10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,254 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 front lower subframe cracked where the driver's side front wheel attaches to it in our 2011 Subaru Outback. This resulted in loss of steering control of vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by independent mechanic. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance agent. It is available for inspection at [XXX]. There were no warning lights when this failure occurred. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Hurley, WI, USA
Front control arm bolt pulled out of the subframe due to extreme corrosion.
- Holland , NY, 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
A/C Compressor locks up, and serpentine belt flies off and stops power steering. Stalls due to this locking up.
- Bloomington, IN, USA
Upon application of the brakes approaching a stoplight, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right, entering the right lane from the left and was rendered unsafe to operate due to this condition. Had a vehicle been present at this time in the right lane, a collision would have likely occurred. Upon inspection by the mechanic, the front engine frame had broken on the right side. The broken area has two (2) large rust holes on the top and bottom sides of the box frame. Directly above the two (2) rust holes the drain for the air conditioning condenser is located. Illinois, like 22 other states in the U.S., uses road salt to combat icy road conditions. The combination of road salt with the location of the air conditioner drain tube directly above the frame failure point leads ut to reasonably conclude that this model has a design defect that led to the failure. A remedy for this issue would be to simply extend the drain tube approx. 5" so the water dripping from the air conditioning condenser does not drop onto the top, flat portion of the engine frame where road salt may accumulate over time. In addition, 1. I have possession of the original frame for inspection by the NHTSA. 2. At the time of the repair, the mechanic ordered the replacement dram from the local Subaru dealership. Our mechanic was informed that he was ordering the last remaining subframe assembly that Subaru of North America had in stock at that time.
- Highland Park, IL, USA
I have been reporting problems with my transmission since 2012 to my regular dealership, star Subaru when the car had just 23,472 miles on it. At this point, I believe that I have been wrongfully denied warranty coverage. Then again, in 2017, while still under warranty, I brought my Outback to star Subaru complaining that while driving slow, the car tends to 'jump' mid-drive, almost like someone rear ended you. The car at this point was at about 94,467 miles, under the 100,000 mile warranty limit. After numerous complaints I finally received a test drive with a Subaru mechanic at star Subaru in bayside, queens, NY. He concluded that it needed transmission parts, a torque converter/valve body. At that point I was set to have it replaced once the parts came in. Weeks went by and I heard nothing. I contacted Subaru of America who was able to set me up with East hills Subaru. The soa person was very helpful with the transition. They performed their own diagnostic, and the condition at the time would not replicate. Unfortunately, when this 'jump/slam' happens, it does spontaneously. We cannot make it happen, nor do we even know when it is going to happen. It was always very sporadic. Sometimes it would happen on the highway going 65, or sometimes less than 5mph. On a long trip back from Vermont, there would be a large revving sound, and then it felt as if someone hit us from behind. Once again, I took the car to Subaru, only to be told they simply couldn't 'replicate the problem', and therefore would not do anything to help us. On April 3rd 2019, I bring my car in again to East hill Subaru. Check engine light on. They do recall. They also troubleshoot the check engine code, which now comes up clearly as P1710 torque converter turbine 2 speed signal circuit malfunction. Now it's not covered under warranty.the price tag is very high, almost $6,000!
- Stewart Manor, NY, USA
On 2/11/20 around 12:30pm et, I was approaching the highway via an onramp, and my speed was barely 25 mph. Suddenly, as I was on the approach-road, I suddenly felt that the steering was locked and turning on the right side only (either steering or anti-lock malfunction). It hit the fence and then turned (flipped) on its driver side as can be seen in the picture. I believe this is a safety issue, so please make a proper investigation. My car was totaled. My damaged car is in 'county towing' in 49 fullerton ave, yonkers, NY 10704, phone: (914) 423-1101
- Bronx, NY, USA
The traction, oil temp, brake sign turns on in my vehicle. The vehicle brake sign is a safety isssue.
- Windermere, FL, USA
Steering failed completely while in motion on city street. Warning light appeared on dash briefly, then steering failed - car was not able to be steered. Car was rolled into parking lot and tow truck called. Vehicle was on it's way to interstate highway when this happened. Dealer determined power steering hose connections to "junction" had completely rusted, causing all fluid to leak out of system. Subaru of America was contacted and states that "since the vehicle is driven in an area where salt is used on roads in winter, this is not unexpected". it should be noted that less than 12 months prior, this same vehicle's brake system totally failed, from rusted hoses. Subaru of America gave the same reason for that failure.
- Oneida, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. On several occasions, while driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate and shook violently while the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to gregoris Nissan (555 w merrick rd, valley stream, NY 11580 (516) 825-8700), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
- Laurelton, NY, USA
The contact owned a 2011 Subaru Outback. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and smoke appeared underneath the hood. The contact quickly exited the vehicle. Within a couple of minutes, the vehicle became engulfed in flames and was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries sustained. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
- Menands, NY, USA
I can not keep the vehicle centered on the highway. The cars wanders right or left and requires constant adjustment. The car does not return to center after a turn, steering adjustment is required. This is a constant problem.
- Narragansett, RI, USA
Driving down a four lane road and went to take a legal U-turn and the steering wheel turned freely but the car went straight. The brake light was flashing and the tires did not move despite me turning the steering wheel. Awaiting an update from Subaru of America. Dealer says it needs a new steering shaft.
- North Andover, MA, USA
When applying the brakes hard at the a stopping point of the car it kills the engine leaving you dead in the street. Emergency pressure hard! other than that the brakes work great. Now if you push trans into neutral and brake hard as you will the engine is not effected and keeps on running. This is a automatic but it feels like you did not depress the clutch on stopping the car if it were a standard stick shift trans. There is a bucking at stopping then the engine is dead in the street. If you let up the brake before this kills the motor then it keeps running or if just light braking that is normal needed no problem. Other than that dangerous condition in city traffic the car runs great. This has to be a defect in design of the system never in 30+ years of auto mech trade have I run across this in any world brand name cars.
- Tallahassee, FL, USA
Subaru Outback vibrates in steering wheel and seats at speeds from 60 to above. There is a service bulletin which states the steering column and steering wheel gets replaced. Have not found any information that this rectifies the issue or that it makes the car any more safe or pleasant to drive. Postings suggest that this repair does not improve the issue.
- Tucson, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the steering assist failed without warning. The failure recurred on several separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 600.
- Des Moines, IA, USA
High winds caused a loss of steering and the entire car was moved and I almost blew into a semi.this always happens in high winds (25- 30mph and above ). internet bloggers call this " lane wandering" Subaru refuses to address this problem. I filed a claim with Subaru of America and their response was "it has been determined that the vehicle is operating as designed". I am past the date of being able to use the lemon law. The only option Subaru has given me is to trade-in the car with a $1500 discount toward a new one. I hesitate to do business with them again as there is a trust issue and I cannot, in good conscience, sell the car to someone else. It is very dangerous and I am afraid to drive it.I did speak to a gentleman with the same problem and he said Subaru bought back the car from him, however they refused to do that for me. I have been trying to resolve this problem with Subaru for a couple of years with no satisfaction. Here is a link that may be helpful. Http:/www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-present/31638-ob-lanewandering.html.
- Des Moines, IA, USA
Even after all the soa (Subaru of America) "fixes" / service bulletins I still have a vibration issues at highway speeds, feel it in the seat and in steering wheel. It gets worse at highway speeds if your going around a curve on it tends to get worse. Even after through the curve.. also noted it doesn't matter weather conditions hot, cold raining or dry.
- Randolph, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the steering wheel started to vibrate and shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the steering column, brakes, tires, lower control arms and a tire alignment was performed. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 8,022 and current mileage was 23,000.
- Auburn , CA, USA
- Madera, CA, USA