After a prolonged period of smelling burning oil, a mechanic found defective seals on the crankshaft pulley and elsewhere. This has now happened three times. The details are essentially identical to those described in complaint ODI id#855347. In two cases, this has resulted in fouled timing belts, which had to be replaced. In the last case -- March '03 at 90,000 miles -- the valve cover gaskets failed as well. Plainly the seals, their design, or the geometry of the engine fitting itself is defective.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

While driving engine stalled, lost all power.battery acid was leaking from battery cap. Alternator failed which melted fuse box. Battery lost all charging capacity. Dealer contacted. Over a $1000 in repairs.

- Mtka, MN, USA

Car wouldn't start after warm. Took 6 times to get it corrected. Also, has had three oil leaks in 6 years.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

On August the 12 after going up a steep hill the engine started missing really bad to the point I thought it was going to quit. This problem has been reoccuring every time the car is driven. I contacted my dealer on August the 11 and they had me to bring in the car to decarbon the engine. This didnot stop the problem. Itook the car back to the dealer on Sept. 12 to have it decarboned again. The service manager told me that Subaru has known about this problem for a year and a half and still has no known fix for this lost power and rough engine problem which they say is due to carbon build up in the engine.

- Oliver Springs, TN, USA

While driving engine light becomes illuminated, then cuts off. Engine will turn over when restarted. Dealer was contacted, but was unable to locate problem. Consumer states the vehicle will fail at the same place daily, was told by a Subaru engineer that the vehicle had lifters installed which were too small and suggested that only very thin synthetic oil be used, consumer tried this and vehicle operates normally for about 1200 miles, dealer has replaced the following to try and correct probleml maf sensor, crank and cam sensors, plugs and wires, coil, computer, starter, altnernator, ignition switch, and timing belt.

- Coleman, AL, USA

4 incidents engine failure. First time I pushed accelator and there was no power. Continued to apply gas pedal and no power, it was as if I was not applying the gas at all. Chech engine light began to flash, car began to shake, and as soon as check engine stopped blinking and light remained on, the car ran smoothly. The second incident was exactly the same as the first. The third incident the car did the same exact thing but this time it stalled out as well. 4th time was very much like the first two. Have been to the dealer 3 times and they have absolutely no idea what the problem is.

- W. Columbia, SC, USA

Consumer noticed rust on the engine. Dealer has been contacted andtold consumer to look over the rust.

- Brooklyn, CT, USA

No summary

- Rochester, MN, USA

Engine failed, loud knocking at engine startup. Subaru replaced entire engine short-block at 18K miles. Replacement engine failed at 19K miles operation with same problem (or 37K miles on car). Subaru claims it is a piston related problem. After many complaints to Subaru, they have agreed to repair it. Currently at the dealer getting new: Pistons, pins, rods and bearings as needed. This is a wide spread problem that Subaru is now telling dealers and owners "it is a normal operating noise if the noise goes away after 5 minutes of operation". it is not normal ! and in my opinion will only get worse if not repaired. I plan to sell my car after repaired.

- Newport Coast, CA, USA

Engine failed causing noise during startup in cold weather.

- Framingham, MA, USA

Engine stalls.

- Milford, MA, USA