2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,561 miles

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problem #4

Apr 022008

Outback 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,235 miles
2000 Subaru Outback 2.5L (91,235mi)- after owning the vehicle 1yr and driving only 11K mi, in which during the year maintenance included oil changes and brakes, symptoms began to occur such as: Constant smell of coolant drifting into the car, occasional temperature spikes (even with coolant in the radiator) and rare signs of smoke from the exhaust. After the 2nd random spike in temp, I took the vehicle to North county Subaru. They diagnosed that there are 2 leaking head gaskets and claimed there is a "campaign for recall" on head gaskets between years of 99-2002, as well as a previous recall to remedy the coolant odor. Subaru assigned a case number but Subaru has not offered to honor the campaign nor has phone conversations produced any results thus far. Please help as they want to charge me to fix the head gaskets when they know the car was manufactured with a defect. Many, many websites and complaints on the same situation. Important note: I have been in contact with previous owner who told me which dealer serviced the vehicle throughout its lifetime and advised Subaru of this.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 232004

(reported on)

Outback

  • miles
Consumer wasn't pleased with undated correspondence service program wwp-99. (nar) the service program was about putting a special conditioner in the vehicle's cooling system to prevent head gasket leaks. The consumer believes that engine replacement is the only satisfactory solution. The consumer believes that eh wipers need to be redesigned to prevent the right hand wiper from dumping debris from the right side into the driver's line of sight. The radio contains audible windshield motor noise when the radio station signal is weak. The dealer indicated that this was normal.

- Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 042004

Outback 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,208 miles
Instead of replacing the cylinder head gasket which Subaru says may leak, it has recalled my vehicle to install "stop leak" which they describe as "cooling system conditioner." I request an investigation by the NHTSA because I believe this is a dangerous practice.

- Huntersville, NC, USA

problem #1

Jan 082003

Outback 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,800 miles
2000 Subaru Outback wagon developed engine head gasket failure at 61, 800 miles requiring extensive repairs. Dealer claimed the reason to be no coolant flush at the 30,000 mile mark on the vehicle

- Lee, NH, USA