1997 Subaru Outback

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. 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.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.

Risk. OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

NOTICED A LEAK OF FLUID FROM PASSENGER SIDE BY THE REAR WHEEL. DETERMINED IT WAS GASOLINE. UPON INSPECTION FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FILLER TUBE TO THE GAS TANK. GOT THE CAR TO A SUBARU REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS NO UNDERCOATING APPLIED TO THE TUBE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V035000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS VERIFIED THAT THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

DRIVING ALONG I-495 SOUTHBOUND IN MASSACHUSETTS JUST BEFORE EXIT FOR I-90. SPEED WAS 65 MPH. HOOD LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SMASHED, THE ROOF WAS DENTED, AND THE HOOD WAS BENT WITH THE HINGES PARTIALLY DEFORMED AND CRACKED. THE HOOD HADN'T BEEN OPENED OR TOUCHED IN SEVERAL WEEKS/>2000 MILES. PASSENGER AND I WERE LUCKILY UNHARMED, I WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE HOOD AGAIN, AND DROVE HOME AT 50 ON THE HIGHWAY, 25 ON REGULAR ROADS. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, HOOD STILL DAMAGED. HOOD SECURED WITH BUNGEE CORD AS I NO LONGER TRUST THE LATCH. LOOKING INTO INSTALLING HOOD PINS WHEN I FIND A REPLACEMENT HOOD, SIMPLY FOR SAFETY/LIABILITY REASONS. THE ONLY REASON THIS WASN'T A MUCH MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS THAT I WAS ALREADY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE INSTANTLY. HAD TO DO THIS BLINDLY, AS I COULD NOT SEE AROUND THE HOOD. *TR

I BOUGHT A 97 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WGN AND FOUND OUT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED IN CYL3 AFTER TEAR DOWN FOR GASKET REPLACEMENT,NOW PUT TOGETHER AND NOW WON'T START. *TR

FUEL FILLER NECK RUSTED CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT ONTO GARAGE FLOOR AND WHILE DRIVING AND FILLING TANK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TO REPLACE THE RUSTED FUEL FILLER NECK. FROM RESEARCH AND COMMENTS FROM DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE. *TR

LOSS OF COOLANT, OVERHEATED ENGINE, DIAGNOSIS OF BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAR: 1997 SUBARAU LEGACY OUTBACK WITH 2.5 LITER ENGINE. *TR

OVERHEATING, BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR

GAS TANK FILLER PIPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

HOOD OPENING ACCIDENTALLY WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON A HEAVILY RAINY DAY WHEN THE HOOD OPENED UP AND SLAMMED THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND THE HOOD WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED INCLUDING THE BODY OF THE CAR JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NOT OPENED THE HOOD LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. LUCKILY I DIDN'T GET INTO A ACCIDENT WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. I SUBSEQUENTLY CALLED SUBARU ABOUT IT AND ADVISED ME THAT THE INCIDENT HADN'T, TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE, IN OTHER 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGONS. I WAS NOT DIRECTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR AGENCY, THUS I LET IT PASS. I WAS REMINDED OF THE INCIDENT, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ACCIDENT BEING MORE PREVALENT, WHEN I SAW A SIMILAR CAR WITH THE EXACT SAME DAMAGE TO THE HOOD (I.E., PATTERN AND BENT). *TR

'97 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED 85,000 MI IS OVERHEATING. BEGAN AS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM APPROX 5 MONTHS AGO. FLUSHED RADIATOR, REPL CAP, PRESSURE TESTED RADIATOR. DRIVING DOWN HILL ON MOUNTAIN ROAD IN MORNING COLD, OVERHEATS AFTER ABOUT 6 MILES. REPL THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT. SUBARU DEALER REPAIR MECHANIC SAYS HEAD GASKET. GOOGLED PROBLEM ONLINE BEFORE REPLACING THERMOSTAT. BLOGS FROM OUTBACK OWNERS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS SAY HEAD GASKET. AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF BLOGS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM AND STATEMENTS THAT SUBARU HAS NEVER TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FLAW WHICH HAS AFFECTED SO MANY OUTBACK OWNERS. THIS IS A CRIME. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE EXPLODED. THE AAA PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE(DOUGHNUT). WHEN THE VEHICLE ARRIVED TO THE RESIDENCE, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. THE OWNERS MANUAL IN PAGE 8-11 INDICATED IN FINE PRINT, WHEN THE SPARE DOUGHNUT WAS USED A FUSE HAD TO BE PLUGGED IN THE FUSE BOX TO MAINTAIN AN EMERGENCY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE DIFFERENTIAL OVER HEATING BECAUSE THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTION WHEN A SMALLER SIZE TIRE WAS IN USE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO HONOR THE REPAIRS COST.*AK

NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE. HAD TO HAVE FRONT CRANK SEAL REPLACED. ALSO NEEDED TO GET TIMING BELT REPLACED AS OIL LEAKED INTO TIMING BELT COVER. COST $368 TO GET FIXED. LEAKAGE BEGAN WHEN CAR WAS JUST A FEW YEARS OLD. THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENT OR ABUSED. *NM

BLOWN HEAD GASKET 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK LEGACY. *JB

1997 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 DOHC ENGINE 1) CAR WAS SUDDENLY LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE, BROUGHT IT IN TO SHOP ASAP 2) HEAD GASKET BUSTED, RUINED THE ENGINE 3) NEEDED TO REPLACE MOST OF ENGINE, INCLUDING BLOCK CHECKED OTHER SITES, THIS SEEMS TO BE A HUGELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU 2.5 DOHC ENGINES AND THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

OUTBACK 1997: 108,000. CAR OVERHEATED SUDDENLY ON A SHORT TRIP. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED/FILLED RADIATOR AT LOCAL FIRESTONE. TWO DAYS LATER, CAR OVERHEATS. IN BOTH CASES, RADIATOR FLUID EJECTED ONTO ENGINE. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO IDENTIFIED THE NOW VERY COMMON "BLOWN HEAD GASKET". REPAIRS MADE AT A COST TO ME OF $1400! THIS IS A DEFECT IN THESE AUTOMOBILES THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED? I WAS FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE BURNED MY ENGINE, OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN. TIME TO TAKE ACTION!! *NM

HEAD GASKET FAILURE. PURCHASED IN 2/07 (EST. DATE) BEGAN TO FAIL AT LEAST IN 1/05 (1X). THEN WEEKLY IN 7/05. BUT MAY HAVE BEEN SIGNS OF PROBLEM AS EARLY AS 1997/1998. RESULT OF PROBLEM IS UNEXPECTED AND RAPID BUBBLING OVER AND OVERHEATING PLACING OCCUPANTS IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FOR EXAMPLE, ALMOST STRANDED IN BLIZZARD IN 1/05. HAD TO PULL OVER ON HIGH SPEED HIGHWAYS IN SUMMER 05 DUE TO RAPID RED LINING AND RISK OF ENGINE FIRE. SUBARU PICKED UP 1/2 COST ALTHOUGH NOT IN WARRANTY FOR US AND HAS DONE 1/2 TO FULL FOR OTHERS WHO COMPLAINED. ONE OF THE 2.5L ENGINES HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO RECALL. THE 2.5L ENGINE IN OUR CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEMS ARE AS FREQUENT (AND WORSE) AND THE CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. LOCAL MECHANIC SAID HE SEES FREQUENTLY ON SUBARU OUTBACK. FOUND INTERNET WEBLOG STARTED 18 MONTHS AGO WHICH HAS 275 COMPLAINTS AND GROWING MONTHLY - ON BOTH THE 2.5L ENGINES (INCLUDING THE ONE IN OUR CAR). BAD ENOUGH WE HAD TO INCUR $800 OF THE $1600 COST BUT PEOPLE ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH AN ENGINE THAT REPEATEDLY HAS FAILED (HEAD GASKET) AND CREATED A HAZARDOUS CONDITION. I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE WITH SUBARU IF YOU WOULD LIKE. SEE LINK BELOW TO WEBLOG PAGE WHERE YOU CAN SEE OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE DISCUSSED (275 AND GROWING MONTHLY): HTTP://SCOTT.MCGERIK.COM/2004/02/18/SUBARU-OUTBACK-HEAD-GASKET-LEAK/. *JB

CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE RESULTING IN A ROLL-OVER ACCIDENT TOTALING THE VEHICLE

IN 2001 I HAD TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR BACK WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS. I WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD AND HAD TO USE THE BRAKES ALONE. IT DID NOT MATTER IF IT WAS IN 1, 2 OR D IT WAS THE SAME AS NEUTRAL. IT WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT INTO THE TOP GEAR ON THE FREEWAY. IT COST OVER $3000 TO GET A SUBARU REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT THE DEALER. IT HAD 97K ON IT AT THE TIME. I JUST NOW TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND HESITATING. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD COST $3500. THIS TRANSMISSION IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS LESS THAN 50K ON IT! I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE TRANS EVERY 4 YEARS.

THIS IS THE STANDARD SUBARU 2.5L HEAD GASKET FAILURE PROBLEM. I ADD THIS TO THE DATABASE TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON SUBARU OF AMERICA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM PROPERLY. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: HTTP://MYSITE.VERIZON.NET/VZE730QE/GUESTLOG.HTML THE SYMPTOMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. CAR ENGINE BEGAN OVERHEATING -- LARGE TEMPERATURE SPIKES AND THEN WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL. ENGINE OIL APPEARED IN COOLANT RESERVOIR. COOLANT SPEWS ONTO ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER IN SOME GEARS.*JB

1997 SUBARU OUTBACK BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *BF THE VEHICLE LOST INTERNAL HEAT AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE READ HOT. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY LOSS OF STEAM, HOWEVER, THE RESERVOIR BOTTLE WAS EMPTY AND FLUID HAD SPILLED ALL OVER THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF SIX OTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *SC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

THE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE HOOD CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, DENTED THE HOOD AND BENT THE HINGES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY HOOD LATCH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE EQUIPMENT ON 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK. *MR THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. MOISTURE WAS FOUND IN THE HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN THE VALVE FREEZING DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURE, BLOCKING OFF THE VACUUM TO THE POWER BRAKE UNIT. *SC

I HAVE A '1997 LEGACY OUTBACK SUBARU. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. TODAY, JUNE 21, I STOPPED ON MY WAY TO BAR HARBOR, MAINE FOR A CUP OF COFFEE. I PLACED THE COFFEE CUP IN THE CUP HOLDER AND GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, I THOUGHT I SMELLED BURNING, BUT THOUGHT IT MUST BE COMING FROM OUTSIDE. I THEN STOPPED AT A BANK TO TAKE CARE OF A TRANSACTION, AND AS I WAS LEAVING THE BANK, I AGAIN SMELLED A FAINT BURNING ODOR. LUCKILY, NOT FAR DOWN THE ROAD, I PASSED MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP, FOR A SHORT DISTANCE PAST THE DEALERSHIP I HEARD A CRACKLING COMING FROM MY CAR RADIO. THINKING I'D LEFT IT ON, I WENT TO TURN IT OFF, ONLY TO DISCOVER IT WAS OFF. THEN THE BURNING SMELL BECAME MUCH MORE EVIDENT, AND I REALIZED I MUST HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I TURNED AROUND, AND WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DISCOVERED THAT COFFEE HAD SPILLED ONTO THE RADIO FROM THE STYOFOAM CUP(WHICH HAD A TIGHT CAP ON IT, BY THE WAY!), CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. A WOMAN I HAD BEEN CHATTING WITH WHILE WAITING FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC WORK TO BE DONE SAID THAT HER '97 SUBARU HAD HAD THE CUP HOLDER BY THE RADIO TOO, BUT THAT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE CUP HOLDERS HAD BEEN MOVED FROM THAT LOCATION. IF THE SUBARU COMPANY HAD KNOWN OF THIS POTENTIAL ISSUE, WHY WASN'T I MADE AWARE OF IT? LUCKILY, I WAS NOT COMING THROUGH THE BLACKS WOODS INTO ELLSWORTH WHICH IS 20 MILES OF NOTHING BUT TREES! I BOUGHT MY SUBARU BECAUSE THEY ARE TOUTED AS ONE OF THE SAFEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD TODAY. I'M NOT SO SURE T

AFTER ALTERNATOR REPLACED, NOTICED THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCES OF ELECTRICAL OUTAGES: REAR POWER OUTLET, SEAT HEATER SWITCHES, RADIO DIAL ILLUMINATION LIGHT, KEY-IN-IGNITION ALARM, DOOR AJAR LIGHTING, SEATBELT OFF LIGHTING.*AK

THE NOW INFAMOUS "BLOWN HEAD GASKET" IN PHASE I 2.5L ENGINES IS THE FOCUS OF MY COMPLAINT. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS AT LEAST RECOGNIZED THE PHASEII 2.5L ENGINES IN 1998 MODELS AND NEWER, BUT ONLY BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT METAL WAS THE "PROBLEM". THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF CASES IN THE PHASE I 2.5L (1998 AND PRIOR) ENGINE IS AN OBVIOUS INDICATOR OF DESIGN FLAW IN THE ACTUAL SHAPE OF THE PRODUCT ITSELF. A RECALL INVESTIGATION IS A DEFINITE MUST. JUST ANOTHER UNHAPPY SUBARU CUSTOMER. *AK

SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT OF HEAD WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE DIED. SPARK PLUG UNABLE TO BE REINSERTED RESULTING IN A HEAD REPLACEMENT. VERY EXPENSIVE! ONLY 135000 MILES REGULAR MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN 4 OF THESE CASES IN THIS MODEL IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM DEALER ABOUT MECHANICAL DEFECT. *JB

THE ENGINE SEALS OF THE MAIN CAM SHAFT FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LEAK OIL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS AND THE TIMING BELT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

POWER BRAKES FAIL TO FUNCTION IMMEDIATELY AND SHORTLY AFTER (WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES) AFTER COLD START IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 10 DEGREES F. BRAKE PEDAL REMAINS HIGH AND STIFF WITH LITTLE TO NO TRAVEL DISTANCE INDICATING NO POWER TO POWER BRAKE SYSTEM BUT BRAKE PEDAL APPARENTLY TRAVELS ENOUGH DISTANCE TO ALLOW SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. USER REMEDY IS TO ALLOW MORE THAN 5 MINUTES TO WARM AND VERIFY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS NORMAL DISTANCE INDICATING POWER BRAKE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING BEFORE SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. OTHER REMEDY IS TO SHARPLY DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS NORMAL DISTANCE INDICATING POWER BRAKE SYSTEM IS FUNCTIONING BEFORE SHIFTING OUR OF PARK. THIS REMEDY WORKS FINE FOR ME WHEN I REMEMBER TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE DURING TEMPERATURE BELOW 10 DEGREES F. OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS THAT DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS OFTEN AS I DO ARE PRONE TO FORGETTING TO FOLLOW THE REMEDY PROCEDURE. FOR ANYONE, INCLUDING MYSELF, THAT IS EITHER UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN VEHICLES OPERATION OR FORGETS TO FOLLOW THE REMEDY PROCEDURE FINDS THEM SELF IN A VERY SURPRISING SITUATION IF TRAVELING AT A SPEED TO FAST TO ALLOW FOR BRAKING WITH A FAILED POWER BRAKE SYSTEM. I HAVE ACTUALLY NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE WINTER OF 2002 - 2003 AND HAVE NOTICED THIS ONCE AGAIN THIS WINTER WITH THE RECENT ONSET OF FRIGID WEATHER HERE IN THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE YET TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR SPECIFIC SERVICE ON THIS MATTER, HOWEVER, I DO PLAN TO C

A THICK FILM COVERED THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME DIM. *AK

VEHICLE FUEL FILL TUBE ROTTED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. *MR THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF GAS IN THE GARAGE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IF THE TANK WAS KEPT ON 1/2 TO 3/4 FULL, THE LEAK WOULD CEASE. THE MECHANIC HAD JUST FIXED THE SAME PROBLEM ON A SUBARU, A WEEK PRIOR AND HAD SINCE REPEATED THAT TASK AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT SUBARU COVER THE COSTS INCURRED. *SCC ALSO THE WIPER BLADES WERE REPLACED. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT LATCHES, LOCKS AND HINGES ARE RUSTED. DEALER STATED NOTHING WE COULD DO. VEHICLE'S WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROUTE. 495 AT 65 MPH DURING THE 6:30-6:45 A.M. RUSH HOUR, (PRIMARILY LARGE TRUCKS BARRELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY), THE HOOD OF MY CAR POPPED OPEN, SHATTERING MY WINDSHIELD, DENTING AND CAUSING THE HOOD TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED, DENTING THE ROOF, AND CAUSING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FALL OFF. WITH THE GRACE OF GOD, I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE MINOR INJURIES I SUSTAINED WERE TO MY UPPER BACK AND LEFT SIDE OF MY NECK. THESE INJURIES ARE NOT DISABLING, BUT PAINFUL AND ANNOYING. I DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS MORE SHAKEN UP AND IN SHOCK THAT THIS HAPPENED. *JB

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

2.5 LITER ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED, CAUSING REPEATED INSTANCES OF OVERHEATING REQUIRING STOPPING IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AND EVENTUAL REPLACEMENT OF BLOCK AT OWNER EXPENSE. TS

CONSUMER STATES ALL 4 ALLOY RIMS ARE CORRODING EXCESSIVELY RESULTING IN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. TS

OVERHEATING CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE BLOCK WHICH CRACKED REQUIRED REPEATED IMMEDIATE PULLOVERS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO PREVENT SEVERE OVERHEATING. MR

CRANK/CAM/OIL PAN SILICONE SEALS FAILEDS EARLY IN VEHICLE LIFE. ALSO, ALTERNATOR BELT FELL OFF, MAIN PULLEY BROKE, CENTER OF PULLEY BADLY WORN, AND VALVES BENT ON CYLINDER #2. $635 TO REPLACE SEALS, $415 TO REPLACE MAIN PULLEY, AND $1107 TO REPLACE VALVES.

WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH WATER PUMP FAILED ,ALLOWING TIMING CHAIN TO SLIP OFF, AND BENDING VALVES TO ENGINE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, AND REPLIED MALFUNCTION WAS NOT UNUSUAL.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED SPOTS ON THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT O RINGS WERE LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE FRONT CRANK SEAL NEEDED REPLACED. *AK *JB

ENGINE WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED SENSOR VALVE TWO TIMES AND COMPUTER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT ENGINE BLOCK AND HEAD ARE CRACKED WITH NO SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, SUBARU MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND NO MECHANICAL REASON WHY THIS OCCURRED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *TT

RECALL 01 V 216 000/FRONT COIL SPRING: UNABLE TO GET DEALER; HASSETT DEALERSHIP; WANTAH, NY; PHONE# 516/785-7800 TO HONOR RECALL DUE TO NO PARTS BEING AVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

PIN HOLES INSIDE WHEEL ON FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE; TIRES WOULD GO FLAT OVERNIGHT WHEN PUT ON RIM. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER, BUT REPLACED RIM.*AK

THERE IS AN AIR LEAK AT WELD ON FRONT RIGHT ALUMINUM WHEEL. TIRE CONTINUALLY HAS LOW AIR PRESSURE. SEARS TIRE CENTER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING REAR TAILGATE COME UNLATCHED. TAILGATE DID NOT STAY FULLY LATCHED. ALSO, NOTE TAILGATE HAS NOT COME FULLY OPENED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

OUR 1997 SUBARU SHARES THE COMMON PROBLEM DOCUMENTED AT HTTP://FORUMS.VMAG.COM/SUVSUBARU0200/MESSAGES/5096.HTML : NAMELY, AS WITH OTHER SUBARU OUTBACKS AND FORESTERS, IT WILL SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR INTO NEUTRAL -- COMPLETELY BY ITSELF. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SOUTHERN OREGON SUBARU DEALER IN MEDFORD, OREGON TWICE AND THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BOTH TIMES (EVEN THOUGH IT IS BOTH A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS AN IN-WARRANTY COVERED DEFECT). IT WAS REPORTED TO THE SOUTHERN OREGON SUBARU DEALER WITHIN APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP WHEN WE HAD POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THAT IT WAS NOT MERELY A PROBLEM WITH INCORRECT PLACEMENT OF THE SHIFT LEVER DURING SHIFTING. FOLLOWING THE DEALER'S INITIAL REFUSAL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA RESULTED IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF CASE NUMBER 201743. ACCORDING TO SOA, THE DEALER ALLEGEDLY WAS CONTACTED. NEVERTHELESS, ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, THE DEALER AGAIN REFUSED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM CHARACTERISTIC OF SUBARU OUTBACK AND FORESTER VEHICLES (SEE THE WEB SITE CITED AND RELATED COMMENTS.) IT APPEARS THAT SUBARU IS UNWILLING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM UNLESS REQUIRED TO BY NHSTA. PLEASE PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHER SUBARU OWNERS BY MAKING THIS A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL. THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

BACKGROUND: MY 1997 SUBARU OUTBACK DEVELOPED A PROBLEM THAT INVOLVED A FAILED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE FROM THIS FAILURE. I TOOK MY SUBARU OUTBACK TO JIM NORTON SUBARU OF TULSA, OK, FOR REPAIR. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER DARRIN JOHNSON AND THE MECHANIC, LORIN, THE PROBLEM RESULTED WHEN THE BOLT THAT SERVES AS A SPINDLE TO THE TENSIONER PLATE SHEARED OFF THUS CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO PLASTIC COWLING, BELTS, AND THE FACING PLATE THAT ANCHORED THE BOLT. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS QUOTED AS $512.61 WITH A REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING BELT IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER BELTS. I TOLD MR. JOHNSON THAT I WAS ALARMED THAT THIS BOLT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND WONDERED WHAT IT MEAN TO SAFETY OF DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 70+ MILES PER HOUR. I TOLD MR. JOHNSON THAT SUBARU AMERICA SHOULD BE CALLED TO ALERT THEM OF THIS FAILURE.*AK

LOCAL SUBARU DEALER HAS SOLD THESE PARTS SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. WHEN THIS FAILS THE PULLY SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE FALLS APART, LITERALLY, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, POWER STEERING, BRAKE WARNING... THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD WE NOT BEEN ON A BACK ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC. *AK