1996 Subaru Legacy

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Risk. DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.

Risk. IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.

Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.

Risk. SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED DUE TO THE VEHICLE BECOMING OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 255,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HIS BUMPER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS AND THE WINDSHIELD REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 96 SUBARU LEGACY THE OTHER DAY TO THE STORE WHEN SHE WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT HER CAR WAS ON FIRE. LUCKILY THEY HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. BEECHMONT SUBARU SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER SAW A REAR DIFFERENTIAL CATCH ON FIRE. I WANTED TO MAKE SUBARU AWARE AND MAYBE GET SOME HELP ON THIS REPAIR. MAKING SURE IT DONE CORRECTLY. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING PHONE CALL FROM MY DAUGHTER. THIS WEB SITE WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO ENTER THE VIN. [XXX]. I WILL EDIT THE VIN TILL THE SITE ACCEPTS MY COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

1996 SUBURU LEGACY SHUTS DOWN ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. PURCHASED IN UTAH DROVE TO DENVER AREA. WENT TO DMV TO REGISTER THEN CAR QUIT. RESTS A WHILE THEN STARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE TO THE WIRES INSIDE THE FUEL TANK BEING BURNT BECAUSE THE INTERNAL CONNECTOR HAD LOOSE TERMINALS. THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE FILLING THE GAS TANK THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GAS FORMING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FILLER PIPE RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED THIN HOLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED AND A PUDDLE BEGAN TO FORM ON THE GROUND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 9/5/2006 - *NM

MY 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK EXPERIENCED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 6/14/2005. WHILE DRIVING DOWN OUR LOCAL HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE THEY REFUSED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT REPAIRS. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO INDICATE A 55 MPH CRASH. *NM *NM

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT THE REAR OF THE GARAGE AND DID DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005 - *NM

DT: THE CALLER SAYS HIS GAS GAUGE WILL SHOW EMPTY WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO HALF A TANK. HE STATES THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A MONTH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK THE CONSUMER DID CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *JB

STONE GAURD PROTECTING FUEL FILLER PIPE CAUSED DIRT TO BE TRAPPED BLOCKING DRAIN AND WATER TO ACCUMULATE AGAINST FILLER PIPE. RUSTED FILLER PIPE CAUSING LEAKING.

REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT REGARDING THE REPAIR OF THE 1996 SUBARU LEGACY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SPRING.*MR DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SPRING ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME. WHEN THE ORIGINAL SPRING FAILED THE FIRST TIME, IT CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE TIRE AND THE SPARE TIRE. THE IGNITION WIRE WERE WORN, THE HEADLIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED. *JB

DT: THE FILLER PIPE ON FUEL TANK ROTTED OUT AND LEAKED FUEL ALL OVER THE PLACE. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT AND NO RECALL WAS NOTED.

TODAY, 06/17/05, DURING A ROUTINE NYS SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT OF MY 1996 SUBARU LEGACY FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME. IN 1999 THE ORIGINAL SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH THE TIRE AND THE SPARE. AT THAT TIME THE SPRING WAS REPALCED.I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THIS UNUSUAL FAILURE BUT THEY DID NOTHING. IN 2001 I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM SUBARU BECAUSE OF SPRING FAILURES. AS INSTRUCTED, I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE WAS FITTED WITH SAFETY DEVICES TO PREVENT ANOTHER FAILURE. I ASSUMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED AND THE CAR WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. EVENTUALLY I WAS REIMBURSED FOR MY REPAIR EXPENSES. TODAY I CONTACTED SUBARU CONSUMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN I LEARNED THAT THE REPLACEMENT SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT SUBARU HAD MET ITS RECALL OBLIGATIONS AND WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT END REPLACEMENT SPRING. SUBARU HAS NOT SOLVED MY PROBLEM AND I WILL BE REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR A SECOND TIME.

THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY MOVING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS TO BURN UP. *SC

WHILE DRIVING THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY ENGINE STALLING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION , WHO INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. AN ALTERNATOR RECALL 00I002000 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

MY DAUGHTER SPUN HER 1996 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON WHILE TRYING TO MISS A DEER AT ABOUT 45 MPH. SHE HIT A TREE GOING BACKWARDS. IN THE COLLISION THE SEAT BACK BROKE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT. THIS CAUSED HER TO HIT HER HEAD AND NECK AND SHE SUFFERED A BROKEN NECK. THE SEAT BACK SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN IN A REAR END COLLISION. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD SHAPE AND ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN, SHATTERING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

1996 SUBARU LEGACY, BRIGHTON MODEL SW 65,000 MILES I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. I HAVE HAD PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THIS LAST TIME ONE PLUG WIRE AND PLUG WAS BAD. THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING WAS WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH SPEEDS THERE WAS A MISS OR HESITATION IN THE ENGINE AS WELL AS THE A SHAKING. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS ALSO HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD OR WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. MY LOCAL DEALER FINALLY BELIEVES IT IS A BAD VALVE GUIDE. HE DROPPED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD SEE ONE OF THE GUIDES HAVING DOWN FROM THERE. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS FIXED YET, I JUST FOUND THIS OUT 1-2-04. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL LEGACY'S WHICH WERE MADE IN 1995 AND 1996 THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO SEEN A COMPLAINT WHICH WAS FILED AT THIS WEB SITE REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM IT IS ODI ID NO. 732588. THIS IS A COSTLY PROBLEM AND FEEL SUBARU SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES. I AM HOPING TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. I ALSO FEEL DEALERSHIPS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM WHEN PLUGS BEGIN TO FOWL OUT LIKE MINE HAS DONE SEVERAL TIMES NOW. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THIS GOES. JD *LA

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, DRIVER LOST POWER STEERING, AND ENGINE DIED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH SOME OTHER COMPONENTS. *AK

CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO FOR RECALL 01V216000 REPAIRS REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 7/11/2003, AND THE DEALER STATED NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FURTHER ASSIST THEM. *AK *SCC *NLM

1996 SUBARU LEGACY - AUTO TRANS. CAR BINDS ON SLOW TURNS. SUBARU TECH. STATES THAT VEHICLE NEEDS ABOUT $1000 IN REPAIR TO THE AWD SYSTEM, THIS INCLUDES TRANSFER CLUTCHES, HOUSING, ETC. ONLY 44,000 MILES ON VEHICLE! TECH STATED THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSIST IN REPAIRS. I PURCHASD THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AWD AND THIS IS THE SYSTEM THAT IS FAILING! SINCE AWD IS THE BENCHMARK OF SUBARU, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK

I HAVE A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY L WITH AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE MISS WITH A P0304 (MISS IN CYLINDER 4) CODE. MOST OF THE TIME IT RUNS FINE BUT WHEN IT MISSES, IT IS VERY VIOLENT. IT SEEMS TO RESONATE. CHANGING SPEED USUALLY MAKES IT GO AWAY. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED, IT ONLY OCCURRED ONCE A MONTH. OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND AFTER SEVERAL MECHANICS VISITS, IT NOW OCCURS NEARLY EVERY TRIP.I HAVE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS (YES NGK), SPARK PLUG WIRES (SUBARU ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT), GAS FILTER, AIR FILTER, COIL, PCV VALVE, KNOCK SENSOR, CAM AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. THE INJECTORS HAVE BEEN SWAPPED BETWEEN CYLINDERS. I HAVE BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TWICE. ON THE SECOND TRIP HE GAVE UP AND ADVISED I GO TO A SUBARU DEALER. AFTER TWO VISITS TO THE SUBARU DEALER, I'VE SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED ADDITIONAL DOLLARS AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED PLUGS, KNOCK, CAM, AND CRANKSHAFT SENSORS.DOESN'T SUBARU HAVE DIAGNOSTICS TO IDENTIFY WHAT THIS PROBLEM IS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THEY COULD IDENTIFY WHAT IS WRONG INSTEAD OF JUST REPLACING HIGHLY SUSPECT PARTS. THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE DOING ANY BETTER THAN I HAVE DONE ON MY OWN.*AK I'VE SEEN OTHERS POST PROBLEMS HERE AND AT EDMUNDS WITH DRIVEABILITY ISSUES. I'VE NEVER SEEN A POSTING THAT INDICATED IT WAS ACTUALLY SOLVED. SURELY SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS A FIX. IT HAS GONE FROM AN ANNOYANCE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? ARE SOME SUBARUS JUST LEMONS?

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE LURCHES FOWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.**AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH THROUGH THE SNOW VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN THE SNOW. VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, BUT DIDN'T PERFORM LIKE IT.*AK

AFTER A PROLONGED PERIOD OF SMELLING BURNING OIL, A MECHANIC FOUND DEFECTIVE SEALS ON THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY AND ELSEWHERE. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE DETAILS ARE ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINT ODI ID#855347. IN TWO CASES, THIS HAS RESULTED IN FOULED TIMING BELTS, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN THE LAST CASE -- MARCH '03 AT 90,000 MILES -- THE VALVE COVER GASKETS FAILED AS WELL. PLAINLY THE SEALS, THEIR DESIGN, OR THE GEOMETRY OF THE ENGINE FITTING ITSELF IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

SUBARU 1996 ENGINE DEFECT IN WHICH EXHAUST VALVE GUIDES PREMATURELY FAIL AROUND 70-90000 MILES, FALLING INTO THE ENGINE AREA AND CAUSING MISFIRING AND OTHER ENGINE DAMAGE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD AND STATED THAT IT WAS RECALLED FOR LEGACY MODELS BUT NOT GT LEGACY MODELS. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING TIRE TREAD IS STARTING TO SEPARATE ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. IT COULD CAUSE A FUTURE BLOW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE THE SIZE AND DOT#.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE STALLED, LOST ALL POWER.BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING FROM BATTERY CAP. ALTERNATOR FAILED WHICH MELTED FUSE BOX. BATTERY LOST ALL CHARGING CAPACITY. DEALER CONTACTED. OVER A $1000.00 IN REPAIRS. *AK *CB

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CAR WAS PARKED, WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND IN GEAR ON A HILL. OWNER HEARD A SHARP METALLIC NOISE AFTER CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 10 MIN. AND SAW CAR BEGIN ROLLING DOWNHILL FROM THE PARKED POSITION, PICKED UP SPEED AND CRASHED. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN THE CRASH WAS OVER IT WAS FOUND WITH E-BRAKE DISENGAGED AND STILL IN GEAR. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**764464

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND FORCE INTO THE BACK OF A PICK UP AND NEITHER BAG BAGS DEPLOYED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER DASHBOARD. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS BURNED; 90 PERCENT OF DASHLIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, COMPUTERS, ETC, WAS AFFECTED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ALTERNATOR SURGED BURNING OUT ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE BATTERY, RADIO, FUSE BOX, ALL BULBS IN THE DASH, BURNED OUT ABS AND TRANSMISSION COMPUTERS, SPEEDOMETER, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, KEYLESS ENTRY, TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND HEATER CONTROL. *SLC

CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER WARM. TOOK 6 TIMES TO GET IT CORRECTED. ALSO, HAS HAD THREE OIL LEAKS IN 6 YEARS. *AK

WHEN THE REAR CLUTCH PACK FAILS THE REAR OF CAR BINDS AND ON SLIPPERY ROADS THE CAR'S BACK END WILL LOCK UP UPON LETTING OFF THE GAS. THE REAR END SWINGS AROUND AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS DONE AT 35000 MILES THE SAME PIECE HAS FAILED AGAIN AT 67000 MILES. EACH TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO BIND AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME MILEAGE. SUBARU REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS AN ISSUE. SUBARU CLAIMS TIRE ROTATION CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ALL SERVICE WORK PERFORMED BY SUBARU PER THEIR SERVICE GUIDELINES.

FRONT CRANK SEAL IS LEAKING OIL ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM. *AK THE SEAL THAT SEPARATES THE BLOCK FROM THE OIL PUMP HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME, A CLOUD OF SMOKE RISES FROM THE EXHAUST AS THE OIL IS SPRAYED BACK ONTO IT, ON ONE OCCASION THE SEAL COMPLETELY DUMPED SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

THE FRONT CRANK SEAL STARTED LEAKING FOR THE SECOND TIME AT APPROXIMATELY 102,000 MILES. THE ORIGINAL SEAL STARTING LEAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 59,195 MILES. HEAVY SMOKE AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR IS EMITTED FROM THE SIDES AND FRONT OF THE ENGINE AREA. IN ADDITION, SMOKE WILL BE EMITTED FROM THE CENTER DASH HVAC VENTS. THE CAR JUST FAILED PA STATE INSPECTION ON 11/1/01 AS THE SEAL IS LEAKING BADLY AND IS CONSIDERED A FIRE HAZARD. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA VIA EMAIL ON 10/2/01 BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN ON 11/1/01 AND 11/2/01 BUT STILL NO REPLY.*AK

AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE BINDING IN SLOW SPEED TURNS. AT TIMES, THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE TURNING. THE PROBLEM, AS DESCRIBED BY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, IS THAT A BEARING OR SEAL WEARS A GROOVE IN THE ALUMINUM EXTENSION HOUSING. THIS GROOVE CAUSES A PRESSURE IMBALANCE WITHIN THE TRANSFER CLUTCH AND, AS A RESULT, CAUSES THE BINDING PROBLEM. THE RESOLUTION IS ADDRESSED IN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (I CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE A COPY OF THE BULLETIN AT MY CURRENT LOCATION) AND BASICALLY SAYS TO CHECK THE DUTY C SOLENOID, TRANSFER CLUTCH AND REPLACE THE ALUMINUM EXTENSION HOUSING WITH A STEEL REINFORCED REPLACEMENT PART. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ON 10/2/01 AND RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING REPLY ON 10/8/01: THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT E-MAIL TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. WE APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO CONTACT US. WE ARE SORRY TO LEARN OF THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ARE EXPERIENCING WITH YOUR 1996 SUBARU OUTBACK. OUR RECORDS DO NOT INDICATE THAT THERE ARE ANY SERVICE PROGRAMS OR RECALLS REGARDING THIS CONCERN. SERVICE BULLETINS ARE PROVIDED TO DEALERS IN ORDER TO EXPLAIN THE OPERATION OF A CERTAIN COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE OR TO PROVIDE SOME FEEDBACK AS TO TESTS OR REPAIRS TO PERFORM ON A VEHICLE IF IT COMES IN WITH A CERTAIN CONCERN. THEY ARE SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND THEY ARE NOT AN INDICATION OF AN UPCOMING RECALL OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, OR SHOULD YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE, PLE

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01V216 AND HAD RECALL WORK DONE AND IS NOW REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

BATTERY BLEW UP. STARTED CAR AND LOUD EXPLOSION AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALL THE TOPS OFF THE BATTERY CELLS WERE OFF AND THE HOUSING CRACKED.*AK

ON AUGUST THE 12 AFTER GOING UP A STEEP HILL THE ENGINE STARTED MISSING REALLY BAD TO THE POINT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO QUIT . THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURING EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. I CONTACTED MY DEALER ON AUGUST THE 11 AND THEY HAD ME TO BRING IN THE CAR TO DECARBON THE ENGINE . THIS DIDNOT STOP THE PROBLEM. ITOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON SEPT. 12 TO HAVE IT DECARBONED AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT SUBARU HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND STILL HAS NO KNOWN FIX FOR THIS LOST POWER AND ROUGH ENGINE PROBLEM WHICH THEY SAY IS DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE.*AK

WHEN BRAKING PEDAL PULSATES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS IN JUNE AND AUGUST OF 1999 AT 27000 MILES. IN AUG OF 2001, REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED. FRONT ROTORS ARE TO BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.*AK REPAIR SHOP OWNER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT, THEY WARP AND CAN NOT BE RESHAPED, CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THIS BRAKE PROBLEM BEING A DESIGN DEFECT, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT AGREE. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WHEN IT WAS HIT HEAD ON. FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL PASSENGER WENT THROUGH WINDSHIELD, AND DRIVER HIT STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER HAS NOT YET MADE ANY CONTACT WITH MANUFACTURER OR DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT BECOMES ILLUMINATED, THEN CUTS OFF. ENGINE WILL TURN OVER WHEN RESTARTED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL AT THE SAME PLACE DAILY, WAS TOLD BY A SUBARU ENGINEER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD LIFTERS INSTALLED WHICH WERE TOO SMALL AND SUGGESTED THAT ONLY VERY THIN SYNTHETIC OIL BE USED, CONSUMER TRIED THIS AND VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY FOR ABOUT 1200 MILES, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING TO TRY AND CORRECT PROBLEML MAF SENSOR, CRANK AND CAM SENSORS, PLUGS AND WIRES, COIL, COMPUTER, STARTER, ALTNERNATOR, IGNITION SWITCH, AND TIMING BELT. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN REAR END FALL DOWN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER WAS FORCED OFF OF ROAD WHERE SHE IMPACTED A TREE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THIS EVENT. *AK

CONSUMER WAS ON THERE WAY BACK FROM A TRIPLE TRAVELING DOWN A SNAKE ROAD. ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED UP BESIDE HIM AND YELLED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, GOT OUT WITH THE CHILDREN. FLAMES WERE BURSTING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE NEAR FUEL TANK. TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN 1/2" TO 3/4" TO FLOOR ONLY WHEN VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR A WHILE OR WHILE APPLYING BRAKE AT A STOP POSITION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK