4.6
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,200 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.
The automatic transmission park mechanism does not engage properly. With selector lever in "park " and car turned off and ignition key removed, the car rolls. In the early years, the car rolled only slightly and finally "engaged": now, the car rolls several feet and does not always engage, requiring use of the emergency brake for all parking. Because the problem is getting worse, we searched for repair & recall information. We found that although our model & year are on the recall list for this park mechanism, our VIN# is not.
- Saunderstown, RI, USA
Starting around 62K miles, I heard a whining noise from the front of the car. The noise got louder and higher with wheel speed. When I took it to a mechanic, they diagnosed a bad differential bearing, and informed me that the recommended fix was replacement of the entire transmission, including both differentials. When I went to the dealer to confirm this, they quoted me $6,000-$8,000 for the repair. I tried to get some relief from Subaru of America, since the powertrain warranty goes for 60K miles, but they were unwilling. This caused the value of my car to go to zero, since it's worth about $8,000 without the transmission problem.
- Menlo Park, CA, USA
I own a 2001 Subaru Outback. After hearing a whining noise in the front of the car, I took my car into my mechanic. He informed me that I probably needed to have the front differential replaced and referred me to the dealership. The dealership told me I needed the entire transmission replaced. Because the milage on my car was at 62,000 miles, the dealership would not honor my warranty because it only extended to 60K. Astounded that any car with only 62K miles on it would need its entire transmission replaced, I appealed to Subaru customer services and asked them to own up to the defect. They declined my request.
- Durham, NC, USA
My Subaru Outback unlimited 2001 needs a transmission replaced after only 74,000. All the repairs and service were performed at the dealership including the 60,00 mile major tune-up. All the service was done timely and as recommended. The dealer first said the noise was the alternator and replaced the alternator, but the noise continued. I took the car to another Subaru dealer who said the problem was the transmission and suspected it was not serviced appropriately. I returned the car to the original dealer at their request. They then removed the replaced alternator and returned my original alternator, but refused any responsibility for my transmission failure.
- Novato, CA, USA
The vehicle was parked and off. The vehicle moved forward towards the fence.
- Morgantown, WV, USA
Car has significant hesitation during periods of acceleration, usually around 2500-3500 RPM. Potentially dangerous in many driving situations. Have reported to dealer multiple times. Response is always "cannot reproduce - computer shows operating as designed". car also has spontaneous acceleration at low speed, such as first taking foot off brake.
- Valley Cottage, NY, USA
Vehicle suddenly accelerates while descending steep hill in 1st gear using engine as brake
- Coloma, CA, USA
Overdrive light illuminated. Driver had vehicle towed to mechanic. Mechanic stated that transmission needed to be replaced.
- Morgan Town, WV, USA
- Staten Island, NY, USA