2008 Subaru Outback
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 230 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Outback model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 12 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 6 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
Electrical systemOct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Campaign 16V738000 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
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
Representative owner complaints: engine
20 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 24, 2026, fire
Unknown why car sparked & ignited. Car was driven to grocery store 5min away then sat for approx. 2hrs before catching fire.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 16, 2024
Four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in Maine and New Hampshire have had for some 8 weeks my Outback to evaluate, diagnose, and -upon my approval- service. Every one of the four Subaru locations was been unable to resolve a single one of these chronic problems of the Outback's erratic 1) start/no-start, 2) triggered security light and activated alarm, 3) dashboard battery and brake icons lighting/pulsing, 4) error code 55 (or SS) and 5) car headlights pulsing. The above problems compound with the issues Subaru's service teams have failed to resolve since early days of new car ownership (despite repeated repair) for 1) brakes regularly making noise, 2) radio randomly changing volume or shutting off, and 3) back tail light not working. Note: During the first two years of ownership, Subaru's service stated it "could not replicate" the problem with the brakes I'd reported within weeks of purchasing the new car. But a few weeks out of warranty, the same Subaru service location stated "I need whole new brakes" and quoted some $1,800 in repairs. A few months later, Subaru issued its first admission to the defective brake system. These four Subaru dealership licensed service centers in part or full 1) held my car at least 2x - 4x longer than quoted, while upselling me on the loaner model, then missing several by which they'd a written diagnostic report , 2) refused diagnostic report and when sought provided scant or impractical information, 3) demanded under threat of rental fees if loaner was not retuned within a couple of hours .... during a business day (including at distant locations too far to reach by deadline), and 5) sought many hundreds of dollars in payment for undisclosed and unapproved work without ever diagnosing issue, which they demanded in conjunction with the rental fees ginned up by dragging out and then failing to do the diagnostic work. Subaru USA added years of delay and refuses to honor manufacturer's or licensee-issued warranties.
Air bags, Engine, Apr 29, 2020
THE TIMING BELT FAILED PREMATURELY. IT HAD BEEN REPLACED AT 70K MILES AND FAILED AT 140K MILES ON THE SECOND BELT WHICH ONLY HAD 70K MILES ON IT VERSUS THE MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDED 100K MILES REPLACEMENT INTERVAL. THIS HAPPENED DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER AND ONLY HAD 5 SECONDS TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE HAS AN AIRBAG RECALL FOR THE SECOND TIME, CITING DEATH DUE TO METAL PROJECTILE AND I AM HAVING A VERY HARD TIME HAVING THAT REPLACED AS THE CAR IS NOW BEING DRIVEN IN CANADA AND SUBARU DEALERS IN CANADA WON'T HONOR THE REQUIRED RECALL.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2018
CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ALONG WITH TRACTION LIGHT ON, CRUISE LIGHT ON. CAN'T SHUT ANY OFF. CAR ACTUALLY GETS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH DRIVERS SIDE NEAR FENDER HEADLIGHT. COULD START ON FIRE! DANGEROUS! THINK THERE IS A RECALL ON FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR, ONLY IF TURBO? REDICULOUS! SHOULD BE ALL NOT JUST TURBO MODEL! ALSO HAD TO REPLACE HEAD COVER GASKET AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES WITH THAT 5/17/2017 108,900 MILES. THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL ALSO.
Engine, Dec 4, 2017
TRANSMISSION FAILED, ON THE ROAD, PROBLEM SHIFTING, I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL. I COULD FIND THE PLACE TO ENTER THAT INFO. I AM NOT A MACHANIC!
Engine, Aug 19, 2017
VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERE OIL LEAKING FOR 4 YEARS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME OF HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, BUT ONLY OFFERED REPAIR AT FULL SHOP RATE PRICES. I SEE THIS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
Air bags, Engine, Aug 11, 2017
TAKATA RECALL-- SUBARU "REPAIR" OF DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS DANGEROUS. WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES REGULARLY. SUBARU REFUSES TO FIX. ----NOTE SUBARU ALSO REFUSED TO REPAIR LONG REPORTED ISSUES WITH BRAKES, AIR BAG, WINDSHIELD. THEY SOUGHT $$THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR BILLINGS. ALL THREE OF THESE LATER SUBJECT OF RECALLS. SUBARU REPORTED OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO GASKET LEAKAGE, CONCERN FOR CAT CONVERTER AS POTENTIAL REPAIR BILLING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FOURTH POTENTIAL SUBJECT OF RECALL NOW. ----- WHAT MORE HAS TO BE DEFECTIVE ON ONE CAR BEFORE ENTIRE CAR RECALLED?!
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 20, 2017
I WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF, BECAUSE OF A MINOR PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY. HAD THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME BEEN ANY CLOSER I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. IT TURNS OUT THAT SUBARU HAS PROGRAMED THEIR VEHICLES TO DO THIS. WHY WOULD ANYONE PROGRAM A CAR TO HAVE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OVER SUCH A MINOR ISSUE.RECALLS FOR "KEYS TURNING OFF" HAVE HAPPENED, AND THE MANUFACTURERS KNEW ABOUT IT. SUBARU KNOWS THIS HAPPENS AND I HOPE THERE WILL BE A RECALL TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HOPE THIS IS BOUGHT TO THE HIGHEST OFFICIALS AT NHTSA AND IS ADDRESS PROPERLY. I HOPE NO ONE GETS KILLED BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED.
Engine, Nov 8, 2016, crash
MY CAR HAS HAD CYLINDER MISFIRES FOR OVER A YEAR. SUBARU HAS TOLD ME IT IS "NOT THEIR PROBLEM" AND THEY HAVE CHARGED ME OVER $2,000 FOR THE VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY JUST "FIXED" IT LAST WEEK AND WITHIN 1 DAY, ALL MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON, AND WITHIN 3 DAYS IT IS MISFIRING AGAIN. THEY DO NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR PROPERLY SERVICE MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENGINE RECALL PROBLEM THEY ARE AVOIDING FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. I DO NOT WANT THIS DANGEROUS CAR.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Aug 31, 2016
ALL OF BELOW: SINCE EARLY ORIGINAL OWNERSHIP, FOR YEARS SUBARU DISMISSED REPEATED REPORTING OF (MOVING, STATIONARY, ALL ROADS): TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION. ONLY AFTER NATIONAL AIRBAG RECALL DID SUBARU RECOGNIZE CONCERN AND ADDRESS. SUBARU RECENTLY HAS SERVICED AIRBAG TWICE. BOTH TIMES, SHORTLY AFTER SERVICE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED: AIRBAG, CRUISE, CHECK ENGINE. ALSO, ERRATIC CRUISE FUNCTION AND ENGINE CLICKING NOISE (MOVING, ALL ROADS) RESULTED. FOR NUMEROUS WEEKS, SUBARU HAS BEEN REFUSING TO FIX LETHAL AIRBAG/S AND REMEDY DAMAGE/CONCERNS RESULTING FROM AIRBAG SERVICE. SUBARU SEEKS PAYMENT FOR DIAGNOSIS (AND PRESUMABLY, SUBSEQUENT SERVICE) OF AIRBAG AND RELATED DAMAGE/CONCERNS AND A WRITTEN WAIVER FOR THIS SERVICE AND ANY FUTURE SERVICE NEEDS AS CONDITION OF SERVICE. BRAKES RUSTING, SQUEALING, SPONGINESS. WEEKS BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED SUBARU DISMISSED ISSUES. WEEKS AFTER WARRANTY, (AT SOME 25K MILES) SUBARU SOUGHT TO SELL SOME $1900 IN NEW BRAKES OR NEW CAR. SUBARU RELENTED MONTHS LATER, ADDRESSING CONCERN. THEREAFTER, FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL BRAKES RECALL, SUBARU REPORTED NO SERVICE NEEDED ON SECOND FULL SET OF BRAKES. THIS MONTH REPLACED 4 ROTORS (AND PADS)'THIS IS THE THIRD TIME 4 ROTORS INSTALLED ON ORIGINAL-OWNERSHIP CAR WITH SOME 65K MILES. ENGINE'S LOUD RATTLING, GURGLING. SUBARU EVENTUALLY ADMITTED AND SERVICED HEATSHIELD DEFECT. SUBARU HAS STATED REPEATEDLY HEATSHIELD ISSUE CAN'T BE RESOLVED. AFTER THREE SERVICES, SUBARU REPORTED RELATED ENGINE DAMAGE: OIL LEAK AND CATALYTIC. CHRONIC HEATSHIELD AND RELATED DAMAGE/CONCERNS ONGOING. WINDSHIELD INTERIOR POOLING WATER AND ICING (NEEDING SCRAPING OFF DESPITE WINTER-PACKAGE WINDSHIELD HEATING), AS WELL AS EXTERIOR WINDSHIELD SEAL SLIDING FREELY. ONLY AFTER SHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED DID SUBARU RECOGNIZE ISSUES AND ADDRESS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Traction control system, Engine, Aug 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE, AND OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2015
2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURERS CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEFECT RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP READ THE CODES AND EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING. THE CONSUMER LEARNED SUBARU HAD ISSUED A SELECTIVE RECALL, ONLY HONORED IN CERTAIN STATES, ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH A REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HOWEVER, SHE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Engine, May 9, 2015
ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, BUT 74K MILES IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM TO OCCUR. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST.
Engine, Jan 30, 2015
HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND, ONCE DISASSEMBLED, VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 21, 2014
IN JULY FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF OUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER I WROTE TO SUBARU TO INQUIRE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE REPLACEMENT COST WAS $728.08. APPARENTLY ONLY SEVEN STATES ISSUED A MANDATORY RECALL. VIRGINIA ISN'T ONE OF THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RELIGIOUSLY MAINTAINED, ALL SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTATION. AT 97,600 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WEARING OUT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PART ITSELF. REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN OUR FUTURE DECISION OF WHICH BRAND CAR TO BUY. IT'S KNOWN IN MARKETING IT COSTS A LOT LESS TO KEEP A CUSTOMER THAN TO GAIN A NEW ONE. *TR
Engine, Oct 15, 2014
BLOWN HEAD GASKET, DAMAGE OCCURRED OVER MANY YEARS WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS BEING SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE SUBARU DEALER. NO NOTIFICATION OF THIS DAMAGE WAS GIVEN TO ME UNTIL THE CAR WAS JUST OUTSIDE OF ITS WARRANTY. PREVIOUSLY SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IF THAT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 21, 2013
VEHICLE OVERHEATED, DROVE TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION. RADIATOR FLUSHED AND TESTED FOR LEAKS, NONE FOUND. NO OTHER DETERMINATION MADE. CAR OVERHEATING, SLOW COOLANT LOSS. SUBARU DIAGNOSED MAJOR HEAD GASKET FAILURE PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO 73000 MILES, BUT BEYOND POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. SUBARU HQ DECLINED TO HELP WITH COST CONSIDERING THE SERVICE TECH MGR STATED A 2008 MODEL CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS FAILURE. PREVIOUSLY OWNED 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH SIMILAR GASKET FAILURE SOME TIME AFTER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED. COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 12, 2012
VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING BIT ROUGH WHILE IDLING AT INTERSECTION; UPON ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHER INSTRUMENT LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND CAR STALLED. RESTARTED NORMALLY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2011
MY CAR ENGINE STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN A SIGNAL, WHILE WAITING ON THE RED LIGHT AND WHILE STOPING AND IDLING AT THE PARKING LOT. WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH LIGHTS UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES LOCKED. THIS ENGINE STALLING ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. SOME TIMES EVERY DAY IN A WEEK, 2 DAYS IN A WEEK OR 3 DAYS IN A WEEK. SOME TIMES THE ENGINE STALLS MORE THAN 10 TIMES IN A DAY. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, I TOOK MY CAR TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME, I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER SHIP OVERNIGHT TO SEE IF DEALER CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. DEALER TOLD ME HE COULDN'T RECREATE THE ISSUE. SECOND TIME, DEALER FOUND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND USED THE DIAGONSTIC TOOL TO FIND OUT THAT MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR IS BAD AND REPLACED IT. BUT THIS DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THIRD TIME I CONTACT SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE ASKED ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND LEFT IT THERE FOR 2 DAYS. ON THE THIRD DAY, DEALER SAID THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND REPLACED THE BATTERY AND SAID HE COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE THIRD DAY, WITHIN FEW HOURS MY CAR ENGINE AGAIN STALLED. THIS TIME I TOOK THE VIDEO OF THE ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND I WAS TOLD THAT DEALER CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE UNLESS HE CAN RECREATE THE ISSUE. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 3 TIMES, SPENT MORE THAN $1000 FOR PARTS, LABOR AND CAR RENTAL AND STILL THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. ACTUALLY IT IS GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2010
THE PROBLEM IS THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSING POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAS OCCURRED OVER 6 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, 4 TIMES IN THIS LAST WEEK. THE MOST RECENT ON 4/30/10 THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH. NO WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. FIRST TIME WAS WHEN ACCELERATING UP AN ON RAMP AND SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON OTHER INCLINED RAMPS, THEN LEAVING A STREET TO ENTER A HWY 4/28/10, ANOTHER AT A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SHUDDERED 4/29/10, SAME DAY TRAVELING AT 60 MPH LOST POWER FOR A BRIEF MOMENT THEN RESUMED, THESE TWO INCIDENTS WERE WITHIN 5 MINUTES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND SERVICED TO HAVE THEM LOCATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION AS YET. *TR