2011 Subaru Outback complaints

HELLO, MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS, I REPLACED THEM AND THEN WITHIN THE YEAR OF REPLACING, THE ONE WAS BURNT OUT AGAIN. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM SINCE I'LL HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT 3 TIMES WITHIN 4 YEARS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY A PAIN SINCE YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF TO REPLACE A LIGHTBULB. *TR

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE BOUGHT OUR OUTBACK. IT SEEMS MY WIFE IS DRIVING WITH ONE HEADLIGHT WAY TOO OFTEN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOT ALONE. ONLINE I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU NOT TO MENTION IT'S A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN SINCE ACCESS TO THESE BULBS IS DIFFICULT EVEN FOR REPAIR SHOPS. *JS

THIS CAR IS SUBJECT TO PREMATURE AND FREQUENT HEADLIGHT BURN OUT. FOR EXAMPLE, BOTH HEADLAMPS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER IN LATE JANUARY 2014. THEY BOTH ARE BURNED OUT BY DECEMBER 2014, CREATING A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. *JS

SERVICE BULLETIN # 16-90-13 DESIGN CHANGE TO LOCK-UP TYPE TORQUE CONVERTER WHEN I HAVE TO COME TO A STOP OR IF I GO UP A HILL SLOW, OR IF I HAVE TO STOP QUICK MY VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC. I HAVE CHECKED EVERY OTHER POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND THEY ALL CHECK OUT FINE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. IF I HAD TO STOP QUICK IN TRAFFIC IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I FEEL THIS IS A "RECALL" AND NOT A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. *TR

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER WILL NOT REMAIN ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER MEETS THE REQUIRED WEIGHT. *TR

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD AT THE A STOPPING POINT OF THE CAR IT KILLS THE ENGINE LEAVING YOU DEAD IN THE STREET. EMERGENCY PRESSURE HARD! OTHER THAN THAT THE BRAKES WORK GREAT. NOW IF YOU PUSH TRANS INTO NEUTRAL AND BRAKE HARD AS YOU WILL THE ENGINE IS NOT EFFECTED AND KEEPS ON RUNNING. THIS IS A AUTOMATIC BUT IT FEELS LIKE YOU DID NOT DEPRESS THE CLUTCH ON STOPPING THE CAR IF IT WERE A STANDARD STICK SHIFT TRANS. THERE IS A BUCKING AT STOPPING THEN THE ENGINE IS DEAD IN THE STREET. IF YOU LET UP THE BRAKE BEFORE THIS KILLS THE MOTOR THEN IT KEEPS RUNNING OR IF JUST LIGHT BRAKING THAT IS NORMAL NEEDED NO PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THAT DANGEROUS CONDITION IN CITY TRAFFIC THE CAR RUNS GREAT. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM NEVER IN 30+ YEARS OF AUTO MECH TRADE HAVE I RUN ACROSS THIS IN ANY WORLD BRAND NAME CARS. *TR

THIS VEHICLE BUNS OUT A SET OF HEADLIGHTS EACH YEAR. *TR

HEADLAMPS (EITHER SIDE) TEND TO GO OUT YEARLY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IN ADDITION, IN ORDER TO CHANGE THEM OUT YOURSELF, YOU NEED TO HAVE LITTLE GIRL HANDS. NOT ONLY IS THIS A NUISANCE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN BARELY SEE WITH ONE LAMP OUT AND THERE ARE DEER EVERYWHERE...RIGHT NOW IT'S FREEZING IN DENVER AND I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A HEATED GARAGE TO FIDDLE WITH THIS FOR AN HOUR. SUBARU NEEDS TO GET ON THEIR HORSE AND ADDRESS THIS WIRING ISSUE. IT IS A WIRING ISSUE. NO OTHER EXPLANATION! *TR

OVER THE SPAN OF 4 YEARS OWNING MY SUBARU OUTBACK, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME HEADLIGHT TWICE, AS WELL AS A PARKING LIGHT AND A TAIL LIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH UNLESS YOU ARE A MECHANIC. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SUBARU OUTBACK. I WOULD LIKE SUBARU TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND FIX THIS COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

SUBARU OUTBACK VIBRATES IN STEERING WHEEL AND SEATS AT SPEEDS FROM 60 TO ABOVE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH STATES THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL GETS REPLACED. HAVE NOT FOUND ANY INFORMATION THAT THIS RECTIFIES THE ISSUE OR THAT IT MAKES THE CAR ANY MORE SAFE OR PLEASANT TO DRIVE. POSTINGS SUGGEST THAT THIS REPAIR DOES NOT IMPROVE THE ISSUE. *TR

THE FIRST TIME THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WAS DURING THE COLD MONTHS TWO YEARS AGO AND IT WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. A YEAR LATER (2013) , THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I JUST REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 2, 2014. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE, NOR HEARD OF ANYONE I KNOW HAVING A VEHICLE, THAT REQUIRES ANNUAL HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENTS. *TR

AFTER OWNING THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR, I HAD TO CHANGE THE LEFT HEADLAMP. I DO MY OWN WORK AND HAVE NEVER HAD AS MUCH TROUBLE WITH CHANGING A BULB THAN I HAVE WITH THIS OUTBACK. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WOULD BECOME A "ROUTINE" SERVICE, ALTERNATING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT HEADLAMP(S). AFTER CHANGING OUT THE 5TH ONE (3 LEFT HEADLAMPS & 2 RIGHT HEADLAMPS) I PHONED THE DEALER TO SEE IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL, TSB OR IF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS OUTBACK HAD THE SAME TROUBLE. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT MY COST. I WAS TOLD THEY KNEW OF A PROBLEM HOWEVER THERE WAS NO TSB ISSUED AND NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. JUST YESTERDAY (26-OCT-2014) I HAVE DISCOVERED THE 3RD HEADLAMP ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS OUT AGAIN (RIGHT ON "SCHEDULE"). I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY LOW BEAM VS. HIGH BEAM BULBS I HAVE CHANGED BUT KNOW I HAVE ALSO CHANGED OUT THE FOG LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE ONCE. *TR

CAR WAS JUST INSPECTED SEPT 2014. THREE LIGHT BULBS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THIS, WE HAVE BEEN REPLACING LIGHTBULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS. IT IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WE CANNOT CHANGE THE FRONT LIGHTS OURSELVES....IT HAD TO GO INTO THE SHOP. WE ACTUALLY NOW STORE BULBS IN THE GLOVE BOX BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT SO OFTEN. OUR MECHANIC SAID SUBARU HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS WIRING HARNESS. SUBARU NEEDS TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THIS AS I SEE IT IS A COMMON COMPLAINT HERE. *TR

OUR 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN SUMMER 2010 AT CONTINENTAL MOTORS, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM ERRATICALLY DIMMED AND AFTER THREE SERVICE REQUESTS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS THE DEALER FINALLY AGREED THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS VALID AND REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE. LAST SUMMER (2013) THE PAX-SIDE LOW-BEAM DIED AND THE BULB WAS REPLACED. THIS SUMMER IT DIED AGAIN AND IS IN THE SHOP TODAY FOR REPLACEMENT (AS IS THE SMALL MARKER LIGHT IN THE SAME UNIT). I ASKED THE SERVICE REP IF THIS IS A CHRONIC SUBARU PROBLEM AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT IS, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER 48. ACCORDING TO HIM THE DEALER(S) HAVE SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS TO THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTING A "FIX" OR REDESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY. IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO WARRANT A RECALL AND REPAIR. *TR

THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHENEVER YOU BRAKE SUDDENLY OR USE ANY PRESSURE TO BRAKE (NOT COAST TO A STOP). THE CAR SHAKES AND THEN DIES AND YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY AND AFTER TAKING IT TO SEVERAL SHOPS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ABOUT FIXING THIS SO IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. EVEN A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE PRODUCES HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE & MODEL. GIVEN THAT THIS CAN STALL OUT AT ANY SPEED WITH ANY PRESSURE IN APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR SAFETY CONCERNS!!! IT'S A FAULTY PART ON THE CAR, NOT A WEAR & TEAR ITEM. *TR

WITH NO PASSENGER SEATED, THE SEAT BELT CHIME STARTED RINGING. TO TRY TO STOP IT, I LATCHED THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT. CHIMING CONTINUED. I NOTICE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS LIT. I DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT TO MY SUBARU DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE SEAT AT WELL OVER $1000. I WAS STILL LEFT WITH THE PROBLEM OF THE SEAT BELT CHIME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T DISABLE THE CHIME SO I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR A SOLUTION. WHAT I FOUND IS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2011 OUTBACKS. I DID ALSO FIND OUT HOW TO DISABLE THE SEAT BELT CHIME. BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR AND A COMMON PROBLEM, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY SUBARU OWNERS DRIVING AROUND WITH UNPROTECTED PASSENGERS HAVING DISABLING THEIR SEAT BELT CHIMES AND HAVING NO AIR BAG PROTECTION. IN FAIRNESS TO SUBARU, I CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY OFFERED TO SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIR. IT WILL STILL COST ME $798 FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A SIMPLE REPAIR BUT BECAUSE OF POOR ENGINEERING, A REPLACEMENT SEAT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULB. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM BULB FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

WHEN I TURNED THE CAR IN THE AFTERNOON THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND E-BRAKE ON. I LOOKED ONLINE SUBARU FORUMS AND THEIR IS A LOT OF CHATTER FOR THE GAS CAP HAVING ISSUES. I CHECKED MY GAS CAP AND NOTICED THE RUBBER GASKET WAS BROKEN. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, DROVE THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOW OFF AND WORKING NORMAL..WE'LL SEE WHEN I TAKE A 6HR TRIP IN A FEW DAYS.. *TR

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, STOPPED AND, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SHIFTED TO DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD RAPIDLY. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES, THE SURGE CONTINUED VERY BRIEFLY AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND IN THE THREE YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL (ALL WHEEL DRIVE) LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ALL AT ONCE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE LIGHTS FLASH BECAUSE MOST DRIVERS IGNORE JUST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AT THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING WITH THE ADDITION OF THE FACTS THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE ACTUALLY DISABLED DURING THIS INCIDENT. DURING THE CONVERSATION IT WAS SAID THAT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, A "REFLASH " OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS NEEDED AND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SOME OUTBACKS. I ASKED WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL IF THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN AND WAS TOLD THEY JUST FIXED THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ON ICE OR SNOW OR WET ROAD , VEHICLE STABILITY WOULD BE COMPROMISED. I THINK SUBARU SHOULD AT LEAST BE MADE TO RECALL THE SUSPECTED VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS SOMETHING THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN TO ALL VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE TAILLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V602000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

BOTH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS NIGHTTIME, AND I HAD NO USE OF MY CAR. I BOUGHT NEW BULBS FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE THE FOLLOWING DAY. WHEN I OPENED THE MANUAL TO GET INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LIGHT BULB CHANGE, I FOUND THAT THE RECOMMENDED ADVICE IS TO BRING IN THE CAR TO THE DEALER! THERE ARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WILLING TO BRAVE GETTING UNDERNEATH THE CAR! TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB!! I AM FORTUNATE BECAUSE I WORK IN THE DAYTIME, AND DST HAS ALREADY STARTED. OTHERWISE I WOULD FIND IT NECESSARY TO GET A TOW TO A SHOP! FOR A LIGHT BULB! HEADLIGHTS ARE NECESSARY FOR SAFE AND LEGAL DRIVING AT NIGHT. JUST AS I SHOULDN'T NEED AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO CHANGE A TIRE, NOR SHOULD I NEED A HYDRAULIC CAR LIFT TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB!! THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ANYONE WILLING TO GET A LITTLE GREASE ON THEIR FINGERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AT ANYTIME AT ANY PLACE SO THAT THE CAR WILL BE ROAD WORTHY AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THEIR DESTINATION SAFELY. I HOPE THIS "ENGINEERING" CATASTROPHE WILL BE ADDRESSED AND RECTIFIED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/31/14*CN THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/05/14

HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. THIS WILL BE MY 4TH TIME REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT BULBS ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY. THIS CAUSES THEM TO GET CAUGHT IN CLOSING DOOR AND POSSIBLE BECOME BENT AND UNABLE TO LOCK. DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $99 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TR

SAFETY CONCERNS WITH HESITATION ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN APPLYING /GIVING MORE GAS. *TR

SINCE MAY OF 2012, MY WIFE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULBS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE NO FEWER THAN SIX TIMES. THIS IS A TERRIBLE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, AS DRIVING WITH ONE BULB IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL. IT IS ALSO PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE TO CONTINUE REPLACING THESE BULBS AS THE ACCESS TO THEM IS CONVOLUTED AT BEST. SUBARU NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IT PUTS ITS CUSTOMERS AT RISK. A RECALL MUST BE ISSUED BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY, NOT AFTERWARDS. *TR

BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. HIGH BEAMS, FOG LIGHTS STILL WORK. TRIED REPLACING THE BULBS WITH GLOVED HANDS AND STILL NOT WORKING. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT THE SAME THING. COULD BE A WIRING OR FUSE ISSUE? *TR

THE PASSENGER AIR IS DISABLED WHEN MY WIFE OR DAUGHTER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. BOTH WEIGHT APPROXIMATELY 120 LBS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT WORKS AS DESIGNED BUT THAT MEANS MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE NO AIR BAG PROTECTION. SUBARU STATES THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE 2012 MODEL. THAT IS NO CONSOLATION TO ME. I READ THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE DISABLED FOR A 5TH PERCENTILE WOMEN WHICH IS 107 LBS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2011 OUTBACK. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT AN ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR IN MY CAR ON JANUARY 13, 2014 AS THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER. THE ROAD CONDITION WAS DRY AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES. FIRST I BACKED OUT OF MY GARAGE ONTO THE ROAD, THEN SHIFTED TO THE D POSITION AND DROVE ABOUT HALF A MILE FORWARD. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AS USUAL WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS I WAS APPROACHING THE FIRST INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MUCH FURTHER THAN USUAL. I DID NOT SLOW DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP, MADE A RIGHT TURN AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I DECIDED TO PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR DURING THE NEXT BRAKING PERIOD. I DROVE ANOTHER QUARTER MILE AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES AGAIN AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AS USUAL AGAIN, SO I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED MOVING I HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE TACHOMETER ARROW WAS MOVING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 2000 AND 5000 RPM. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE CLUTCH WAS STILL ENGAGED EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING. THIS CONTINUED FOR 5-10 SECONDS UNTIL I SHIFTED INTO THE N POSITION AS I CONTINUED TO HOLD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE SQUEAKING SOUND DISAPPEARED AND THE TACHOMETER ARROW WENT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. I SHIFTED BACK INTO THE D POSITION AGAIN WITH MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT APPEARED SINCE THAT TIME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A SUBARU S

AIR BAG IS NOT BEING TURNED ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. THEY MEET THE 80+ WEIGHT REQUIRMENT. *TR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS BURN OUT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3 MONTHS REQUIRING EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS. COMBINED WITH AN OVERLY DIFFICULT ACCESS TO REPLACE THEM, IT'S EFFECTIVELY AN EXTORTION SCHEME BY SUBARU TO FORCE YOU TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

I WAS ON VACATION DRIVING HOME. WAS AT ABOUT 300 MILES INTO A 400 MILE TRIP. DRIVING 68 MPH ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. TEMP APPROX. 85 DEGREES, SUNNY DAY. ATTEMPTED TO PASS A VEHICLE ON A HILL. ACCELERATED ABOUT MAX ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY CUT OFF ALL POWER WHEN ACCELERATION ATTEMPT OCCURRED. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY W/O ANY POWER. TRIED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SUCCESS. CAR DID TURN OVER FOR ABOUT ONE SECOND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. RESULT WAS A NEED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. VEHICLE SAT OVERNIGHT. WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT STARTED. AT THIS POINT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITUATION. BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SITUATION OF BEING ON A LONG TRIP, IN 85 DEGREE TEMP AND ATTEMPTING A HARD PASSING ACCELERATION ON A STEEP HILL. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED SIX HEADLIGHT BULBS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN JULY 2011. I DON'T EVEN DRIVE THAT MUCH AFTER DARK. I DON'T USE THE AUTO HEADLIGHT FEATURE EITHER. *TR

IT IS NOW THREE HEADLIGHTS IN 24 MONTHS HAVE BURNT OUT. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH MY CAR. *TR

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

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS BURNT OUT 6 TIMES; SUBARU DENIES ANY UNDERLYING ISSUES, KEEP REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT; NO MORE WARRANTY AS THIS POINT; MAIN CONCERNS ARE SAFETY AND NUISANCE. *TR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ONLY ILLUMINATE ROAD TO ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. HEADLIGHTS WERE THEN ADJUSTED BY SUBARU DEALER WHO STATED THEY WERE AT THE MAX HEIGHT. LIGHTS NOW ILLUMINATE TO ABOUT 25 FEET IN FRONT OF CAR. EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. SUBARU DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING MORE HE CAN DO. *TR

I PULLED UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY COMING HOME FROM SHOPPING AS USUAL, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 5:45PM ON JAN 7, 2014. THE ROAD TO MY HOUSE AND MY DRIVEWAY HAVE AN INCLINE. I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHICH WAS DRY (THE STREET WAS ICY) STOPPED, TURNED OFF CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY FOOT BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO TENSION, I TRIED IT OVER AND OVER AS MY CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARDS, WENT TO HIT THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE, NOTHING HAPPENED MY CAR WAS OFF ROLLING BACKWARDS OUT OF CONTROL PICKING UP SPEED, I THOUGHT THE ONLY THING THAT WILL STOP THIS CAR IS WHEN IT HITS SOMETHING, AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT! IT HIT THE ELECTRICAL BOX AND MAILBOX AND KNOCKED POWER OUT IN MY CUL-DE-SAC. THE ELECTRIC BOX FLIPPED OVER AND CAUGHT MY REAR TIRE AND STOPPED THE CAR! THIS WAS A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE, NO WAY TO STOP THE CAR!! VERY SCARY! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER AND I AM 59. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE OFFICER PUSHING THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE NOT ENGAGING! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BACK UP CAMERA DEFECT AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK-UP CAMERA WAS NOT CENTERED PROPERLY, THE DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS INTERMITTENTLY WOULD NOT RETRACT FULLY. THEREFORE, CAUSING IT TO GET STUCK IN THE CLOSING DOOR AND THE HEAT REGISTER AT THE DRIVERS FOOT SEEMED TO BE PARTIALLY BLOCKED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REASON WHY THE CAMERA WAS NOT CENTERED, WAS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN HIT, AND IT WOULD COST $99.00 TO REPAIR IT.

I HAVE TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS ALL THE TIME ( 6 TIMES SINCE BUYING CAR) DRIVER SIDE 4 TIMES PASSENGER SIDE 2 TIMES. *TR

MY 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK EXHIBITS BRAKE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY UPON FIRST START OF THE ENGINE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP WHILE I WAS APPLYING HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES. AFTER A SERIES OF ACTUATIONS, THE BRAKES BEGIN TO WORK NORMALLY. TO DATE, THIS HAS NOT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE AND AS A RESULT, HAVE INDICATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERYDAY, SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THE DEALER CANNOT REPLICATE. DURING THE FIRST VISIT, THEY INDICATED THEY FOUND A LEAKING HOSE THAT WAS THE CAUSE, BUT THEN THE ISSUE RETURNED. AT MY REQUEST, THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID, BUT THIS ISSUE RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU USA WHO ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON I-65 THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHTS BEGAN BLINKING. AND AS WE PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES HAVING SEIZED. THE CAR WAS STARTED AGAIN BUT COULD NOT MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE LIGHT KEPT BLINKING. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, THE BRAKES UNLOCKED AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALER IN NASHVILLE. THE SERVICE DEPT. TECHNICIAN PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHILE THE TEST SHOWED THAT A "BRAKING EVENT" HAD OCCURRED, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A CURRENT PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE CAR 50 MILES WITH A MONITOR, BUT EVERYTHING WORKED FINE. WE DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETECTED, AND BOUGHT A NEW OUTBACK TO DRIVE HOME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IF OUR CAR HAD STOPPED IN A MIDDLE OR LEFT LANE OF THE EXPRESSWAY, WITH LARGE TRUCK TRAFFIC GOING 70 MPH., A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

DURING THE 2 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2011 OUTBACK 2.5I (CVT), THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 15 OCCASIONS WHERE I WAS GOING DOWNHILL, USING ENGINE BRAKING, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, CRUISE CONTROL NOT ENGAGED, BUT GAS WAS FED TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN SPEEDS OF 45 TO 50 MPH (4500 RPM) IN 2ND GEAR. ONE INDICATOR THAT GAS IS BEING FED TO THE ENGINE IS THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS POOR GAS MILEAGE. THIS DEFINITELY DOES NOT FEEL LIKE ENGINE BRAKING WHEN THE ENGINE IS SCREAMING AS YOU ARE SPEEDING DOWNHILL. USUALLY WHEN I DRIVE THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD USING ENGINE BRAKING MY SPEED IS 30 TO 35 MPH IN 2ND GEAR AND THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS NO FUEL IS BEING CONSUMED. SUBARU REFUSES TO COMMENT ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE I CANNOT REPRODUCE IT FOR THEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE SIMILAR BUT LESS SEVERE, REPEATABLE BEHAVIOR, OF CYCLING BETWEEN ACCELERATING TO OVER 2000 RPM AND DECELERATING TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. HE SAID THIS IS DONE TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS. *TR

WE ARE EXPERIENCING CHRONIC HEADLIGHT, TAILLIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT BURN OUT ISSUES. WE HAVE HAD THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT REPLACED TWICE AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT REPLACED ONCE AS WELL AS THE TAILLIGHT AND BREAK LIGHTS REPLACED ONCE SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2012. WE DO NOT LIVE ON A BUMPY ROAD OR HAVE ANY OTHER ODD DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE DRIVE OUR CAR ONLY ON NORMAL PAVED ROADS IN A SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT. OUR SUBARU DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO BURN OUT. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS HESITATING FROM A START, POSING A HIGH RISK OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE HESITATION OCCURS, ON AVERAGE, ONCE EVERY 300 MILES UNDER DIFFERING CONDITIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SUBARU SERVICE FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATE THEY CAN?T SOLVE THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY CAN?T ?DUPLICATE? IT. I HAVE INFORMED THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT THEY REFUSED TO KEEP THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU FOR A REPLACEMENT BUT ALL THEY WILL OFFER IS YET ANOTHER APPOINTMENT ?TO ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE THE CONCERNS?. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM FORCED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HESITATION DEFECT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS POWER TRAIN, PLACING NUMEROUS DRIVERS AT RISK. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATED COMPLAINTS: 10290805 10297490 10307668 10343600 10346037 10346648 10347133 10351374 10354541 10355908 10355908 10356951 10358243 10411748 10413779 10448621 10505368 10515376 THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. *TR

I RECEIVED A RECALL FROM SUBARU, ON APRIL 2013, THAT REQUIRE TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY MY REMOTE STARTER. I CONTACTED TWICE THE DEALER, SUBARU OF EVANSTON, SKOKIE, ILL AND AFTER 2-3 MONTHS THEY DID NOTHING. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS A WEB ADDRESS WHERE A CUSTOMER CAN NOT REACH THEM. *TR

ON JUNE 30, 2011 AT 11PM I LOOKED OUT OF MY WINDOW AND OUR ENTIRE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS BUILDING WAS NOT COMPLETED AND HAD NO ELECTRICAL OR HEATING SYSTEM. I BELIEVED AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS THE CAR(SUBARU) THAT STARTED THE FIRE. ,AS THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE WHERE IT WAS PARKED.I HAD JUST HAD IT DETAILED THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRE, AS THE DEALERSHIP HAD DONE SOME EXTRA ELECTRICAL WORK AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US FILTHY. I HAD ALWAYS SUSPECTED THAT IT WAS THE SUBARU THAT STARTED THAT FIRE AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER FORM SUBARU STATING THAT THE "PUDDLE LIGHTS" WIRING COULD OVER HEAR AND START A FIRE. GUESS WHERE I HAD ELEC. WORK DONE?I HAD THE LIGHTED FLOOR BOARD LIGHTS INSTALLED (RIGHT ABOVE THE PUDDLE LIGHTS) THIS FIRE HAS LEFT MY HUSBAND(STILL) VERY DEPRESSED AS WE LOST ALL HIS TOOLS AND EVERYTHING IN THAT GARAGE WHICH INCLUDED ITEMS TO FINISH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANY VALUABLE PERSONAL ITEMS. I REALIZE THIS IF AFTER THE FACT, BUT AFTER RECEIVING THAT LETTER FORM SUBARU, I FEEL THAT MY SUSPICION IS JUSTIFIED AND THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT.THIS BUILDING WAS ERECTED FOR OVER FIVE YEARS AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING IN THERE THAT WOULD OF STARTED THAT FIRE, OTHER THAN THAT CAR. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. *TR