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
230 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2015
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN HEAVY SNOW, SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE DASH LIGHT FLASHED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES MOVED AS IF THE CAR WAS STARTING UP. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE, WOULD NOT CRANK. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WORKED. SAT IN HEAVY SNOW FOR TWO HOURS (NO TOW TRUCKS AVAILABLE UNTIL NEXT DAY). SUDDENLY AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS, IT DID. DROVE IT HOME FINE. STALLED NEXT DAY ON WAY TO REPAIR SHOP. HAD CAR TOWED AND SHOP FOUND ONE CODE, BUT NOTHING ELSE WRONG. DROVE HOME FINE, RAN CAN FOR 45 MINS, FINE. NEXT DAY DROVE FOR 35 MIN TO WORK, FINE BUT LEFT WORK AND IMMEDIATELY STALLED JUST LIKE FEW DAYS BEFORE. TOWED TO SUBARU DEALER AND TOOK A DAY TO FIGURE OUT WAS MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS. REPLACED WITH MINIMAL CHARGE OF $50, EVEN THOUGHT THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FINE SINCE THEN. *TR
Engine, Jan 30, 2015
HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND, ONCE DISASSEMBLED, VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 12, 2015
MELTED DASHBOARD ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I. CAUSING GLARE IN WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY. *TR
Air bags, Jan 2, 2015
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CURED; HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE COST IT HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE PART USED IS THE PRIMARY CULPRIT AND REGRETTABLY HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN SUBARU VEHICLES ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. SUBARU THE MANUFACTURER HAS FAILED TO RESPOND RESPONSIBLY; ERGO, NHTSA ACTION IS NEEDED TO BRING SUBARU TO TASK AND COMPLIANCE TO ENSURE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS ARE PERFORMED FOR SAFE DEPLOYMENT OF ALL SUBARU CABIN AIR BAGS. WHEN WORKING PROPERLY, AIR BAGS SAVE LIVES. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 29, 2014
DASH AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND THIS DISABLES THE AIRBAG. DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT CAN ONLY FIX BY TRIAL AND ERROR REPLACING (EXPENSIVE) COMPONENTS. IT HAPPENS MOST ON COLD WET WEATHER DAYS, OFTEN GOES OFF WHEN CAR WARMED UP, SO PROBABLY ELECTRICAL. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS NOW, STILL HAPPENING AT 105,000 MILES. MANY MANY EXAMPLES ON INTERNET BOARDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 17, 2014
RECENTLY REPLACED HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE ON A RETURN TRIP HOME. THEY TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *TR
Air bags, Dec 5, 2014
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATES DUE TO A FLAWED PART IN THE SYSTEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF SUBARUS AND DISABLES THE AIRBAGS WHILE THE CAR IS IN USE, A VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY DEADLY PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE PART AND ITS REPLACEMENT ARE EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN DOES NOT GET REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. MY FEELING IS THAT SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE WARRANTED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REASONABLE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE FLAWED PART HAS BEEN USED FOR YEARS WITH SUBARU'S FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PART IS FLAWED. *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
Air bags, Nov 20, 2014
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON. LIKELY DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BEHIND THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT! THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMMON PROBLEM AND SUBARU REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 18, 2014
HVAC / RADIO (CD 6 DISC CHANGER MODEL) FAST FLASHING, ALL FUNCTIONS STAY ENABLED BUT CAN NOT BE CONTROLLED FROM THE PANEL. CAN NOT TURN ON DEFROST UNIT OR ADJUST TEMPERATURE OR RADIO CONTROLS WHILE FLASHING OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY FOR A YEAR AND HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE WHERE CONTROLS ARE UNAVAILABLE FOR 20 MINUTES OR MORE AT A TIME. DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WINTER WHEN YOU CAN NOT USE THE DEFROST BUTTONS TO DEICE WINDOWS OR CONTROL WINDOW FOGGING. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 9, 2014
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT MALFUNCTIONING. SOMETIMES CEILING CONSOLE PASSENGER INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE BAG IS OFF (SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN WHEN LESS THAN 25 LBS IN PASSENGER SEAT) AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES DASHBOARD RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE MALFUNCTION WITH BAG AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF LIGHT SHOWS DIMLY AS IF IT'S TRYING TO ILLUMINATE. SEEMS LIKE A WIRING PROBLEM BASED ON INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION BUT DEALER SAID NEEDED NEW $300 PLUS INDICATOR SWITCH BUT THEY WERE SURE AIRBAG WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE ALREADY HAD SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH QUALITY OF WORK DONE BY THIS DEALER SO UNSURE OF WHETHER THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING. WHY NO RECALL FROM SUBARU? I SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Oct 31, 2014
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER IGNITION AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL I REPLACED THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE RECENTLY. PROBLEM SOLVED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM AS IT AFFECTS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR, I.E., THE AIRBAGS. *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
Air bags, Sep 23, 2014
AIRBAG LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHEN LIGHT IS ON VEHICLE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT HANDLED BY SUBARU AS A VOLUNTARY RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 5, 2014
AIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON RENDERING AIRBAGS INOPERABLE. NO CRASH. FAULT IN PART. SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. WHY NO RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Aug 25, 2014
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. I ALSO NOTICED THE LIGHT THAT SHOULD HAVE INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF WAS NOT LIT. THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS RELATED TO FAULTY WIRING IN OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT CONSOLE THAT CONTAINS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATORS. I PURCHASE A NEW LIGHT CONSOLE AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Suspension, Aug 17, 2014
THREE FAILED WHEEL BEARING BY 100K. ONE AT 30K, THE SECOND AT 67K. THE THIRD AT 90K. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AT 90K. AT 103K, THERE IS A HALF INCH OF PLAY IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A JET AIRPLANE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA. IF THIS BEARING FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 14, 2014
AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASHBOARD COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT IN OVERHEAD CONSOLE DOES NOT DISPLAY PROPER INFO. 55000+ HITS IN INTERNET POINT TO BAD SOLDER JOINTS IN OVERHEAD CIRCUIT BOARD. ONCE LOOSE RESISTORS ARE RE-SOLDERED PROBLEM GOES AWAY. DEALERS ARE CHARGING UP TO $500 TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE. THIS PROBLEM OF BAD SOLDER JOINTS GOES OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A SAFETY RELATED RECALL OVER AIRBAG ISSUES WHICH EXPIRE WHEN WARRANTY EXPIRES? THERE SHOULD BE NO EXPIRATION DATE ON SAFETY! *TR
Air bags, Jul 25, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWS TO BE "OFF." I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR AND HAVE AN ELDERLY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN MY CONCERN, I SEARCHED OTHER SITES AND FOUND THAT OTHERS ARE POSTING THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS SITES. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S NOT CLEAR IF THIS MEANS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING. I CHECKED RECALLS AND SEE THAT JULY 4, 2014 A RECALL WAS PUT OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN SUBARU MODELS OF YEARS 2003 AND 2004. FROM THE COMMENTS I'VE READ, PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE 2008 OUTBACK, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR 2008 OUTBACK. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2014
VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS 2 MONTHS AGO WHEN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HOMELINK WOULD ONLY HAVE POWER INTERMITTENTLY. PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO THE REVERSE LIGHTS AND NOW AFFECTS THE HEADLIGHTS. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT NIGHT AS I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT, A DEFINITE HAZARD. HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ON SUBARU ONLINE FORUMS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT INDIVIDUAL WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS HAVE A TENDENCY TO CRACK AND BREAK AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE LIFTGATE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 2 COMPLETELY BROKEN WIRES AND MOST OTHERS WITH BREAKS IN THE INSULATION. OTHER OWNERS DESCRIBE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Air bags, Jul 18, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,400. UPDATED 08/25/14*LJ
Electrical system, Jun 15, 2014
THE RADIO AND HEATER, A/C AND DEFROSTER CONTROLS ARE ALL ONE PIECE IN MY CAR. THE DISPLAY SCREENS ON BOTH GO BLANK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS NOTHING WORKS, MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DEFROSTER WHEN YOU BAD WEATHER WHILE DRIVING. THE OUTPUT TEMPERATURE AND FAN SPEED CANNOT BE CHANGED AND THE DEFROSTER CANNOT BE TURNED ON OR OFF. THE FACTORY RADIO-A/C CONTROL UNIT WENT BAD AND WAS USELESS. SUBARU WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICE PARTS SINCE IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE NEW, ONLY AS A REBUILT UNIT, AND SUBARU HAS NO CORES TO REBUILD NOR DO THEY KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET ONE. I BOUGHT A USED RADIO-A/C UNIT FROM A JUNKYARD AND INSTALLED IT ABOUT A YEAR AGO. NOW THIS UNIT IS STARTING TO GO BAD. I HAVE CONTACTED PANASONIC TO FIND AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY MY RADIO EVEN WITH THE NUMBERS ON THE TAG THAT SAYS MADE BY PANASONIC, SO THEY CANNOT TELL ME WHERE I CAN GET IT REPAIRED. SUBARU HAS BEEN JUST AS USELESS. I CAN LIVE WITHOUT A RADIO, BUT WHEN MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP AT 60 MPH AND I CANNOT TURN THE DEFROSTER ON OR IT'S 20 DEGREES OUT AND I CANNOT TURN THE HEAT ON, THIS BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. I CHECKED A SUBARU OWNERS WEBSITE AND FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH 2005-2008 MODELS SAYING THEY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW AND BESIDES CHANGING THE OIL MYSELF, ALL OTHER REPAIRS ON THE CAR HAVE BEEN DONE BY A SUBARU DEALER. THE DEALER EVEN INSTALLED THE JUNKYARD RADIO. THE LAST CONTACT I HAD WITH THE SUBARU FACTORY, THEY ARE BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON ME USING AN AFTERMARKET RADIO. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER CONFIRMED THRU SERIAL NUMBERS THAT THE RADIO FROM THE JUNKYARD IS THE EXACT SAME RADIO-A/C UNIT THAT CAME IN MY CAR WHEN NEW. SINCE SUBARU NO LONGER USES PANASONIC RADIOS, THEY ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING ANY PRODUCT SUPPORT ON PANASONIC PRODUCTS. SUBARU IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE SERVICE PARTS FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS AND THEY ARE NOT DOING IT. *JS
Suspension, Power train, May 8, 2014
CARPET HAD BAD SPOT UPON PURCHASE, TOLD BY DEALER DEFECT AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THAT SPOT IS NOW A HOLE IN THE CARPET. SEAT MATERIAL IS VERY CHEAP AND LOW QUALITY STARTED TO WEAR BEFORE 1K. THAT TOO HAS LEFT A HOLE IN THE SEAT. AT 37K PASSENGER CV BOOT WENT DUE TO THIN RUBBER BOOT FOLLOWED BY DRIVER BOOT AT 38K. BOOT RUBBER IS EXTREMELY THIN COMPARED TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS. WHEN THEY GO, THEY GO QUICKLY WITHOUT WARNING THE SMELL IS HORRIFIC AND THE STICKY RESIDUE LEFT BEHIND UNDER THE HOOD VISUALLY UNAPPEALING. AS TO THE BOOTS, OUR WEATHER RUBBER CAR MATS ARE THICKER AND CERTAINLY LESS EXPENSIVE! AT 68K CLUTCH WENT; POWER-STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING AND A/C / ALTERNATOR BELTS WERE CRACKED. THIS CAR HAS NEVER MISSED A MAINTENANCE AND HAS BEEN IMMACULATELY CARED FOR SO IMAGINE OUR DISAPPOINTMENT. THE CLUTCH RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS CAR DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE SUBARU REPUTATION OF SAFETY AND QUALITY. I WOULD NOT ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT OF EVERY PURCHASING ANOTHER SUBARU. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 17, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN THE REAR WHEELS WOULD LOSE TRACTION AND START TO FISH TAIL. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT THE GAS APPLIED, WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGED. THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE IN THE BACK. THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED. OTHER VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING WITHOUT ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS GHOST WALKING IN ON LINE BLOGS. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Air bags, Dec 12, 2013
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL CAR AND THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD BE DEFECTIVE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY SUBARU AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS YEAR OUTBACK. THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF AND IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT. *TR