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
273 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 12, 2013
WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT, UNDER NORMAL USAGE, THE VEHICLE'S LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS FAILED. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO A BREAK IN A CONDUCTOR (WIRE) CONTAINED IN A WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTS THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR HATCH THROUGH A RUBBER BELLOWS. ONCE THE BELLOWS WAS RETRACTED, THE BROKEN WIRE WAS FOUND ALONG WITH TWELVE (12) OTHER WIRES THAT WERE ALL NEARLY BROKEN: THEIR INSULATION WAS CRACKED AND SEVERAL WIRES ULTIMATELY BROKE COMPLETELY UPON FURTHER FLEXING. THESE OTHER WIRES FED THE BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, RUNNING LIGHTS, HATCH LOCK, AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS ON THE REAR HATCH. IT APPEARS THAT THE INSULATION ON THIS WIRE DOES NOT HOLD UP IN THIS ENVIRONMENT AND WILL ULTIMATELY FAIL IN THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS. THIS POSES A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLES REAR LIGHTS (TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS, ETC.) CAN FAIL AT ANY MOMENT. *TR
Engine, May 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE AND THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED. THE THIRD ENGINE WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 6/7/2013. 2ND ATTEMPT ON 6/11/2013 FAILED. *KB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 22, 2013
FROM AN INTERSECTION, I SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND UPON COMPLETING THE TURN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND THE PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO QUICKLY TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE GAS PEDAL WHEN PUSHED DOWN ALL THE WAY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND DID NOT MAKE THE REVVING SOUND. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED TO ME SINCE PURCHASING THIS NEW VEHICLE IN 2005. IT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE OFTEN NOW. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 21, 2013
LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE ON EXPRESSWAY WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM ON-RAMP ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE ONCE ON SHOULDER, CAR WAS REVVING AT 3300 RPMS. PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED SWITCH TO OFF. STARTED CAR TO FIND THE THROTTLE STILL REVVING TO 3300 RPMS AND TURNED OFF AGAIN. WAITED 5-MINUTES AND STARTED CAR AGAIN WITH THE THROTTLE AT NORMAL IDLE. DROVE CAR 15-MILES AND THE CRUISE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF. HAPPENED IN RAINY AND COLD WEATHER. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 20, 2013
MY BACK UP LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. FOUND THE WIRES BETWEEN THE LIGHT GATE AND BODY OF CAR WERE BREAKING ONE BY ONE. ALSO MY ANTENNA WIRES WERE BROKEN ON OTHER SIDE SAME LOCATION. WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THIS. WIRES USUALLY DON'T WEAR OUT LIKE THIS I WOULDN'T THINK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 27, 2013
ON APPROXIMATELY 10 OCCASIONS RIGHT AFTER A RAIN WHEN I START UP THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND THE CAR RUNS ROUGHLY WITH LITTLE POWER. AFTER A SHORT TIME THE CAR POWER RETURNS BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ONCE THE LIGHT GOES OUT THE CAR THEN RUNS NORMAL UNTIL THE NEXT RAINSTORM. IT THEN DOES THE SAME ALL OVER. *TR
Engine, Feb 27, 2013
SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5XT. 2005 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & I COULD HEAR WHISTLING OR WHOOSING SOUNDS FROM ENGINE AREA. TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR PLACE SLOWLY,ASAP & THERE IT SITS. HAS 155,000 MILES ON IT & I MAINTAIN & LOVE MY CAR! THE GEARS IN THE TURBO 'BROKE APART' & LEFT SHARDS OF METAL IN OIL PAN & AT THIS TIME WHO KNOWS WHERE ELSE. WAS HOPING THERE WAS A RECALL AS I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES & IT SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER ERROR. *TR
Suspension, Jan 24, 2013
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A SLIGHTLY SNOWY/SLIPPERY ROAD WITH LIGHT SNOW FALLING, IT FELT LIKE THE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS SPINNING OUT AND I WAS HEADING OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH IN ORDER TO STAY IN MY LANE. EVERYONE ELSE WAS FLYING PAST ME. I HAVE SINCE HAD MANY OCCASIONS WHERE THESE SAME CONDITIONS CAUSED THE SAME EFFECTS WITH THE CAR. IT SEEMS TO WORSEN WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS OR ANY EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE CAR. WHEN THE DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM EXIST, I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR, BUT MUST RENT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR BORROW SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR. WE HAVE OWNED OTHER SUBARU OUTBACKS OF 1998 OR EARLIER WITH NO PROBLEMS IN SNOW. NUMEROUS TIMES I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM UP WITH SUBARU CORPORATION OF AMERICA AND MY DEALERSHIP AND EVERYONE DENIES THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I'M TOTALLY FRUSTRATED!! *TR
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2013
WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON 91 TO VERMONT THIS CAR HANDLED GREAT IN SNOW, . ON THE OTHER HAND THE RETURN TRIPS THE ROADS WERE PLOWED PACKED SNOW IT WAS LIKE THE REAR END WAS ON ICE SKATES(OR GHOST WALKING} WHATEVER YOU CALL IT WHEN IT HAPPENS IT WILL SCARE THE [XXX]OUT OF YOU. THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT HAPPENED, I HAD EVERY EXCUSE WHY IT WASN'T THE CAR, I THOUGHT THE STOCK TIRES WERE SHOT, SO I BOUGHT 4 BRAND NEW DUNLOP SNOW TIRES. I HOPED PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED, CAR HANDLED EVEN BETTER IN SNOW SAME ON PACKED SNOW/ICE. THOUGHT MAYBE THE THULE BOX WAS CATCHING WIND, REMOVED THULE BOX. PROBLEM DID NOT GET BETTER. I BEGAN SEARCHING FOR SIMILAR ISSUES ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS MANY SUGGESTIONS THAT STOCK SUSPENSION SUCKED, WHICH I KINDA NEW, SO I REPLACED SUSPENSION WITH SUPPOSEDLEY THE BEST AVAILABLE KYB HOPED THAT AFTER THAT INVESTMENT PROBLEM WOULD BE SOLVED, I WAS WRONG AGAIN. AFTER DEEPER INVESTIGATION ONLINE I LEARNED OF GHOSTWALKING. IF I HAD BOUGHT A CHEVY CAVALIER OR FORD TAURUS OR ANY OTHER PIECE OF CRAP THAT YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT TO HANDLE SAID CONDITIONS IT'S ONE THING BUT FOR A CAR THAT EITHER ENDORES OR IS ENDORSED BY THE US SKI TEAM, SKI PATROL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING UP A STRAIGHT AWAY IT HAD RAINED EARLIER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 I THE LIMIT IS 45 AND THE REAR END SLIPPED OUT AND THE CAR BEGAN GHOSTWALKING. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER IN THIS CAR THAT I HOPED TO ONE DAY GIVE HER. I OWNED A 95 OUTBACK AND HAD NONE OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS HAD REG TIRES. SINCE FINALLY FIGURING THAT I'M NOT CRAZY AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM THAT CAN'T BE FIXED,I WANT TO TRADE IT IN BUT WORRY THAT WHOEVER BUYS IT MIGHT CRASH AND DIE, ICANT VERY WELL GO TRADE IN THIS CAR AND TELL THEM THIS HANDLES GREAT, BEST CAR I EVER OWNED JUST DON'T DRIVE IT ON PACKED SNOW YOU NO THE REASON YOU WANT A SUBARU IN THE FIRST PLACE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Jan 13, 2013
OUR SUBARU STARTED WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS "GHOST WALKING". MILD BUT NOTICEABLY LAST WINTER, SEVERE AND CONSTANT THIS WINTER (2013). ON ICY OR SNOW PACKED ROADS, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END MOVES OR SWAYS BACK AND FORTH. SPEED FROM 25 MPH UP TO 45 MPH. CAN'T GO FASTER DUE TO TERRAIN AND ROADS ANYWAY. *TR
Steering, Jan 10, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DRIVING ON HARD-PACKED SNOW AND/OR ICE/GLAZE ON THE HIGHWAY I HAVE FOUND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT TRAFFIC SPEEDS WITHOUT THE REAR END LOSING GRIP AND SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S VERY WINDY, AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL. EXCEPT THAT IT'S NOT WINDY. THE CAR JUST SEEMS TO LOSE TRACTION IN THE REAR WHEELS. WE'VE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 30 MPH WHILE SEMI-TRUCKS, REGULAR FWD AND EVEN RWD VEHICLES BLEW BY US. I'VE DRIVEN IN THESE WINTRY CONDITIONS FOR 35 YEARS WITHOUT THIS SORT OF ISSUE. I'VE OWNED A 1997 OUTBACK AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS SORT OF ISSUE. BUT THIS 2005 IS SCARY IF THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE JUST RIGHT (WRONG). THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND WHILE I LOVE THE CAR IN MANY OTHER WAYS I WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GET RID OF IT. *TR
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 4, 2013
I AM THE THIRD OWNER SO AFTER MY PROBLEMS, I RESEARCHED TO LEARN THE FIRST OWNER COULDN'T MAINTAIN TIRE LIFE; SUBARU REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND KEPT TRYING REALIGNMENT FOR HER. THE SECOND OWNER INFORMED ME HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN NEW TIRE LIFE, NEVER ACKNOWLEDGING TO ME THAT THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND A HAZARD TO YOUR LIFE. BEING THE THIRD OWNER, I NEVER THOUGHT WHEN I PURCHASED THIS 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT IT COULD BE AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH A COMPANY LIKE SUBARU, NOT IDENTIFIED OR RECALLED. I HAVE LEARNED THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND AFTER RESEARCH ONLINE HAVE LEARNED THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THE RAISED REAR SUSPENSION. I HAVE THE SUBARU RECEIPTS FROM FORMER TWO OWNERS (THEY WERE RELATED) AND OBVIOUSLY SUBARU IS NEGLIGENT IN NOT IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE AND REPORTING IT. TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS HAVE ASSURED ME IT IS NOT BALL JOINTS, OR SUSPENSION, ETC. I SPENT $750 ON THE REAR END AND NEW ALIGNMENT AT THE SPECIALTY SPRING AND SUSPENSION SHOP AND THOSE TIRES SEEM TO BE WEARING EVENLY. THE FRONT TIRES ARE CUPPED ON THE OUTSIDE SEVERELY IN SIX MONTHS. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. *TR
Suspension, Jan 3, 2013
THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS ON ICY ROADS. ON A RECENT TRIP WHEN ENCOUNTERING ICE, THE REAR END WOULD FISHTAIL UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL SPEED WAS REDUCED BELOW 30 MPH. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ALL OTHER CARS WERE STILL DOING SPEED LIMIT (60) WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND WE WERE A HAZARD FISHTAILING AT 30. A TRUCK JACKKNIFED TRYING TO AVOID US. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THE CONDITION IS CALLED GHOST WALKING AND IS WIDELY REPORTED HERE AND ON OTHER WEBSITES. THESE ARE DANGEROUS CARS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Dec 25, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON STRAIGHT, FLAT AND LEVEL ICE-COVERED NORTHERN INDIANA ROAD AT 35 MPH, MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT LTD FISHTAILED (REAR OVER-STEER) REPEATEDLY. THIS FELT AS IF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING QUICKLY PUSHED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. (THIS IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "GHOSTWALKING" AND IS UNMISTAKABLE ONCE EXPERIENCED.) THERE WERE TWO AVERAGE WEIGHT ADULTS IN THE FRONT SEATS AND ONE YOUNG ADULT (135 LBS) IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT TWO YEARS AGO AND DOES NOT EXHIBIT ANY ALIGNMENT-RELATED ISSUES ON DRY PAVEMENT. I.E., DOESN'T PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT, NOR WEAR TIRES UNEVENLY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED IN WINTER WITH BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK WS60 215/55 R17 TIRES WITH APPROX. 75% OF THEIR TREAD REMAINING. (THESE TIRES SHOW NO SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR OR OTHER DEFECTS.) I AM A DRIVER WITH 37 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS DEGREE OF UNPREDICTABLE INSTABILITY IN ANY VEHICLE THAT I'VE DRIVEN ON ICE. THIS VEHICLE GIVES THE OPERATOR THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS VERY SURE-FOOTED IN ANY OTHER CONDITION, LEADING THE OPERATOR TO APPROACH ALL ROAD CONDITIONS WITH A LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE THAT CAN (AND DOES) RESULT IN NEARLY OUT-OF-CONTROL SITUATIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON ICE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2012
DRIVING AT NIGHT. STOPPED TO GET GAS. WENT TO START CAR AND TURN ON LIGHTS. BOTH HEADLIGHTS OUT-JUST LIKE THAT. HAD TO DRIVE HOME ON RUNNING LIGHTS; LUCKILY LESS THAN 5 MILES. HEADLIGHT ISSUES STARTED ABOUT 10K MILES AGO WHERE INDIVIDUAL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT; HAVE REPLACED IND LOW BEAM LIGHTS 4X IN THE LAST 10K MILES. NEVER HAD 2 GO OUT AT ONCE LIKE THIS-AT NIGHT. DID A SEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE SUBARU IS TOO INTERESTED IN RESOLVING WHEN LEFT TO ITS OWN ACCORD. *TR
Suspension, Dec 1, 2012
HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. DRIVEN IT THRU SOME SNOW AND HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS KNOW AS THE "GHOST WALKING ISSUE". THE REAR END TENDS TO WANDER BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING ON SLUSHY SNOW AND ON ICE. ALSO DOES THIS WHEN ONE REAR WHEEL GOES IN A POT HOLE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON AN OFF RAMP. CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED AT THE DEALER AND HAS NEW TIRES AS WELL. THESE THINGS WERE DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT DID NOT. CAR IS ALL STOCK. CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT FOR OUR DAUGHTER TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE AND NOW WE DON'T DARE LET HER DRIVE IT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON SUBARU SITES LIKE SUBARU.ORG THAT I AM SURPRISED NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. WE ARE GETTING RID OF CAR AS SOON AS WE CAN BECAUSE OF THIS MAIN REASON. *TR
Suspension, Nov 12, 2012
I HAVE AN 2005 OUTBACK XT. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS ON PACKED SNOW. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED WINTER DRIVER AND HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE HANDLE THIS "LOOSELY" ON SNOW. ABOVE APPROX 40MPH THE BACK END WANTS TO SNAP AROUND EVEN ON FLAT, STRAIGHT ROADS WITHOUT THE BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT IN 06, I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC IT WAS DUE TO UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. SO AFTER ONLY 15K MILES, I REPLACED THE TIRES AND HAD THE CAR ALIGNED. YEARS LATER, I AM NOW CONVINCED THAT THE "GHOSTWALKING" ISSUE CAUSED THESE OTHER ISSUES AND WAS NOT THE RESULT OF THEM. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE SHOCKS/STRUTS AND USE STUDDED SNOW TIRES IN THE WINTER. THIS HAS HELPED, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME BACK ERRATICALLY. IT ALWAYS OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND NOW IS SOMETIMES EVEN FELT ON WET FREEWAYS. I PERSONALLY KNOW OF THREE OTHER 05 OUTBACK OWNERS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THE "GHOSTWALKING" PROBLEM AT SOME POINT. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 92 LEGACY WAGON AND A 96 IMPREZA AND BOTH WERE OUTSTANDING ON SNOW, EVEN WITHOUT SNOW TIRES. THE 05 OUTBACK HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FURTHER EXAMINED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 12, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY OUTBACK LOST SUDDENLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD BUT DECELERATED TO ABOUT 15 MPH WHICH NEARLY RESULTED IN MY BEING REAR ENDED. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. AFTER DOING THIS THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY EXPECT THE CHECK ENGINE AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS STAYED ON. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, BOTH LIGHTS WENT OFF. SINCE THEN, THIS PROBLEM HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD PEDAL ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR AT SPEED AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *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
Wheels, Oct 24, 2012
LEFT, REAR BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR
Wheels, Oct 24, 2012
LEFT, FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR
Suspension, Wheels, Oct 24, 2012
RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SPLIT AND REPLACED ALONG WITH BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS. *TR
Wheels, Oct 24, 2012
RIGHT, REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR
Wheels, Oct 24, 2012
RIGHT, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 7, 2012
BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN JUNE 2011. WITHIN 5 DAYS OF BUYING IT, WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGHWAY, WITHIN 15 MINS OF DRIVING, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JERKS, WITH A SUDDEN DROP IN SPEED, WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND CRUISE LIGHT STARTING TO BLINK. CAR WOULD NOT SPEED UP NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL TIMES TO SUBARU SERVICE...THEY SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND ATTEMPT TO FIX IT - I PAY THEM AND DRIVE IT BACK HOME AND, THE SAME PROBLEM PERSISTS. I GET THE SAME CODE EACH TIME - P0638. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. REPLACED TIMING BELT. REPLACED THE THROTTLE CONTROL RELAY. ETC. THE MECHANICS SEEM TO TEST DRIVE IT AND FIND NO PROBLEM WITH IT. EVERY TIME THEY SEEM CONFIDENT THAT THEY HAVE FIXED IT. BUT, EVERYTIME I BEGIN TO DRIVE, THE CAR FAULTS AND THE SPEED DROPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS A DANGER TO ANYONE IN THE CAR AND TO PASSENGERS IN OTHER CARS. *TR