10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

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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.

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problem #7

Feb 192024

Outback

  • miles
As I was approaching a T intersection and preparing to stop at the stop sign, I started to apply my brakes when all of a sudden my car accelerated and lunged forward almost into the path of oncoming traffic on the intersecting road. As I had originally started to apply my brake, it felt as if the brake dropped slightly under my foot but, as the car lunged forward, I immediately jammed on the brake so I am not 100% sure about that dropping sensation. It all happened within a matter of seconds. Anyway, jamming on the brakes stopped the forward momentum and the car stopped before actually entering the path of an oncoming car. If I had started to brake any closer to the intersection, I may not have had time to stop the car in time to avoid a broadside collision with the oncoming car. I have owned this car about a year and a half and this is the first time anything like this has happened. There was no warning lamps, messages etc at the time or prior to the incident. After the incident, my husband checked online and saw that others have described a similar experience with their Subarus and, apparently, there is an ongoing lawsuit involving this problem. This just happened last evening so I have not yet taken my car to the dealer to be inspected but plan to do so soon.

- Chadds Ford, PA, USA

problem #6

Aug 202023

Outback

  • miles
On Sunday, August 20, 2023 I was pulling into a parking spot in front of an Anytime Fitness at a local strip mall. As I applied the brake, the motor raced and accelerated driving me into a pillar outside of the fitness center. I was in shock, not understanding what had happened. Had I chosen to park one stall to the right, the car would have gone through the window of the business instead of the pillar. Considerable damage was done to the pillar and to my 2021 Subaru Outback, but I was not injured, and no one else was injured. I had the brakes checked at my vehicle service center and was told the brakes were functioning as they should be. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. No warning was provided by the vehicle. The crash occurred in two seconds.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #5

Jun 142023

Outback

  • miles
My wife turned into a parking spot slowly with her foot on the brake, and the car suddenly accelerated without warning. It went up on the curb while my wife slammed on the brake and stopped the car. She then put the car in reverse and backed into the parking spot. Came home without further incident but was very upset. I intend to question the dealer, Parkway Subaru in Wilmington, NC. I see articles online that relate problems like this to a number of different models and makes. My wife does not want the car anymore, but how can I be sure any car I replace it with does not have the same problem? 6/15/23 The contact called to add additional information to the complaint. The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his wife was driving into a parking space at 1 MPH with her foot off the accelerator and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated that his wife was able to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #4

Apr 132023

Outback

  • miles
Car experienced unintended acceleration and the pre-collision safety system failed to engage. Car accelerated into a building and the driver stopped car's attempt to continue forward progress by taking the car out of drive mode. The pre-collision system failed completely. The Electronic Control Units seemed to fail entirely. This happened while pulling into a parking space at a very low rate to speed (until the car "took off").

- Lake Forest, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 082023

Outback

  • miles
Traveling toll road /fwy at approx 70mph at rush hour and lost all power with Check engine light, emergency brake, lurching engine, all flashing at the same time!!! Coasted through 4 fwy lanes to offramp and service station- extreme danger!!! How was there no pile up with me going from 70-10 to coasting on a busy 15 Northbound fwy at 7:30 am"????? Was in toll lane and crossed toll 3 foot sticks to exit at first available exit. 2 cars followed me off as they were concerned for my safety Towed to shop where they put in new thermo valve, gasket intake manifold, Pipe ay- fuel and gasket egr pipe 56000miles, 2 year old car 3 replaced windshields in last 6 months They said they've done 10 cars with this problem in the last year???" Insurance covered windshields, service center at Subaru inspected car

- Temescal Valley, CA, USA

problem #2

May 272022

Outback

  • miles
Since we bought our 2021 Subaru Outback in May 2021, the vehicle hesitates when accelerating mainly after filling up with gas but also at other times. We have taken the vehicle in 4 times for service, but Subaru cannot duplicate the problem. Another issue we are having is that every time it rains, there is a puddle of water that forms on the passenger side floor board. We have taken the vehicle in 4 times for service, but Subaru cannot duplicate the problem.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #1

Aug 022021

Outback

  • miles
Driving at 65 mph, engine stopped taking gas, slowed to below 30 in heavy freeway traffic. Resumed normal operation in about a minute. Then failed in similar fashion 5 minutes later. Took my 2021 Subaru outback xt to the dealer where purchased. They have been unable to duplicate the issue and want me to drive the car without any fix. I refuse to do that as if it happens in a situation where I must accelerate to be safe, it is going to be disastrous. They point to no recall on the 2021 model, but had this issue for the last 3 years on many of their models. What to do?

- Washoe Valley, NV, USA