2005 Subaru Outback complaints

2005 OB SW MT. CAR IS VERY UNSTABLE IN SLUSH OR SNOW. CAR WEAVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE RESULTING IN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY TO MINIMIZE INSTABILITY. *TR

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL COLD CONDITIONS. EVERY TIME THAT WE WENT UNDER AN OVERPASS WHERE ICE HAS FORCED ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL. IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT THE HAZARD ENDED QUICKLY OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN OFF THE ROAD

WE PURCHASED A USED 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD. WAGON IN AUGUST OF 2008 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB. SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE REPLACED 3 MORE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS AND 2 RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS. SUBARU TELLS US THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, YET THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES NOW AND THAT THEIR BRANDED BULBS SHOULD WORK. AT APPX. $20.00 EACH, THEIR SOLUTION SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $100.00 REPLACING BULBS THAT SHOULD LAST FOR YEARS AND YEARS, NOT 2-3 MONTHS! WE ARE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OF COLORADO WHERE THERE ARE FEW STREET OR HIGHWAY LIGHTS AND WILDLIFE IS ALWAYS A CONCERN WHILE DRIVING. YOU NEED PROPER VEHICLE LIGHTING TO REMAIN SAFE ON THE ROAD AND THIS KNOWN DEFECT BY SUBARU NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HEADLIGHT FAILURE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN NEAR A SUBARU DEALER. OFF THE SHELF REPLACEMENT BULBS SHOULD DO THE JOB, BUT DON'T BECAUSE SUBARU IS NOT SHARING THE CORRECT LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY WITH THE AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS. THIS MAY NOT BE THE FIRST COMPLAINT YOU HAVE RECEIVED. WE SEE MANY 2005-2006 SUBARU'S LIKE OURS WITH BURNED OUT HEADLAMPS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR COMPLAINT. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK SEDAN DRIVEN ON ICY/SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS EXPERIENCES EXTREME SLIPPAGE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS. AWD DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE KEEPING THE REAR OF THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN LINE. VEHICLE FISHTAILS OR GHOSTWALKS ON THE ROAD SURFACE IN THESE CONDITIONS. EACH TIME THIS WAS EXPERIENCED WAS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 70 MPH IN ICY/SNOWY CONDITIONS. I HAVE A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN AS WELL THAT DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS TYPE OF UNNERVING WANDERING ON THE ROAD WHEN DRIVEN IN EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. THIS WANDERING MAKES VEHICLE FEEL EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND THE BACK OF THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT WANTS TO SPIN AROUND OR OFF THE ROAD. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

WITH 35,600 MILES ON OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT, THE TURBO FAILED. THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS DO TO THE CONDITION OF THE ENGINE OIL WHICH WAS 7 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 5,400 MILES ON IT. ALL 7 OF THE VEHICLES OIL CHANGES WERE DONE WITHIN THE 7,500 MILE INTERVAL SET FORTH IN OWNERS/VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANUAL. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN # 02-103-07 (HTTP://STORE.FORCEDPERFORMANCE.NET/MERCHANT2/GRAPHICS/SUBARU_OIL/02-103-07.PDF -- NOT SENT TO OWNERS), THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE "BANJO BOLT" OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO, WHICH MAKE THIS ENGINE UNABLE TO LIVE UP TO THE SPECIFIED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS IN ITS POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *TR

PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. RESULTED IN LOUD HUMMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A SUBARU OUTBACK AND LIVE IN BEMIDJI MINNESOTA--LAND OF BELOW ZERO WINTER TEMPERATURES. TODAY I WAS NAILED IN THE HEAD YET AGAIN BY THE TAILGATE DOOR OF MY CAR. YOU SEE, THE STRUTS THAT SUPPORT THE TAILGATE DOOR DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN ITS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE--LIKE APPROACHING 0 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LOWER. WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WARMER--ABOUT 20 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO--THE STRUTS FUNCTION AS USUAL. BUT WHEN IT IS EXTREMELY COLD, THE STRUTS DO NOT WORK AND THE DOOR FALLS FREELY ONTO YOUR HEAD OR WHATEVER IS IN THE WAY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN JULY 2006. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO AN INJURY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IF THE CONTACT DROVE MORE THAN 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,875.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS ON JANUARY 10, 2009 WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROADS AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR MORE, THE CAR SOMETIMES "FLOATS" TO THE SIDE SEVERAL INCHES. IT FEELS DIFFERENT THAN FISHTAILING -- MORE LIKE THE CAR IS BEING PUSHED BY THE WIND. THIS OCCURS WITH NO CROSS-WIND, NO ACCELERATION, NO CORNERING OR BRAKING, ON FLAT STRAIGHT ICY ROADS WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. THE SIDEWAYS SLIP IS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT YOU FEEL YOU MAY LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE ROAD. THE ONLY FIX IS TO SLOW DOWN TO 40 MPH OR LESS, WHILE OTHER CARS ARE PASSING AT 60 MPH OR MORE. AFTER SEVERAL OCCURRENCES, ALWAYS ON ICY OR SLUSHY ROADS, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER, WHO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE CAR HAD POSITIVE TOE-IN OF 0.23 DEGREES (FRONT LEFT), 0.24 DEGREES (FRONT RIGHT), 0.22 DEGREES (REAR LEFT) AND 0.44 DEGREES (REAR RIGHT). TOO MUCH TOE-IN, I'M TOLD, CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND CAN ALSO CAUSE POOR HANDLING ON ICY ROADS. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT COMPLAINTS FOR BOTH THESE ISSUES MAY HAVE A COMMON CAUSE. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT TOE-IN INCREASES OVER TIME WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS, AND THAT TOE-IN ALSO INCREASES WHEN THERE IS MORE WEIGHT IN THE BACK END OF THE CAR. THE SUBARU OUTBACK DYNAMICALLY SHIFTS POWER TO NON-SLIPPING WHEELS WHEN ONE OR MORE WHEELS LOSES TRACTION, AND APPORTIONS POWER 60/40 FAVORING THE REAR WHEELS. COULD THESE FACTORS, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE TOE-IN, CREATE THE KIND OF DANGEROUS FLOATING ON ICY ROADS THAT MANY OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED? PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK, 2.5L, 4EAT, AWD VEHICLE FEELS"LOOSE" AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN ~35 ON HIGHWAYS WITH PATCHY ICE, SLUSH, AND OR ICY RUTS. REAR END FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO COME AROUND. HAS OCCURRED WITH TWO PASSENGERS AND APPROX 250 POUNDS IN CARGO AREA AND WITH ONE PASSENGER AND ~250 POUNDS IN CARGO AREA. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THIS WEEKEND, ON HARD PACKED ICE ROADS, THE BACK WHEELS WOULD "FLOAT", SWAY OUT FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY IN BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. I WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH SLOWER THAN THE REST OF TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND THUS CREATING AN ADDITIONAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLES THAT COULD HANDLE THE CONDITIONS. THE BELOW EMAIL THREAD IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST AND OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEW TIRES AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS RECENTLY VERIFIED. THANKS, CALE STREETER HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=11267&PERPAGE=20&PAGENUMBER=32. *TR

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARING HUBS WENT BAD BETWEEN 55K AND 58K MILES. THEY WERE FIXED WITH A REPLACEMENT PART. THEY CAUSED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NOVEMBER 15, 2008 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION. OUR CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP HERE IN PUERTO RICO WHERE THEY HAVE YET TO DISCOVER WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR IN SEATTLE BUT WE LIVE HERE BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS STATIONED HERE FOR THE MILITARY. WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET SUBARU OF AMERICA'S ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THIS DEPLOYMENT BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING DONE IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. WE ARE FEARFUL TO DRIVE OUR CAR AGAIN AND WANT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO BE A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE AND INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY MALFUNCTION IN THEIR VEHICLE. AS FAR AS WE KNOW THE SERVICE MANAGER HERE SENT THEM AN EMAIL INFORMING THEM THAT AFTER HE HAD LOOKED OVER THE CAR, HE SEES NO DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. THIS INFORMATION WE ALREADY KNEW, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION. SO FAR THIS IS THE EXTENT OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE SITUATION. *TR

IT STARTED WITH THE DOME LIGHT SOMETIMES WORKING AND OTHER TIMES NOT,THEN THE REMOTE TO OPEN DOORS. I CHANGED BATTERY AND FUSE, DID NOT HELP. SO EVERYTHING IS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. NEXT IT WAS THE SEAT BELT BELL. IT WILL GO ON WHEN YOUR DRIVING WHEN BELT IS ON. NOW IT WON'T CHIME AT ALL JUST THE LIGHT FLASHES. NEXT IT WAS THE HEAD LAMPS. CHANGED ONE, THEN IMMEDIATELY THE OTHER WENT OUT. THE HEAD LAMPS ARE NOT EQUAL IN POSITIONING. AND NOW THE STEREO ONLY HAS THE RIGHT SIDE WORKING (NOT SURE IF THAT'S CONNECTED TO ELECTRICAL) IT'S BEEN A NIGHTMARE. TODAY THE DOME LIGHT DECIDED TO WORK. I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER SUBARU AGAIN AND WANT TO SPRUCE THIS ONE UP AN GET RID OF IT. *TR

I TOOK A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP THIS SUMMER FROM LA TO KANSAS CITY, MO. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT BEFORE I LEFT BOTH GOING AND COMING BACK. I LEFT KC TO HEAD BACK TO LA. 3 HOURS OUTSIDE OF KC I SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE UP TO RED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. SMOKE POURED OUT OF MY CAR. I PUT COOLANT AND WATER IN IT 3 TIMES. IT SEEMED FINE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE, THEN THE NEEDLE WOULD GO UP TO RED. I DIDN'T DARE DRIVE IT, SO I CALLED AAA. THEY TOWED ME TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN KS. I WAS TOLD MY HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THEY FIXED THEM. I HAD TO STAY THERE OVERNIGHT. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT MORNING AND TOLD ME BEFORE I WAS TO PICK UP THE CAR THAT THEY HAD TAKEN IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND IT BROKE DOWN ON THEM. THIS TIME IT WAS THE TENSIONER TO THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED TIME AND THE BELT HAD SHATTERED INTO. OKAY, THAT WAS ANOTHER WEEK AND A HALF STRANDED TO GET THAT FIXED. I FINALLY LEFT TO DRIVE BACK TO LA. THE CAR OVERHEATED ALL THE WAY BACK TO LA. IT WAS THE WORSE TRIP IN MY LIFE. I STOPPED IN CO. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY RADIATOR CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AS LONG AS I KEPT THE RPM'S UP THE CAR WOULD STAY COOL. I HAVE TO SAY WITH ALL THAT GOING ON, THE CAR GOT ME HOME. WHEW! IT WAS A NAIL BITER. WHEN I GOT BACK TO LA THE DEALER THERE TOLD ME I HAD TO HAVE NEW HEAD GASKETS. WHAT?! I SAID, I JUST HAD NEW ONES DONE. THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE HEADS WERE WARPED. NO ONE CHECKED. NOW, HERE IS THE CRAZIEST THING. MY CAR HAD ONLY 1

I HAD MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK SENT TO SHOP FOR TUNE-UP. NOW OVER THE LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING GAS FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN EVER YOU RUN THE A/C OR FRONT WINDOW DEFOGGER WITH THE RECIRCULATION AIR OFF. (MEANING LETTING FRESH AIR IN). WHEN EVER I AM AT A STAND STILL (IE-AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC OR WHEN I AM DE-ICING OR DE-FOGGING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHEN NOT IN MOTION) THE SMELL OF GAS COMES THROUGH THE VENT AND IS MAKING ME SICK AND DIZZY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE TWO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS CORRECT THE ISSUE BUT TO NO LUCK. THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING AND PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH SUBARU VEHICLES. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY HEALTH AND SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THAT NO ONE WILL ATTEMPT TO REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S, YET NOTHING IS EVER DONE TO CORRECT A POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT OR ASPHYXIATION FROM HAPPENING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS TUCKED BACK BEHIND MY LEFT FOOT WHICH WAS RESTING ON THE FOOT REST PAD ON THE FAR LEFT SIDE OF THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING NORMALLY WHEN SUDDENLY IT WENT TO VERY HIGH REVS FOR 4 TO 5 SECONDS AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. LATER THE SAME EVENING, AS I SLOWLY ENTERED MY GARAGE AND APPLIED NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE, THE CAR FIRST SLOWED (AS EXPECTED) THEN SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED HARD BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE THE ENGINE HAD REVVED AS HIGH AS THE EARLIER INCIDENT AND IT ONLY LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, BUT THERE WAS A DEFINITE, BRIEF SURGE FORWARD AS I ENTERED THE GARAGE. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT A COST OF $2,000. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO A BAD TURBO CHARGER TWO MONTHS AGO AT ABOUT $1,800. MANY SUBARU'S HAVE THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM BUT SUBARU HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. THOUSANDS LISTED ON INTERNET HAVING THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. *TR

ON SNOWY/ICY ROAD, THE HANDLING ON MY 05 OUTBACK XT WAS WORSE THAN EVERYTHING ELSE ON THE ROAD THAT DAY. THE REAR-END OF THE CAR WAS UNSTABLE AND SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE. I HAVE PUT NEW TIRES ON AND HAD AN ALIGNMENT. THIS IS UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY IN A CAR THAT IS THOUGHT TO BE GOOD IN WINTER. *TR

AT AROUND 14,000 MILES THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ROTORS HAD WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. AGAIN AT ABOUT 22,000 I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS HAD WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE TURNED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DUE TO HEAVY BRAKING, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR RIDING THE BRAKES. I HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ROTORS HAVE NEVER NEEDED TO BE TURNED, MY DRIVING HABITS NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU HAS NOT GOTTEN BACK TO ME IN OVER 2 MONTHS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

CAR IS VERY UNSTABLE ON SNOWY ROAD SURFACES AND FISHTAILS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD DO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES DURING WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE HAVE NEW SNOW TIRES AND FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. CAR INSTABILITY IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE SUBARU DEALER AND SUBARU DIRECTLY YET NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

UNSTABLE CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE ON ICE OR SLUSH COVER ROADS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE REAR FISHTAILS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO VERY LOW SPEED TO REGAIN CONTROL. OTHER CARS HAD NO TROUBLE AND EASILY PASSED. TIRES ARE GOOD, ALIGNMENT GOOD. CAR ALSO FLOATS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT ON DRY PAVEMENT IF WHEELS HIT POTHOLE OR LARGE CRACK IN PAVEMENT. REAR INSTABILITY. *TR

MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5XT HAS A BAD REAR END SWAY WHILE DRIVING OVER SLICK SPOTS ON THE HIGHWAY, FEELING LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL. *TR

CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE ON SLICK ROADS. SPECIFICALLY THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE "FISHTAILS". *TR

MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT LIMITED DOES NOT HANDLE WELL IN SNOW/ICY CONDITIONS. THE REAR END OSCILLATES BACK AND FORTH IN A VERY UNEASY, UNSAFE MANOR. I JUST HAD THE REAR END AND FRONT END ALIGNED. THE TIRES ARE ONLY HALF WAY WORN. I WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH AND EVERY CAR ON THE ROAD WAS NOT HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ROAD. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MPH IN ORDER TO FEEL SAFE. *CN

WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROADS, THE REAR END OF THE CAR PITCHES LEFT & RIGHT AT AN OSCILLATION OF ABOUT 1HZ, 2-3" CONSTANTLY TRYING TO THROW THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT'S OFF THROTTLE, OFF BRAKES - IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT ALMOST ANY SPEED IT DOES IT. NEW TIRES AND 2 ALIGNMENTS DID NOT CORRECT THE ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. INTERMITTENTLY, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL IN SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRONICS IN THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-45 MPH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INVOICE STATES THAT IT TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN BUT IT SHOULD STATE THAT IT TURNS ON BY ITSELF. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN USE, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, JUMPING A 10 INCH CURB, STRIKING A PINE TREE, THEN DOWN A GRASSY SLOPE AND OFF A SECOND CURB INTO A LOWER PARKING AREA. *JB

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING ON 2 OCCASIONS WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND 5 MILES OF EACH OTHER. FIRST OCCURRED IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR, WITH NO REASON TO CHANGE SPEEDS OR STOP, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED FORWARD, AND LEFT THE ROAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL, AND JUST AS QUICKLY, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. WITH IN THE NEXT FOUR MILES, IT WAS PERFECTLY NORMAL, WITH NO ENGINE LIGHTS, STRANGE SOUNDS OR BEHAVIOR. I CAME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE TURNING LEFT ONTO OUR GRAVEL ROAD, WHEN AGAIN IT SURGED FORWARD, AND THIS TIME WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE, INTO A FLOWER GARDEN, AND CAME TO A STOP, WEDGED AGAINST THE FENCE. THE CAR WAS TOWED (ON A FLAT BED) TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS EXAMINED AND REPAIRED FOR $5876.11. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA BY E-MAIL THAT EVENING, , AND GOT A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 6, THAT ARRIVED ON THE 8TH. IT ASKED FOR ALL THE DETAILS, SERVICE RECORDS, POLICE REPORTS, INSURANCE COMPANY, ETC. IT ALSO STATED THAT THEY WISHED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN IN ITS UNDAMAGED CONDITION. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CAME TOO LATE, AS THE CAR WAS ALREADY BEING REPAIRED. I SENT IN ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND I RECEIVED A CALL FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA PN SEPT. 20, SAYING THAT THEY WERE SORRY, BUT SINCE THE CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, DETAILS: THE BRAKE PADS ON MY 2005 SUBARU HAVE WARPED (ALL 4) AT 18,000 MILES PRODUCING AN UNEVEN SENSATION AS ONE IS BRAKING. IT ALSO INCREASES THE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP. AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU IN FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION (AT 20,000 MILES) I WAS TOLD THAT ALL 4 WHEELS NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, (EVEN THOUGH MY FRONT BRAKES HAVE 60% BRAKING EFFICIENCY & 70% ON THE REAR BRAKES). MY PARTNER, WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER, IS THE SOLE DRIVER OF OUR SUBARU AND IS VERY RARELY IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC. ON THE FEW OCCASIONS WHEN SHE IS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC SHE MAINTAINS EXTRA DISTANCE BETWEEN HER VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER TO AVOID HAVING TO USE HER BRAKES MORE THEN IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. NEITHER ONE OF US HAVE EVER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS ON A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE AS LOW AS 20,000 MILES AND BOTH OF US HAVE LIVED IN LARGE CITIES ALL OF OUR LIVES. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. SUBARU, OVERALL, MAKES RELIABLE, RESPONSIVE AND SAFE VEHICLES BUT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *JB

I OWN A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I WAGON. AT 44000 MILES (26 MONTHS) THE REAR WHEELS WERE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AT BOTH LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND BOTH WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED OR THEY WOULD HAVE SOON FAILED. *NM

MANUAL TRANSMISSION OUTBACK WAGON NON-TURBO CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY ON HIGHWAYS. WAS FILED AT WILKINS SUBARU IN MD A WHILE BACK AND THEY MADE SOME CHANGE TO THE COMPUTER BY SOA AND IT WENT AWAY. WELL IT CAME BACK ON MY LATEST ROAD TRIP. IT WOULD KICK OUT AT VARY DURATIONS, ON VARYING TERRAIN, AT VARYING TEMPERATURES, AND VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE TRIP WENT FROM THE GULF COAST TO THE BALTIMORE OVER 2 DAYS. MY WIFE PUT 1500 MILES ON THE CAR IN 2 DAYS A WEEK EARLIER WITH NO TROUBLES AND THE NEXT 1200 IT WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF I SET THE SPEED AND LEFT IT OR IF I SET THE SPEED AND USED THE "ACCEL" "DECCEL" BUTTONS. MAJOR NUISANCE AND UNSAFE. I COULDN'T ALWAYS TELL IT TURNED OFF UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS MUCH TOO CLOSE. THEN THE CAR LUNGES AS I HIS "RESUME" *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN THE CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS MOTHER WAS DOING ABOUT 5 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IS WAS A NICE DAY AND WEATHER WAS NOT AN ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT STRUCK TREES AND THAT FRONT END DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL HIS MOTHER TURNED THE CAR OFF. *AK UPDATED 1/19/2007 - *NM

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LEGACY STATION WAGON THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL (REAR) MALFUNCTIONS UNDER WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. IT BEGINS A RHYTHMIC TRANSFER OF POWER BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE LOSES TRACTION AND THEN SPINS OUT... THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THEY HAVE PERFORMED ALIGNMENTS BUT INDICATE THAT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE COMPLAINT... SO, THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY REPAIR MADE TO RESOLVE THIS DANGEROUS FAULT. THE REPAIR WOULD INVOLVE REPLACING THE ENTIRE UNIT (LSD)... BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATELY... WE HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE COMPLAINT... WE HAVE REPLACED THE ORIGINAL "POTENZA" TIRES WITH AN AGGRESSIVE ALL WEATHER TIRE HOPING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM... SUBARU WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ON THIS 2005 OUTBACK! WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. THANKS! *NM

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5XT WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARKING STRUCTURE AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM ON 10/13/2005. AT APPROXIMATELY 8PM THE FIRE ALARM WAS TRIGGERED BY VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT FOUND NO SIGNS OF ARSON OR FOUL PLAY, LOOKED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT CLUSTER. NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU, INSURANCE DROPPED MY POLICY - LOSS NOT COVERED! *NM

ON AN EXTENDED ROAD TRIP (17000 MI), IN OUR NEW 2005 OUTBACK, WE WENT THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT, WHICH WAS SEVERELY OFF THE FIRST TIME (AFTER 5000 MILES.) BUT THEN AT ABOUT 16000 MILES, THE SECOND SET WAS SEVERELY WORN OUT. WE HAD THE ALIGNMENT REDONE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN WHITEHORSE, CANADA BUT WE DID NOT REPLACE THE TIRES AS THE WARRANTY WAS NOT HONORED AT THAT DEALERSHIP. THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ABOUT 400 MILES FROM ANCHORAGE. WE PURCHASED A USED TIRE AT A GAS STATION AND LIMPED ON TO ANCHORAGE, WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT FOR THE SECOND TIME, THIS TIME WITH A LOADED BACK SEAT. WE HAVE SINCE PUT ABOUT 6000 MORE MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS NOT SHOWN SEVERE WEAR SINCE THAT RE-ALIGNMENT. *JB

CONSUMR'S 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK HAD AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL PROBLEMS. *KB *NM

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR FROM COASTING, SUCH AS WHEN A RED LIGHT HAS JUST TURNED GREEN. I BEGIN TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE JUST ABOUT DIES. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO GET "T-BONED" AT INTERSECTIONS NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF TWO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERS AND THEY SAY THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE HEARD THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM BUT SUBARU WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

EXCESSIVE REAR TIRE WEAR, BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92, 225/55/17 INSTALLED ON 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. NORMAL TIRE WEAR THROUGH 19K MILES. REAR TIRES COMPLETLY WORN OUT AFTER 2K ROAD TRIP WITH MODERATE VEHICLE LOADING. NO SIGNS OF MIS-ALIGNMENT OR OVER/UNDER INFLATION. FRONT TIRES REMAIN SERVICEABLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK, AND SPINE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP.

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AND POLICE/FIRE DEPT DETERMINED ARSON UNLIKELY. *NM

THE ABS ON MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I LIMITED IS TOO SENSITIVE. IT IS DANGEROUS DRIVING IN THE SNOW BECAUSE THE ABS KICKS IN TOO EASILY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. I HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN NEW TIRES WITH AN EXCELLENT RATING AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. BUMPS IN THE ROAD ALSO SET OFF THE ABS TOO EASILY LEADING TO SCARY SITUATIONS. I DRIVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH ABS AND THIS DOES NOT OCCUR. I AM NOT CONFIDENT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE SNOW, WHICH IS IRONIC BECAUSE IT IS AN AWD SUBARU (WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION). ABS IS SUPPOSED TO BENEFIT THE DRIVER, NOT HELP CREATE A COLLISION. *NM

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN THE 2005 OUTBACK. *TS THE CONSUMER WANTED A FEDERAL EMISSIONS EQUIPPED VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INFORMED BEFORE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT IT HAD A MANDATED CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE OF POWER. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED SPECIAL FUEL WHICH MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN THE STATES WHERE HE NEEDS TO DRIVE. *JB UPDATED 04/11/06.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 35 WE ENCOUNTERED PATCHY ICE ON THE ROAD SURFACE. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WITH CONSTANT SPEED (60 MPH, 10 MPH BELOW THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT), ON STRAIGHT STRECHES OF ROAD, THE REAR END OF OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK AWD WOULD SKID SUDDENLY. THE SKIDS WOULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AND WERE LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SOME BODY ROLL. IN ALL CASES THE CAR RECOVERED WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. WHEN THE AWD SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED PER THE SUBARU MANUAL NO SUCH SKIDS OCCURED ON THE SAME TRIP IN IDENTICAL SITUATIONS. I HAVE DRIVEN IN MINNESOTA FOR OVER 20 YEARS IN REAR WHEEL, FRONT WHEEL, AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN SKIDDING IN STEADY STATE CONDIDITONS. THE OUTBACK WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND THE AWD SYSTEM WAS CHECKED WITH NO FAULTS FOUND. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATED THAT THE COMBINATIION OF BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92 225/60R 16 TIRES (STANDARD FROM THE FACTORY) AND THE AWD OF THE SUBARU MAY BE A DANGEROUS COMBINATION. AS STATED EARLIER, WITH THE AWD SYSTEM DEACITVATED AND THE CAR IN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, NO SKIDS WERE EXPERIENCED. WE HAVE THE SAME TIRE ON OUR 2004 HONDA CIVIC AND HAVE HAD NO WINTER ISSUES WITH IT.

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT WHEN A DRIVER DECIDED TO DO A U-TURN INTO HER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER DID NOT SEE IN SIDE MIRROR BECAUSE SHE WAS IN A "BLIND SPOT. *AK MOST EUROPEAN AUTOS HAVE A SPLIT DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR, SO THAT THERE IS "NO BLIND SPOT". THE SPLIT IS VERTICAL ABOUT ONE THIRD OF THE WAY IN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE MIRROR. MY CONTENTION IS THAT IF THE DRIVER HAD HAD SUCH A MIRROR, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENT.

I PURCHASED MY 05 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK IN SEPTEMBER 04. THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WENT OUT IN OCTOBER 05 AND I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE IT WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT BULB. I NOTICED THAT NOW THE RIGHT LOW BEAM IS MORE ANGLED DOWN THAN PREVIOUSLY, MAKING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT MORE LIMITED THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT. IN DECEMBER 05 THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ALSO EXPIRED AND MY FATHER AND I REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME COMPATIBLE PART. I NOTICED THAT NIGHT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW BEAM WAS NOW ONLY ILLUMINATING ABOUT 10 FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR (LESS THAN THE RIGHT LOW BEAM NOW) AND SO I HAD TO CRANE FORWARD OVER THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEE THE PART OF THE ROAD THAT WAS ILLUMINATED. MY DAD AND I ADJUSTED THEM AS MUCH AS WE COULD BUT THERE'S REALLY NOT MUCH TO ADJUST. NOW, WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT I'M MOSTLY RELYING ON STREET LIGHTS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTING TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD RATHER THAN MY LOW BEAMS BECAUSE THEY REALLY DON'T SHOW YOU ANYTHING OF THE ROAD MORE THAN 10-20 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU (FORTUNATELY I LIVE IN THE CITY SO IT'S PRETTY WELL ILLUMINATED AT NIGHT). THE ONLY WAY TO SEE THE ROAD SAFELY IF I'M IN A POORLY LIT AREA IS WITH THE HIGH BEAMS NOW AND JUDGING FROM OTHER POSTED COMPLAINTS THERE'S REALLY NOTHING THE DEALER CAN DO TO ADJUST THEM. *NM

WE OWN A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LLBEAN WAGON WITH PROJECTION HEADLIGHTS. MY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR USUALLY, BUT DURING THE HOLIDAYS I DROVE IT QUITE A BIT ESPECAILLY AT NIGHT. I NOTICED A DISTINCTIVE BLACK LINE RUNNING HORIZONTALLY WITH THE VEHICLE AT 180 DEGREES THAT ALSO RUNS ACROSS THE HORIZON OF THE ROAD SIMILAR TO WHAT AN OLD PROJECTOR DOES ON A WHITE SCREEN. (CREATES A BOX OF LIGHT FOR THE IMAGE. BUT OUTSIDE THE BOUNDRY OF THE PROJECTOR THERE IS NO IMAGE OR LIGHT. WHEN DRIVING ON A PERFECTLY HORIZONTAL ROAD THE PROJECTOR LIGHTS EXTEND OUT LET'S SAY 250 YARDS +/-. BUT WHEN THE ROAD UNDULATES THE HEADLIGHT PROJCETION OF THE ROAD AHEAD IS CUT OFF! IT'S LIKE SOMETHING SHUTS OFF THE PROJECTED LIGHT AHEAD AND THE ROAD BECOMES SEVERLY DARKENED. HOWEVER, WHEN I TURN ON MY HIGHBEAMS THE ENTIRE ROAD FRONT AND SIDES ARE ADEQUATELY LIT. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A PONTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE DRIVING IN FOG, HEAVY RAIN, OR SNOW. HOW CAN YOU MAINTAIN A SAFE CONDITION IF YOUR FORWARD LIGHT IS ESENTIALLY CUT OFF BECAUSE OF THE LIMITATION OF THE PROJCETOR DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT? I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ACCORDING TO PERSON I SPOKE TO. I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD WITH MY CONCERNS. APPARANTLY ACCORDING TO THE SUBRU MECHANIC I SPOKE TO TODAY, OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2006 TRIBECA WHICH HAS THE SAME HEADLIGHT SET UP. SINCERELY, AP GULLA. *NM