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: power train
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, May 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, IT ROLLED AWAY. THE CONTACT JUMPED BACK INTO THE VEHICLE TO STOP IT FROM ROLLING. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Dec 25, 2015
MY 2005 OUTBACK IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE, I HAVE DISCOVERED PEOPLE USE THE TERM "GHOST WALKING" TO DESCRIBE THE ISSUE. AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR SLICK SPOT ON THE ROAD, THE DRIVER MOMENTARILY LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BACK END SWAYS SIDE TO SIDE AND THE CAR CAN JUMP SEVERAL FEET TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES BUT IT WAS DRASTICALLY WORSE TODAY. DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, DRY STRETCH OF INTERSTATE, I DROVE OVER AN ICY PATCH UNDER A BRIDGE. MY VEHICLE JUMPED TO THE LEFT SEVERAL FEET AND INTO THE OTHER LANE. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR NEXT TO ME, THERE MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AS I HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS DRIVING OVER LARGE BUMPS. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THERE IS CARGO IN THE BACK AND ON ICY OR BUMPY ROADS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS OUTBACKS MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE BEHAVIOR AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DO NOT INTEND TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE MUCH LONGER AND I WOULD HESITATE TO BUY ANOTHER OUTBACK FOR FEAR OF A SIMILAR ISSUE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 17, 2014
MY SUBARU (AND OTHERS '05-'09) HAVE SERIOUS COMPUTER ISSUES CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I GOT THE CAR SPECIAL EDITION OF CONSUMER REPORTS AND THE ARTICLE BELOW IS NO JOKE. SUBARU OUTBACK '05-'09 HAVE GOTTEN TERRIBLE REVIEWS FOR THE FOLLOWING: MAJOR ENGINE ISSUE AND DRIVE ISSUES AND MORE. THE DEALER AND HEADQUARTERS WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE MAY BE A SERIOUS NEED FOR A RECALL. WHEN DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY, THE CAR WILL STALL OUT THE NEXT DAY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR RAN BUT THEN STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD EVENTUALLY AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME $200 FOR DIAGNOSIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE I NEED TO GET A NEW BATTERY ($225 AT SUBARU WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD AND $119 AT FIRESTONE), HOWEVER, FIRESTONE DOES NOT HAVE THE MEMORY STICK SUBARU DOES AND I RUN A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AFTER THE WORK IS DONE AT A NON SUBARU DEALERSHIP. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR HEADQUARTERS WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ARTICLE THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS TOO. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD HERE IS AN ARTICLE WHICH DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED AND SUBARU MUST BE WAITING FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I AM NOT WILLING TO PUT MY LIFE ON THE LINE ANYMORE BY DRIVING THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. THIS ARTICLE PROVIDES EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON. HTTP://WWW.COMPUTERWORLD.COM/ARTICLE/2467230/ENTERPRISE-APPLICATIONS/PLEASE-DON-T-REBOOT-THE-SUBARU.HTML SUBARU HQ LOST THE EMAIL TWICE AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. AUSTIN SUBARU AND SUBARU HEADQUARTERS ACTED LIKE THEY REMEDIED THE SITUATION BY CLEANING A DIFFERENT PART. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Jun 28, 2013
I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY POWER TRAIN SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. I HAVE DONE BOTH CV AXLES TWICE. THE LAST TIME THE CONTROL ARMS HAD TO BE REPLACED. BALL JOINTS HAVE BEEN TWICE. THE SHOP I TOOK MY CAR TO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN THIS SAME ISSUE IN 4 OTHER SUBARU'S OF THE SAME YEAR. DURING REPAIR MY DRIVE KNUCKLES BROKE. I HAVE SPEND THOUSAND ON JUST MY POWER TRAIN. BETWEEN SUBARU DEALERSHIP, BURT BROTHER, AND PREMIER AUTO, I WANT TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AND ASK YOU TO LOOK INTO THESE ISSUE. ALL OF THESE COMPANIES HAVE ADVISED ME TO PLACE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Nov 8, 2012
THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST SNOWS OF THE WINTER AND I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK DOWN DETROIT FREEWAYS TO METRO AIRPORT TO PICKUP MY SON. I HAD MY WIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND MY YOUNGEST SON IN THE REAR SEAT. AS THE SNOW BEGAN TO FALL I FELT THE CAR LURCH BACK AND FORTH AS IF I WERE DRIVING THROUGH ICY OR SNOWY RUTS. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER (50 YEARS OLD) AND HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS EXCEPT DURING AN ICE STORM, ETC. I THOUGHT THE ROAD MUST HAVE HAD "BLACK ICE" UNDER THE SNOW AS MY CAR WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE. I SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30MPH AND, TO MY SURPRISE, SAW TWO WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS, ETC. PASSING ME AT 10 - 20MPH FASTER THAN I WAS GOING... EVERYONE WAS PASSING OUR CAR AS I WHEN I TRIED TO MATCH THEIR SPEED IT SEEMED THAT I WAS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL WITH THE REAR END HAVING A MIND OF ITS OWN SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH. IN THE MONTHS THAT FOLLOWED, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE THREADS CALLING THIS PHENOMENON "GHOSTWALKING". I HOPE THAT NHTSA DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO GET HURT OR KILLED THINKING THAT THIS CAR IS A GREAT SNOW CAR (FROM A GROUND CLEARANCE AND AWD STANDPOINT) AND FINDING OUT THE HARD WAY THAT IT IS NOT. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IT IS WORSE WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS LOADED DOWN WITH MORE PASSENGERS, AS IT WAS IN THIS INSTANCE, THAN WHEN IT IS JUST THE DRIVER AND NO CARGO IN THE HATCH AREA. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Aug 25, 2012, crash
2005 SUBARU IS OUR FAMILY HAS HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT AXLES AS ONE BROKE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HE AS NOT HURT, BUT THE CAR WAS ONLY STOPPED AFTER I PLOWED UP SN OPEN FIELD. SINCE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY WE FOOTED A $1,200 BIL. THEN WEEKS LATER THE AXLE ON MY 2004 BROKE AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THAT REPAIR ALSO NOT UNDER WARRANTY COST ANOTHER 1,200 DOLLARS. WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND ON BOTH VEHICLES AND THE ECM REPLACED ON BOTH CARS THIS YEAR. THESE VEHICLES HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED CONVERTER PROBLEMS AND CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED BY SUBARU ONLY AFTER I KEPT UP A RUNNING BATTLE AND INSISTED THAT THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 29, 2011
INTERMITTENT THROTTLE DISABLED. CAR BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN BUT GAS PEDAL HAS NO RESPONSE. *KB
Suspension, Power train, Traction control system, Sep 1, 2010
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS AT ALL. THE TERM 'GHOST WALKING' IS BEING USED FOR THIS AND IS VERY ACCURATE. I DO NOT FEEL SECURE DRIVING IN ANY SNOWY CONDITIONS IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAD A 1995 SUBARU BEFORE THIS THAT WAS ROCK STEADY IN SNOW, THIS CAR IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE. TIRE CHANGES DO NOT SOLVE PROBLEM NOR DOES ALIGNMENT TO OEM SPECS. HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Apr 9, 2010
WE HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT SWAYS IN THE REAR OF CAR UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS 1. OVER BUMPS THE REAR WILL SWING TO THE RIGHT AND DIP. WHEN ROADS ARE SLICK IT WILL ALMOST SPIN THE VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE IN A LEFT HAND CURVE, EVEN AT LOW SPEED, THE CONDITION IS EXAGGERATED MORE THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT SORT OF LIKE IT WAS PUSHED IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL INERTIA YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE. 2. REAR END TRACTION BECOMES UNSTABLE UNDER ICY CONDITIONS WHERE IT APPEARS THAT TOO MUCH POWER IS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE REAR OF THE DRIVELINE THEN OSCILLATING TO EACH INDIVIDUAL REAR WHEEL. IN MY OPINION 100% OF THE VEHICLES POWER CONCENTRATED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALTERNATELY DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS AND KIND OF GETS STUCK IN THIS MODE. *TR
Power train, Mar 20, 2009
PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. RESULTED IN LOUD HUMMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Jan 19, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THIS WEEKEND, ON HARD PACKED ICE ROADS, THE BACK WHEELS WOULD "FLOAT", SWAY OUT FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY IN BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. I WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH SLOWER THAN THE REST OF TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND THUS CREATING AN ADDITIONAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLES THAT COULD HANDLE THE CONDITIONS. THE BELOW EMAIL THREAD IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST AND OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEW TIRES AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS RECENTLY VERIFIED. THANKS, CALE STREETER HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=11267&PERPAGE=20&PAGENUMBER=32. *TR
Power train, Dec 12, 2008
BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARING HUBS WENT BAD BETWEEN 55K AND 58K MILES. THEY WERE FIXED WITH A REPLACEMENT PART. THEY CAUSED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Power train, Jan 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. INTERMITTENTLY, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL IN SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-45 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Power train, Jan 15, 2007
I OWN A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WAGON. AT 44000 MILES (26 MONTHS) THE REAR WHEELS WERE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED OR THEY WOULD HAVE SOON FAILED. *NM
Power train, Nov 29, 2006
2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LEGACY STATION WAGON THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (REAR) MALFUNCTIONS UNDER WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. IT BEGINS A RHYTHMIC TRANSFER OF POWER BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES TRACTION AND THEN SPINS OUT... THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THEY HAVE PERFORMED ALIGNMENTS BUT INDICATE THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE COMPLAINT... SO, THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY REPAIR MADE TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUS FAULT. THE REPAIR WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT (LSD)... BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY... WE HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE COMPLAINT... WE HAVE REPLACED THE ORIGINAL "POTENZA" TIRES WITH AN AGGRESSIVE ALL WEATHER TIRE HOPING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM... SUBARU WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ON THIS 2005 OUTBACK! WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. THANKS! *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, 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