2001 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel system is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 16 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 29, 2013
Airtex Products LP (Airtex) is recalling certain model E8598M, E8518M, E8600M, E8596M, and E8597M fuel pumps manufactured July 26, 2013, and July 29, 2013 and used as aftermarket replacements on Subaru Baja's, Outback's and Legacy's. The affected fuel pumps were sold or installed into the aftermarket applications on or after July 26, 2013, and may may leak fuel from the base of a fuel line connection when the gas tank is full.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Airtex will notify owners, and will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Recall is expected to begin on January 2, 2014. Customers may contact Airtex at 1-800-880-3056. The recall is expected to begin during January 2014. This recall is being conducted by Airtex, not by Subaru.
Campaign 13E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, cablesMar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 04V128000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rearApr 22, 2003
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 03V153000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionOct 30, 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 02V282000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
170 reports, newest first.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 18, 2008
MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK 4 CYLINDER ENGINE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 51,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY INDICATED THE FUEL INJECTOR HOSES LEAKING AT THE CLAMPS WAS NOT UNUSUAL DURING COLD WEATHER ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ESTIMATED COST TO DIAGNOSE THE LEAKS & REPAIR WAS APPROX $150- BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW THE EXACT COST ONCE THEY HAVE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 13, 2008
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LEAKS FUEL IN COLD WEATHER. READ ON THE WEB ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WITH THIS COMPLAINT. LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BELOW ABOUT 25 DEGREES FUEL SMELL FILLS THE PASSENGER CABIN. APPEARS TO COME FROM UNDER THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. HOPE TO NOT PASS OUT FROM FUEL VAPORS. HAVEN'T HAD A FIRE YET. 2ND ISSUE IS HEAD GASKET LEAK WHICH WAS A $1500 REPAIR. ALSO APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARU. *TR
Power train, Feb 12, 2008
STARTING AROUND 62K MILES, I HEARD A WHINING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND HIGHER WITH WHEEL SPEED. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, THEY DIAGNOSED A BAD DIFFERENTIAL BEARING, AND INFORMED ME THAT THE RECOMMENDED FIX WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING BOTH DIFFERENTIALS. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER TO CONFIRM THIS, THEY QUOTED ME $6,000-$8,000 FOR THE REPAIR. I TRIED TO GET SOME RELIEF FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA, SINCE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY GOES FOR 60K MILES, BUT THEY WERE UNWILLING. THIS CAUSED THE VALUE OF MY CAR TO GO TO ZERO, SINCE IT'S WORTH ABOUT $8,000 WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 25, 2008
IN COLD WEATHER OUR CAR BEGAN EMITTING A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. OUR SUBARU DEALER DENIES THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG THAT WOULD WARRANT A SAFETY RECALL OR BULLETIN. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT WHEN CLEARLY THE FUEL LINES BEGIN TO LEAK IN COLD (SUB-FREEZING) TEMPERATURES. AS GASOLINE IS A SERIOUS CARCINOGEN AND EXPOSURE TO ITS FUMES CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE, THIS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2008
HEAD GASKET FAILURE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER. $2,800 REPAIR REQUIRED; SERVICE DONE AT CARTER SUBARU, SEATTLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 10, 2007
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 OUTBACK, 2.5L ENGINE, ONE OF THOUSANDS OF SUBARUS IMPACTED BY SUBARU'S BULLETIN FOR DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS. ON DEC. 6, 2007, I PAID THE OFFICIAL SUBARU DEALER IN ALASKA, CONTINENTAL SUBARU, $1,330 TO DO A HEAD GASKET REPAIR JOB (ALSO A TIMING BELT CHANGE). GO HERE FOR THAT BULLETIN: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUPROBLEMS.COM/INDEX.HTM. ON DEC. 6, 2007, I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA'S CORPORATE OFFICE IN AND SPOKE WITH A REP NAMED "DAVE." (HE WOULD NOT GIVE A LAST NAME.). HE SAID HIS COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER THIS WORK (THOUGH IT IS PART OF SUBARU?S RESPONSE TO A FAILURE IN POTENTIALLY THOUSANDS OF SUBARU ENGINES FROM 1999-2002). THE CAR HAD LITTLE OVER 93,000 MILES WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND SERVICED. THE EXPLANATION THAT "DAVE" AND CONTINENTAL SUBARU PROVIDED WAS THAT THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE/LEAKING PROBLEM WAS INSIDE THE BLOCK, NOT AN EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK, AND THUS NOT COVERED BY THE SERVICE BULLETIN/RECALL. THAT A LEAK INSIDE SOMEHOW IS NOT CONSIDERED IMPACTED BY THIS DEFECT, RATHER THAN A LEAK OUTSIDE SEEMS SPURIOUS AT BEST. I HAVE NO WAY OF VERIFYING THAT THE CONTINENTAL SUBARU MECHANIC THE CORPORATE OFFICE SPOKE WITH WAS TELLING THE THE FULL STORY. ALL I CAN SAY IS, I CANNOT TRUST THE WORD OF THIS DEALER BECAUSE THEY FAILED TO RAISE THE BULLETIN ISSUE AND THE ISSUE OF WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS ENGINE WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN. THEY BARELY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WARRANTY POSSIBILITY ONLY AFTER I TOLD THEM I KNEW ABOUT IT. I'M WAITING TO SEE IF SUBARU'S CORPORATE OFFICE WILL REIMBURSE ME IN PART OR FULL FOR THE GASKET JOB. I WAS TOLD TO SEND THEM EVERY SERVICE RECORD FOR THE CAR THAT I HAVE. I DID. THIS PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS OF THIS VINTAGE IS WIDESPREAD. GO HERE: HTTP://SCOTT.MCGERIK.COM/2004/02/18/SUBARU-OUTBACK-HEAD-GASKET-LEAK/; AND HERE: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_56499.HTML. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 6, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED EIGHT TIMES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE STEERING FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE UNCONSCIOUS. SHE SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS, BRUISES, AND SPRAINS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. SHE HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 29, 2007
THE CAR OVERHEATED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME. I DID NOT GET ANY NOTICE FROM SUBARU REGARDING HEAD GASKET FAILURES. I HAVE A 2001 OUTBACK LIMITED SEDAN. AND NOW I HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES AND NO CHANCE OF WARRANTY. SUBARU KNOWS ALL ALONG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND YET NO RECALL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2007
BOUGHT OUTBACK FROM NATE WADE SUBARU IN SALT LAKE CITY IN NOV. OF 2006. I WAS TOLD THAT NATE WADE PERFORMED A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS TOLD BY THE SALESMAN, BRYCE, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR(ALONG WITH POWERTRAIN WARRANTY), I NOTICED THAT IN COLD WEATHER, THE BELT SQUEALED. TALKED TO DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW I'M VERY INSECURE ABOUT THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF THE CAR. I'M NOT SO SURE THAT THE SALESMAN OR THE DEALER WAS BEING HONEST ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE CAR. ONCE THE WEATHER BEGAN HEATING UP, THE CAR WOULD OVERHEAT. I TOOK IT INTO NATE WADE SERVICE. THEY SAID ALL THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WAS A NEW RADIATOR CAP AND FLUSHED THE LINES. PAID FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN. SERVICE TOLD ME THEN THAT I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WHEN I VISITED NATE WADE SERVICE A WEEK PRIOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT OVERHEATING DUE TO THE RADIATOR BECAUSE THE RADIATOR LEAK WAS MINIMAL. NATE WADE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BESIDES REPLACING THE RADIATOR. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS BEEN LOSING POWER AND A SEVERE DECREASE IN FUEL MILEAGE. TOOK THE CAR TO NATE WADE. NATE WADE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AT ALL, BUT THAT I COULD GET A TUNE UP FOR 150. BUT, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SPARKPLUGS OR THE TIMING. I KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BUT ALL THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO DO IS THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM, AND STALL UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES THIS NOVEMBER. THEY REFUSE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT WANT ME TO JUST KEEP SPENDING MONEY TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AS WAS PROMISED BY BRYCE, THE SALESMAN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 20, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE. A VALID VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2007
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AT 90K AFTER 2.5 ENGINE IS STARTED IT RATTLES LIKE THE VALVE LIFTERS ARE NOT GETTING OIL LUBRICATION. IT LAST FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE ENGINE TEMP GAUGE IS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. IT DOES THIS WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SITTING MORE THAT 8 HOURS WITHOUT STARTING. CHANGING OF OIL IN CRANKCASE, DID NOT CHANGE THE RATTLING SOUND. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTER FEATURE OF 2001 AND NEWER SUBARU'S THAT HAD THE 2.5 ENGINE AND WAS CAUSED BY PISTON SLAP IN THE ENGINE. THE CORRECT THE NOISE THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT TO STOP THE PISTON SLAP. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE SEIZED TWO WEEKS AGO. SHE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REQUESTED THAT SHE SEND THE INVOICES FROM THE DEALER, WHERE THEY WOULD MOSTLY LIKELY REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED, HOWEVER, THAT THE INVOICES AND REPAIRS WERE DONE SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,500.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 17, 2007
1) UPON COLDER WEATHER STARTING AND DURING THE FIRST 30-40 MINUTES OF OPERATION OUR 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK GETS FUEL VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. 2) FUEL SMELLS CAUSE USE TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN TO KEEP BREATHABLE AIR AVAILABLE. FUEL VAPOR IS A CARCINOGEN, OF COURSE. OCCUPANTS COMPLAINED OF NAUSEA AND HEADACHES. 3) TOOK CAR TO PAUL BROS. SUBARU AND THEY TOLD US THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT BUT NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. 4) SUBSEQUENTLY, LEARNED OF HUNDREDS OF LIKE COMPLAINTS AND A SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING LEAKY HOSES DUE TO LOOSE FUEL CLAMPS AND POOLING FUEL ON CREVICES ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. CONSIDERED NOT A "ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN ISSUE IN WARRANTY AND COST TO REPLACE HOSES HAS BEEN CHARGED TO OWNERS AT MORE THAN $600. PERSONS "INJURED" IS HARD TO DETERMINE DUE TO CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF FUMES IS AN UNCLEAR CONNECTION TO A SINGULAR INJURY. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF HOSES AT SUBARU'S EXPENSE. THE HOSES PERFORMANCE IN COLD WEATHER WAS KNOWN TO SUBARU BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR (IN CANADA THIS IS A FAR LARGER ISSUE BTW). I SHOULD EXPECT HOSES TO PERFORM OVER THE PUBLISHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE VEHICLE OR IN WHAT EVER REGION SUBARUS ARE SOLD. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 10, 2007
WE HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE PROBLEMS AND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO THE DEALER, MY HUSBAND FOUND THERE IS A PIN THAT THE CALIPERS SLIDE ON AND IT WAS LOCKED UP. HE TOOK IT APART, LUBED WITH "NEVER SEIZE" AND PROBLEM SOLVED. UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER MUCH $$$$ PAID TO DEALERS WITHOUT ANY HELP. *NM
Visibility, Feb 7, 2007
IT'S BEEN RATHER COLD HERE THE PAST COUPLE DAYS (SINGLE DIGITS, -20 WIND CHILL). I WAS SITTING IN MY 2001 OUTBACK YESTERDAY EVENING LETTING IT WARM UP. I TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD WIPER DEFROSTER INCLUDED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I ACTUALLY WATCHED THE WINDSHIELD CRACK FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE DEFROSTER ELEMENT! WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT FURTHER. THE CRACK EXTENDS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE DEFROSTER ELEMENT ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE, I AM HAVING TO PAY $300 FOR A WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACKS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT AND A MAJOR SAFETY RISK. THOUGH THE GLASS MAY NOT BLOW IN, THE SHATTER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH WOULD CERTAINLY CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 5, 2007
2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE TEMP FALLS BELOW 20, AND THE CAR HAS SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, BRAKES WILL MOMENTARILY NOT WORK. SPECIFICALLY, I APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THEY WILL FEEL HARD TO PUSH AND WILL SLOW THE CAR, I LET UP AND PUSH AGAIN, THEY FEEL EVEN HARDER, AND WILL NOT SLOW THE CAR. USUALLY THE FOURTH TIME I PUMP THEM THEY RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP, WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. PADS WERE FINE, NO WATER IN THE FLUID. FLUID WAS CHANGED AND PROBLEM HAS RECURRED SINCE THEN. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 30, 2006
POWER SUBARU OF SCOTTSDALE FINALIZED THE REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM ON DECEMBER 28, 2006 ON OUR SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. WHILE IN FOR REPAIR FOR THE HEAD GASKET, THE DEALER NOTED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. POWER SUBARU REPLACED THE TENSIONER WITH A NEW SUBARU TENSIONER (PART #13033AA042.) IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT POWER SUBARU TEST DROVE THE CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS BASED ON THE MILEAGE IN AND OUT SHOWN ON THE SERVICE INVOICE. THE CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON STATE HIGHWAY 87 WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT THE POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MILES PER HOUR AS WE LEFT THE DEALER THAT DID THE REPAIR. THAT ENGINE FAILURE CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD FOR MY WIFE, MARGARET, WHO HAD TO COAST DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO A SMALL ROAD TO SAFELY PULL OFF. IF THE ROAD/PULL OUT AREA HAD NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO HER, SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PARTIALLY BLOCK THE HIGHWAY LANE OF TRAFFIC SHE WAS IN. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR COMING BEHIND HER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED INJURING/KILLING HER OR POSSIBLY OTHERS. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED ON OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES CREATING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. POWER SUBARU TOLD ME SINCE THAT THE ENGINE WILL REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE TENSIONER THEY INSTALLED SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE NEW TIMING BELT TO BREAK WHICH THEN CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. SUBARU HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A MANUFACTURE REBUILT ENGINE AND WILL WARRANTY THE ENGINE FOR 36,000 MILES OR THREE YEARS, BUT HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE US WITH A RENTAL CAR REPLACEMENT FOR THE TWO WEEK REPAIR TIME. WE NEED AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE OR 4 WHEEL DRIVE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE SINCE WE HAVE SNOW. THEY ONLY OFFERED TO PAY FOR 1/2 THE RENTAL COST OF A SMALL TWO WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE WHICH IS NOT ADEQUATE. SUBARU SHOULD CHANGE THE MANUFACTURING OF IT'S TIMING BELT TENSIONER SINCE THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED IT'S OTHER VEHICLES AND IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 17, 2006
WITHIN 4 YEARS, MY SUBARU OUTBACK VCD NEEDED 3 SETS OF BRAKES AND 4 SETS OF ROTORS (NOT INCLUDING THE "RESURFACING" TO EXTEND THE ROTORS). EVERYTIME WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ATTRIBUTE THE PROBLEMS TO MY DRIVING PATTERN. BUT I OWNED THREE OTHER CARS BEFORE (ALL WERE LESS EXPENSIVE), AND NEVER NEEDED TO REPLACE BRAKES NOR ROTORS. AS POSTED IN THIS WEBSITE, THERE ARE 13 OTHER COMPLAINS, WITH VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NHTSA ENGINEERS TO ANALYZE THE 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK BRAKES AND ROTORS. NOT ONLY IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS ALSO A COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY ISSUE: SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COST, NOT TO MENTION THE INCONVENIENCE, OUR TIME, EMOTIONAL STRESS CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 30, 2006
2001 OUTBACK HAD A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED REGARDING THE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING, AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER. THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY HAD THE WORK DONE BY HIS LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THEM VERIFY THAT THE WORK WAS DONE. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO HIM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO DISCOVERED THE HEAD GASKET USED WAS 3 PIECES AND THE WORK DONE PREVIOUSLY ONLY 1 PIECE WAS REPLACED, WHICH WAS OPPOSITE FROM THE # CYLINDER. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET FOR THE THIRD TIME, TOLD THE CONSUMER HE UTILIZES ONLY A SOLID ONE PIECE GASKET AND HAD THE BEEN DONE ORIGINALLY, THE CONSUMER MAY NOT HAVE HAD ANY PROBLEMS. *JB
Structure, Mar 14, 2006
CONSUMER SUBARU OUTBACK TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT QUITE OFTEN. AFTER REPLACING THE BULB CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SOCKET WAS CORRODED. *TS THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING UP A SMALL HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED A BLOWN 30 AMP FUSE IN THE MOTOR SIDE FUSE BOX. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLOWN FUSE AGAIN. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HATCH, WATER WAS POURING OUT OF THE LITTLE DOORS THAT HOUSED THE TAIL LIGHTS BULBS AND WIRES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LEAKING HATCH WAS RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR THE BURNED OUT TAIL LIGHTS AND ROTTING WIRES, BUT ALSO FOR THE ELECTRICAL SHORTS THAT BLEW OUT THE 30 AMP FUSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSED THE ENGINE THE DIE.*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 20, 2006, fire
THE FLEXIBLE FUEL HOSE CONNECTING THE #1 CYLINDER FUEL LINE LEAKS. THIS IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES FROM THE #1 CYLINDER FUEL INJECTOR. THE HOSE CLAMP SCREWS/NUTS ARE NOT SELF-LOCKING AND HAVE LOOSENED OVER TIME CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH LED TO A FIRE INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2006, crash
"THIS IS GRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE LIKE SUBARU 'FORGETS' TO FIT A $1 SPRING CLIP. THE THROTTLE PROBABLY STUCK AT AROUND 3/4 OPEN AS SHE HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE. THE ROAD THEN DIPS DOWN AND GOES INTO A SERIES OF S BENDS, SHE LEFT THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 80MPH AND HIT A TREE 5 FOOT UP IN AIR FROM THE ROAD'S SURFACE. IT WAS A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY, NO PRECIPITATION, SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THERE FOR 45 MINS AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE DOOR PILLARS THEY TRIED TO CUT WITH THEIR HURST CUTTERS THE CAR SURVIVED REMARKABLY. BUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS WRECK SAID IT WAS NOT A SURVIVABLE ACCIDENT. I WONDER IF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR BIG CORPORATIONS EVER CONSIDER THESE TYPE OF THINGS, OR WHETHER THEY SLEEP AT NIGHT???"
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 15, 2005
BRAKES REQUIRE FREQUENT SERVICING. FRONT ROTORS AND PADS WORN AFTER 37,000 MILES, NEEDING FULL REPLACEMENT. REAR ROTORS TURNED AND REAR PADS REPLACED AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE CHECK. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IN THE DESIGN OF THE ROTORS FOR WEIGHT AND WHEEL SIZE OF VEHICLE. *NM
Power train, Jul 12, 2005
I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. AFTER HEARING A WHINING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC. HE INFORMED ME THAT I PROBABLY NEEDED TO HAVE THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED AND REFERRED ME TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEEDED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. BECAUSE THE MILAGE ON MY CAR WAS AT 62,000 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT ONLY EXTENDED TO 60K. ASTOUNDED THAT ANY CAR WITH ONLY 62K MILES ON IT WOULD NEED ITS ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, I APPEALED TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICES AND ASKED THEM TO OWN UP TO THE DEFECT. THEY DECLINED MY REQUEST.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 28, 2005
DT: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND BRAKING, WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IT TAKES RIGHT OFF, CAN TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND IT STILL SURGES FORWARD. IT IS HARD TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE WHEN HITTING BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM GOT SO BAD THAT IT WOULDN'T LET CONSUMER MAKE A TURN. HAD TO KEEP GOING FORWARD INSIDE. RAILROADS TRACKS WERE THERE AND HIT THE MOUND. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. IT WAS 1000.00 MILES WHEN IT WAS DONE LAST JUNE.*AK