2016 Subaru Outback Owner Complaints

2016 SUBARU OUTBACK WHILE DRIVING CAR ON I-95 , NOTICED 4-4 IN. CRACK IN LOWER DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD ,AFTER INVESTIGATING NOTICED SMALL PIT SIZE OF PENCIL POINT WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. CRACK KEPT GROWING. NEXT DAY CONTINUED MY TRIP ON I-95 , ABOUT 3 HRS LATER ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE UPPER CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD , AFTER INVESTIGATING NOTICED SMALL PIT THE SIZE OF PENCIL POINT WHERE THE CRACK STARTED. SAME AS FIRST CRACK I DID NOT NOTICE ANY DEBRIS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD . I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE GLASS IN THE WINDSHIELD

1/4/2016

CRACK IN WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKS APPEAR IN WINDSHIELD ON 2 SEPARATE DAYS IN JAN. 2016 . HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED IN MID JAN BY SUBARU DEALER. ON FEB 25 WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN GA. ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN NEW WINDSHIELD WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE . WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH AT ABOUT 70 MPH

3/1/2016

I JUST PURCHASED A 2016 OB 2.5I PREMIUM. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND A HALF. ON FRIDAY I DECIDED TO WASH MY CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. I STARTED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, RAISED THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER, WENT AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND RAISED THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. I THEN WASHED AROUND THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO PUT THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DOWN IT HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER AND SLAPPED IT DOWN ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. AN HOUR LATER I NOTICED A CRACK COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DID THE "PEN TEST" AND FOUND A SMALL DEPRESSION UNDER THE WIPER. NO ROCK HIT MY WINDSHIELD, IT WOULD HAVE HAD TO PASS THROUGH THE WIPER. THATS IMPOSSIBLE. BECAUSE I WAS JUST FREAKING AMAZED THAT IT COULD OF HAPPENED I RAISED THE PASSENGER WIPER AND LET IT COME DOWN ON THE WINDSHIELD TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. IT PUT A SECOND CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD, NOT ONE EMANATING FROM THE FIRST BUT A WHOLE NEW CRACK. IM TAKING IT TO MY DEALER TOMORROW.

8/31/2015

NON COLLISION OR OTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. A CRACK APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO OWNER WEBSITE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM OF WHICH SUBARU IS AWARE FOR THE 2015 AND 2016 MODEL YEARS. THEY OCCASIONALLY COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING THEY DO SO AS A "COURTESY" CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN GARAGE ENGINE OFF. WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED

10/10/2015

MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM CARS OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS.

11/8/2015

I PURCHASED A NEW 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK ON OCTOBER 6, 2015. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ACTIVATED ON JANUARY 25, 2016, EVEN THOUGH ALL TIRES HAD 35 PSI IN THEM AS RECOMMENDED. SINCE THAT DAY, THE SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED 17 TIMES, AGAIN EVERY TIME THE TIRES HAD THE CORRECT PRESSURE IN THEM. THE SUBARU DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FIVE TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 14 DAYS. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A SINCERE EFFORT AT FIRST TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM, I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE SAFETY WARNING SYSTEM--THAT I MUST ACCEPT IT AS IT IS. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 2,200 MILES ON IT. THE SYSTEM MAKES A BEEPING NOISE, THEN A SCREEN COMES ON THE DASH WITH AN EXCLAMATION SIGN AND A TPMS SYMBOL, THEN ANOTHER SCREEN COMES ON THAT SAYS CHECK OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN THE MORNING AS I AM BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND MY VEHICLE IS ENTERING THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, IF THERE REALLY WAS A LOW TIRE PRESSURE, THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON UNTIL THE TIRE WAS BROUGHT UP TO PROPER PRESSURE. MY MESSAGE FINALLY GOES AWAY AND DOES NOT ACT LIKE THE MANUAL SAYS A LOW TIRE WOULD INDICATE.

4/3/2016

I WAS IN A STORE PARKING LOT. I DROVE APPROX. 2 BLOCKS AND CAME TO A FULL STOP WHERE THERE WAS A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING. I ACCELERATED MAKING A LEFT TURN AND BEGAN CLIMBING A SMALL HILL TO EXIT THE PARKING AREA. I TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AND MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESSED IT DOWN APPROX. 50 PERCENT. WHILE DOING SO, I DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE RACING. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 2 MILES PER HOUR. I BRAKED, CAME TO A FULL STOP AND TOOK MY CAR OUT OF GEAR. I MOVED IT BACK TO DRIVE AND THE CAR RESPONDED NORMALLY.

11/16/2015

STATIONARY VEHICLE ROLLS BACK SIGNIFICANTLY WHEN ON ANY INCLINE WHEN IN GEAR. IT HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHICH ROLLS IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE DEALER SAID ALL VEHICLES ROLL WHEN IN GEAR. I HAVE OWNED 13 VEHICLES IN MY LIFE, THE ONLY VEHICLES THAT WOULD ROLL IN GEAR WERE MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES WHICH IS WHY THE LAST 8 VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED HAVE BEEN AUTOMATIC. THE DEALER DENIED THIS WAS A PROBLEM BUT ON THE SUBARU OUTBACK FORUM, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST THE PAST TWO ITERATIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OCCASION THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK ON A GOOD SLOPE FOR AT LEAST THREE FEET AND THEN THE TIRES SPUN WHEN I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE HILL ASSIST FEATURE ON THIS CAR MAY HAVE BEEN OF ASSISTANCE BUT I WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IT. THE HILL ASSIST FEATURE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE ENGAGED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. HAD THIS SLIPPAGE HAPPENED AT A STOPLIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ROLLED INTO ANOTHER AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. ABSOLUTELY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE. THE TRANSMISSION ACTS LIKE A MANUAL WITHOUT A CLUTCH.

3/22/2016

DRIVING IN THE CENTER OF MY LANE ON A WET HIGHWAY. CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 65 MPH. LANE SWAY ON. THE CAR ACTED AS IF THE LANE SWAY ACTIVATED AND GAVE A STRONG STEERING WHEEL BUMP LIKE IT DOES IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO THE SIDE ROAD STRIPE. I WAS DEAD CENTER IN MY LANE, AND THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO BUMP THE STEERING. IT DID THIS TO ME THREE TIMES WITHIN A TEN MILE DRIVE. AFTER THE THIRD TIME I TURNED THE LANE SWAY OFF AND WAS SOON DRIVING IN TOWN AND IT DID NOT DO IT AGAIN. MY WIFE SAYS SOMETIMES WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT, THE CAR WILL PULL VERY HARD AND ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR HAS 3400 MILES ON IT, SO THERE SHOULD BE NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKE PADS OR ROTORS.

12/11/2015

STEERING WONDERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE, CAN'NT HOLD IN CENTER OF LANE. ON HIGHWAY OR STREET

4/6/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112.

10/29/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

4/25/2016

AT 9AM ON APRIL 20, 2016, I WALKED PAST THE FRONT OF MY OUTBACK, PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF, IN MY GARAGE. THE REAR TAILGATE SUDDENLY BEEPED AND OPENED FULLY. I HAD NO KEY FOB OPENERS ON MY PERSON NOR WERE ANY OF MY TWO KEY FOBS WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE CAR AT THE TIME. ALL DOORS HAD BEEN IN A CLOSED POSITION, INCLUDING THE TAILGATE, BUT THE CAR WAS NOT LOCKED AT THE TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, OR IF IT OPENED WHILE PARKED UNDER A LOW CEILING OR OVERHEAD, OF IF IT SHOULD HAPPEN IN A PUBLIC SPACE WHERE AN INTRUDER WOULD THEN BE TEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE IN HOPES OF STEALING IT OR TO LIE IN WAIT FOR THE OPERATOR.

4/20/2016

TOOK DELIVERY OF OUR CAR IN THE RAIN - DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE IT WAITING IN A SHOWROOM - SO DIDN'T NOTICE SCRATCH ON BOTH SIDES (IT IS BLACK) TIL GOT IT HOME AND CLEANED IT UP. DEALERSHIP ON RECHECK BUFFED OUT THE WHOLE CAR - STILL THERE - DISAPPOINTED - A LOT OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE TO HAVE SUCH AN ELEMENTARY TROUBLE.

7/16/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND BRAKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED VARIOUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

4/25/2016

A FEW TIMES WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR PUTTING ON THE BRAKES I FOUND MY FOOT WAS ALSO ON THE GAS PEDAL. I FIND THAT THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. THE LAST TIME AT THE DEALER I ASKED TO CHECK OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS TOLD EVERY THING WAS IN ORDER.

7/20/2016

THE 3.6R ENGINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER COLD START DOES ABOUT 5 CYCLING SURGES OF ABOUT 300 RPM WITH TRANSMISSION IN FORWARD OR REVERSE AND BRAKES APPLIED. THIS EVENT DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS TRANSMISSION IS PUT IN GEAR WITH BRAKES APPLIED. THE SURGE DOES NOT HAPPEN AFTER A SHORT WARM UP. IT DOES PRESENT A DRIVING PROBLEM WITH A TIGHT PARKING SITUATION OR TO DEPARTING A GARAGE.

11/9/2016

I HAD DIFFICULTY SEVERAL TIMES REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY, BUT THE CAR DIED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME THE LOCAL TOWING COMPANY. NAPLETON SUBARU KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, OR GO TOO FAR FROM HOME.

9/19/2017

TAKATA RECALL-WANTED TO PURCHASE A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6L, AND AFTER MULTIPLE INQUIRIES, FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT TAKATA AIRBAGS STILL BEING USED IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT WHEREAS OTHER MANUFACTURERS' AIRBAGS ARE NOW BEING USED IN DRIVERS AND SIDE CURTAIN PARTS OF THE AUTO. SO PASSENGER FRONT SEATS ARE STILL VULNERABLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS MIX OF AIRBAG MANUFACTURERS IS KNOWN TO ALL CONSUMERS SO THEY KNOW THE RISK THEY ARE PURCHASING. WE DECLINED TO BUY THE SUBARU OUTBACK THIS YEAR UNTIL WE FIND A MANUFACTURER WHO USES NO TAKATA AIRBAGS.

1/5/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED IN PARK WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE COMING TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER; HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NO FAULT CODES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

9/9/2016

I DESCEND A STEEP, CROOKED COUNTRY ROAD TO REACH MY HOUSE AND LOCK MY TRANSMISSION IN SECOND GEAR TO AVOID HAVING TO APPLY BRAKES. IN LOW IDLE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS WELL CONTROLLED BUT WHEN THE FUEL CONTROL SHIFTS TO HIGH IDLE THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES FROM 2000 TO ABOUT 3500 RPM WITH A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED WHICH REQUIRES RAPID, SHARP BRAKE APPLICATION. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS THIS IS ONLY MILDLY IRRITATING BUT WHEN THE ROADS ARE COVERED WITH ICE AND SNOW THIS WINTER SUDDEN BRAKE APPLICATION WILL BECOME VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE SHARP CURVES AND STEEP DROP-OFFS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW AND HIGH IDLE SETTINGS IS EXCESSIVE AND SUBARU SHOULD BE FORCED TO CORRECT THIS DESIGN DEFICIENCY. I HAVE LIVED IN THIS LOCATION FOR OVER TWENTY YEARS AND DRIVEN THIS ROAD WITH ABOUT SIX OTHER VEHICLES WITHOUT DIFFICULTY BUT I DREAD THE APPROACH OF THIS WINTER. THE DEALER ADMITS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT COMPLAINT BUT BEYOND THEIR CONTROL BECAUSE IT IS GOVERNED BY A COMPUTER IN THE FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM.

9/13/2016

1ST OCCURRENCE: WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD, ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER, DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

11/27/2016

I JUST PICKED UP AND DROVE HOME. THE DRIVER MIRROR ALWAYS DETECTED - EVERY TIME. THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT ALWAYS DETECT , MAYBE MISSING 20-25%,EVEN SOME LARGE TRUCKS, I DID BRING BACK TO DEALER TWICE BUT THEY SAID CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THAT MADE ME NERVOUS IN THAT "THE TECHNOLOGY MIGHT LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT ,NOW THE CAR WAS 3200 MILES AND NOT WORK AT ALL WHEN I DROVE FROM MY HOUSE TO WORK THIS MORNING FROM RENTON TO REDMOND ON 405 WITH AVERAGE 50 MILE PER HOURS

11/18/2015

THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM FAILED TO BRAKE THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY.

3/17/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD PREMATURELY FAILED AND CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND HAD A DEALER SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO INVESTIGATE HOW THE WINDSHIELD GLASS PREMATURELY CRACKED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.

4/22/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED TWO LARGE CRACKS IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT COVER THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

5/13/2016

MY CAR REQUIRED 2 REPAIRS 5 WEEKS APART OF THE WIRING BUNDLE CONTROLLING THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW OIL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A CRITTER CHEWING THE BUNDLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. I NOW HAVE BOUNCE LAUNDRY SHEETS STUFFED AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER; THEY SEE THIS OFTEN FROM CARS OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS.

11/8/2015

THERE IS A GLARE ON THE INFO SCREEN THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO READ MOST DAYLIGHT TIMES, NEEDS TO BE RECESSED AND/OR HOODED, THE AREA BELOW THAT SAYS TEMP AND TIME IS PLAIN UNREADABLE -ALSO VERY SMALL. HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON SUBARU FORUM FOR YEARS - SEEMS TIME TO ADDRESS BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A CRASH WITH THIS VEHICLE THEY BOUGHT BECAUSE IT WAS SO SAFE.

7/16/2016

BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/P SPORT AS 225/60R18 100H M&S D97WBZ. THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS TIRES THAT CAME WITH BRAND NEW SUBARU. TERRIBLE ICE/SNOW TRACTION. SHOULD BE BETTER QUALITY ON AWD CAR. HAD TO BUY NEW MICHELINS WITH 55 MILES ON CAR.

2/19/2016

WHILE DRIVING ON THE LEFTIST LANE (FOUR-LANE IN TOTAL) OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, I SUDDENLY FELT THAT MY CAR LOST BALANCE AND RAN TOWARD/ALONG THE GUARDRAIL IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, WHICH SLOWED MY CAR IN SEVERAL SECONDS AND SAVED MY LIFE. LATER I FOUND THAT MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS TOTALLY GONE (NOT ONLY THE TIRE, BUT ALSO THE WHOLE WHEEL SYSTEM). SEE MY PHOTOS TAKEN ON THE SCENE. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY WITH GREAT VISIBILITY AND THERE WERE MANY CARS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ROAD WAS DRY, STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH, WITH ONLY GUARDRAILS IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY AND NO CONCRETE DIVIDENDS. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ROAD THAT I CAN HIT FIRST BEFORE THE WHEEL CAME OFF. THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ON. I DID NOTHING WRONG (NO CITATION AND TICKET). THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR I BOUGHT JUST 20 DAYS AGO. HOW COULD A BRAND NEW CAR LOSE ONE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING WITHIN 20 DAYS OF PURCHASE? THIS MIGHT INDICATE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM OR A DEFECT WITH THE CAR. OF COURSE, SUBARU DENIED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. FOR A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT LIKE THIS, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION WILL HELP TO SAVE LIVES.

3/16/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (PERFORMANCE SUBARU, 1810 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, CHAPEL HILL, NC 27514, (919) 897-2146) WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE THREE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO SECURE PROPERLY AND UNLATCHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NO SPECIFIC REMEDY AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

6/15/2017

THE CENTER SEATBELT IN THE BACK SEAT ( THE ONE THAT COMES DOWN FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE) HAS FRAYED AND BECOME TORN THREE TIMES IN 20 MONTHS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE DEC 21, 2016, SECOND WAS OCT 27,2017 AND THE MOST RECENT WAS FEB 13,2018. THE BELT SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPORTED AS REPLACED ALL THREE TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS OCCURRING IN THE SAME PLACE AND MANNER EACH TIME. I AM CONTINUALLY TOLD THAT THIS IS FROM OUTSIDE FORCES, BUT HAVE INVESTIGATED AND DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE AT ALL, MY CHILDREN RIDE BACK THERE, TOYS AND OTHER OBJECTS ARE NOT BROUGHT INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE BOOSTER THAT IS OCCASIONALLY USED THERE HAS BEEN RULED OUT BY SUBARU.. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE 2013 14 BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THEY GENERAL PARTS MANAGER IN MY DISTRICT, AND THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN MY CAR. I HAVE LEASED THIS WITH THE INTENTION TO OWN, BUT NOW FEEL THAT IF THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN 20 MONTHS THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN. SUBARU ISN'T BEING MUCH HELP, I NEED ANSWERS SO THAT I CAN GUARANTEE MY CHILDREN ARE SAFELY SECURED IN THIS CAR.

2/27/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A LOCAL ROADWAY, THE EYESIGHT PRE-COLLISION BRAKE ASSIST SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE BRAKES RELEASED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (SUBARU OF DAYTON, 995 MIAMISBURG CENTERVILLE RD, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, OH 45459, 1-(888) 431-9557) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE CENTER MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ESCALATED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED CAR WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER AND SO INCIDENT SINCE. UPDATED 12/20/18*JB

9/28/2018

I HAD AN ACCIDENT @ 5PM-ENTERING A BUSY ROAD FROM A DRIVEWAY-HIT THE SIDE DOOR OF A CAR RACING LEFTTORIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. MY FAULT OF COURSE. I HEARD NO BEEP WARNING FROM THE SO-CALLED COLLISION MITIGATION SYSEM (?), NOR DID I FEEL ANY BRAKING. SUBSEQUENTLY I TESTED THIS FEATURE IN MY DRIVEWAY WHERE I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR FORWARD TOWARD MY LARGE GARAGE, I WOULD HAVE HIT THE GARAGE-NO BEEP-NO BRAKING. THEN, IN A SNOW STORM, I HAD TO BRAKE SOASTO NOT HIT A LARGE TRUCK SKIDDING IN FRONT OF ME. I MISSED HITTING HIM BY INCHES. AGAIN, I HEARD NO BEEP AND FELT NO BRAKING. DEALER TESTED THIS FEATURE ON MY CAR BY LETTING IT GO TOWARDS BRUSHES IN A CARWASH, I HEARD BEEP WARNING, BUT AGAIN FELT NO BRAKING. DEALER SAID SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. AND SO-I CONCLUDE THAT WHENEVER I HEAR ANY KIND OF WARNING BEEO, I SHOULD MANUALLY AND QUICKLY 'HIT THE BRAKES', NO MATTER WHAT. AFTER ALL, I HAVE TO KEEP MY EYES ON THE ROAD FOR GOD'S SAKE. I AM NOT HAPPY.

3/1/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INFORMATION ON THE TOWING LABEL WAS INCORRECT, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE COULD TOW 3,000 LBS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO TOW ONLY 2,000 LBS. FOR A HITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

3/14/2016

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE PLASTICS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE "NEW CAR SMELL" IS ESPECIALLY FRAGRANT, AND AFTER SITTING IN THE CAR FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, I DEVELOP A METALLIC TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LINGERS, EVEN IF I HAVE LEFT THE CAR. IT CAN LINGER FOR HOURS. I AM TAKING MEASURES TO WIPE OFF CHEMICALS THAT MAY RELEASE DURING A HOT DAY/OPEN THE WINDOWS, ETC. THIS SMELL IS SO INTENSE, HOWEVER, THAT THE TASTE IN MY MOUTH AND THE MOUTHS OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, IS ALMOST UNBEARABLE AT TIMES. I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR HEALTH, FOR THE TOXIC GASES WE MAY BE BREATHING IN AND EVEN COMING IN CONTACT WITH. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE APRIL 2016 (ABOUT TWO MONTHS) AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF IT GETTING BETTER. I HAVE READ THAT IT CAN TAKE UP TO 6 MONTHS FOR THE SMELL TO DIMINISH, BUT DOES THAT REALLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS WE ARE BEING SUBJECTED TO? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

7/1/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

9/9/2016

THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AFFECTING TOP OF THE LINE SUBARU OUTBACK 2016 LIMITED/PREMIUM MODELS EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THAT REPORTED IN NHTSA ID NUMBER:10881286. ISSUE: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A DRIVER TO INADVERTENTLY TURN OFF THE ENGINE (WE ARE ONLY HUMAN) USING THE START/STOP BUTTON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, PARK OR NEUTRAL. IF VEHICLE IS ON A SLOPE, THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS ON IT'S OWN. THIS PRESENTS A SERIOUS RISK OF GRAVE BODILY HARM TO PEOPLE IN THE PATH OF THE UNATTENDED MOVING VEHICLE. THIS ALREADY HAPPENED WITH MY VEHICLE, LUCKILY IT HAPPENED INSIDE MY GARAGE ON A VERY SLIGHT SLOPE AND MY CLOSED GARAGE DOOR STOPPED THE VEHICLE. IF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN BEHIND THE VEHICLE, REMOVING THEIR SCHOOL BAGS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED TO THE GARAGE DOOR BY A 3500 LB VEHICLE. UNACCEPTABLE. I REPAIRED THE SLIGHT DAMAGE BODY WORK ON THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER BUT THAT IS IRRELEVANT COMPARED TO THE SAFETY RISK PRESENTED BY THIS "WORKS AS DESIGNED" BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. POSSIBLE WORKAROUND: 1. SUBARU NEEDS TO CHANGE THIS BEHAVIOR AND ELIMINATE THE RISK BY AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGING THE ELECTRIC "PARK BRAKE" THAT IS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE, WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. 2. DISABLE ENGINE STOP UNTIL TRANSMISSION IS SET TO PARK. THE CURRENT AUDIBLE WARNING IS INSUFFICIENT. MY 15 YEAR OLD VEHICLE DID NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SLOT UNTIL PARK LEVER WAS ENGAGED TO PREVENT THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

12/22/2016

FRONT PASSENGER SEATS LOOSENED AT THE FLOOR LEVEL (PERHAPS FROM THEIR ANCHORAGE TO THE FLOOR OR AT THEIR TRACKS). SPECIFICALLY, REAR PART OF SEATS CAN MOVE UP AND DOWN AND FORWARD ON AN ARC WITH DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN RESPECTIVE SEATS. EVENT HAPPENS WHEN DECELERATING AND WHEN VEHICLE IS DIVING FORWARD AS A RESULT OF A BUMP. THIS UNINTENDED SEAT MOVEMENT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO MOVE CLOSER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD WITH THE SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER ALSO GETS PUSHED FORWARD TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH. THIS ISSUE HAPPEN(S/ED) AT CITY AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ISSUES WERE MADE AWARE TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS AT 3748MI ON 08 OCT. 16 AND 4573MI ON 22 OCT. 16. DRIVER'S SEAT IS LOOSENING AGAIN WITH VEHICLE AT 9090MI ON 03 MAR. 17.

3/4/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED FROSTED OR WHITE. WHEN THE CONTACT CLOSED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES AND LEFT A BIG HOLE AROUND THE GLASS. THE CONTACT CALLED BROWN SUBARU DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS OK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROWN SUBARU COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE REAR WINDOW WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. UPDATED 08/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE GRANTING A REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 09/25/2017*JS

6/15/2017

WHEN DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE WITH GEAR IN THE BACK OR REAR SEAR PASSENGERS THE CAR CAN BECOME VERY UNSTABLE. THE BACKEND WILL START CHANGING DIRECTIONS ON ITS OWN, THIS IS REFERRED TO AS GHOST WALKING BY SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE POSTING ON THE INTERNET. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT ALLOWS THE CAMBER ADJUSTMENT TO CHANGE WHEN WEIGHT IS ADDED TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. IT IS A REAL PROBLEM AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED.

2/8/2018

THE CENTER SEATBELT IN THE BACK SEAT ( THE ONE THAT COMES DOWN FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE) HAS FRAYED AND BECOME TORN THREE TIMES IN 20 MONTHS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS DONE DEC 21, 2016, SECOND WAS OCT 27,2017 AND THE MOST RECENT WAS FEB 13,2018. THE BELT SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPORTED AS REPLACED ALL THREE TIMES, BUT IT KEEPS OCCURRING IN THE SAME PLACE AND MANNER EACH TIME. I AM CONTINUALLY TOLD THAT THIS IS FROM OUTSIDE FORCES, BUT HAVE INVESTIGATED AND DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE AT ALL, MY CHILDREN RIDE BACK THERE, TOYS AND OTHER OBJECTS ARE NOT BROUGHT INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE BOOSTER THAT IS OCCASIONALLY USED THERE HAS BEEN RULED OUT BY SUBARU.. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE 2013 14 BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THEY GENERAL PARTS MANAGER IN MY DISTRICT, AND THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN MY CAR. I HAVE LEASED THIS WITH THE INTENTION TO OWN, BUT NOW FEEL THAT IF THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES IN 20 MONTHS THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN. SUBARU ISN'T BEING MUCH HELP, I NEED ANSWERS SO THAT I CAN GUARANTEE MY CHILDREN ARE SAFELY SECURED IN THIS CAR.

2/27/2018

WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON A SMOOTH LEVEL DIVIDED HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH A TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 45 DEGREES MY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. BOTH THE GLASS PORTION AND THE INNER SLIDING COVER WERE CLOSED. THERE WAS A LOUD "WHAM," AND THEN A RATTLING SOUND THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SHARDS OF CLASS BOUNCING AROUND ON THE INNER SLIDING COVER. NO DEBRIS OTHER THAN THE GLASS WAS INSIDE THE ROOF, AND WE CHECKED 100 YARDS BACK IN THE DIRECTION FROM WHICH WE CAME AND FOUND NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE HIT US FROM ABOVE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS A SUBARU DEALER NEARBY, AND WE WERE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR VACATION WITH A LOANER WHILE THEY FIXED THE MOON ROOF. WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE A LOST "SMART KEY" AT THE SAME TIME, AND THAT IS REFLECTED ON THE ATTACHED BILL BUT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS EVENT. WE WERE UNINJURED, BUT HAD THE INNER SLIDING COVER BEEN OPEN, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWERED WITH BROKEN GLASS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.

4/9/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED ON AN OFF MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STUCKEY SUBARU (500 BROAD ST, HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA 16648, (814) 695-9862) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,017. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIRMAN. THE TUMBLE AND SWITCH WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ISSUE AGAIN A WEEK LATER AND TOOK VEHICLE TO STUCKEY SUBARU (HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA). THEY REPLACED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. CONSUMER STATES THAT ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. *DL

11/18/2019