2014 Subaru Outback Owner Complaints

WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT FASTENED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME AND LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. IN A LATER INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER MOVED TO THE BACK SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME AND LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVATED WITH NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (BUCKLING OR UNBUCKLING THE SEAT BELT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. *TR

9/2/2014

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF WHEN NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER SAID ALL SYSTEMS WERE FINE AND THAT THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO THE SEAT AND SENSOR BEING WET OR DAMP. THIS IS NOT TRUE AS IT IS A PROBLEM AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK NOW. I WILL RETURN AGAIN TO THE DEALER BUT HAVE NO FAITH IN THEM OR THE CAR. I ALSO WONDER IF THE AIRBAG WILL WORK IN A REAL ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO DITCH THE CAR AS AN HOUR AND A HALF RIDE WITH A CHIME GOING OFF IS CRAZY AND OF CONCERN. *TR

2/17/2015

ZERO OIL PRESSURE (RED) INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT SAFE AND PRUDENT OPERATING SPEED. LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT (YELLOW) NEVER ILLUMINATED. LIGHT REMAINED ON FOR THREE MILES, ONE AT SPEED 55 MPH TO ZERO AND TWO AT 20 MPH. THEN WENT OUT. INSPECTION OF OIL LEVEL SHOWED LEVEL APPROXIMATELY ONE CENTIMETER ABOVE LOW LEVEL MARKER ON DIPSTICK. ADDITION OF .5 QUART US RAISES LEVEL TO APPROXIMATELY ONE CENTIMETER BELOW FULL LEVEL MARKER ON DIPSTICK. VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP; HAD FULL OIL SERVICE PERFORMED 2,500 MILES AHEAD OF SCHEDULED SERVICE. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS "SENSOR RESISTANCE IS HIGH, WILL R&R." DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE EMPIRICAL OIL PRESSURE PSI READING DESPITE REQUEST. PART REPLACEMENT YET TO BE DONE. *TR

7/16/2014

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SMELL OF GASOLINE. SOON THEREAFTER, ACCELERATION BECOMES HESITANT AND THE LOW-FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME INOPERABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS A MODEL YEAR 2014 AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, LESS THAN SEVEN [7] MONTHS AGO (FROM THE DATE THIS COMPLAINT WAS POSTED). THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN UNDER ANY ESPECIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR THROUGH TREACHEROUS TERRAIN. *TR

9/1/2014

THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY. WHEN THE FAULT IS CLEARED AND DRIVING RESUMES THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AGAIN ENGAGES. THE MFG ( SUBARU) PROVIDES A SMALL TOOL & INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO CRAWL UNDER THE CAR, USE THE TOOL TO MECHANICALLY RELEASE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. IF A TOOL IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER MANUAL HOW TO RELEASE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ( WHICH MAY ENGAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WAY ) THIS IS A CLEAR WARNING OF A POSSIBLE UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US ( THIS PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM HAS NEVER HAPPENED) THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TELLS US TOWING VEHICLES TO DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF FAULTY ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKES IS A MAJOR PART OF HIS BUSINESS. *TR

5/23/2014

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE LIGHT INDICATES THE BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY (5/22/2014) FOR SAME REASON. DEALER STATED THEY SPOKE WITH SUBARU & WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY REASON FOR THE FAULT. THEY STATED COMPUTER INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGED BUT THAT THIS SAME SYSTEM DOES DISABLE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE DESPITE THE ASSURANCES OF THE SERVICE MANAGER ( [XXX]) THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE (NO WORRIES). THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON THE PANEL ALSO FLASHES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME LIGHT FLASHES INDICATING PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

5/23/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1/17/2014

NEW CAR. OK FIRST 200 MILES. THEN; STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT, ON GREEN PRESSED ACCELERATOR ( CONFIRMED BY VISUAL OBSERVATION, FOOT AND ACCEL. TO FLOOR ). HELD FOR 10 TO 15 SECONDS, WITH MUCH HONKING, THEN POWER RESUMED, AND I FINISHED LEFT TURN. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DURING EPISODE, STEERING, BRAKES, AND AIR BAGS OK. SIX MORE EPISODES DURING NEXT THREE DAYS. HAD CAR DELIVERED TO MILLER SUBARU, BOISE. ELECTRONIC CHECK, TEST DRIVE, AND MY SUBSEQUENT DRIVING, COULD DETECT NO PROBLEM. DRIVE WITH CAUTION, READY TO FLIP EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND PULL OVER WITH RECURRENCE, WHICH I EXPECT AT SOME TIME. HAPPENS IN DRIVE OR MANUAL MODES. PADDLE SHIFT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. *TR

3/12/2014

THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY. WHEN THE FAULT IS CLEARED AND DRIVING RESUMES THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AGAIN ENGAGES. THE MFG ( SUBARU) PROVIDES A SMALL TOOL & INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO CRAWL UNDER THE CAR, USE THE TOOL TO MECHANICALLY RELEASE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. IF A TOOL IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER MANUAL HOW TO RELEASE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ( WHICH MAY ENGAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WAY ) THIS IS A CLEAR WARNING OF A POSSIBLE UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US ( THIS PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM HAS NEVER HAPPENED) THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR TELLS US TOWING VEHICLES TO DEALERSHIPS BECAUSE OF FAULTY ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKES IS A MAJOR PART OF HIS BUSINESS. *TR

5/23/2014

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE LIGHT INDICATES THE BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY (5/22/2014) FOR SAME REASON. DEALER STATED THEY SPOKE WITH SUBARU & WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY REASON FOR THE FAULT. THEY STATED COMPUTER INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGED BUT THAT THIS SAME SYSTEM DOES DISABLE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE DESPITE THE ASSURANCES OF THE SERVICE MANAGER ( [XXX]) THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE (NO WORRIES). THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON THE PANEL ALSO FLASHES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME LIGHT FLASHES INDICATING PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

5/23/2014

HAVING WARMED UP THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES AND HAVING DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, BRAKING SEVERAL TIMES, DRIVER APPROACHED THE STOP SIGN AT THE TOP OF THE HILL WHERE THE ROAD INTERSECTS WITH A BUSY HIGHWAY. SHE TRIED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. TO STOP THE CAR, SHE THREW THE CAR INTO PARK. "CHECK ENGINE @ OIL TEMP" LIGHT OR SOMETHING SIMILAR CAME ON. SHE TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED A SHORT WHILE AND RESTARTED CAR, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND CAR WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. TURNED OFF CAR. A SHORT WHILE LATER SHE STARED AGAIN; AFTER PUSHING GAS HARD, CAR STARTED TO SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD. PUT CAR IN P AND WAITED FOR ASSISTANCE, LEAVING HEAT ON. WHEN ASSISTANCE CAME 10-15 MIN LATER, CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A SAFE ROADSIDE SPOT AROUND THE CORNER. CONDITION: LOW TEMPS. NO ICE ON ROADS. *TR

2/20/2015

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND THERE WAS A LONG, ABOUT 7 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE CAR MOVED FORWARD. IT WAS IN GEAR AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED.

4/15/2015

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2014 OUTBACK. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT A BIT "OFF" UPON DRIVING IT HOME BUT WAS CERTAIN IT WAS JUST AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT. THE CAR STILL FELT OFF. I NOTICE THAT THE WHEEL RETURNS TO CENTER WHEN TURNING LEFT, BUT THE WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER WHEN TURNING RIGHT. IT WILL MOSTLY CENTER, BUT THE WHEEL REMAINS OFF BY ABOUT 15-DEGREES. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WILL NOT POINT/TRACK STRAIGHT AFTER A TURN. ALSO, IT KEEPS TURNING ANY TIME YOU SLIGHTLY TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, BUT NOT THE LEFT. SO, YOU CAN BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND BUMP THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO GO RIGHT AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS NOT SAFE! *TR

11/1/2013

I RECEIVED MY OUTBACK ON NOV 1 2013 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A STEERING LANE CENTERING ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE. THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT MAJOR INTERVENTION BY CONSTANT CORRECTION. THE CAR WILL GO LEFT OR RIGHT, BUT WILL NEVER GO STRAIGHT. IF I CHECK MY MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOT FOR A LANE CHANGE BY THE TIME I LOOK BACK MY CAR HAS DRIFTED OUT OF LANE OR NEARLY OUT OF LANE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS MORE DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT CHECKING MY BLIND SPOT OR NOT CHECKING MY BLIND SPOT, SINCE EITHER CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I DRIVE BETWEEN 25K-50K MILES A YEAR, AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL AND WAS DESIGNED BY SUBARU TO DUE THIS. I CAN'T SEE HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE. I CHECKED WITH A FEW OTHER FLEET OUTBACK DRIVERS WITHIN THE COMPANY, AND ALL OF THEM HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. (FOUR) HOWEVER, NOT ALL THEIR LOCAL DEALERS SAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IT, BUT SAY THERE IS NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. I AM NERVOUS THAT I AM GOING TO LOOK LIKE A DRUNK DRIVER TO SOMEONE BECAUSE I AM CONSISTENTLY SWERVING, OR THIS ISSUE CAUSES A ACCIDENT. I HAVE FOUR KIDS AND I CAN'T RISK HAVING AN ACCIDENT. I AM REALLY NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO WINTER THIS YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM REPORTING THIS IN HOPES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. *TR

11/13/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1/17/2014

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SMELL OF GASOLINE. SOON THEREAFTER, ACCELERATION BECOMES HESITANT AND THE LOW-FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME INOPERABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS A MODEL YEAR 2014 AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, LESS THAN SEVEN [7] MONTHS AGO (FROM THE DATE THIS COMPLAINT WAS POSTED). THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN UNDER ANY ESPECIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR THROUGH TREACHEROUS TERRAIN. *TR

9/1/2014

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGINS TO SMELL OF GASOLINE. SOON THEREAFTER, ACCELERATION BECOMES HESITANT AND THE LOW-FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAME INOPERABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS A MODEL YEAR 2014 AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, LESS THAN SEVEN [7] MONTHS AGO (FROM THE DATE THIS COMPLAINT WAS POSTED). THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN UNDER ANY ESPECIALLY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS OR THROUGH TREACHEROUS TERRAIN. *TR

9/1/2014

THE CAR DOES NOT STAY ON. STARTED THE CAR BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE "START" POSITION FROM THE "ON" POSITION. THE CAR STARTS BUT ONCE THE KEY MOVES BACK TO "ON", THE CAR STOPS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE BEEN STRANDED BY THIS OCCURRENCE. AFTER 20-30MINS, THE CAR STARTS AGAIN. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS RELATIVELY HOT (+85 DEGREES F). SEEMS TO BE AN IGNITION ISSUE. *TR

10/15/2014

SUBARU OUTBACK WAS STARTED IN A PARKING LOT IN ORDER TO COOL INTERIOR DOWN. DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE AND WALKED BEHIND AND AROUND TO OTHER SIDE. DRIVE OPENED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR RETRIEVED AN ITEM AND CLOSED DOOR. DRIVER THEN WALKED AWAY A FEW YARDS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE WATER FOR A DOG. DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CRASH AND TURNED AROUND TO FIND CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF PARKING SPOT AND HIT A VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND IT. CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE. NO ONE WAS IN EITHER CAR AND NO INJURIES. BOTH CARS WERE DAMAGED. SUBARU OUTBACK COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. CAR WAS PARKED ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. *TR

8/16/2014

THE ISSUE THAT CONCERNS ME INVOLVES THE INITIAL HOOD RELEASE THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE CAR ALONG THE LEFT SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE). SPECIFICALLY, ON NUMEROUS, RANDOM OCCASIONS THE TOE OF MY RIGHT FOOT RELEASED THE HOOD AS I AM PIVOTING TO EXIT THE CAR. A FEW TIMES, I HAVE NOTICED THE HOOD IS SLIGHTLY RELEASED AND I SHUT IT. HOWEVER, MORE OFTEN, I DIDN'T NOTICE THE HOOD UP SLIGHTLY AND STARTED OFF ON MY TRIP. FOR EXAMPLE IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER WE MADE A ROUND TRIP FROM MILFORD, CT TO BRADENTON, FL. AND RECENTLY REPEATED THE TRIP FROM MILFORD. AT LEAST 6 OR 8 TIMES ALONG I-95 I-10 OR I-75, I NOTICED THE HOOD WAS RELEASED AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE ROAD SIDE FROM A HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT RANGES FROM 50-70 MPH. AS I AM SURE YOU KNOW, THERE IS A SECONDARY HOOD RELEASE THAT HAS TO BE MANUALLY RELEASED FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, SHOULD THAT SECONDARY RELEASE FAIL, THE HOOD WOULD BLOW OPEN WHILE WE WERE IN MOTION AND EITHER BLIND OUR VISION OR BLOW OFF TO ONLY GOD KNOWS WHERE. I HAVE CALLED THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF PREMIER SUBARU IN BRANFORD, CT AND ASKED THAT THEY INFORM SUBARU. I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM EITHER COMPANY. *TR

2/3/2015

THE WINDSHIELD POPPED AND CRACKED ACROSS THE BOTTOM FROM THE HEAT OF THE DEFROST FUNCTION. *TR

4/24/2014

THE INTERIOR WINDOWS WILL SUDDENLY GET COVERED WITH FOG. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER TWENTY FIVE TIMES TO MY CAR. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER, OR OUTSIDE TEMP IS. THIS, CAUSES A SERIOUS PROBLEM TRYING TO SEE OUT OF THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I CALED THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD TO RUN THE AC. IT CAN HAPPEN EVEN WHEN THE AC , IS ALREADY ON. I'VE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES IN THE 14 MONTHS I'VE HAD THE CAR. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN CLEAR PHOTOGRAPHS 3 TIMES SHOWING CLEAR IMAGES OF HOW BAD THE INTERIOR FOGGING GETS. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO CONTACT SUBARU AMERICA ASK FOR RPLACMENT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THREE PEOPLE AT SUBARU, PROVIDED ALL PHOTOS. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MUNN 16 2015 IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON INTERSTATE I-205 AND IT MADE SEEING OUT OF THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSABLE. I HAD TO CAREFULLY PULL OF TO ROAD SIDE WIPE WINDSHIELD AND ALL INTERIOR WINDOWS OFF. I HAVE TO CARRY TOWELS WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. PROBLEM HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY INDACATION, IT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I'M DISABLED VETERAN AND REQUIRE A LOT OF MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AT THE VA MEDICAL CENTER. I LIVE ALONE SO I'M TAKING A CHANCE JUST TRYING TO GET TO THE VA. AT SOME POINT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCADENT. SUBARU SHOWED LITTLE CONCERN, EVEN IF THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME OR SIMILE PROBLEM.

7/1/2015

SUBARU OUTBACK WAS STARTED IN A PARKING LOT IN ORDER TO COOL INTERIOR DOWN. DRIVER EXITED VEHICLE AND WALKED BEHIND AND AROUND TO OTHER SIDE. DRIVE OPENED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR RETRIEVED AN ITEM AND CLOSED DOOR. DRIVER THEN WALKED AWAY A FEW YARDS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE WATER FOR A DOG. DRIVER HEARD A LOUD CRASH AND TURNED AROUND TO FIND CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF PARKING SPOT AND HIT A VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND IT. CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE. NO ONE WAS IN EITHER CAR AND NO INJURIES. BOTH CARS WERE DAMAGED. SUBARU OUTBACK COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. CAR WAS PARKED ON A VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. *TR

8/16/2014

REGULAR DRIVING LIGHTS FOR NIGHT TRAVEL ARE TOTALLY INSUFFICIENT AND DO NOT FULLY LIGHT STREET MORE THAN 1- 2 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF CAR. DEALER CHECKED DIRECTION AND POWER OF LIGHTS AND CLAIMS ALL IS NORMAL. WHEN I DRIVE IN A DARK AREA, I FEEL UNSAFE. I CAN;T BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL BUT DEALER CLAIMS IT IS.

10/31/2017

WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT FASTENED, THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME AND LIGHT ACTIVATED AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS DEACTIVATED. IN A LATER INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER MOVED TO THE BACK SEAT AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME AND LIGHT CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVATED WITH NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT (BUCKLING OR UNBUCKLING THE SEAT BELT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. *TR

9/2/2014

I WAS HIT BY A 1979 DODGE PICKUP THAT RAN A RED LIGHT ON 6TH STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH HEADED NORTH ON JACKSON STREET IN TOPEKA, KANSAS. IT IMPACTED MY SUBARU ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE FRONT FENDER AND FRONT DOOR. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOR DID MY SEAT BELT RESTRAIN ME. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST....UPDATED 12/03/15 *BF UPDATED 04/25/18 *JB *TR

11/23/2015

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WHERE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE LIGHT INDICATES THE BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY (5/22/2014) FOR SAME REASON. DEALER STATED THEY SPOKE WITH SUBARU & WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY REASON FOR THE FAULT. THEY STATED COMPUTER INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE NOT ENGAGED BUT THAT THIS SAME SYSTEM DOES DISABLE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WHEN THIS FAULT OCCURS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE DESPITE THE ASSURANCES OF THE SERVICE MANAGER ( [XXX]) THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE (NO WORRIES). THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT ON THE PANEL ALSO FLASHES "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME LIGHT FLASHES INDICATING PARKING BRAKE HAS BEEN SET & NOT RELEASED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

5/23/2014

THIS IS AN UPDATE: DEALER CALLED US TO HAVE [XXX] DRIVE THE CAR WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN PRESENT ( TECH NAMED [XXX]) CAR WAS DRIVEN APROX 5-6 MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT ...SYSTEM DID NOT FAULT. DEALER TOLD US THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH SUBARU TECH CENTER & COMPLETED ALL THE TEST PROCEDURES BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE ANY OF THE BRAKE-CHECK/ ENGINE FAULTS EXPERIENCED 3 ON 5/22 OR 1 ON 5/23/2014. [XXX] SERVICE COORDINATOR IS NOT CERTAIN WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. WE ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE ONCE THE SYSTEM FAULTED & THE ELECTRONIC STABILIZATION & TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ARE SHUT DOWN ( AS A RESULT OF THE FAULT). I ASKED THEM NOT TO GUESS WHEN THEY ANSWERED THIS QUESTION. DEALERSHIP HAS DECIDED TO KEEP THE CAR AN ADDITIONAL DAY FOR ADDITIONAL TESTING. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE SYSTEM TO FAULT WHILE UNDER TEST PROCEDURE. THE DEALERSHIP APPEARS TO HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL THE STANDARD PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE. IT SEEMS SUBARU FACTORY MUST GET INVOLVED WITH THIS VEHICLE BEYOND THE DEALERSHIP TELEPHONE CALLS. OUR CONCERN IS A VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO US IN AN CONDITION WHICH MAY PROVE TO BE UNSAFE...SINCE THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN ON THE TELEPHONE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

5/29/2014

STEERING NEEDS CONSTANT CORRECTION, IF THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT AND YOU CORRECT BY SLIGHTLY TURNING LEFT IT WILL OVER CORRECT & DRIFT TO THE LEFT FORCING THE DRIVER TO CORRECT BY SLIGHTLY TURNING RIGHT, WHICH IS THE CONSTANT CYCLE WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. IT WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO WEAVE BACK & FORTH IN THE LANE. YOU CAN NOT GET THE CAR TO TRACK STRAIGHT, IT IS ALWAYS EITHER PULLING RIGHT OR PULLING LEFT. THE DRIFTING IS NOT DRASTIC BUT IT IS CONSTANT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS AND TRUCKS INCLUDING 4 WD, THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER TO HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHICH IS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT IT CAUSES DRIVER FATIGUE, LESSENING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO REACT TO THE VEHICLES CONSTANT NEED FOR STEERING CORRECTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. UPDATED 12/02/14*JB

10/18/2014

I PURCHASED THE OUTBACK 3.6 R LIMITED BRAND NEW AND SOON AFTER I NOTICED THAT VEHICLE PULLED RIGHT AND I HAD TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT IT -WHICH BECAME EXHAUSTING AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO ALL WHEEL DRIVE (SINCE I NEVER OWNED AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE). AFTER SOME RESEARCH I REALIZED VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM WHEN I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR ITS FIRST MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AT 3,000 MILES. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THEY FIXED. THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE RESOLVED AT FIRST BUT AFTER 1 WEEK IT STARTED PULLING RIGHT AGAIN -BUT NOT AS NOTICEABLE AS BEFORE. I REPORTED TO DEALER BUT WAS TOLD THAT THAT IS THE WAY ITS SUPPOSE TO DRIVE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND APPEARS TO BE A REPETITIVE PATTERN AND I AM VERY CONCERNED. *JS

2/8/2015

WE PURCHASED OUR OUTBACK ON APRIL 28,2014. ON MAY 1, 2014 WE BROUGHT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THEY APPARENTLY FIXED IT. THE NEXT DAY I WAD BACK AGAIN, THE CAR WAS STILL PULLING TO THE RIGHT. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO REALIGN THE CAR, IT WAS "FIXED". I HAD TO BRING IT BACK IN TODAY, IT IS PULLING AGAIN. THEY CAN'T FIX THE ISSUE BECAUSE NOW THEY SUSPECT IT IS A DEFECTIVE TIRE ISSUE. THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES ON TUESDAY. I GET THE FEELING THERE IS SOMETHING MORE WRONG WITH MY CAR. *TR

5/28/2014

MY 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R CAME WITH CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT GX P225/60 R17 TIRES. NOTICE ONE OF THE TIRES WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DEFLATED. TOOK TO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE BUT NO NAIL AS THE CAUSE. NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS DEVELOPED SIDE WALL BUBBLE. I TOOK TO SUBARU DEALER WHO DID NOTHING AND TOLD ME TO CALL CONTINENTAL TIRES ABOUT WARRANTY (DIDN'T EVEN WARN ME OF THE DANGER NOR DID THEY PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON) CONTINENTAL SAID PASSED RESPONSIBILITY BACK TO DEALER. I THEN WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRES THEN AMERICAS TIRES. ALL SAID (BEFORE EVEN LOOKING AT THE TIRE) THAT IMPACT DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED. FIRST 95% OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAYS AND I HAVE HIT NO POT HOLES OR HAD ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH TIRES. THERE IS 350 COMPLAINTS IN DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT SIDEWALL PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR CONTINENTAL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY?

7/21/2015

I USED THE OPTIONAL SEAT WARMERS AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AT THE END OF A TRIP. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN LATER THAT DAY, THE SEAT WARMERS WERE ON. WHEN I FELT THE HEAT, I WAS CONFUSED, AND THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A FIRE, UNTIL I NOTICED THE SEAT WARMER LIGHT WAS ON. I THINK WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF, THE SEAT WARMER FUNCTION SHOULD BE CANCELLED.

5/20/2015

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT WORKING CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED. THE SEATBELT INDICATOR SIGNAL BEEPS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON OR NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT IS FAILING TO SENSE ANY WEIGHT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON 9/9/13 AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE FAULTY.

9/7/2016

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW ON INTERSTATE THE SNOW GETS PACKED IN THE WHEELS IT CAUSES SEVERE PROBLEMS STEERING. ON MORE THAN ONE INSTANCE I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND FIND A CAR WASH TO CLEAN THE SNOW IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY. FRONT END VIBRATES SO MUCH I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO BELOW 45 MPH AND TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU THROUGH THEIR NATIONAL SUPPORT HOTLINE HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD THIS COMPLAINT AND DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. I ASKED THAT THEY EMAIL THEIR RESPONSE SO I WOULD HAVE IT IN WRITING. THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO THAT BUT NO RESPONSE WAS EVER RECEIVED. I DID CONFIRM THEY HAD MY CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS AND HAVE RECEIVED SURVEY FOLLOWUPS USING MY EMAIL ADDRESS BUT NOTHING FROM THE SUPPORT CENTER. PURCHASING REPLACEMENT STEEL WHEELS CAN RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY ARE EXPENSIVE ( $400 TO $1000) DEPENDING ON WHEEL TYPE. THE LOCAL DEALER OFFERED THE SOLUTIONS OF SPRAYING PAM INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL, BUYING AFTER MARKET WHEEL COVERS ( NONE EXIST PER MY RESEARCH), OR DEALER REPLACING THE WHEELS AT COST OF $1200 WHICH MAY INCLUDE TIRES, NOT SURE. LOCAL DEALER ALSO OFFERED TO HOSE OUT MY WHEELS IF I BROUGHT IT IN WHICH WOULD REQUIRE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE PROBLEM WHICH IS UNSAFE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT TOWING THEY POINTED OUT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, 39,000 MILES. I POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD HAPPENED PRIOR TO WARRANTY RUNNING OUT AND HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED WITH NO SOLUTION PROVIDED. I LIVE IN A SNOWY AREA AND HAVING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD EACH TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURS IS UNSAFE. MY CONCERN IS THAT SUBARU DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM FORMALLY AND THAT THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. *TR

1/6/2017

INSPECTION NOTED BELT SEPERATION ON GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, VEHICLE STATIONARY

4/16/2018

2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUNROOF DRAINS BEING CLOGGED WHICH CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO VEHICLE WHEN RAINING. *LD *JS

4/19/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. DURING A RAINSTORM, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUN ROOF AND DRENCHED THE CABIN. THE FAILURE CAUSED $1,769 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE A DRAIN TUBE ON THE SUN ROOF BECAME CLOGGED AND CAUSED THE WATER TO BACK UP AND ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHATHAM PARKWAY SUBARU (7 PARK OF COMMERCE WAY, SAVANNAH, GA 31405, (888) 430-0231) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DRAINS WERE CLOGGED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE DRAINS, REPLACED THE CARPET, AND REPLACED THE AMPLIFIER AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MISSED DURING AN EARLIER SERVICE VISIT WITH THE DEALER THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,904.

8/21/2019

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OF ON THE ROAD DRIVING WITH A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE

7/28/2018

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT WORKING IN COLD WEATHER, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED. THE SEATBELT INDICATOR SIGNAL BEEPS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH THE SEATBELT ON OR NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND HAPPENS ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE IS BELOW FREEZING.

11/26/2018

Horn malfunctions. Press horn on steering wheel is dead silent. However, if I enable the Panic button on key, the alarm sounds. When I start the car after pressing Panic button, the horn I steering wheel works. Sporadic operation.

7/4/2021

The Roll Connector Harness failed, and use of the horn was disabled. It is due to the mechanical steering of the vehicle, and fails over time. As a multiple Subaru owner this has been a topic of safety with most of the owners with 2014 Subarus. Subaru changed the design/engineering of this part in 2016 due to the concern. Because they won't issue a recall, and the cost of repair is high ($400+), mainly due to the location of the part, many will not fix the issue. There is no way to warn other drivers or deer without use of the horn. This has put me in harm's way multiple times until I finally got it fixed. I have contacted my dealer who says it is one of the more common issues they see with this year and probably 2015 as well. It needs to be recalled so everyone with this problem can get their cars fixed instead of Subaru charging for a known problem and making money over safety.

3/4/2022

IN TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND KEY WAS REMOVED. *TR

3/17/2014

INSPECTION NOTED BELT SEPERATION ON GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, VEHICLE STATIONARY

4/16/2018

MY E-BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST YEAR. THE RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN PARKED AND IN MOTION AND I CANNOT ENGAGE THE E-BRAKE. SUBARU IS SAYING THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRONIC BRAKE MECHANISM FOR A COST OF $1,000.00 - THIS FOR A 2014 CAR.

8/1/2018

The ODS in our 2014 Subaru Outback has failed, and there is a constant beeping indicating that the air bag system is not functioning properly. This was definitely an issue the last two winters, too, but with covid quarantine and illness, we were not able to address it then. The airbag warning lights and sounds persist whether the seat is unoccupied or occupied by a child (14 or 16) or adult. The dealer has diagnosed that the passenger seatbelt switch is also not working properly. Their recommended remedy is replacing the entire seat base (~$1,300). This vehicle also had a recall of the passenger side airbag inflator, which was replaced in May 2019 when our mileage was 88,000. The issue started when weather turned cold in the winter of 2019. When it is below about 45 degrees, the beeping starts, and it only ceases when the vehicle is warmed up and the engine is turned off then on again. Our temperatures here in Eastern Washington get up to 115 in summer and down to 10 in winter. We are thinking that this ODS defect may be due to a loosening of the components during the airbag service or the exact same faulty ODS component that was recalled in the Subaru Forrester recall (NHTSA campaign number 19V701). It is important to us to have a functional airbag in case of a crash.

12/9/2021

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the key was in the ignition with the transmission in park(P) with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle moved inadvertently. The failure occurred while the vehicle was on an incline. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 630,000.

8/18/2022