2008 Subaru Outback complaints

MY 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER STATED A TROUBLE CODE WAS BEING PRODUCED BY MY VEHICLE. THE SPECIFIC CODE WAS 26. I WAS TOLD THIS INDICATED A FAULT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THAT IT COULD FAIL TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THEY STATED THAT THIS CODE WOULD HAVE PREVENTED MY CAR FROM PASSING THE ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY INSPECTION AND REQUIRED A REPAIR BY REPLACING THE OVERHEAD MODULE FOR A TOTAL COST OF $360. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE SUCH AS A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WOULD RESULT IN THE CONSUMER HAVING TO PAY THE COST OF REPAIR.

BOUGHT A USED 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IN APRIL OF 2015, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS BEGAN SEEING THE AIRBAG DASH LIGHT OCCASIONALLY UPON STARTUP. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, AND WOULD OFTEN COME ON AND STAY ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AGAIN. OVERHEAD PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR ALSO WAS MALFUNCTIONING, AND DID NOT INDICATE ON OR OFF. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP ON 3/22/2016, AND THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE (PART # 92151AG13AOR) WAS REPLACED TO REMEDY AIR BAG CODE 26. TOTAL COST WAS $182.95; $130.45 FOR THE NEW CONSOLE, AND $52.50 FOR THE LABOR. THIS MALFUNCTION IS FAR TOO COMMON IN SUBARU VEHICLES ACROSS SEVERAL YEARS,AND IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT REPAIR AND A DANGEROUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE WHEN THE DASH LIGHT IS ON, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION FOR ALL SUBARU VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE CONSOLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TAKATA RECALL - I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A PART SHORTAGE HOWEVER, THIS PART HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR OVER 3 MONTHS NOW AND THE ONLY SOLUTION I'VE BEEN GIVEN IS TO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. UNACCEPTABLE.

IN THE EVENT OF THE CRASH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG , THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB

UNDER SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR53, I WAS ADVISED BY EMAIL AND POSTAL MAIL THAT I SHOULD NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE AIR BAG INFLATOR IS REPLACED BY A SUBARU DEALER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT MORE THAT A WEEK AGO TO HAVE THE WORK DONE ONLY TO LEARN TODAY WHEN I KEPT THE APPOINTMENT THAT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK, AND THAT IT WOULD BE "WEEKS AND WEEKS" BEFORE THE PART ARRIVED. I AM THEREBY DEPRIVED OF THE NORMAL, SAFE USE OF MY CAR FOR THAT TIME PERIOD. THE DEALER OFFERED A RENTAL CAR BUT WILL NOT STORE MY CAR IN THE INTERIM. I HAVE NO PLACE TO PARK AN EXTRA CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ANOTHER FORM OF COMPENSATION AND THEREBY BE MADE WHOLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TAKATA RECALL TRIED TO SCHEDULE THIS RECALL REPAIR AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS TO FIX THIS, EVEN STATING THAT THE PART HASN'T BEEN DESIGNED YET. ON THE RECALL NOTICE IT SAYS, "WHAT YOU SHOULD DO . . .UNTIL THIS REPAIR IS PERFORMED, DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT." THIS MEANS TO ME THAT SUBARU OWES ME A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE PART CAN BE REPLACED, BECAUSE MY CURRENT CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE A FAMILY OF FOUR, INCLUDING TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK. THEY OWE ME A CAR, IF THEY CAN'T REPLACE THE PART YET THEY SAY THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V323000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TAKATA RECALL DEALER SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL SERVICE AND THAT IT WILL BE MONTHS BEFORE PARTS ARRIVE.

TWICE IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, WHILE MY CAR WAS STOPPED BUT IN DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR HAS REVVED UP AND SURGED FORWARD OF ITS OWN ACCORD. BRAKING DID NOTHING TO STOP THE CAR EITHER TIME. ON AUGUST 3, 2015 AT @ 8:30 A.M., I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE DIRECTLY FACING A BUILDING AND STOPPED. AS I WAS GETTING READY TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD, ACROSS A SIDEWALK, AND INTO/THROUGH THE WALL/WINDOWS OF A BUSINESS. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY KNEW OF NO SIMILAR ISSUES LOCALLY OR NATIONALLY. I LEFT MY CAR WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR A WEEK SO THEY COULD INSPECT IT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN UNDER 30 MILES AND THE ISSUE DID NOT ARISE, SO THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. I ASKED THAT THEY NOTIFY SUBARU NATIONALLY AND THE NHTSA OF THE INCIDENT, AND ONLY LEARNED LATER THAT THEY DID NEITHER. ON DECEMBER 19, 2015, I WAS ON A CITY STREET (WET, BUT NOT ICY) @ BLOCK BACK FROM A RED LIGHT COMPLETELY STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS AT LEAST 4-6' BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, AND MY CAR AGAIN SURGED FORWARD, DESPITE ALL MY EFFORTS TO CONTROL IT, AND SLAMMED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, AND ONLY AFTER TWO VISITS WAS A RECORD MADE OF THE 12/19/2015 INCIDENT AND I WAS GIVEN THE NUMBER FOR NATIONAL SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HAVE REQUESTED A FORM TO ALLOW AN INSPECTOR TO DOWNLOAD INFORMATION FROM THE EVENT DATA RECORDER FOR REVIEW WHEN HE

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING AND CAN REMAIN ON FOR MINUTES, HOURS, OR CONSISTENTLY OVER CONSECUTIVE DRIVING DAYS. IN SOME INSTANCES, ILLUMINATION OCCURS DURING COLD AND/OR HUMID WEATHER. THE PROBLEM IS SUSPECTED TO BE CAUSED BY A FAILURE IN THE OVERHEAD/MAP LAMP ASSEMBLY PC BOARD. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BOARD, NUMEROUS SURFACE MOUNT COMPONENTS HAD SOLDER CRACKS AT THEIR COMPONENT TERMINALS. THERE WAS NO APPARENT PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE MAP LAMP ASSEMBLY ENCLOSURE.

THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BLINKED OFF & ON AND THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING, THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. IT GIVES THE APPEARANCE OF INVOLVING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE MOVING.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE FRONT DASH COMES ON WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR FRONT END IMPACT. MY VEHICLE HAS 45K MILES ON IT. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THE SUBARU DEALER DIAGNOSES THIS AS A CODE 26 WHICH REQUIRES THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $400. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT UNLESS THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE IS REPLACED. A SAFETY RECALL SEEMS WARRANTED GIVEN THE NUMBER OF SUBARU CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, AND THE COMPROMISE IN SAFETY THAT COULD RESULT FROM NEGLECTING TO GET IT REPLACED

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR FRONT END IMPACT. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATES THAT IT IS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. IT IS A HARD FAULT SINCE IT IS UNABLE TO BE CLEARED. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR. ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OVER EAD CONSOLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND STAYS ON. I NOTICE THIS MORE IN THE EARLY MORNING WHEN IT'S COLD BUT IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS NOW. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU IS FULLY AWARE OF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AUDIO AND THE WHOLE PANEL RELATED TO THE HEAT/AIR AND DEFROSTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUDIO AND H-BACK CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS WERE BLINKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

(VEHICLE HAS 112K MILES) BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY IN THE MARCH 2015 TIMEFRAME, THE RADIO CONTROLS/DISPLAY BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. AT FIRST, THE RADIO DISPLAY WOULD BLINK OFF/ON, AND THEN PRESET STATION BUTTONS STOPPED/STARTED WORKING, THEN THE CD/RADIO/AUX CONTROL KNOB STOPPED/STARTED WORKING, ETC. CONTROLS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL APPEAR UNAFFECTED. THERE WOULD BE ONE PROBLEM ON ONE DAY, WHICH WOULD SEEMINGLY "GO AWAY." THEN, AT RANDOM (SOMETIMES DAYS OR WEEKS LATER), ANOTHER PROBLEM WOULD PRESENT ITSELF. IT, TOO, WOULD "GO AWAY" IN SHORT ORDER AND THE PROCESS WOULD REPEAT ITSELF. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR ON START-UP AS WELL AS SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION (IN MAY 2015, I HAD THE RADIO GO OFF ABOUT MIDWAY ON A 150-MILE TRIP.) ON SEPT 16, THE RADIO CONTROLS BECAME COMPLETELY INACTIVE, BUT THE UNIT FUNCTIONED AND THE DISPLAY WAS ON. THEN, ON SEPT 24, I WAS TRAVELLING AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS AND RADIO/AC DISPLAYS SUDDENLY WENT DARK. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY CONCERN. THE HIGH BEAMS AND RUNNING LIGHTS REMAINED FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE REGULAR LIGHTS NO LONGER FUNCTION. I DID NOT TEST THE FOG LIGHTS AND I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE CAR. I AM USING MY WIFE'S CAR. UNTIL I CAN TAKE THE CAR FOR SERVICE, ITS USE IS LIMITED TO DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE ISSUE HAS REMAINED AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE "GOING AWAY". WHEN YOU TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, THE RADIO/AC DISPLAYS GO BLANK AND THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT.

HVAC FAILS TO OPERATE. DEFROSTER WILL NOT OPERATE. SYMPTOMS ACCOMPANIED BY FLASHING CONTROL PANEL FOR HVAC AND RADIO. WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM SHARED ON CAR OWNER INTERNET FORUMS.

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT PERIODICALLY TURNS ON WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SOMETIMES IT TURNS ON, SOMETIMES NOT. YOU CAN RESET THE SENSOR AND IT GOES AWAY, FOR DAYS OR WEEKS. NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOUND ONLINE. MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM.

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS FREQUENTLY ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME (DAYS, WEEKS,MONTHS). THE ISSUE AND SUBARU'S UNWILLINGNESS TO ADDRESS IT ARE WELL DOCUMENTED IN COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA BY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS AND ON VARIOUS SUBARU OWNER WEBSITES. FOR EXAMPLE, SEE HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2008/SUBARU/OUTBACK/AIR_BAGS/PROBLEM.ASPX THERE IS CONFLICTING ADVICE ON WHETHER ILLUMINATION OF THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT MEANS THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED OR NOT. EITHER WAY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

A YEAR AGO, MY VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT EVERY STOP (VEHICLE SHOULD BE NOTED IS STICK SHIFT). AFTER THAT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE RAN FINE. I DROVE IT WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ACCORDINGLY. I JUST RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK FROM SUBARU FOR RECALLS WQD40 (CATALYST CONVERTOR) AND WQK47 (BRAKE LINES). WHEN I STARTED CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF AND NOW STALLS AT EVERY STOP, WHICH SHUTS DOWN CAR INCLUDING POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS TRUE. I THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE AND IT IS DANGEROUS TO LOSE BRAKES AND STEERING. SUBARU WANTS TO CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT AND I DON'T WANT TO PAY THEM. MY PERSONAL MECHANIC CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE REVERSING AT MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP LIGHT AIR BAG UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS COMPLAINT FROM MANY SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT MALFUNCTION I THINK SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, DEFINITELY A RECALL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE BY SUBARU.

2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FROM MANUFACTURERS CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEFECT RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP READ THE CODES AND EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING. THE CONSUMER LEARNED SUBARU HAD ISSUED A SELECTIVE RECALL, ONLY HONORED IN CERTAIN STATES, ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH A REPROGRAMMING OF THE ECM. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HOWEVER, SHE IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL. WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, BUT 74K MILES IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS MAJOR PROBLEM TO OCCUR. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR COST.

THE WIRING FOR THE REAR LIFT GATE LOCK IS BROKEN. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 2013. DEFINITELY FAULTY DESIGN. SUBARU SAYS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS TO THE LIFT GATE FOR $500+.

THE WIRES IN THE BOOT BETWEEN THE HATCH AND BODY BECOME BRITTLE OVER TIME AND CAN SNAP WITH HATCH USAGE. I REMOVED THE BOOT AND FOUND ONE WIRE COMPLETELY SEVERED (OPERATING THE HATCH LOCK WHICH HAD STOPPED WORKING). OTHERS WERE FRAYED AND REQUIRED REPAIR (INCLUDING THE WIRES FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS). *TR

2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON AND STAY ON FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD OCCASIONALLY TURN OFF BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT WAS ON CONTINUOUSLY. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT WHEN THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 3/30/2015 AND THE SERVICE REPORT INDICATES A SCAN NOTED AIRBAG CODE 26 -PASSENGER SIDE INDICATOR FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED CORRECTION WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MAP LIGHT ASSEMBLY (PART #92151AG13AOR) FOR A COST IN MATERIAL OF $163.95 AND LABOR OF $34.52, PLUS THE DIAGNOSTIC LABOR OF $35.00. COST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE IN SUBARUS OF THIS SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR AND ALSO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE SAME TIME PERIOD. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM IS LOCATED WITHIN THE OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT MODULE AND THE FAILURE OF SOLDERING AT THE LED LIGHTS WITHIN THIS ASSEMBLY. A NEW MAP LIGHT CONSOLE WAS ORDERED AND HAS BEEN REPLACED WHICH HAS, AT THIS TIME, CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED WITH THE N.H.T.S.A. ON LINE COMPLAINT DATA (54 COMPLAINTS ALONG SIMILAR CONSOLE LIGHT PANEL FAILURE). AIR BAG SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN MANDATORY ON VEHICLES FOR BOTH FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1998. AIRBAG SYSTEMS ARE NOT OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT, AND WITH THE COMBINAT

THE AIRBAGS LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE TECH AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM IN THE CONNECTION IN THE MAP LIGHT CONSOLE. HE INDICATED THE AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY CORRECTLY. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008 OUTBACKS AND OTHER POSTERS HAVE INDICATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK IF DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. APPARENTLY MANY FOLKS HAVE FOUND A WEAK/AGED SOLDER POINT TO BE THE CAUSE OF AN INTERMITTENT CONNECTION. GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS ENCOUNTERING THIS PROBLEM, SUBARU SHOULD INITIATE A RECALL BASED ON THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF A AN AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

HAVING AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY ALONG WITH PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT. MECHANIC SAID AIRBAGS PROBABLY ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE BETWEEN $350-$400. FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, THIS IS AN EASY AND CHEAP FIX BUT DANGEROUS IF IT'S NOT REPAIRED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! *TR

PURCHASED THIS SINGLE-OWNER, WELL-CARED FOR OUTBACK ABOUT 1/9/2015. I WAS ASSURED ALL RECALLS HAD BEEN ADDRESSED. I SOON REALIZED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS EXTENDED THE LIGHT-FIELD FOR ONLY A VERY SHORT DISTANCE. (NO MORE THAN 7 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR). AT NEXT OIL CHANGE, ASKED TO HAVE THEM LOOKED AT/ADJUSTED. ABOUT 2 DAYS AFTER THAT WAS DONE, I HAD NO LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS. TOLD THE LOW-BEAMS WERE NOT "GROUNDING". (HIGH BEAMS AND FOG LIGHTS ARE FINE). WAITED FOR A $300 CONTROL MODULE PART TO COME IN BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. NOW WAITING FOR ANOTHER $300 FUSE BOX PART TO COME IN - NO GUARANTEE THAT IS THE PROBLEM. AFTER SEEING SIMILAR CAR COMPLAINTS ON-LINE, REALIZED THIS MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE (AND A MORE PERVASIVE ISSUE) THAN I THOUGHT. THE STATE OF WISCONSIN CERTAINLY SEES THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THEY ISSUE A $187+ TICKET AND THE DRIVER LOSES 3 POINTS. (I ALREADY GOT ONE TICKET DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WHILE AWAITING PARTS). I DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AVAILABLE AND DRIVE OVER 600 MILES (ROUND-TRIP) EACH WEEKEND BETWEEN WORK AND HOME. *TR

RED "AIRBAG" DASH LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THIS RENDERS AIRBAGS INOPERABLE AND CREATES AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAGS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OVERHEAD PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $333.24. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT POOR SOLDERING ON THE AIRBAG CIRCUIT BOARD CAUSES THE INDICATOR ASSEMBLE TO FAIL. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, AND THE FACT THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SITUATION. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS "GHOST WALKING" AS DEFINED IN THIS THREAD: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/66-PROBLEMS-MAINTENANCE/16527-ALL-GHOSTWALKING-OUBACK-OWNERS-PRINT.HTML THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLIDES FROM SIDED TO SIDE AT A CERTAIN FREQUENCY ABOVE 35 MPH IN SNOW CONDITIONS. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS MORE WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON MY 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. I?M NOT SURE UNDER WHAT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. AND RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE AIRBAG LED INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT WORK. I TOOK THE OUTBACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER, AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE MODULE DUE TO SHORTING AND CHARGED ME $117 FOR THE INSPECTION, $137 FOR THE PART, $148 FOR SERVICE AND TAX. THE TOTAL WILL BE $402. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAD SOLVED THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMPLY SOLDERING THE CONNECTION FOR ALMOST NO COST. THE SUBARU DEALER SERVICE NEVER OFFERED TO TRY SOLDERING, ONLY WARNED ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T WORK WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. THE SHEER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED AND SUBJECT DISCUSSIONS ONLINE SHOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PREDICTABLE AND COULD BE SOLVED CHEAPLY. SUBARU MUST MAKE BETTER SOLDERING, ESPECIALLY WHEN LIFESAVING AIR BAGS ARE AT STAKE. *JS

I'M UPDATING MY 2/3/15 COMPLAINT 10680982. I CONTACTED SUBARU DIRECTLY ON THE SAME DAY AND INCLUDED A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT I FILED WITH NHTSA AND MY BILL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE OVERHEAD AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. IN THE REPORT THE SUBARU TECH SAID THE UNIT WAS SHORTING OUT, SHOWING CODE "26 FOR PASSENGER?S AIRBAG INDICATOR FAILURE AND S8 AIRBAG LIGHT ON." I ALSO GAVE SUBARU MY TALLY OF MY FIRST CURSORY SEARCH OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINTS DATABASE ON THE WORD "AIRBAG" FOR ALL MODELS OF SUBARU FROM 2000 TO PRESENT. THE SEARCH RESULTED IN 145 COMPLAINTS. AFTER I LOOKED THROUGH THE FIRST 60 COMPLAINTS I FOUND 45 OF THEM THAT SEEMED TO BE ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM - THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OVERHEAD INDICATOR GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE ACROSS EVERY MODEL OF SUBARU AND YEARS FROM 2003 TO 2013. MY 2008 OUTBACK HAD THE MOST COMPLAINTS - 13. OTHER SEARCHES FOR DIFFERENT KEY WORDS AND SPELLINGS OF AIRBAG RESULTED IN MANY HUNDREDS OF RESULTS, TOO MANY FOR YOUR DATABASE TO DISPLAY, PROBABLY MANY OF THEM WERE ABOUT THE RECENT AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE. SUBARU'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY AND ON 2/12/15 THEY PROMISED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ENTIRE $352, THE TOTAL COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE MODULE. I URGE ALL SUBARU OWNERS TO TEST THEIR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS AND THOSE WITH PROBLEMS TO LODGE A FORMAL NHTSA COMPLAINT AND REPORT IT TO SUBARU. SINCE THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK WHEN THE LIGHT ISN'T WO

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON INTERMITTENTLY ON DASH AND OVERHEAD. NOT SURE AIRBAGS ARE WORKING. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. *TR

DASHBOARD HAS SUDDENLY BECOME VERY STICKY/TACKY, AND EXTREMELY SHINY. ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN OR REMOVE APPARENT RESIDUE HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON STICKINESS, AND LINT FROM RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS TENDS TO STICK TO DASH. IN SUNLIGHT, MOONLIGHT OR STREETLIGHT, DASHBOARD SURFACE REFLECTS ONTO WINDSHIELD AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. DASHBOARD PLASTIC APPEARS TO BE CHEMICALLY BREAKING DOWN OR MELTING. A SIMILAR ISSUE AFFECTED SEVERAL MILLION TOYOTA VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURE DATE (2007-8), PARTICULARLY IN SUNNIER STATES WITH MORE UV EXPOSURE (FL, AZ, CA) AND TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL. SUSPECT THE SAME/A SIMILAR SUBCONTRACTOR PROVIDED SIMILAR/IDENTICAL PLASTIC TO BOTH MANUFACTURERS. OUR CAR HAS BEEN KEPT MOSTLY OUTDOORS IN MD, CA AND HI. SUBARU HAS YET TO FOLLOW TOYOTA IN ISSUING A RECALL. SEVERE VISIBILITY HAZARD. *TR

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE IN HEAVY SNOW, SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE DASH LIGHT FLASHED, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLES MOVED AS IF THE CAR WAS STARTING UP. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE, WOULD NOT CRANK. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WORKED. SAT IN HEAVY SNOW FOR TWO HOURS (NO TOW TRUCKS AVAILABLE UNTIL NEXT DAY). SUDDENLY AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS, IT DID. DROVE IT HOME FINE. STALLED NEXT DAY ON WAY TO REPAIR SHOP. HAD CAR TOWED AND SHOP FOUND ONE CODE, BUT NOTHING ELSE WRONG. DROVE HOME FINE, RAN CAN FOR 45 MINS, FINE. NEXT DAY DROVE FOR 35 MIN TO WORK, FINE BUT LEFT WORK AND IMMEDIATELY STALLED JUST LIKE FEW DAYS BEFORE. TOWED TO SUBARU DEALER AND TOOK A DAY TO FIGURE OUT WAS MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS. REPLACED WITH MINIMAL CHARGE OF $50, EVEN THOUGHT THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN FINE SINCE THEN. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK, NOT SURE UNDER WHAT SPECIFIC CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR DAYS. DEALER SERVICE SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE OVERHEAD CONSOLE MODULE DUE TO SHORTING AND CHARGED ME $350. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND MANY PEOPLE HAD SOLVED THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMPLY SOLDERING THE CONNECTION FOR ALMOST NO COST. DEALER SERVICE NEVER OFFERED TO TRY SOLDERING, ONLY WARNED ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULDN'T WORK WHEN LIGHT WAS ON. THE SHEER NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED AND SUBJECT DISCUSSIONS ONLINE SHOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PREDICTABLE AND COULD BE SOLVED CHEAPLY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUBARU HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THE MONEY OWNERS HAVE SPENT ON THIS AVOIDABLE AND SIMPLE PROBLEM. *TR

HEAD GASKETS FAILED AND, ONCE DISASSEMBLED, VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. *TR

MELTED DASHBOARD ON 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I. CAUSING GLARE IN WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY. *TR