2008 Subaru Outback complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SNOW BECAME PACKED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE WHEEL TO TURN NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300.

GHOSTWALKING SUBARU OUTBACK, 2008. DRIVING MY FAMILY (2 ADULTS, 2 TEENS) TO A FAMILY EVENT, ALONG WITH LUGGAGE, EXPERIENCED REAR END SWAY BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING ON SLIGHTLY SLICK ROADS (SLUSHY CONDITIONS). IT FELT LIKE REAR END WAS SWAYING INTO TRAFFIC IN ADJACENT LANE. IT WAS EXTREMELY UNNERVING. OCCURS IN SPEEDS ABOVE 50 KM/H. PROBLEM CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 50 KM/H WITH SLICK ROAD. HAD TO SLOW DOWN BELOW 50 KM/H ON HIGHWAY (WHICH IS ILLEGAL). *TR

I HAVE A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK EQUIPPED WITH GOOD WINTER TIRES. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON WINTER ROADS MY CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE REAR END OF THE CAR STARTS TO SWAY AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL BY BRINGING DOWN MY SPEED, AND I END UP TRAVELING MUCH SLOWER THEN THE TRAFFIC FLOW. MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS THE SAME CAR AND EXPERIENCES THIS PROBLEM AS WELL WITH HIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAW WITH THIS CAR AND SUBARU NEEDS TO COMES TO GRIPS WITH IT AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE ON SLICK WINTER ROADS. *TR

2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON SWAYS DANGEROUSLY ON ROUGH ROADS. THE SENSATION IS THAT WHEN ONE HITS A BUMP THE REAR END BOUNCES/KICKS/WALKS OUT TO THE RIGHT. WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY, HAS NEWER TIRES, AND HAS BEEN ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

THE PROBLEM IS THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSING POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAS OCCURRED OVER 6 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, 4 TIMES IN THIS LAST WEEK. THE MOST RECENT ON 4/30/10 THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 20 MPH. NO WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. FIRST TIME WAS WHEN ACCELERATING UP AN ON RAMP AND SEVERAL MORE TIMES ON OTHER INCLINED RAMPS, THEN LEAVING A STREET TO ENTER A HWY 4/28/10, ANOTHER AT A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR SHUDDERED 4/29/10, SAME DAY TRAVELING AT 60 MPH LOST POWER FOR A BRIEF MOMENT THEN RESUMED, THESE TWO INCIDENTS WERE WITHIN 5 MINUTES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND SERVICED TO HAVE THEM LOCATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. HAVE NOT RECEIVED INFORMATION AS YET. *TR

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING-LETTER REGARDING SUBURU PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY HE SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL, WHICH RESULTED IN OVER $5,000 IN BODY DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE. HE STATED EVERY TIME HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING ON SLIGHTLY SLIPPERY ROADS WITH A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY WIFE'S HONDA CR-V THAT I DROVE ON THE SAME DAY ON THE SAME ROADS.

SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 2.5I SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION: RECURRING ISSUE IS CONSIDERABLY DANGEROUS AND PRESENTS ITSELF WHEN DRIVING ON WET AND OR SLIPPERY ROADS. YES, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE LESS THAN IDEAL THEY ARE NORMAL DRIVING SITUATIONS. TESTING HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH IDENTICAL CONDITIONS AND OTHER VEHICLES AND SIMILAR BEHAVIOR WAS NOT EXPERIENCED. THIS TESTING HAS BEEN REPEATED WITH IDENTICAL RESULTS. ISSUE: WHEN TRAVELING ON SLIPPERY ROADS - RAIN, SNOW, ICE THE SUBARU ALL WHEEL DIRVE/SUSPENSION CONFIGURATION CREATES SIDE TO SIDE "FISH-TAIL" LIKE BEHAVIOR. THIS MOTION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPIN-OUT. OTHER DIRVERS HAVE EXPERICED OVER CORRECTION ISSUES WHEN DEALING WITH THIS UNEXPECTED BACK-END MOTION. THE SIDE TO SIDE MOTION DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A RESULT OF APPLICATION OF POWER. WTH POWER APPLIED OR COASTING THE MOTION IS STILL EVIDENT. *TR

MY WIFE HAD AN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION EVENT IN HER 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO PARK BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. SHE DIDN'T THINK THE FLOOR MAT WAS INVOLVED. SHE HAD WINTER BOOTS ON AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. HER FRONT LICENSE PLATE WAS TORN AND SHE DID ABOUT $700 OF DAMAGE TO THE OTHER CAR'S REAR BUMPER. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN INTERSECTION ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE HIT THE OTHER CAR. THE IMPACT WAS QUITE SEVER AND THE DAMAGE WAS ABOUT $11,000. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD. I REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER SO THAT ANY DEFECT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DISCOVERED AND THEIR ACTION MIGHT PREVENT WORSE INJURY TO THE NEXT PERSON. HOWEVER, THEY SEEM TO BE TOTALLY UNINTERESTED AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A RURAL ROAD AFTER THE SUNSET WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ENGAGED, THEY FAILED TO FULLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOES COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS; WHICH WAS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM AND WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT.

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING, INDICATING MALFUNCTION IN AIRBAG SYSTEM. 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. UNDER WARRANTY. HAS BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE CONDITION. *TR

SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 FRONT-WHEEL BEARING, SECOND TIME NEED TO BE CHANGE AFTER 25000 MILES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING COLUMN AND WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND ARM INJURIES. SHE FEELS THAT THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND SECURE AN OCCUPANT IN PLACE WHEN A CRASH OCCURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,002. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESTRAINT. SHE STRUCK HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO HER CHEST AND BACK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WILL HAVE SURGERY ON MAY 15, 2009 ON HER BACK. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT STILL HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,900.

VEHICLE SWAYING WHILE DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS ON ICY ROADS. SUBARU OUT BACK 08. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SWAYING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. I WILL BE DRIVING AT 30-50% THEN ALL OTHER TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN SAFE CHARACTERISTICS. THE TERM "GHOST WALKING" HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH IT. SOA AND THE DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS. THE CARE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE DURING ICE CONDITIONS. *TR

2008 OUTBACK SUBARU - DROVE THE CAR FOR OVER 1 YEAR WITH THE TRANSMISSION JERKING INTO GEARS. I HAD THE DEALER/MECHANICS CHECK IT 4 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS OF THE PURCHASE. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THE 3,000 MILE OIL CHANGE SERVICED BY THE DEALER - 6X AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. ON 10/9/08 TOOK TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION. THEY FIND THE PROBLEM - I THINK THEY CALLED IT - A REFLASH - A COMPUTER ADJUSTMENT. THE CAR NOW DRIVES GREAT. WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT? I THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD HAVE CALLED A RECALL. I AM ALSO CONCERNED IF IT DID ANY DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR

2008 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH 11,000 MILES HAS HAD A PERSISTENT PROBLEM PULLING TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT ALIGNING THE VEHICLE HAVE NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY THE FACTORY REP HAS ADVISED THE DEALER TO ADJUST THE CAMBER UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL TRACK STRAIGHT. THIS HAS ONLY MADE THE PULLING TO THE RIGHT WORSE AND MADE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK AND THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS WHEN TRAVELING ON HILLY ROADS. THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY AND HAVE A HORIZONTAL LINE TO THE BEAM. NOTHING CAN BE SEEN UNDER THIS LINE. NO PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH HIGH BEAMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD TEND TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 08/05/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH A KAYAK STRAPPED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE KAYAK FLEW BACKWARDS AND DETACHED FROM THE ROOF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RETRIEVED THE KAYAK WITH THE AERIAL BAR STILL ATTACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,00. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN THE CARRIER THAT ATTACHED TO THE CROSS BAR OF THE ROOF RACK BROKE. UPDATED 05/20/08

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. EVEN PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REVS UP OR SAME PROBLEM WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT. IT'S AS THOUGH THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO STOP. AT TIMES IF YOU SHIFT DOWN AND LET OFF ON THE GAS THE CAR GOES FOR A SHORT STRETCH WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS IN THE 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK ARE DEADLY AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THESE HEADLIGHTS WERE APPROVED AND THAT THEY ARE LAWFUL. *TR

WE PURCHASED A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IN OCT. 07 AND DISCOVERED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS AFTER DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME WENT INTO EFFECT. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE ON BACK ROADS WITH HILLY TERRAIN. VISIBILITY CAN BE LIMITED TO AS LITTLE AS 20 FEET AT TIMES. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DEALER AND A SUBARU REGIONAL REP. WE WERE TOLD TO "DEAL WITH IT" AS THE VEHICLE MEETS MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. OUR CONCERN IS THE DANGER NOT ONLY TO HUMANS BUT THE WILDLIFE THAT LIVE IN THIS AREA. WE HAVE TRIED TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW BUT CONTINUE TO HIT ROADBLOCKS AND HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. WE WILL PROBABLY TRADE THE VEHICLE AND CUT OUR LOSSES BEFORE WE CAUSE INJURY TO OURSELVES OR OTHERS. *TR

WHEN DRIVING OUR NEW 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK IN DARKNESS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROJECT THE BEAM FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO ADEQUATELY SEE. THIS CONDITION IS VERY NOTICEABLE IN HILLY TERRAIN WHERE AS THE VEHICLE IS MOVING IN A FORWARD DOWN MOTION WITH A UPWARD HILL APPROACHING. THERE IS A DEFINITE HORIZONTAL PLANE OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS. AT TIMES THIS SITUATION HAS CAUSED US TO BRAKE QUICKLY DUE TO THE POSSIBLY OF COMING IN CONTACT WITH SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT WE WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO AVOID WITH ADEQUATE LIGHTING. *TR

THE REAR TRIM THAT RETAINS THE CENTER LIGHT WILL BREAK OFF IF THERE IS ICE BUILT UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HINGE AREA. ALL ICE AND SNOW CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SEAL BETWEEN THE REAR HATCH AND THE BODY TO PREVENT ICE FROM BUILDING UP. THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THE CAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE OWNER UNTIL IT TOO LATE AND YOU HAVE BROKEN THE WING OFF THE CAR. *TR