING THE INTERSECTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. DEALER INDICATES NO PROBLEM FOUND. *TR

• 12/10/2015· ENGINE

  ENGINE IS BURNING OIL INTO ATMOSPHERE. GETTING LESS THAN 800 MILES BEFORE OIL LIGHT COMES ON. CONSUMES OVER A QUART OF SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL EVERY TWO WEEKS. SUBARU HAS BEEN REPLACING MOTORS FOR ONLY WHEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN AND ONLY IF THEY ARE IN WARRANTY, I WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY WHEN I EXPERIENCED THIS, THANKFULLY I BOUGHT SOME EXTENDED INSURANCE, HOWEVER THEY ONLY REPLACE THE MOTOR WITH A JUNKYARD MOTOR, WHICH MAY FAIL AGAIN, I ALREADY SUSPECT I AM BURNING OIL AND AM INDEED FACING THE SAME ISSUE AFTER ONLY 4 WEEKS. SUBARU NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS MFGR. DEFECT. THEY ARE POLLUTING THE ATMOSPHERE AND DOING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE TO RESOLVE. THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO AFFECT A GOOD PORTION OF THESE CARS AS EVIDENCED BY ALL OF THE ONLINE CHATTER ABOUT IT. THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE UPON NOTICING LACK OF POWER AND HAVING MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING CLOGGED. I AM ALREADY NOTICING THIS SAME ISSUE THERE TOO. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE ISSUE WAS ALREADY KNOWN TO SUBARU. YET THEY DID NOT TO RESOLVE THE POLLUTING ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS TO PREVENT ANY WORSE DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE, BUT SOMEONE ELSE MAY BE STUCK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS HAPPENS DURING ALL DRIVING SITUATIONS.. EG: HIGHWAY OR ON LOCAL ROADS.

• 12/07/2016· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED, THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V694000 (VISIBILITY). 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/06/2021· SERVICE BRAKES

  The brakes are spongy and the car doesn't stop properly. We've had repairs done and took it to the dealership and they tell us nothing is wrong.

• 12/04/2024· ENGINE

  According to my mechanic, the Engine Cradle is severly corroded and needs to be replaced. According to Subaru, today December 4, 2024, Subaru inspected my vehicle and determined it was badly corroded. I have pictures to show this and the report from Subaru showing they did look at this corrosion. I had wanted Subaru to replace the Engine Cradle because of the damage. They claimed the car was out of Warranty and was 12 years old. Even so, that much corrosion should not have happened.

• 12/03/2015· ENGINE

  SEVERE BURNING OIL ISSUE. RELEASING TOXIC SMOKE INTO ATMOSPHERE. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE WITH SUBARU 2.5 MOTORS. THEY ARE ONLY OFFERING A FIX FOR ANYONE IN WARRANTEE. THIS IS PREVENTING MANY VEHICLES FROM BEING REPAIRED DUE TO COST OF REPAIR. THIS HAPPENS MAINLY ON HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR ME. I HAD MY ENGINE REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOW THE JUNKYARD MOTOR THEY GAVE ME IS DOING THE SAME THING. SUBARU NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE, AND NEEDS TO FIX ALL OF THESE AFFECTED MOTORS.

• 11/30/2018· POWER TRAIN

  NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING THAT I NOTICED IN FEB 2017. TOOK THE CAR IN TO SUBARU DEALER AND ALL THEY DID WAS REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AND SAID "NOISE WILL GO AWAY WITH TIME." LIKE ANY CAR ISSUE, IT DID NOT GO AWAY ON ITS OWN. OCT 2018 TOOK THE CAR IN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW CVT TRANSMISSION. ALSO SAID THAT MY CAR COULD STALL AT ANY TIME SO I DID NOT DRIVE IT. TOOK IT TO SUBARU FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THEY AGREED, NEW CVT TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT ENDED JULY 2018, BUT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SUBARU OFFERED TO PAY 50% OF A $10,000 REPAIR SO WE PAID $5,000. STILL A VERY UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A CAR ONLY WORTH $10,000. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT CAN CAUSE STALLING AT ANY TIME. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN SUBARU AT THIS TIME.

• 11/29/2018· POWER TRAIN

  FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS MADE AWARE OF OUR VEHICLE'S DANGEROUS PERFORMANCE. STALLING WHILE COMING TO A STOP, TURNING AS WELL AS A NOTICEABLE WHINING NOISE FROM THE CVT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO GILLMAN SUBARU SW DUE TO THESE ISSUES IN JULY, 2018, BEFORE THE END OF THE "EXTENDED WARRANTY". THE VEHICLE WAS MISDIAGNOSED AS HAVING BAD WHEEL BEARINGS AND POSSIBLY BAD SPARK PLUGS. BOTH ENDED UP TURNING OUT TO BE WRONG. WHEEL BEARINGS WERE CHANGED, SPARK PLUGS AS WELL. IN EFFECT, THE DEALERSHIP STALLED AND SOA EFFECTIVELY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS TO DENY THE CLAIM. SHOULD THE NHTSA CARE TO HAVE AUDIO RECORDINGS OF VARIOUS CALLS THAT DEMONSTRATE THIS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. WE ARE NOW FORCED TO SEEK LEGAL RECOURSE AS SOA HAS DECIDED TO ACT IN BAD FAITH WITH A VERY DANGEROUS SYMPTOM. A RECALL, THAT FORCES THE MANUFACTURER TO ACT IN GOOD FAITH IS NEEDED. WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE RECORDED CONVERSATIONS, TEXTS, E-MAILS THAT HOPEFULLY WILL SERVE US WELL. HOWEVER, THE IDEA THAT LEGAL RECOURSE IS REQUIRED IN AN EFFORT TO MOTIVATE OR FORCE A MANUFACTURER TO PERFORM IN GOOD FAITH IS UNREASONABLE AND ENTIRELY UNSAFE. HOW MANY OTHERS DO NOT HAVE THE PERTINENT CONVERSATIONS ON TAPE? A RECALL IS WARRANTED. AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT DIES WHILE TURNING NEED NOT BE THE STANDARD OF WHAT'S APPROPRIATE ON THE ROAD.

• 11/28/2023· POWER TRAIN

  At all speeds vehicle shudders when letting off accelerator then nearly stalls. This is extremely dangerous when entering expressways or crossing oncoming vehicles. Dealer identified transmission as the problem and could reproduce, but not determine reason. Said drive until Check Engine light comes on then bring back. Light has never lit up. Dealer says Subaru stopped using this transmission because of problems, but is not allowed to rebuild or repair transmission. Says it cannot get new or rebuilt transmission from Subaru or anyone else just from totaled car auction. Dealership is offering $2500 trade in. This problem is well documented online regarding 2013 Subaru Outback’s with 2.5L engine.

• 11/28/2018· ENGINE

  LEAKING SEAL ON ENGINE

• 11/26/2019· POWER TRAIN

  CVT TRANSMISSION MANY ISSUES INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. PROBLEMS PERSEIST AND DEALERSHIP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG INITIALLY , BUT THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN BECOMING WORSE AND WORSE SICNCE THESE ISSUES STARTED AND THE TRANSMISSION STALLS THE CAR.

• 11/26/2019· ENGINE

  EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE CAR GOES THROUGH A QUART OF OIL ABOUT EVERY 700-800 MILES DESPITE REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND MAINTAINCE

• 11/25/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

  MADE A TURN AND WAS HALFWAY DOWN THE BLOCK GOING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE LIT UP WITH ALL SORTS OF ANNUNCIATORS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PARK. THE FOLLOWING ANNUNCIATORS WERE FLASHING; AT OIL TEMP, CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE FOLLOWING ANNUNCIATORS WERE LIT SOLID; CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT /MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL WARNING LIGHT. TURNED OFF VEHICLE. WAITED. TURNED ENGINE ON AND THE ANNUNCIATORS WERE STILL PRESENT AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE REMAINED UNCHANGED. *TR

• 11/23/2020· STRUCTURE

  REAR CENTER BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS EVERY TIME IT SPRINKLES AND RAINS CAUSING WATER TO POUR INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS CAUSING RUST IN THE TAILGATE AND OTHER AREAS. ALSO CAUSING MOISTURE AND MOLD IN THE CAR.

• 11/20/2015· STEERING,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE STEERING, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND STRUCK A DELINEATOR POST, SLID IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TOWARDS A CONCRETE WALL, AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

• 11/20/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OFF, BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE ON APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE ENGINE REMAINED AT IDLE, AND THE CAR ROLLED SLOWLY INTO THE INTERSECTION. NOTHING I DID CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNTIL I PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, THEN RE-STARTED THE CAR. THE CAR THEN PERFORMED NORMALLY UNTIL I REACHED THE NEXT STOP SIGN, WHERE THE PROBLEM REPEATED. IN ALL, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVEN (7) TIMES ON THIS DAY, APPARENTLY AT RANDOM. THAT IS, AT SOME STOPS THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY, AND AT OTHER STOPS, THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY SUBARU DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE PERFORMED NO REPAIRS. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, THREE (3) TIMES IN TWO DAYS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT CAN LEAVE THE CAR IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MOVE UNTIL THE DRIVER TURNS OFF THE CAR AND THEN RE-STARTS IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED BY OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS IN ONLINE FORUMS, AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/19/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE WITH THE JACK PROVIDED BY SUBARU. I WAS ON A FLAT SURFACE ON ASPHALT. THE JACK COLLAPSED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR WHILE I WAS CHANGING THE TIRE, CAUSING THE CAR TO CRASH TO THE GROUND. THE JACK COLLAPSED WHEN THE METAL THREADED BAR INT EH MIDDLE OF THE JACK STARTED TO BEND. PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES OF THE JACK AND OF THE SURFACE I WAS ON (IT SHOWS IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE INSTALLED, WHICH WAS DONE ONLY WITH THE HELP OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I NEEDED THEIR JACK TO COMPLETE THE TASK).

• 11/16/2015· ENGINE

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED SEVEN TIMES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS SUMMER (2015). LOW ON OIL AT FIRST. DEALER CHANGED PCV VALVE AND TOPPED OFF OIL AT THE TIME OF FIRST ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATION. NOW, JUST HAD $1200 OF MAINTENANCE ON IT AT DIFFERENT DEALER. INCLUDING CHANGE OF TEMP SENSOR ON NOV 2. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN TODAY, WITH DIFFICULTY STARTING. DIFFICULTY STARTING WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN FOR CHECK ENGINE INDICATIONS FOR LAST MONTH. DEALER IS CONFOUNDED. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH LESS THAN 71000 MILES. DID PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 80000 MILES. DID HAVE DEALER OF ORIGINAL SALE HAVE HITCH AND REAR VIEW CAMERA INSTALLED PRIOR TO DELIVERY.

• 11/16/2015· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON OVER TWO OCCASIONS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS ABLE TO BE REPLICATED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND, AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PROGRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

• 11/15/2019· ENGINE

  THE CAR LOOSES POWER TO THE POINT WHERE IT OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN I DECELERATE AND COME TO A STOP OR JUST BEFORE THE STOP. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AS IT WAS ON ITS WAY OUT ANYWAY AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I DON'T THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND I HAVEN'T BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC YET. BUT WANT TO RAISE THE FLAG ON THE ISSUE I'M HAVING BECAUSE I'VE SEEN LOTS OF FORUMS WHERE OTHER FOLKS ARE EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR ISSUE.

• 11/14/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A ROUTINE REPAIR. WHEN I GOT IT BACK IT BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE CORRECTLY AND CHUGGED. THE ACCELERATION ABRUPTLY STOPPED AT A HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY NEARLY CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENT AND REPLICATED THIS AT A LOW SPEED, AND FROM A STOP. I RETURNED THE CAR 3 TIMES AND THE ISSUES REMAIN CONSISTENT. TO DATE SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS. THE CAR IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. DOWNTOWN OAKLAND SUBARU HAS YET TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION. EACH SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSON HAS TEST DRIVEN THE CAR AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

• 11/12/2015· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND ATTEMPTED TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

• 11/08/2018· ENGINE

  THE ENGINE MAKES A PINGING TYPE NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. I GUESSING ITS A POSSIBLE BAD VALVE SPRING.

• 11/06/2024· STRUCTURE

  The subframe has deteriorated beyond repair. This is our sixth Subaru Outback, either owned or leased, all in the same geographic area, housed 90% of the time in a covered garage. This is not normal wear and tear. The vehicle is dangerous, as inspected by a local independent service center that has serviced the car regularly for years. I have reported this to Subaru Corporate, citing that the substandard quality of the subframe has been a known issue on Subaru Outback earlier models and received a reply that Subaru would assume no responsibility whatsoever. There was no warning whatsoever. The issue was discovered during a routine service visit. The problem appeared in late July 2024. I attempted to contact Subaru two times with no response. I finally received a response in late October 2024.

• 11/06/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS TRAVELING WEST BOUND IN THE FURTHEST RIGHT HAND LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 45-MPH ON LOS ANGELES AVE. ON 10/31/13 IN MOORPARK, CA AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY MORNING. A FULL-SIZE FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK FAILED TO YIELD WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE ADJACENT SHOPPING CENTER. HE WAS TURNING LEFT OUT OF A MEDIAN DIVIDER IN THE CENTER OF A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY. THERE IS NO MARKED SIGNS OR LIGHTS TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THERE, BUT YOU MUST YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON LA AVE. FROM THE BROKEN YELLOW LINED CENTER DIVIDER. I HIT THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK CAUSING THE TRUCK TO SPIN AROUND WITH THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT. MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH WAS SIGNIFICANT, THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, AND THE CRASH WAS ESSENTIALLY HEAD-ON. I SUFFERED A ACUTE CERVICAL STRAIN, AND I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE DAY AFTER WITH PAIN. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING FURTHER TESTING TO SEE THE SEVERITY OF MY INJURIES. MY TWO-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN HER BRITAX CAR SEAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT, AND LUCKILY SHE WAS UNHARMED IN THE INCIDENT. I AM VERY SHOCKED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

• 11/06/2012· STEERING

  DRIVING 55-60 MPH CAR CONTINUALLY "DRIFTED" OFF OF CENTER WHEN DRIVING, MOST NOTICEABLE ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD. CONSTANT CORRECTION AND RECORRECTION NEEDED TO KEEP VEHICLE IN ITS OWN DRIVING LANE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND CLAIMED THERE ARE NO MECHANICAL ISSUES HOWEVER MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS EXIST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK A BIG LOSS BUT I IMMEDIATELY TRADED THIS BRAND NEW CAR IN - I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND CONSIDER THIS LACK OF STEERING CONTROL WILL GET SOMEONE KILLED. *TR

• 11/04/2019· POWER TRAIN

  I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS OVERHEATING. I NOTICED STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR CEASED FORWARD MOMENTUM AND CAME TO A HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD (CURVY AND HILLY COUNTRY ROAD). INSPECTION SHOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID GUSHING OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. A LARGE PUDDLE JOINED WHAT I LATER DISCOVERED TO BE NEARLY TEN MILES OF TRANSMISSION FLUID TRAIL. THIS IS THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION TO GO INTO THE CAR.

• 11/04/2017· VISIBILITY/WIPER

  I AM INITIATING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE RECALL FOR THE BELOW SPECIFIED PROBLEM REMAINS UNCOMPLETED, WHEN IN FACT IT HAS BEEN FIXED AND REMAINS UNPROBLEMATIC. MOREOVER, I HAVE REPAIRED THE RECALL PROBLEM REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ON MY VEHICLE, MYSELF, WITH MY OWN MONEY, WITH PARTS SUPPLIED BY THE SUBARU DEALER. PLEASE CLEAR THE STATUS OF THE RECALL NOTICE TO REFLECT COMPLETED REPAIRS. CONSIDER THIS LETTER AN AFFIDAVIT CONFIRMING THAT, I AS THE OWNER, HAVE DONE THE REPAIRS FOR WHICH I AM COMPLETELY WITHIN LEGAL RIGHT TO PERFORM ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE.

• 11/02/2017· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA INFLATORS. I KEEP GETTING NOTICES FROM TK HOLDINGS TELLING ME OUR SUBARU MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN A RECALL. JUST TELL ME IF IT IS OR ISN'T. I'M TIRED OF FIGHTING WEBSITES DESIGNED BY MORONS WHERE I NEVER GET AN ANSWER AND PHONE NUMBERS ONLY LEAD YOU TO RECORDED MESSAGES THAT TELL YOU TO TO CHECK A WEBSITE. SO FAR NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN INTO ANOTHER OBJECT.

• 11/01/2013· STEERING

  THE NEW OUTBACK IS EXHIBITING LANE WANDERING AS OTHERS DESCRIBED IN GOOD DETAIL. OTHER VEHICLES I'VE DRIVEN GO IN A (MORE-OR-LESS) STRAIGHT LINE WITH MINIMAL EFFORT AND MINIMAL CORRECTIONS. THE OB IS ALL OVER THE ROAD, ABLE TO STAY IN THE LANE WITH A LOT OF EFFORT AND CORRECTION. THERE IS A BIG FLAW IN THE STEERING (MAYBE NOT ALL BUT A LOT OF THEM) AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND/OR A DEATH BEFORE NHTSA AND SUBARU TAKES A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE?? *TR

• 10/31/2024· SEAT BELTS,AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a metal guard rail on the driver's side along the length of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had bounced off of the rail and the front end on the passenger side had crashed into a metal post on the right side of the road. The contact stated that the force of the crash ejected him through the windshield. The contact stated that EMS and firemen were on scene but there was no police. The contact stated he had not lost consciousness. The contact was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The contact had lacerations on his forehead, scalp, nose and chin. The contact had bruises on his chest, shoulders, both arms, and both legs. The contact stated that he was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury. The contact stated that his insurance provider declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact was advised by his insurance provider that the air bags and the seat belt had failed to function. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

• 10/27/2017· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAVE A LEGAL NOTICE FOR AIRBAGS. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY RECENTLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

• 10/26/2014· ENGINE

  ON 1000 MILE ONE WAY TRIP THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND IT COULD CHECKED OUT FOR ANOTHER 100 MILES. THIS WAS NOT TOO DANGEROUS BUT MY WIFE IS 67 YEARS OLD, DOESN'T UNDERSTAND CAR ENGINES AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENED ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THEY STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED ME, TO ASK WHAT TO DO. FOR ANYONE, ESPECIALLY WOMEN STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT NTSB HAS BEEN TOLD OF THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF SUBARU OUTBACK, LEGACY AND OTHER SUBARU MODELS USING A DEFECTIVE OIL RING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS PRESENTS SEVERAL DANGERS CONSIDERING ESPECIALLY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS COST THE REPAIRS WILL PROBABLY GO WITHOUT CORRECTION. THIS SITUATION COULD LEAD TO SEVERE LOSS OF COMPRESSION, POWER AND A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATION IS CRITICAL. *TR

• 10/25/2023· SEAT BELTS

  middle seatbelt continues to tear in multiple placed . very disturbing

• 10/25/2019· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL AND ADDITIONAL OIL HAD TO BE ADDED BY THE CONTACT. IN ADDITION, THE LOW OIL WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION SUBARU ARAPAHOE (9955 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, (303) 578-6119) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND OIL CHANGE WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-35088528581. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

• 10/25/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELDERLY WOMAN NEARLY RAN US OFF THE ROAD. HORN WOULDN'T WORK. BARELY AVOIDED CRASH. RELIABLE SUBARU IN SPRINGFIELD, MO CHARGED US $117 FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND DIDN'T FIX: NO PART ON HAND. IF I HAD OKAYED, IT WOULD HAVE COST ANOTHER $548 TO REPAIR, TOTAL OF $665 TO FIX WHAT I REGARD AS A SAFETY ISSUE. ART FLETCHER SUBARU IN JOPLIN, MO REPAIRED FOR $237. MY OPINION: THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU SHOULD PAY FOR. HORN PROBLEMS WITH SUBARU ARE COMMONPLACE.

• 10/25/2012· POWER TRAIN

  I BOUGHT A SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 LIMITED ON 9/29/12. THERE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISES DURING ACCELERATION AND WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, USUALLY WHEN NEAR OR ABOVE 38 MILES PER HOUR. THE CLICKING NOISES RANGE FOR LOW TO LOUD. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN THE DEALER FOR OVER 1 WEEK. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO A LOOSE PANEL BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THEY "SCREWED" IT IN PLACE. THE SAME NOISE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT. I THEN WENT ON RIDE WITH THE SERVICE CLERK AND HE THOUGHT HE HEARD IT WHEN HE WAS DRIVING BUT NOT WHEN HE WAS A PASSENGER. THEN I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE IT TODAY AND DENIES HE HEARS ANY ABNORMAL NOISES. EVEN BEFORE THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CAR, HE SAID HE SPOKE TO THEIR CORPORATE TECHNICIAN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY JUST A NORMAL CVT NOISE, ESSENTIALLY DISMISSING MY CONCERN. SO I WASN'T SURPRISED WHEN HE DENIED HEARING IT. NOW THE GENERAL MANAGER IS TAKING MY CAR HOME FOR A TEST DRIVE TODAY. I AM GOING TO RECORD THE NOISE FOR THEM AND THEIR CORPORATE AND AN ATTORNEY IF THEY STILL DENY HEARING IT. *TR

• 10/23/2022· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  Driving back to work, the seat belt alarm started chiming. I noticed the airbag light was on for the passenger side along with this chime. Looking it up, I see recalls for the ODS system in later years than my vehicle, but not yet for the year of mine. No incident occurred.

• 10/22/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND UPON ENGAGEMENT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER BEING RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT NO EXPENSE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,088.