10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 64,000 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Our 2006 Legacy outback was our 4th family Subaru, and was recently purchased used. I'm a driver with over 48 years of accident-free experience in new england and the northern us, traveling on personal and business trips during all types of severe winter driving conditions. While driving on a two-lane state road, light snow had just begun. Speed limit (50) and just developing conditions warranted no special concerns, however once or twice the back end felt as though wind was affecting travel (there was no wind), I slowed to 30-35 mph although snow still hadn't covered the road. Minutes later while on a straight-away with oncoming traffic approaching at a distance, the front end began drifting into the other lane. Without braking or any significant change in acceleration, I slowly corrected and the car began to come back to the right, however as I straightened the wheel, the car began pushing hard to the right, and would not respond to my counter steering. The car went off the road and struck a tree near the shoulder of the road. Now I can understand the car drifting to the right after my initial correction, since the road was crowned in the center and the road had snow on it. However, I didn't understand why the car had drifted to the left initially. It was a straight-away, I was steering straight so it wasn't a case of under-steer, and the peculiar thing was that at the time it felt as though the rear end was pushing me out of my lane. None of this made any sense until after the accident when we began researching and learned of similar reports described as 'ghost walking'. the initial experience of the 'wind' sensation wiggling the back end, and the inexplicable 'push' from the rear right seemed to fit well with the experiences of others. One other note, between our two dogs and some luggage, we did have about 250 lbs loaded from the rear seats to the storage area.
- Storrs, CT, USA
Many of the Subaru vehicles are being recalled because of the front suspension - arm control - and I feel my vehicle should be included in this recall and it is not. It is a defect in so many of their vehicles. What can I do to have Subaru reimburse me for this defect? thank you for your help.
- Wakefield, MA, USA
I have an 06 Subaru Legacy GT.at my 30,000mile checkup the report states good except the rear brake pads & rotors which is rated; may require follow up attention.the rear rotors were machined. At 37,778 miles the radio was replaced due to it shorting out. At this mileage my coolant cap is no longer holding pressure & has to be replaced. At 44,542miles, the invoice says replace rear brakes as only the brake pads were replaced & the rear rotors were machined 6,000miles ago. At 47,560 miles fourth gear is grinding.the invoice states; found low/dirty manual transmission fluid.the transmission fluid was changed at 30,000miles & the fluid levels are to be checked at every visit which was last at 47,478 miles.transmission fluid was replaced.at 47,560 miles; found rear brake rotors warped excessively.this was not mentioned at 44,542miles when the rear brake pads were replaced. The rear brake rotors were resurfaced at this time again; as the front rotors were to thin & were replaced. From 3-5-08 when the last major inspection was done the front rotors were marked;may require follow up attention.on 4-17-08 the rotors are too thin and need to be replaced.at 50,129 miles the wheel bearings were replaced.the leaking inner axle seals was unnoticed by the technician until I mentioned it. The invoice states;the technician found the front inner axle seals leaking. Found knocking noise coming from both front axles caused by lack of grease due to leaking boots. The axle boots were replaced. At 53,455 miles found front rotors warped, resurfaced front rotors as they were just replaced at 47,560 miles. The clutch feels that it is not working properly, fourth gear is grinding again & is difficult to get into gear.when shifting at times, clutch will be completely disengaged and vehicle revs to 5000+rpms for no reason.I picked my vehicle up to take to my transmission specialist for a 2nd opinion; the hood wasn't closed, it was only latched.
- Westminster, CO, USA
- Lunenburg, MA, USA