Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 114

1998 Subaru Legacy complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 17, 2002IN

CONSUMER STATES AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, IT JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND STARTED MOVING. NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 22, 2002CT

WHILE DRIVING A TAPPING NOISE IS COMING FROM ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 7, 2001IN

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2001OH

OVER SENSITIVE KNOCK SENSOR, CAUSES ACCELERATION HESITATION. IT'S BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR YEARS (SEE TSBS 115899 & 115398), BUT ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT LAST WEEKEND.*AK

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 27, 2001MO

THIS INTERNET SYSTEM IS NOT THE BEST FORM FOR THIS: THE MANUFATCURER HAS REPLACED THE SUN VISORS ONCE, BUT IT DOESN'T HELP. THE VISOR DESIGN IS POOR. THEY SWING WITH GREAT FREEDOM & SPEED ANY TIME YOU ROUND A CURVE OR TURN QUICKLY, SMACKIONG THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO KNOCK OFF GLASSES OR KNOCK THE BRIM OF YOUR HAT ACROSS YOUR EYES WHEN YOU MANEUVER BRISKLY. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING & CAN DANGEROUSLY INTERFERE WITH VISABILITY & CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING ACCIDENTS. WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE YET.. THE COMPANY SIMPLY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL VISOR WITH AN IDENTICAL ONE, WHICH SOON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DESIGN IS VERY POOR (ONE OF SEVERAL VERY POORLY DESIGNED ITEMS ON THIS CAR). THE SHAFTS ON WHICH THEY PIVOT SO RAPIDLY & FREELY ARE HOLLOW, TO MAKE SPACE FOR THE POWER CORD FOR THE **LIGHTED MIRRORS(!!)** THIS IS WHY IT CAN'T BE TIGHTENED OR ADJUSTED & A NEW ONE IS NO BETTER. THE DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, & THESE DIP-BRAINS WHO WASTED MY MONEY ON JUNK LIKE LIGHTED (DOUBLE LIGHTED) COULD SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING USEFUL, LIKE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS! THANX, BK. P.S. I MAY TRY TO FIND A WORKABLE OLDER ONE FROM A JUNK YARD, IF I GET THE TIME.

Equipment › Other › Labels
Filed Oct 10, 2001NY

A TIRE WENT FLAT, SO CONSUMER PUT ON SPARE, THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE, THESE PARTS OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE QUICKLY HOSED DOWN WITH WATER TO PREVENT A FIRE, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE DISENGAGED IF A SPARE TIRE IS EVER USED, HOWEVER CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THESE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND FEELS THIS DAMAGE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF A WARNING STICKER WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE SPARE TIRE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 20, 2001CA

BRAKE FAILED FOUR TIMES.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jul 17, 2001NY

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HOOD FLEW OPEN, WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, NO INJURIES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 14, 2001MA

THE FR0NT MAIN SEAL FAILED REPAETEDLY (3 TIMES) RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. NLM

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid
Filed Jun 25, 2001CA

COMMENTS FROM THE DEALERS INVOICE: 671 MILES: CHECKED FOR OIL LEAK, FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM POWER STEERING RACK. REMOVED AND REINSTALLED RACK ASSEMBLY.671 MILES: I COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. ADVISED IT WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST. 944MILES: OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE DOWN ONTO EXHAUST. FOUND LEAK AT TOP OF ENGINE ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR REAR OIL GALLEY PLUG. DISASSEMBLE ENGINE COMPLETE DOWN TO SHORT BLOCK. REPLACE SHORT BLOCK AND ALL NECESSARY GASKETS AND SEALS. REASSEMBLE ENGINE. 944 MILES: I COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. THIS TIME TOLD IT WAS BURNING OIL GETTING INTO VENTS BEFORE ENGINE REPAIR.6195 MILES,03/27/98: COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. DASH ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLED, CLEANED, REASSEMBLED. 7173 MILES: COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. WORKING WITH ZEXEL REP. ON A/C SYSTEM LOCATED LEAK AT EVAPORATOR COOLING UNIT. REMOVE AND REPLACE RECEIVER DRIER AND A/C COMPRESSOR. REASSEMBLE. 8009 MILES: I COMPLAINED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. TOLD POSSIBLE THAT FUEL TANK CAP WAS NOT ON TIGHT. 10185MILES 08/06/98: I COMPLAINED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON: FOUND REAR 0-2 SENSOR TO HAVE SLOW RESPONSE TIMES. REMOVE AND REINSTALL REAR 0-2 SENSOR. 8485 MILES COMPLAINED OF BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. TOLD INNER AXLE BOOT LEAKING. INNER AXLE CV BOOT GREASE IN FRONT REPLACED. 29901MILES: RECALL CAMPAIGN WXQ74 MASTER CYLINDER. PERFORM WXQ-74 AND INSTALL LABEL. 39150 MILES: COMPLAINED ABOUT RATTLING NOISE FROM REAR AXLE. CHECKED REAR DI

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 10, 2001NY

ENGINE PISTON NOISE CONTINUAL, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, DEALERSHIP AND MANFACTURER STATE THAT THE ENGINE NOISE IS DUE TO THE NEW EFFICIENT DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices
Filed Jan 26, 2001MT

GAS LINES TO GAS TANK ARE LOCATED UNDER AND FRONT REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AS STEPPING INTO VEHICLE. CONSUMER PUNCTURED THEM VERY EASILY WHEN JUST TRYING TO HOOK UP SOME LIGHTS. WITHIN MINUTES, THERE WAS ABOUT 2 GALLONS OF GAS IN BACKSEAT. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE.*AK THE POURING OF GAS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GAS LINE BREAKS IS UNSAFE DESIGN. *YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2000NY

I AM GETTING A LOUD SLAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE ON COLD STARTS IT LAST FOR ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES OR UNTILL THE ENGINE WARMES UP,THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PISTON SLAP AND THAT IS NORMAL. I DO NOT AGREE, WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT DID NOT HAVE THAT NOISE ,AND IT IS GETTING LOUDER ,I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED ,MY WARRANTEE WILL EXPIRE SOON

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Sep 15, 2000NJ

WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO RACE, AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATE CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK THE PROBLEM REOCCURED 5 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS PERIOD. *YH

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 27, 2000NY

SEVERE CUPPING ON TREAD. CAR ALIGNED 4 TIMES AND NEW TIRES PLACED. CAR STILL CUPPING TIRES. VIBRATION ABOVE 30 MPH( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/55/16 )

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Aug 25, 2000IL

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. I RECEIVED WORD TODAY THAT THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DIRVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG EMPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 15, 2000NY

THE OBD SYSTEM INDICATES CHECK ENGINE. THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND THE CARS ACCELERATION BECOMES VERY WEAK. THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ENGINE WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION OR WILL RUN NORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL ($600) BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. NOW SUBARU SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANY MALFUNCTION. WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS WITHOUT WARNING IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I CANNOT TRUST THIS CAR TO GET ME SAFELY TO MY DESTINATION.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jul 26, 2000NJ

2ND SUBARU TO FAIL, BOTH UNDER 3 YRS OLD, UNDER 42K MILE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 3, 2000TN

DURING A FRONT END COLLISION DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. YH

Vehicle Speed Control › LinkagesCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 22, 2000ID

THIS CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE;THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE CAR DOWN AND I HAD TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE POST TO STOP THE CAR AND AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND I AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jun 16, 2000OR

ALTERNATOR FAILED , CAUSING LOSS OF POWER IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC, COLLISION LUCKILY AVOIDED.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal
Filed Jun 5, 2000MA

WHEN MAKING A TURN, TURN SIGNALS STAY ON CONSTANTLY. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN SIGNALS OFF MANUALLY. SUBARU SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK *ML

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed May 4, 2000NM

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH DRIVER SWERVED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE WHEN DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY IMPACT DONE TO VEHICLE. DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS ,DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 22, 2000NY

ON TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS, 4/15 AND 4/16, WHILE STOPPING FROM A <5 MPH SPEED, THE CAR SURGED AHEAD 2-4 FEET, STOPPED, AND IMMEDIATELY SURGED AHEAD 2-4 FEET AGAIN, AND STOPPED. THE FIRST TIME IT ALMOST PUT ME OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A 4 LANED HIGHWAY. THE SECOND TIME I WAS PULLING INTO MY DAUGHTER'S DRIVEWAY AND WAS STOPPING WHEN IT SURGED AHEAD TAKING OUT THE POST SUPPORTING THEIR FRONT PORCH, STOPPED, THEN IMMEDIATELY SURGED AHEAD TAKING OUT THE LATTICE WORK UNDER THEIR PORCH. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDED THE RIGHT FRONT FOG LIGHT, POPPED OUT AND PUT A "WRINKLE" IN THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPED AND SCRATCHED THE HOOD. THE MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATE BECAUSE THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERS. WHEN I CALLED TO CHECK ON IT 4/19 THEY HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE IT AND STATED THEY HAD ONE MORE TEST TO RUN AND THEN I COULD PICK IT UP. THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2000DE

LOUD ENGINE KNOCKING AT START-UP/SUBARU HAS "INTERNAL" SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPLACE PISTONS?*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Feb 23, 2000NY

ALTERNATOR DIED WILL TRAVELLING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, TOTAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER

Air Bags › On-off Switch Assembly
Filed Jan 14, 2000NJ

THIS IS AN AIRBAG CUTOFF SWITCH COMPLAINT. I COULDN'T FIND ANY OTHER PLACE ON YOUR WEBSITE TO LODGE IT. WE GOT OUR CUTOFF SWTICH AUTHORIZATION ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THE SUBARU SWITCH WAS TO BE READY 12/98. NOW THERE'S NO DATE EVEN GIVEN. THIS IS UNFAIR. YOU FORCE THEM TO MAKE THE BAG AND US TO BUY IT, CAN'T YOU FORCE THEM TO MAKE THE CUTOFF SWITCH? THEY ADVISE WE NOT USE A GENERIC. I SOMETIMES HAVE TO CRAM 4 KIDS IN MY BACKSEAT SHARING BELTS. IS THAT SAFE? *AK

Steering › Linkages
Filed Jan 5, 2000PA

FAILURE OF BOLT IN SHEAR RESULTED IN LACK OF POWER STEERING. YH

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Dec 28, 1999RI

TIRES REPEATEDLY LOSE AIR, ESPECIALLY IN REAR. STEEL BELT BEGAN SHOWING AND A LARGE SIDEWALL BULGE APPEARED IN ONE REAR TIRE AT ABOUT 15,500 MILES. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY 15,580 MILES, WITH MICHELIN TIRES, BECAUSE WE FELT THAT THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES WERE NOT SAFE AND DID NOT WANT REPLACEMENTS OF THE SAME MAKE THAT MIGHT FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER IN THE FUTURE.( DOT NUMBER: OBJ6PJA417 TIRE SIZE: 185/70 R14 )

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Dec 25, 1999OR

HOT BURNING SMELL IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR,SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE SHOP. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Dec 22, 1999CO

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD GRADUALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN ENTERING RAMP EXIT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 9, 1999CA

INTERMITTENT FAILURES: CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND KEEPS ACCELERATING WITH RPM INCREASING. HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND PULSE TO GET CAR TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR.

Tires
Filed Sep 19, 1999OR

TIRES LOST NEARLY ALL AIR WITHIN 2,000 MILE OF CHECKING;HAD TO REPLACE;THEY WENT TO STEEL BAR AT 18000 MILES; FUMES INSIDE CABIN FROM PURCHASE OF CAR;FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL SEVL TIMES; ROMANIA SUBARU IN EUGENE WOULDN'T FIX ON 2 VISITS;3RD VISIT, FOUND LEAK;STILL HAVE FUMES INSIDE CABIN AND MORE IF WINDOW IS DOWN ON PASS SIDE;NO ONE CAN FIX THE OPEN WINDOW FUME PROBLEM;INSIDE-FOUND CRANKCASE LEAKING ON EXHAUST SYST;COSMOLENE OVERLOAD, BUT STILLHAVE BURNING EYES AND SORE THROAT;CAN'T FIND PROBLEM;BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR-REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER PER RECAL;WINDSHIELD FROM PURCHASE,COULDN'T SEE THROUGH;BAD FILM;PURCHASED A NEW ONE RECENTLY;CAR HESITATES AND SURGES FORWARD;SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185 70 R14 )

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Sep 8, 1999CA

TRANSFER CASE VIBRATES AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 10, 1999MT

THE ROLLERS FOR THE POWER WINDOWS ARE COLLECTING DIRT AND LEAVING A VERTICAL SCRATCHALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW. WHEN I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MY AREA I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER FOR SUBARU HAD DETERMINED THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED FROM DIRT ON THE WINDOWS. THIS SEEMS ODD TO ME BECAUSE THE SUBARU LEGACY IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON AND OTHER CARS IN MY AREA ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NO LUCK WITH SUBARU OR MY DEALER IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY $50 TO HAVE MY DOOR ASSEMBLY TAKEN APART TO CLEAN THE ROLLERS AND PAY $200-$300 PER WINDOW TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED ON OTHER MAKES OR MODELS I COULD ACCEPT THE EXPLAINATION THAT I NEED TO KEEP THE DIRT OFF OF MY CAR, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I FEEL SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE THE ROLLERS AND WINDOW UNDER MY WARRANTY.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jul 26, 1999NY

THE CAR DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE OIL FILTER (LEE MAXI FILTER) WHERE IT MEETS THE ENGINE. THE LEAK STARTED SMALL AND GREW STEADILY LARGER (10 EXTRA QUARTS OF OIL WERE NEEDED TO GO THE LAST 50 MILES). THIS OCCURRED TOWARD THE END OF MY TRIP, AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 140 MILES. I KNOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL PREVIOUSLY ON THE SUBARU BRAND FILTER (1998) FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, BUT I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A LEE BRAND FILTER, WHICH I HAD BUT ON 2100 MILES EARLIER. UP UNTIL THIS TIME, NO LOSS OF OIL HAD OCCURRED WITH THIS FILTER OR WITH PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES (I HAD JUST CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL A FEW DAYS EARLIER). I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE A LARGER PROBLEM HERE, OTHER THAN THE SUBARU BRAND FILTER FROM THE RECALL. YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN AUTO QUESTION AND ANSWER AREA IN THE FRIDAY JULY 23 ISSUE OF THE NEWSPAPER "NEWSDAY" (LONG ISLAND, NY WWW.NEWSDAY.COM). THE VERY FIRST QUESTION IS FROM AN OWNER OF A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WHO HAD AN OIL LEAK ATTRIBUTED TO THE FILTER, AND HAD TO HAVE HIS CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER REQUIRED HIM TO PAY FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIR, AS THE OIL FILTER THAT FAILED WAS NOT A SUBARU OIL FILTER. SINCE THIS IS ANOTHER INCIDENT INVOLVING A NON SUBARU FILTER FAILURE. THIS MAY INDICATE THAT OTHER BRAND FILTERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ITSELF, AND NOT THE FILTER. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED, WAITING FOR ME TO GET OFF OF WORK TO PUT ON A NEW FILTER

Suspension › FrontCrash
Filed Jun 22, 1999ME

WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LIFTED UP, AND ALL POWER WENT TO THE FRONT SIDE. CONSUMER APPLIED ABS BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID AND RUN INTO A HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 10, 1999MA

WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, BRAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AND IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER, AND CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WON'T STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO GO AROUND THE OTHER VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING IT. OCCURS IN WINTER. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO NEAR COLLISIONS BECAUSE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. BOTH SITUATIONS WERE AT 25 MPH. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation ComponentsCrash
Filed Apr 21, 1999MD

.WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE OWNER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM, RECALL 99V04000. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 7, 1999FL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *YC

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 21, 1999NY

REAR ANCHOR SEAT BELTS ARE TOO LONG TO SAFELY SECURE A NUMBER OF CHILD CAR SEATS. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 5, 1999MA

CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES APPROACHING THE EXIT RAMP THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT SEEM TO DISENGAGE. WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, I HIT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD--THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WENT OFF, HOWEVER THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN ALTHOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS POSSIBLE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 40-50MPH. NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SENT THEM ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED ON 11/24/98; I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU TO DATE.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 21, 1999CA

VERY BAD OIL/GREASE SMELL BROUGHT INTO CAR BY VENTILATION SYSTEM AFTER EVERY OIL CHANGE. CAN SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR AS WELL AS UNDER THE HOOD. GOES AWAY AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STUMPED. I FOUND A SIMILAR REPORT: OD1 1D 828824, A BAD FUEL. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR FAILED. MJS

Tires
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

BRIDGESTONE TIRES HAVE AN AIR LEAKAGE (185-70R-14). MJS

Steering
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

LUBRICATION IN FRONT STEERING LEAKS ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER CABIN AIR. *YC

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

DOOR LOCK REMOTE OUT OF ORDER. YH

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

GREASE SEALS ON DRIVE SHAFT FAILED. YH

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

GEAR BOX SEAL FAILED. YH

Equipment › Mechanical › Carrier/Rack
Filed Feb 1, 1999CA

ROOF RACK TRIM FAILED. YH

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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