The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. While the vehicle was being serviced, the independent mechanic observed that the entire frame was severely corroded and holes were forming. The vehicle needed a new cross member. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, when the vehicle was shifted into the park position while on an incline, it began to roll away without warning. The failure recurred two times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 03V153000 (suspension) and 02V282000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Norfolk, MA, USA

Clutch defects not acknowledged and not repaired by the dealer on a Subaru Outback 20002. Dealership: Liberty, 1000 E Park Avenue, libertyville, il 60048 problem started in 2003 and lasted to this date. In Aug 2008, dealer acknowledged present default but refused to concede that there was a problem from the start. When the car was serviced on many occasions started in 2003 (oil changes) we mentioned a problem with the clutch. The dealer blamed the "new hydraulic clutch" and gave us the run-around. Now in 2008, 3 years later, they "discovered" the clutch problem and wants to charge $1,300 to fix it. We refused to have to pay for something that should have been done under warranty. Another garage told us that Subaru had issued an advisory about the exact same problem but the dealer never told us. The clutch is still not repaired. Both my wife and I have driven many manual gear shift cars with no problems, having driven our previous 1992 Subaru Outback to 140,000 before it needed a clutch repair. The clutch on the 2002 has been a problem almost right from the start. We have service report dated 06/17/05 invoice # sucs426989 saying: " ref#2 03suz : drive line - teck :553 - customer states at times vehicle shakes when letting out the clutch and taking off, more amplified after vehicle has been sitting. ---inspected vehicle, could not duplicate condition at this time- this was not the first time we reported the problem, but it is the first written acknowledgement from the dealer. There is a second written acknowledgement: Dated 11/28/06, invoice sucs476828, ref J#2 08suz clutch ---tech 42898: Customer states the car is chugging in first gear - see line 1 line 1 states J# 1 40suzdgrt diagnosis road test - customer states the engine light is on and car feels like it want to stall. Per scanner code, replace front O2 sensor and reflash ECM" as you see, they blamed the O2 sensor and refuse to acknowledge the clutch problem.

- Libertyville, IL, USA