This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving the vehicle stopped accelerating and shut down. Was told that the pedal assembly and sensors stopped working. This malfunction can kill people. Other have has low mileage on the vehicle and have the car shut down while driving.
Sudden deceleration of vehicle. Check engine light comes on and the car goes limp. Vehicle is restartable after 5 minutes, however the throttle does not work properly afterward and the vehicle will not accelerate normally, thus it drives much slower, and will not go above 60 mph. Problem comes and goes.
Driving along - check engine light comes on and cruise control light flashes. I immediately lose acceleration - need to pull over (thank god I was not on a major highway when this accurs). Have to turn car off - wait a few minutes and then restart. Lights still stay on but acceleration is normal. I have seen many different reason codes for this problem - I am now taking to my personal mechanic to have him go over it and hopefully fix this. Very, very scary situation when it happens. Do not think I should have to take my life in my hands when I drive this vehicle!!! one would think that a reputable company like Subaru would stand behind this dangerous flaw with their product and correct the issue!!!
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the engine rpms increased. In addition, the check engine and the cruise control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle pedal position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Slowing at intersection to make a right turn when check-engine-light came on. Cruise control light started flashing (vehicle was not in cruise control at the time) accelerator pedal became unresponsive (could get no acceleration out of the car when pressing the pedal) and was barely able to get through intersection to turn. After a minute or so was able to get enough power to run at about 10mph tops with hazards on to get a location where I could pull over out of traffic. Car would not start immediately after (three cranks with no response) after a few minutes, though, it restarted and seemed to operate normally, no problems with speed. Diagnostic code was P2138 (throttle/pedal position sensor/switch "a"/"B" voltage correlation.
- Laramie, WY, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact also stated that the check engine and the cruise control warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Found coolant black and possible overheating from head gasket failure in result radiator was exposed to high heat and cracked. Combustion pressure had entered cooling system and caused over pressure of cooling system. Recommend leak down and compression check of engine to determine if internal damage has occurred. Customer has two options, replacement of head gaskets if no other findings internal are found or replacement of engine complete. Turbo may also be damaged and needs inspection also. Replace rear brake rotors and pads, lube back of pads and hardware pins with anti squeak paste. Adjust emergency brake system to factory spec. Road test for noise and seat new pads to rotors.
While driving down I-25 the car lost all power and had no acceleration. The car would only idle, I noticed a check engine light on. I had the car towed to a repair shop and when the code was read a P2138 that had to do with the accelerator the mechanic said it happens alot with this year Subaru. He told me by just shutting the car off and waiting a few minutes it would have driven normal, when he started it again it did drive normal. He sends them to a Subaru dealer and tells the people that if enough of us complain or fill in a report then something may be done. This is a very unsafe car if it loses all power driving down the highway!
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and the check engine indicator illuminated. The failure occurred multiple times. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
My 2006 Subaru Outback has had a code P2138 issue for over two months now. In many cases I am in the car with my 4 year old son and end up being in danger for no reason. Loosing 99% of power while going to school or to the store. All attempts to fix this issue have not worked and the car itself is thought of as a death trap in our house. Subaru disregards the code and offers no fix. Please issue a recall. Lives are at risk.
In the summer of 2011 I was driving on the highway at approx 75mph. All of a sudden temp gauge made a big jump into the red zone and the engine started making loud upsetting sounds. Pulled off the highway and right at the exit lost power steering and the car died. Car was diagnosed with blown head gaskets and cracked engine block. The entire engine was replaced under warranty (approx $8000 replacement). Fast forward to June 2014. The new engine did exactly the same thing. Temperature shot up on the highway, engine died, head gaskets once again have blown. This new engine was four years old and had only 30,000 miles on it. Car has had regular oil changes and service throughout its lifetime. I am currently having my situation reviewed by Subaru of America. I am hoping they will cover the repair costs.
Our 2006 Subaru Outback needs the head gaskets and rear main seal replaced. The vehicle has been maintained to manufacturer recommendations. This seems to be a common issue for the 2.5 engine and should be recalled.
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Subaru head gasket has failed. This is a known issue across just about all Subaru models with 2.5 engine. If you contact various Subaru owners you will see that this head gasket failure is high at an abnormal rate. I am hoping that you investigate and hold the responsible and accountable. This is unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, there was a sudden loss of engine power as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed but the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not available.
Happened twice in one week. All of sudden, accelerator not responsive and lost of power. Check engine light comes on and cruise flashing. After turning on and off or stay off for a night, lights went out themselves. Error code P2138 accelerator position sensor. Check sensor no obvious loose on connector. Press connect on and no issue so far. It seems the connector too close to the floor and easy to kicked or touched by foot. \ car was bought in buffalo West herr Subaru and used in toronto.
No warning lights. No precussors. Vehicle purchased 5/13 w 86K on it. Dealer hides behind 'as is' or expensive warranty after bragging about 'award winning dealership'. first oil change at 90896 in 8/13= forced dealer to replace head gasket-leaking-smelled oil on test drive-dealer poo-poo'd as recent oil change prior to sale. I paid for timing belt. 10/13-car died pulling into driveway with horrendous knocking sound. 2 qualified mechanics checked my car in driveway-saw metallic sheen in oil, oil dipstick at proper level. Car towed back to above 'award winning dealer'. service accuses me of over filling oil- it was never touched by anyone other than them on 8/13, then tells me engine must have been run with no oil causing damage.(car due now for next oil change) have forced them to recheck timing belt function-they have ruled that out and state most likely a rod or two shot in lower engine. No help offered to me. Possession of car by me-less than 6 months &less than 10K miles, paid 11thousand. Towing it to a non-dealer dependable local Subaru guy for replacement engine. Do not buy as is. Do not buy expensive extended warranties. Insist greedy dealerships put their mouths where there trophy showcases are and make it right!!! I have owned Subaru for over 2 decades....no more if their engines continue to fail leaving loyal customers high and dry. Going back to Toyota, or maybe even Hyundai! I work in the medical field and I will negatively speak loud and often about this dealer to hundreds of people whether directly or indirectly so anyone and everyone can hear. Now off to social media to disseminate my treatment there as well.
Four times in one month prior the above date, this vehicle stopped running in traffic. It would not restart. Most importantly, the automatic transmission could not be taken out of gear and put into park!! in addition, the emergency brake failed to properly keep the vehicle from rolling in traffic. The most recent time this happened, the driver was in heavy traffic on a hill and the emergency brake again did not properly hold the vehicle. The driver had to open her door, exit the vehicle in order to physically stop it from rolling downhill in traffic and was nearly ran over by a passing semi trailer truck. This is a well maintained vehicle, often through the dealer it was purchased from. During this time, the vehicle was towed twice to the dealer. They diagnosed the problem as being caused by electronic computer parts malfunction. After these expensive and possibly unnecessary repairs the problem still persisted. The vehicle continued to stop for no reason in traffic and would not restart. Each time this happened, the vehicle could not be taken out of gear and put into park!! I know of no other vehicle where this type of problem has happened. After the latest breakdown, upon inspection, the dealer located a section of wire loom that had worn bare and possibly had caused a short in the electrical system. This worn spot in the wire loom may have tripped up the logic in the vehicle computer and been the reason the driver could not put the vehicle in park after breaking down in traffic. If this electrical wire loom caused this "malfunction", it would put anyone in this vehicle in a position where there is great potential for serious injury, or death. This problem should be looked into by your department in order to make sure this does not happen again to someone else.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Waldwick, NJ, USA