2005 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 273 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 13 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Campaign 20V003000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Campaign 20V002000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Campaign 20V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchApr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Campaign 19V297000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Campaign 15V323000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsDec 1, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy and Outback vehicles, and 2003-2005 Baja vehicles sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Florida and adjacent counties in southern Georgia, as well as the coastal areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQP-51. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-471. This recall has been partially superseded by 15V-323. All 2005 model year Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles will now be repaired under recall 15V-323.
Campaign 14V763000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Campaign 14V311000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 27, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Campaign 13V110000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJun 9, 2004
THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT FULLY DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. DURING A SIDE IMPACT TEST CONDUCTED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY (IIHS), THE TEST RESULTS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IIHS TEST RESULTS AND THE RESULT OF SIDE IMPACT TESTS CONDUCTED BY FHI.
THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. .
Campaign 04V274000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
16 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2011
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FOR THE 2-YEARS AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT TIMES WILL BECOME NON-RESPONSIVE AND THE ENGINE IDLE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH A CODE. P2138. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITH NO LUCK THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAD TO LIMP OR BE TOWED HOME. THE RPM CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM IDLE TO 3000 RPM AND AS I SAID THE PEDAL HAS NO CONTROL. I HAVE REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 30, 2011
SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION AND INTEND TO PULL OUT, MOTOR RUNNING, BUT GAS PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE. PUSH ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR - STILL NOTHING. IN ORDER TO CORRECT, MUST TURN OFF ENGINE AND DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLE SO VEHICLE CAN RESET ITSELF. ALSO HAD PROBLEM WHEN SITTING STILL WHERE VEHICLE BEGAN IDLING AS IF ACCELERATOR BEING PRESSED DOWN - LASTED 5-10 SECONDS THEN BACKED OFF. WHEN PURCHASED CAR USED, HAD PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING AND LIGHT FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY. FOUND THAT INJECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED - APPARENTLY TIED TO CRUISE MECHANISM. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM BUT QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2011
2005 OUTBACK X LIMITED WITH 67,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY A WHINING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN RATTLING NOISES ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER. CAR WAS TRANSPORTED TO GARAGE AND DIAGNOSED WITH BLOWN TURBO. METAL SHAVINGS DISCOVERED IN OIL FILTER. TOTAL ENGINE LOSS. SUBARU DENIES COVERAGE AND WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED SLOWLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS DETERMINED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER FILTER WAS CLOGGED AND THE SHAFT IN THE TURBO CHARGER WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,446.
Engine and engine cooling, May 17, 2011
SUBARU OUTBACK 2005 PZEV - HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED SUCH THAT ENGINE OIL DRIPS ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND PRODUCES VISIBLE, FOUL SMELLING SMOKE WHENEVER THE CAR IS DRIVEN. MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, OR RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM, IN SPITE OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN EARLIER MODELS, AND PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT BECAUSE OF THOSE FAILURES. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER AN EMISSIONS WARRANTY THAT WILL EXPIRE AT 157,500 MILES. THE CAR WAS SOLD AS A PARTIAL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE, BUT CLEARLY THE SMOKE FROM THE DRIPPING OIL EXCEEDS ANY EMISSION STANDARD. MY FEELING IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY, AS WELL AS PRIOR FAILURE HISTORY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 9, 2011
AT APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT WENT ON AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO CHECK THE LIGHT AND THEY RECOMMENDED HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR SUBARU DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN AND THE DEALER SERVICE PERSON CALLED STATING THAT TIMTHE TURBO HAD FAILED (ALONG WITH THE CV BOOT & ALTERNATOR BELT). I PROVIDED THE INFORMATION REGARDING OUR OFFICIAL SUBARU 100,000 MILE GOLD PLUS "EXTENDED SERVICE CONTRACT" WHICH WE PURCHASED FOR $1975. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THESE COMPONENTS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER OUR SERVICE CONTRACT AND THEN CALLED ME AND SAID SUBARU DENIED THE CLAIM PENDING RECEIPT OF SERVICE RECORDS. MY HUSBAND AND MY FATHER HAVE CHANGED THE OIL, AIR FILTERS AND PERFORMED GENERAL SERVICE IN COMBINATION WITH SERVICE BY VARIOUS SERVICE SHOPS. MY RECORDS ARE NOT COMPLETE AND I EXPECT THAT SUBARU WILL TRY TO DENY COVERAGE OF THE TURBO DUE TO THIS. THERE ARE AMPLE REPORTS ON SUBARU FORUMS REPORTING THE SAME FAILURE AND I FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DUE TO OWNER NEGLIGENCE, BUT BY FAULTY DESIGN. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SHOULD SERVICE THE VEHICLE PER THE SERVICE CONTRACT WITHOUT CAUSING UNDUE STRESS TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE BANJO FILTERS SCREEN FAILED AND SENT SHARDS OF METAL THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT IN 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REBUILT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NOT LISTED ON THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, May 1, 2009
WITH 35,600 MILES ON OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT, THE TURBO FAILED. THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS DO TO THE CONDITION OF THE ENGINE OIL WHICH WAS 7 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 5,400 MILES ON IT. ALL 7 OF THE VEHICLES OIL CHANGES WERE DONE WITHIN THE 7,500 MILE INTERVAL SET FORTH IN OWNERS/VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANUAL. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN # 02-103-07 (HTTP://STORE.FORCEDPERFORMANCE.NET/MERCHANT2/GRAPHICS/SUBARU_OIL/02-103-07.PDF -- NOT SENT TO OWNERS), THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE "BANJO BOLT" OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO, WHICH MAKE THIS ENGINE UNABLE TO LIVE UP TO THE SPECIFIED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS IN ITS POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 10, 2008
I TOOK A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP THIS SUMMER FROM LA TO KANSAS CITY, MO. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT BEFORE I LEFT BOTH GOING AND COMING BACK. I LEFT KC TO HEAD BACK TO LA. 3 HOURS OUTSIDE OF KC I SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE UP TO RED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. SMOKE POURED OUT OF MY CAR. I PUT COOLANT AND WATER IN IT 3 TIMES. IT SEEMED FINE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE, THEN THE NEEDLE WOULD GO UP TO RED. I DIDN'T DARE DRIVE IT, SO I CALLED AAA. THEY TOWED ME TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN KS. I WAS TOLD MY HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THEY FIXED THEM. I HAD TO STAY THERE OVERNIGHT. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD ME BEFORE I WAS TO PICK UP THE CAR THAT THEY HAD TAKEN IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND IT BROKE DOWN ON THEM. THIS TIME IT WAS THE TENSIONER TO THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED TIME AND THE BELT HAD SHATTERED INTO. OKAY, THAT WAS ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF STRANDED TO GET THAT FIXED. I FINALLY LEFT TO DRIVE BACK TO LA. THE CAR OVERHEATED ALL THE WAY BACK TO LA. IT WAS THE WORSE TRIP IN MY LIFE. I STOPPED IN CO. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY RADIATOR CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AS LONG AS I KEPT THE RPM'S UP THE CAR WOULD STAY COOL. I HAVE TO SAY WITH ALL THAT GOING ON, THE CAR GOT ME HOME. WHEW! IT WAS A NAIL BITER. WHEN I GOT BACK TO LA THE DEALER THERE TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE NEW HEAD GASKETS. WHAT?! I SAID, I JUST HAD NEW ONES DONE. THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE HEADS WERE WARPED. NO ONE CHECKED. NOW, HERE IS THE CRAZIEST THING. MY CAR HAD ONLY 19,000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN IT BROKE DOWN. 19,000! IT WAS PRACTICALLY STILL A NEW CAR! IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE POWER TRAIN. I HAD THE HEADS PLANED AND NEW GASKETS PUT IN. THE DEALERSHIP IN KS AND LA STARTED POINTING FINGERS AT WHOSE FAULT IT WAS AND MEANWHILE MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE DEALERSHIP, WITH THEM DOING NOTHING TO IT. I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE AT SUBARU CORPORATE WHO HELPED ME OUT. THEN A COUPLE MONTHS GO BY AND MY CAR STARTS STALLING INTERMITTENTLY. LEMON! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Jun 21, 2008
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS TUCKED BACK BEHIND MY LEFT FOOT WHICH WAS RESTING ON THE FOOT REST PAD ON THE FAR LEFT SIDE OF THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING NORMALLY WHEN SUDDENLY IT WENT TO VERY HIGH REVS FOR 4 TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. LATER THE SAME EVENING, AS I SLOWLY ENTERED MY GARAGE AND APPLIED NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE, THE CAR FIRST SLOWED (AS EXPECTED) THEN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED HARD BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE THE ENGINE HAD REVVED AS HIGH AS THE EARLIER INCIDENT AND IT ONLY LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, BUT THERE WAS A DEFINITE, BRIEF SURGE FORWARD AS I ENTERED THE GARAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 12, 2008
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT A COST OF $2,000. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO A BAD TURBO CHARGER TWO MONTHS AGO AT ABOUT $1,800. MANY SUBARU'S HAVE THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM BUT SUBARU HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. THOUSANDS LISTED ON INTERNET HAVING THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Oct 16, 2006, fire
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5XT WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARKING STRUCTURE AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM ON 10/13/2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 8PM THE FIRE ALARM WAS TRIGGERED BY VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT FOUND NO SIGNS OF ARSON OR FOUL PLAY, LOOKED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT CLUSTER. NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU, INSURANCE DROPPED MY POLICY - LOSS NOT COVERED! *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 22, 2006
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR FROM COASTING, SUCH AS WHEN A RED LIGHT HAS JUST TURNED GREEN. I BEGIN TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE JUST ABOUT DIES. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO GET "T-BONED" AT INTERSECTIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF TWO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS AND THEY SAY THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT SUBARU WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 26, 2006, fire
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AND POLICE/FIRE DEPT DETERMINED ARSON UNLIKELY. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2006
CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE 2005 OUTBACK. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED A FEDERAL EMISSIONS EQUIPPED VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED BEFORE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT IT HAD A MANDATED CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE OF POWER. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED SPECIAL FUEL WHICH MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE STATES WHERE HE NEEDS TO DRIVE. *JB UPDATED 04/11/06.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 29, 2005
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK GOT STUCK AFTER INCURRING A MINOR OBSTRUCTION (SEVERAL INCHES OF SNOW IN ONE CASE AND A SOMEWHAT SHARP INCLINE IN ANOTHER CASE) WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH ALTITUDES (10,000 FT TO 11,500 FT). ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST MOST OF ITS POWER AND NO WHEELS WOULD TURN. DESPITE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE NEVER WENT ABOVE 2000 RPMS. FORTUNATELY, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THERE WERE PEOPLE AROUND TO PUSH THE CAR. ONCE THE TIRES WERE TOTALLY FREE OF ANY OBSTRUCTION, NORMAL ENGINE POWER RETURNED AND THE CAR COULD BE DRIVEN. I TOOK THE SUBARU TO MY HOME DEALERSHIP IN OLATHE KS (JACK MILLER) ON JUNE 29, 2005, A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. DEALER SAID HE COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM , SO HE COULD NOT FIX IT. THE INVOICE NOTES: "2000 RPM IS APPOX TORQUE CONVERTER STALL SPEED." FOLLOWING THE SECOND PROBLEM ON JULY 20, I TOOK MY CAR TO JOHN ELWAY SUBARU WEST IN GOLDEN CO. DEALER INVOICE SAYS:" IF TIRES WERE NOT SPINNING, CAR HAD TRACTION AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BUILD BOOST AT ALTITUDE TO PRODUCE POWER." DEALER, HOWEVER, SAID THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE INABILITY TO BUILD BOOST, AND WERE THUS UNABLE TO FIX THE CAR. I FILED A VERBAL COMPLAINT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA ON JULY 27 AND FOLLOWED UP ON JULY 29. AS OF THEN, SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS STILL TRYING TO CONTACT THE DEALER. SUBARU MARKETS ITS CARS AS HAVING SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE IN THE MOUNTAINS, SNOW AND IN DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS. SUBARU ENJOYS A LARGE MARKET SHARE IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS, WHERE BOTH MY "NOT ABLE TO BUILD BOOST" PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN THE CO MOUNTAINS, PARTICULARLY ON MOUNTAIN PASSES OR DIRT ROADS, BECAUSE HELP MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO GET THE CAR RUNNING AGAIN. I DO NOT KNOW IF MY EXPERIENCES ARE ISOLATED OR PART OF A LARGER PROBLEM. IN EITHER CASE, I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT SUBARU HAS BEEN UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO FIX THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *NM