1999 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.

THE VEHICLE IS USING ITS POWER TO MAKE THE CAR THINK IT IS IN NEUTRAL AND DOES NOT START PROPERLY. IT WILL START IF YOU PULL THE FUSE OUT AND THEN PUT IT BACK IN TO PUT IT IN DRIVE. ALSO, LENDING WAY TO PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. EFFECTING MILEAGE ON THE COUNTER. CAR WAS STATIONERY UPON OCCURRENCE. THE CAR ITSELF IS GOOD IT RUNS PRETTY WELL YET, TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT BURNS TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS TELLING THE CAR IT IS IN NEUTRAL.

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - ALMOST PUNCTURING TIRE, AND RENDERING VEHICLE IMMOBILE - THE BROKEN END OF THE COIL WAS WEDGED INTO THE TIRE SIDEWALL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. SUBARU HAS A RECALL FOR COIL SPRINGS, BUT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE THE VIN RANGE - BUT WAS CLEARLY STILL AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM.

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD WHILE TRYING TO REMOVE KEYS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IT IN PARK, AND LEFT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, SO SHE COULD CHECK OUT THE NEW HALOGEN BULBS THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO REMOVE THE KEY, WITH THE DOOR BEING OPEN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, AND THE OPENED DOOR PUSHED HER TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CAREFULLY CHECKED AND MADE SURE, THE VEHICLE WAS SECURELY IN PARK, BEFORE SHE EXITED TO CHECK THE LIGHTS, AND DID NOT TOUCH ANYTHING WHEN SHE RETURNED. SHE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY, TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE HEAD, BACK AND NECK INJURIES AND SPENT 2 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO TWO OTHER PARKED CARS AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH. UPDATED 05/20/14 UPDATED 06/19/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE THE GEAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

1999 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD POWER STEERING RACK LEAK AND CAM SEAL LEAK WHICH RUINED TIMING BELT. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK! *TT

99 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK /W AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOS NOT ENGAGE WHEN PLACED FROM P TO D, OR DISENGAGE FROM GEAR WHEN VEHICLE STOP. I WAS ON A SLIGHT HILL STOPPED. CAR DISENGAGED FROM GEAR AND I COULD NOT MOVE. IN D - WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS CAUSING CONTACT WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD, SHE CROSSED A LANE OF TRAFFIC WENT INTO THE DITCH, HIT HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND RECEIVED A MILD CONCUSSION. *TR

WE EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT IN WHICH A FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILED. PARKING OUR 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK, THE VEHICLE WAS PERFECTLY FINE. IN THE MORNING THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. JACKING THE CAR, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE AND WHEEL. THE REASON IT WAS HARD TO REMOVE WAS THAT A SHARP LONG PIECE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN AWAY, AND PUNCTURED THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. WHEN THE TIRE AND WHEEL WERE FINALLY REMOVED, THE BROKEN COIL SPRING COULD BE SEEN SITTING ATOP THE FRONT STRUT. THE REMAINDER OF THE COIL SPRING HAD A LONG SHARP POINT THAT HAD SHOT DOWN OVER THE SPRING SEAT ON THE STRUT AND WAS PROTRUDING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AREA WHERE IT HAD DAMAGED THE TIRE. ALSO, MANY PIECES OF BLACK PAINT WHICH HAD BEEN COATING THE COIL SPRING COULD BE SEEN NOW LYING ON THE GROUND. THE COIL SPRING ITSELF WAS RUSTED OVER THE ENTIRE SPRING SURFACE OF THE SPRING. THE BROKEN PIECE OF THE COIL SPRING WHICH WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING WAS PULLED OFF OF THE STRUT AND PUT INTO THE CAR. THE REMAINDER OF THE BROKEN COIL SPRING WAS THEN ABLE TO BE LIFTED UP AND SUSPENDED ABOVE THE STRUT COIL SPRING SEAT IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER. THE SUBARU DEALER CHECKED MY VEHICLE VIN# TELLING ME THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR ANY FAILED COIL SPRINGS. I REFERENCED A RECALL NOTICE I HAD FOUND ONLINE WHICH DETAILED THE EXACT FAILURE IN WHICH I HAD EXPERIENCED, A BROKEN COIL SPRING, CAUSED BY DEFECTING PAINT COATING THE SPRI

99 SUBARU OUTBACK HIT IN REAR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MINOR NECK AND LOWER BACK BRUISES. ALSO, ANOTHER FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AFTER 50,000 MILES. *TR

FUEL FILLER TUBE CORROSION CAUSES LEAK OF FUEL AND FUEL VAPOR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES CODE P0440 (EVAP EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION). FUEL FILLER TUBE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY PARTS COST IS $200. LABOR $275. COMMON PROBLEM ON SUBARUS THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALLED DUE TO FUEL VAPOR LEAKAGE POSES AN ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

HEAD GASKET FAILED ON 1999 SUBARU AT 38,000. CAR WAS MAINTAINED RELIGIOUSLY. SUBARU RECALL WAS NEVER SENT TO ME. I WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS THE 'WRONG PHASE ENGINE' TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR HAD OVERHEATED 3 MONTHS EARLIER. SUBARU FLUSHED THE SYSTEM AND ADDED 'SPECIAL COOLANT LUBRICANT'. THIS WAS WORTHLESS. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $2000+, EVEN THOUGH MY FAMILY HAS PURCHASED 4 SUBARU'S FROM THE SAME DEALER. AFTER A LOT OF SCREAMING AND YELLING, THEY REPLACED BOTH GASKETS, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP. I ENDED UP PAYING $250. DEALER, (WAKEFIELD SURBARU, WAKEFIELD MA.) HELPED CONVINCED SUBARU CORPORATE TO FOOT MOST OF THE EXPENSE. LATER WHEN SUBARU OIL FILTERS FAILED (LEAKS) AND AFTER MORE SCREAMING AND YELLING WITH THIS DEALER SHIP, (AFTER THEY SAID I WAS MAKING UP THE LEAK PROBLEM) I'VE CHANGED DEALERSHIPS WHO HAS A MORE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR REGATTA 2 TIRES, SIZE 205/70/15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. THE VIBRATIONS WORSENED AS THE SPEED INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND HE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE ROAD FORCE VARIATIONS. A ROAD FORCE BALANCING MEASUREMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE DEFECTIVE TIRES; HOWEVER, THE FOUR TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED UNIFORM WEAR AND TREAD LIFE. THE TIRES WERE TEMPORARILY ROTATED TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,355 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,305. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REALIZE THE FAILURE UNTIL THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (01V216000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 171,798.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: BLOWN HEAD GASKETS 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK DOHC. *TR

1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER FAILURE. INTERMITTANT PROBLEM. INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999 SUBARU'S. DEALER INFORMS CUSTOMER THAT PROBLEM IS ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT BOARD ISSUE. SPEEDOMETER REPLACED BY DEALER AT COST OF $315. SUBARU PART NUMBER 85020AC330. CONSUMER HAS OLD, FAILED UNIT. THIS IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE A "WEAR" TYPE ITEM. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS SUBARU MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

SPEEDOMETER PERIODICALLY DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE MODELS AND IT IS NOT EASY TO GET IT REPLACED. KNOWING THE SPEED WHEN DRIVING IS VERY IMPORTANT. I AM PETRIFIED MOST OF THE TIME THAT CHP IS GOING TO PULL ME OVER ON HIGHWAY. IT TYPICALLY GOES OUT IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS PRIOR OWNER HAD ISSUES WITH IT AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE WITH SAME YEAR MODEL. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. ALSO, NONE OF THE BELLS, BUZZERS, ALARM GIZMOS ASSOCIATED WITH OPENING THE DOOR AND PUTTING ON SEATBELTS IS WORKING. I THINK THIS IS ALL RELATED. *TR

MY 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON ISSUED A CEL WITH A 440 CODE. IN FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS FILL PIPE BELOW THE GAS CAP HAS ROTTED OUT AND HAS DEVELOPED, HOLES LEADING TO RAW GAS SPILLAGE AND FAILURE OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. THE DESIGN OF THE COVER AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THIS PIPE CAUSED THE ACCUMULATION OF DIRT AND DEBRIS OVER THE YEARS THAT HAS RUSTED THE PIPE FROM THE OUTSIDE IN. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN THAT ALLOWS THE DIRT TO COLLECT HERE. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE MANUAL THAT INDICATES ANY CLEANING OF THIS AREA IS REQUIRED TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING. *TR

HEAD GASKET FAILED AT 125K MILES. I SPENT $1725 GETTING THE HEAD GASKET & CYLINDER BOLTS REPLACED. THE HEAD GASKET IS NOW FAILING AGAIN 9 MOS & 12K MILES LATER. I HAVE ALWAYS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED THIS CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND HE WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,000.

SPEEDOMETER FAILS SPONTANEOUSLY, INTERMITTENTLY AND FREQUENTLY. INDICATED SPEED DROPS TO ZERO. RETURNS SPONTANEOUSLY AFTER 10 SECONDS TO 15 MINUTES. NOT VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS) OR WIRING/CONNECTOR RELATED. SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND SPEEDOMETER CIRCUIT BOARD DELAMINATED, CAUSING COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE FROM CIRCUIT BOARD. STATED THIS APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY OEM SEALANT USED ON THE CIRCUIT BOARDS AS SEEN IN OTHER SUBARUS AND MANY HONDA VEHICLES. SPEEDOMETER IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY AND LEGAL LIABILITY COMPONENT, WHICH PROVIDES CRITICAL FEEDBACK TO VEHICLE OPERATOR. MANY OTHER FAILURES REPORTED ON INTERNET. RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED IF FURTHER INVESTIGATION CONFIRMS DEFECT FREQUENCY. *JB

COLLISION AT APPROX 40 MPH, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO RT FRONT QUARTER AND BUMPER. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. *NM

THE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THIS CAR HAD NOT RECENTLY HAD ITS OIL CHANGED OR ITS HOOD OPENED. THE HOOD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. *NM

THERE WAS NOTHING ABNORMAL THAT PRECLUDED THE FAILURE. THE SPEEDOMETER COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND NOW ONLY INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. FORTUNATELY, THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. HOWEVER, IT COULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE SPEED WHICH MAY LEAD TO VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. A CALL TO SUBARU OF AMERICA YIELDED NO INFORMATION. HOWEVER, ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS OCCURRING QUITE FREQUENTLY AMONG THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. A NEW PART WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE ORDERED.*JB

MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED ME IN AND I HAD TO CRAWL OUT FROM UNDER IT. IT CANNOT BE RELEASED. *JB

AT 1 P.M. ON 23 APR '06, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK AT ABOUT 50 MPH. WE HAD JUST ENTERED A CURVE WHEN THE CAR'S HOOD LATCH FAILED AND ALLOWED THE HOOD TO FLY UP AND SLAM INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. THAT COMPLETELY BLOCKED OUR FORWARD VIEW AND WE ENTERED THE ONCOMING LANE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WE WERE ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE OUR WAY ON TO THE SHOULDER. WE WERE COVERED WITH GLASS PARTICLES BUT THANK GOD NEITHER ONE OF US WAS INJURED. I AM NOW VERY NERVOUS WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR. THE HOOD WAS LAST OPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BUT THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER 200 MILES AND SOME OF THAT WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. WE HAD TO PAY OVER $2300 TO REPAIR WINDSHIELD, HOOD AND MISCELLANEOUS DAMAGE IN THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT. *NM

I WAS QUITE HURT (TO THE DEGREE OF HAVING TO GO ON SSD) IN A REAR END COLLISION IN A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. IN TRYING TO RECOVER THE ORIGINAL HEAD REST OF THIS CAR I LEARNED IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND CAN ONLY BE REPLACED WITH A MUCH SAFER MODEL. IN DOING A RECENT CRASH ANALYSIS WITH THIS NEW HEAD REST I REALIZED THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES AND HOW MUCH SAFER THE NEW HEAD REST IS. I LEARNED ON YOUR CAR SAFETY WEB SITE OF THE NATIONAL CAUTION ON THE WHOLE SEAT OF THIS MODEL SEATS AND HEAD REST. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ORTHOPEDIC (LEFT ARM, ALL/WHOLE BACK, RIGHT LEG, BOTH KNEES, POSTURE) AND BRAIN INJURY PROBLEMS FROM MY CAR ACCIDENT. I RECENTLY LEARNED (3/06), THAT SUBARU STARTED UNOFFICIALLY REPLACING THE SEAT AND HEAD REST OF THIS MODEL LEGACY 1998 THRU 1999 WHENEVER POSSIBLE. MEANING WHENEVER THESE MODELS REQUESTED NEW PARTS, THERE IS AN UNOFFICIAL RECALL IN THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE ORIGINAL PART ONLY THE SAFER NEW PARTS. I KEEP THINKING ABOUT HOW EASY A RECALL FOR APPROXIMATELY A 2 AND A HALF YEARS MODEL CAR IS (I HAVE EXPERIENCED A GM RECALL OF A PART THAT WENT VERY SMOOTHLY). THERE IS A GREAT COST TO SOCIETY AND MYSELF OF THERE NOT BEING AN OFFICIAL RECALL. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL WITH A LETTER OR I WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER BY SIGNED RECEIPT EMAIL. SINCERELY, MARCIE ELLIS. *JB

IN OCTOBER 2003, THE ENGINE OF MY 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 80,000 MILES OVERHEATED, SEIZED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND REALIZED THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER AND THE THERMOSTAT GAUGE WAS ABOVE "H". I CONTACTED SUBARU PRIOR TO THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS LIKELY DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND BESIDES, MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS WAS SUBARU'S RESPONSE EVEN THOUGH I REGULARLY MAINTAIN MY CAR. I DID GET THE ENGINE REPLACED AT SIGNIFICANT OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSE. LAST WEEK, WHILE TRAVELING ALONG THE INTERSTATE, MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE AGAIN WAS ON "H" AND I QUICKLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS ON AND I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SUBARU MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES ON A FACTORY REBUILT ENGINE. ALTHOUGH I AM NOW AWARE THAT SUBARU SENT OUT A RECALL / NOTIFICATION LETTER IN FEB. 2004, I DID NOT RECEIVE ONE, APPARENTLY BECAUSE I HAVE THE TYPE OF ENGINE THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE NOTIFICATION. IT IS CLEAR FROM A REVIEW OF THIS WEBSITE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN MY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OUTBACK'S ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM, AND THE FACT THAT SUBARU IS NOT STANDING BEHIND ITS PRODUCT. *JB

THE 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK IS EQUIPPED WITH A DUAL OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE. THE TIMING BELT PULLEY FOR THE CAMS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. MY WIFE AND 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD JUST EXITED INTERSTATE 20 NEAR ATLANTA WHEN THE ENGINE "SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION" ACCORDING TO MY WIFE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER AND SEIZED, AND SHE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING AND STOPPING THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT CAM PULLEY (PLASTIC) HAD SHATTERED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEED, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF TIMING BELT AT RECOMMENDED INTERVAL. THE ENGINE IS RUINED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OR REBUILDING. CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE SINCE. *NM

WE WERE IN A RATHER HARD FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE SERVICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THIS PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO GO FLAT IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE MECHANIC TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND FOUND THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL, 01V216000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP GETTING REPAIRED.

THE TRUNK DOOR ON MY SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK STATION WAGON WILL NOT OPEN. ONCE YOU LOCK IT, YOU CAN NOT OPEN IT AGAIN UNLESS YOU JIGGLE THE LOCK OVER AND OVER WITH THE KEY. THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING FAILURE BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A STATION WAGON, A WORKING TRUNK DOOR IS VITAL. I WAS TOLD BY A SUBARU DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $300 TO $400 TO FIX SO I HAVE DELAYED FIXING IT BECAUSE I CAN SOMETIMES WORK ON IT AND GET IT TO OPEN. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE TOLD ME HE HAD 3 TO 4 OTHER SUBARU OWNERS COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH HE IS NOT CAPABLE OF FIXING. APPARENTLY, THE BACK INSIDE PANEL HAS TO BE REMOVED AND A BODY SHOP HAS TO DO THE WORK. YESTERDAY, I WAS AT A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT TRYING TO OPEN THE BACK WHEN A COUPLE APPROACHED ME AND TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THEIR LOCK BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T OPEN. THEY HAVE A SUBARU STATION WAGON ALSO (I DON'T KNOW THE YEAR, BUT IT WAS NOT BRAND NEW) I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MOTOR OR LOCK. *B

SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY FAILS ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME. ODOMETER STOPS ALSO. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN IT FAILS OR UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS. UNABLE TO DETERMINE SPEED ACCURATELY. REPAIR NOT YET DONE. SUBARU IS CHARGING FOR THIS REPAIR. *NM

I HAVE A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN USING THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. I WAS ABLE TO REPEAT THIS OCCURENCE AT LEAST 5 TIMES.

DT: CALLER SPEEDOMETER HEAD IS BROKEN OR THERE IS SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE. CALLED DEALER SAID SUBARU SAID THEY NEW THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL AND SPEEDOMETER HEAD. SUBARU WAS NOT GOING TO RECALL DUE TO NOT BEING A SAFETY CONCERN. *AK SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER OPERATES SPORADICALLY AT TIMES RECORDING SPEED AND MILEAGE, OTHER TIMES NOT AT ALL. *SB

99 OUTBACK - TRANNY WONT ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM PARK, NUETRAL, OR REVERSE. REV THE MOTOR AND THEN C-LUNK INTO DRIVE AFTER LONG DELAY. GOT WORSE OVER TIME. SUBARU AND OTHER SERVICE SHOPS SAY IT'S COMMON ON 99'S, PROBABLY THE MAIN PUMP SEALS, AND THE TRANNY HAS TO COME OUT TO FIX OR REPLACE. I CHANGED THE FLUID TWICE IN A WEEK TO "FLUSH" IT - MUCH BETTER NOW, ALMOST "OK" (COMPARED TO $2500 FIX) BUT STILL NOT "NORMAL". *AK

I HAD JUST PAID APPROX. $450 FOR THE MAJOR 90,000 MILE DEALER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE IS IN GREAT SHAPE. I'VE MAINTAINED IT RELIGIOUSLY. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 6 YEARS/100,000 MILES THAT JUST ENDED SEP. '04. I JUST DROVE IT UP TO THE MOUNTAINS AND 90 MILES FROM MY DESTINATION, WITH THE CAR DRIVING PERFECTLY, I NOTICED THE TEMP. GAUGE WAS SPIKED. ULTIMATELY IT TURNED OUT THAT THE HEAD GASKET WENT. I HAVE 91,000 MILES ON MY SUBARU. I SPOKE TO NUMEROUS GARAGES IN MAMMOTH LAKES AND THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM ON A DAILY BASIS. DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL FIND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS THAT ALL OF THE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM 4 CYLINDER SUBARU ENGINES BLOW HEAD GASKETS AT SOME POINT AFTER APPROX. 80,000 MILES AND THAT THIS ENGINE HAS SINCE BEEN DISCONTINUED. I ALSO HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE "PHASE 2" VERSION WAS RECALLED AND THEY WILL FIX THAT ONE, BUT THE "PHASE 1" ENGINE THAT I, AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, HAVE THEY WON'T DO A [XXX] THING ABOUT. WHAT KIND OF COMPANY IS THIS? IT AIN'T ROCKET SCIENCE... THEY PUT OUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND ALL THEY WILL DO IS STICK IT TO THE CONSUMER. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR GLARING AND OBVIOUS SCREW UP. HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH THIS?*JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWN A 1999 SUBARU OUTBACK. CAR LIGHT CAME ON AT ABOUT 85000. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM & LIGHT TURNED OFF. LIGHT BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER - HAD 90000 MILE MAINTAINENCE COMPLETED - DEALER STILL UNSURE OF PROBLEM. SHORTLY AFTER THIS, WHEN ACCELARATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED, CLEAR POWER LOSS NOTED - ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP - REPORTED THAT VALVE BROKEN - HEAD REQUIRED REPLACING. DEALER/ MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. TOTAL COST OF DEALER BILLS - OVER 3500. SUBARU REFUSED TO REIMBURSE FOR PROBLEM - BLAMED ON MILEAGE. I'VE HAD WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLES WITH OVER 150000 MILES AND NEVER HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEMS BEFORE.*AK

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TOWED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AGAIN AND THE HEAD GASKET WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK

APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. CAR WOULD HESITATE AND FINALLY LURCH FORWARD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS AT FIRST TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, THEN WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW $3400 TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD TO BABY THE CAR FOR AS LONG AS I COULD. 4 MONTHS LATER CAR BECAME STUCK IN REVERSE AND WOULD NOT SHIFT TO DRIVE. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER (NOT THE DEALER) THAT SPECIALIZES IN SUBARU'S AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST 15 - 20,000 MORE MILES OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS THE TRANSMISSION FILTER HAD EVER BEEN REPLACED AND THE FLUID FLUSHED. (UP UNTIL THIS TIME I HAD ALWAYS HAD THE CAR SERVICED UNDER WARRANTY AT THE DEALER). I AM BEING TOLD NOW THAT I WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS SEEMS RIDICULOUS BEING THAT THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. *AK

SLID OFF THE ROAD ON ICE AT @ 35 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, JUMPED A CREEK AND HIT THE SIDE OF A HILL HEAD ON HOWEVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD MORE DAMAGE SO IT PROBABLY HIT FIRST. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED. *NM THE ENGINE STALLED DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. IN REVIEWING THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE THE CONSUMER SAW A RECALL RELATED TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *NM

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LINES RUNNING FROM TRANSMISSION TO THE RADIATOR SPLIT RESULTING IN LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. THESE WERE THE METAL LINES NOT THE RUBBER CONNECTORS. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA RECALL 01V216000. PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH AND CAUSED THE FRONT TIRE TO BECOME SHREDDED. THE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. WE DISCOVERED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 01V216000). HOWEVER, SUBARU REFUSSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BATCH OF CARS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. WE THEREFORE HAD OUR MECHANIC REPAIR THE VEHICLE.

RANDOM OVERHEATING IN MY 1999 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON, 85000 , LEAD TO BEING STRANDED ON A RURAL ROAD. AFTER REPLACING THERMOSTAT, PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. EVENTUALLY, MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS DUE TO A FAILED HEAD GASKET. AT 85000, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT OCCUR. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON PHASE II, 2.5L ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BECAUSE OF FAILURE, HOWEVER HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE THE OWNERS OF THE PHASE I ENGINES. I FOUND A WEB-SITE FORUM WITH MANY OTHER VICTUMS OF SUBARUS NEGLECT, MANY OF WHOM WERE ALSO STRANDED ON THE ROADSIDE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN CARS WITH 50-100K MILEAGE. CLEARLY THE HEAD-GASKETS ON THESE ENGINES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THIS IS SERIOUS DEFECT THAT SUBARU SHOULD ACKNOWLEGE AND FIX.*AK

WHILE SHIFTING THE GEARS GEAR SHIFT FAILED, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO WORN OUT PART. *AK

AT AROUND 74,000 MILES THE CAM SHAFT BEGAN TO FRACTURE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE. SUBARU REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY COMPENSATION BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD.*AK

CONCERN REGARDING THE TOP TETHER FOR THE CHILD'S CAR SEAT THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE CEILING OF THE CAR.*MR THE CONSUMER INSTALLED THREE CAR SEATS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TOP TETHERS WERE MOUNTED TO THE PROVIDED MOUNTS. VISIBILITY OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW WAS HINDERED GREATLY DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE TETHERS. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE TOP TETHERS CANNOT BE REMOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR SEATS AS THEY ARE IN THE SEDAN. *NM

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE AT 115000 MILES. *AK