10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 69,600 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 contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated there was a clunking sound coming from the front suspension location and the vehicle started feeling unstable while driving approximately 30 MPH. The steering wheel began to sway towards the left causing the contact to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the front subframe had fractured due to severe corrosion and needed to be replaced along with the front suspension. The front subframe and suspension was repaired; however, while doing so the dealer further diagnosed that the rear subframe and suspension had severe corrosion. The rear subframe and suspension was not repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
- Park Rapids, MN, USA
In May, returning from VA, we noticed an odd noise coming from the right front side of the car. Then the noise stopped. Driving a week later, at about 40 mph, I again heard the noise and as I approached a yellow light and began to slow to a stop, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right. I was able to regain control, drove slowly home, called our repair shop and brought it in for evaluation. The front subframe had rusted out due to the air conditioner condenser dripping onto it. Our mechanic would not let us drive the car without repair, it was too dangerous. The subframe could have dropped at any moment. No inspections other than that of our mechanic were done. I took photos of the subframe that had been removed which are attached. It is not available for inspection as far as I know. The car sat at the mechanic's for a month waiting for parts from Subaru before being repaired.
- Cutchogue, NY, USA
The front subframe is rusted through on the driver's and passenger side. I am arranging to have it replaced now so it may not be available for inspection in the near future. A collapse of the subframe would obviously be a serious safety issue. I am a fairly competent amateur mechanic and found this issue myself. I've seen several instances of this discussed in online forums. This is the communication I exchanged with Subaru of America: From myself to SOA: ?Hi, I'm the owner of a very well maintained 2011 Outback. I was doing an oil change today and was looking to touch up what I thought was some surface rust on the front subframe. I was pretty upset when I saw that the front subframe was rusted through on both sides near the rear control arm mounts. This is obviously a safety issue. I know there have been issues with subframe rust on Subarus in the past and the company has replaced them. What can Subaru do to remedy this issue with our Outback? The reply from SOA: Dear [XXX], Thank you for contacting Subaru of America, Inc. We apologize for the delayed response. I am sorry to hear of the concern you are experiencing with your Outback. Subaru did issue a recall for much earlier, 2000-2002 models. This involved vehicles that may have been manufactured with improperly applied paint to the rear suspension subframe. The front subframe was not affected. Your 2011 Outback model is not affected by any warranty extensions, recalls, or service campaigns pertaining to this concern. Please know that we do track known issues through those publications. While we are always looking for ways to help our customers, your vehicle is currently outside of our warranty parameters for offering any type of repair assistance. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Sincerely, [XXX] Subaru of America, Inc. Customer Advocacy Department [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- West Orange, NJ, USA
Driving on the freeway, I toggled the up/down feature of the sunroof to ensure the loud wind vibrations weren't coming from the top of my car and returned it to its original position. Moments later, a huge noise erupted from above me and I shut the upholstery shade closed to seal off the high speed wind from entering my car and proceeded to pull over. When I was able to stop, I looked up to see that the entire window pane was gone. The frame and the mechanical fixture was completely in tact but the whole glass piece was missing. This means it had to have flown into the air and landed behind me somewhere on the freeway.
- Carmichael, CA, USA
Our moonroof suddenly detached and flew off from the car while driving on highway. We were going across the san mateo bridge around 10:45 am on Sunday 2/9/20 and suddenly heard lots of wind noise from the moonroof, slid back the sun shade, and found the moonroof was gone.
- San Carlos, CA, USA
Purchased my 2011 Subaru new and have always keep the upkeep. About a year ago my tierod in the front went bad and ruined my tires so had to get new tires. Then it started stalling all the time, and no one seemed to why. Once at an intersection which I was almost hit. Then had to change the timing belt, but knew this when I bought it. Then the muffler rusted and now I will have to change the head gaskets. I purchased this car because everyone said it would last forever. Well I guess it will if you keep fixing everything that is wrong with it. This is my first and last Subaru I will ever buy. Had better luck with my old Dodge Caravan.
- Ridgeway, WI, USA
On June 30, 2011 at 11pm I looked out of my window and our entire garage was engulfed in flames. This building was not completed and had no electrical or heating system. I believed at that time that it was the car(Subaru) that started the fire.,as the intensity of the fire was on the side of the garage where it was parked.I had just had it detailed the day before the fire, as the dealership had done some extra electrical work and the car was returned to us filthy. I had always suspected that it was the Subaru that started that fire and a couple of weeks ago I received a letter form Subaru stating that the "puddle lights" wiring could over hear and start a fire. Guess where I had elec. Work done?I had the lighted floor board lights installed (right above the puddle lights) this fire has left my husband(still) very depressed as we lost all his tools and everything in that garage which included items to finish the construction and many valuable personal items. I realize this if after the fact, but after receiving that letter form Subaru, I feel that my suspicion is justified and think that Subaru should make this right.this building was erected for over five years and there wasn't anything in there that would of started that fire, other than that car. Please feel free to contact us.
- Otis, MA, USA
- Wayne , NJ, USA