10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
118,261 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2008 Subaru Outback brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

May 282017

Outback

  • 192,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake line failure, loss of brakes while driving on us hwy 221. Brake fluid was leaking out from the gas tank splash shied. The brake fluid reservoir was empty. According to recall bulletin a design flaw in the splash shield allows salt to accumulate in this area. I truly believe this is why I have had this failure.recall performed previously did not remedy problem. Subaru applies band aid by spraying with anti-corrosion noxrust. This does not alleviate/solve the corrosion already occurring leading to failure later on, as in my case. This should be addressed immediately before loss of life occurs. I have contacted Subaru to inform of the issue involving my situation. Their agent indicates they are not responsible due to previously performing service wqk47. This does not remove the failing components that have already begun to deteriorate due to surface corrosion. This should cause an immediate alarm to any owners knowing they could possibly experience my situation. I was lucky. No one was injured or no property damage. This will not always be the case. Be aware Subaru is turning a blind eye to the real danger of these faulty, corroded brake lines. I do not trust them to do any further inspection or repair of my vehicle and will trust it to my local mechanic who has my faith. Subaru has failed!!!! my hope is that the NHTSA will open an investigation before this goes mainstream nationally. Who can replace a lost live?

- Fleetwood, NC, USA

problem #5

Apr 062017

Outback

  • 137,100 miles
Sever corrosion of rear brake line caused sudden and complete loss of brake fluid and resulted in loss of ability to brake.

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

problem #4

Dec 222016

Outback 4-cyl

  • 72,300 miles
On Thursday, Dec. 22, about 11:25 a.M., I came to a intersection of meadowlark lane and rt. 528 in rio rancho, nm. And got in the right turn lane. I depressed the brake pedal part-way, felt and heard the grinding under my foot. I lifted off my foot and depressed it fully (no noise or grinding) and came to a complete stop. I turned into the right lane of the 3-lane street. I wanted to get to the far left lane. I signaled and turned left. The car passed through the center lane. As the car entered the left lane, it suddenly veered right into the middle lane and continued forward in a "S" pattern for a few feet! the road was damp, by no means slick (not shiny and no puddles or visible water or ice on the road). I believe the temp was above freezing. I was able to turn the car back to the far left lane. The next day, I took it to my mechanics for an appt. I had made for to have the cv boots? replaced and they said they checked out the steering, brakes, etc. And tried to reproduce the same thing. They said they was nothing mechanically wrong. Possibly the anti-skid action was set off. This was very unnerving. I am not comfortable driving this vehicle.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #3

Aug 312016

Outback

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

All of below: Since early original ownership, for years Subaru dismissed repeated reporting of (moving, stationary, all roads): Takata recall airbag warning light illumination. Only after national airbag recall did Subaru recognize concern and address. Subaru recently has serviced airbag twice. Both times, shortly after service dash warning lights illuminated: Airbag, cruise, check engine. Also, erratic cruise function and engine clicking noise (moving, all roads) resulted. For numerous weeks, Subaru has been refusing to fix lethal airbag/S and remedy damage/concerns resulting from airbag service. Subaru seeks payment for diagnosis (and presumably, subsequent service) of airbag and related damage/concerns and a written waiver for this service and any future service needs as condition of service. Brakes rusting, squealing, sponginess. Weeks before warranty expired Subaru dismissed issues. Weeks after warranty, (at some 25K miles) Subaru sought to sell some $1900 in new brakes or new car. Subaru relented months later, addressing concern. Thereafter, following the national brakes recall, Subaru reported no service needed on second full set of brakes. This month replaced 4 rotors (and pads)'this is the third time 4 rotors installed on original-ownership car with some 65K miles. Engine's loud rattling, gurgling. Subaru eventually admitted and serviced heatshield defect. Subaru has stated repeatedly heatshield issue can't be resolved. After three services, Subaru reported related engine damage: Oil leak and catalytic. Chronic heatshield and related damage/concerns ongoing. Windshield interior pooling water and icing (needing scraping off despite winter-package windshield heating), as well as exterior windshield seal sliding freely. Only after shield spontaneously cracked did Subaru recognize issues and address.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #2

Sep 012010

Outback

  • miles
We took our Subaru into the dealer to get regular services. We were told that our front drivers side brake was completely ground down while the others were fine and or normal for our mileage. Our car was still under warranty and although the dealers explanation was " a stuck brake caliper" they made us pay for new brakes. And, they failed to give us a new brake caliper. When we asked for the manager, he refused to help us and blamed it on the regional repair manager. We complained for nearly a year and were finally given the money back just for the brake, but since we had brought the car in, they should have fixed the brake caliper as well. This was a problem from the beginning and we had bought the car "brand new". we think this is a an overall manufacturers defect but when we called Subaru corporate offices, they slammed the door in our faces and we were never allowed to talk to a person other than "customer service" in the Subaru corporate offices. We have taken the car to 3 Subaru dealers and all 3 refused to replace the parts and services for free. We have email and other documentation of our communications with them. Please help us. Updated 11/14/12 updated 11/14/2012

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #1

May 242012

Outback

  • 86,837 miles
The contact owns 2008 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while attempting to park, she heard a loud noise coming from the engine and noticed the vehicle moving forward while the brake was depressed. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a store. The contact did not sustain any injury. The kanawha county sheriff was present and a police report was available. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, but a diagnostic test was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure and current mileage was 86,837.

- Elkview, WV, USA

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