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.
1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all. We careened down a hill and head on into a large tree 3. not reproduced or confirmed 4. Vehicle was inspected by insurance company and was declared a total loss 5. no signs of any malfunction prior to wreck
2011 Subaru Outback has low rpm/idle stalling condition. This has caused a very dangerous safety issue while in traffic on the highway, while slowing in traffic. Several times I narrowly escaped an accident. This condition can prove deadly. There is currently a TSB 16-90-13r. This is not a recall and it should be. All years 2010-2012 especially on the Subaru Outback have been affected. The fix is a very expensive Torque converter replacement. The issue is so bad, Subaru changed the torque converter design for 2013, so again I say, why no recall and fix from Subaru? Thank you
Engine stalling. When stopping at red light, engine shut down a few times. Once I lost all electricity and maneuverability of the car. I also had ignition problems. The car won't start sometimes. I brought to dealership 4-5X and my car spent a month at dealer. They cannot find the cause. I read this could be due to cvt transmission. I bought my car from a Subaru dealer two and a half years ago and only drove 7K miles. Current mileage is 95K. Subaru extended warranty of my model to 10 years for transmission. But so far they couldn't do anything. I think this should be a recall. When my car stalled, I had to call police as my car blocked the road and cause traffic jam. This is a road hazard. Thank you.
When stopping the car stalls and dies on streets, highways, etc. I have almost been rear ended and it even died while obstructing oncoming traffic. Subaru issued a technical services bulletin (tsb 16-90-13R) which describes the issue perfectly, however due to milage (40K over 100K) they will not correct the bad part, which is no longer even availaable to purchase through them! part # 31100ab170. The new part 31100ab171 and 31100ab172 should be issued to all 2010-2012 Outback owners as a recall. If they will not even sell the original part anymore because they know it is garbage and then play the feel good best car ever commercials, that is misleading and fraudulent. Help NHTSA, you are our only hope.
P0420 code O2 sensors. I had this problem back in 2017. Cruise, skid control, brake light and check engine light come on. Subaru said it was the catalytic converter, 02 sensors and associated piping. Subaru replaced it for free in 2017. Not even 2 years later 8/2019, I am dealing with the same issue again. Same diagnoses. I have seen a multitude of complaints about this issue. Saw a report of a recall for the front 02 sensor on repairpal but it is not listed on Subaru's website. Subaru wants to charge 1900 to fix and make me pay $500 for a repair that's should not need to happen in less than two years time!
- Hope Mills, NC, USA
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When we were driving the 2011 Subaru Outback on the road on July 5,2019, the fuel gauge suddenly shifted from almost full to zero. The car stopped and we placed it in park. Subsequent attempts to start the car did not even ignite the engine, even when we added another gallon of gas and tried jump starting the car. There were no visible signs of a gas leak. Our insurance company towed our car to nearby coleman Subaru NJ, where the dealer has now assumed it was a computer issue and have asked to order another computer to fix it. This was an incredibly scary experience for us. There were five people in the car when we were driving and thankfully no one was hurt. If it happened on the high way, I don't know what would have happened. We are concerned this is a safety issue which can get people hurt.
When coming to a stop, the car stalls shudders and quits, this happens more often when braking harder than standard. The car can be warm or cold it can be replicated on command most often going uphill but will also do same on level ground. Dealer referenced possibly baffle in gas tank has detached allowing gas to slosh away from pick up area in tank. Suggested $200 to drop tank investigate and 4-500 to replace tank. Also reported in complaint 10966670 under drive train. Tried liquid heet fuel additive to remove possibility of water pooling in tank. The stall happens most on city street with daughter or wife driving.
My car stalls occasionally when I come to a full stop. This issue has been evident since about 80,000 miles. The dealership reviled it was due to a faulty torque converter. I found the information below on line and seems to resonate. Vehicle stalls after sudden stop requiring it to be restarted. I was told by Subaru sales there is a tsb # 16-90-13 R (1/6/14 issued). This relates to the transmission ( cvt) looking up after a sudden stop due to a thrust washer inside the torque converter.
My car just turned 17000 miles. I bought it new in 2011. It is garaged whenever not in use and have photos of it in the garage. The muffler and exhaust system are rusting very badly. I wash the car regularly when dirty. This should not be happening - there must be a defect in the type of materials used. I first noticed this back in June and it is getting worse. This should be replaced by Subaru - I shouldn't need a new muffler/exhaust system on a new car in less than 20,000 miles! I have taken photos of the problem that I can provide if requested.
While pulling into a parking space, there was sudden acceleration as if the choke had turn on, similar to when starting the vehicle. It lasted only a short while, but I did have to put the vehicle in neutral. This also occurred once before approx. One month prior this, while pulling into my garage. Am curious if any other reports of this type have been reported.
Fuel gauge fails to show correct amount of fuel in the tank. Fuel gauge will only show about 2/3 full when the fuel tank is fully fueled. There are several reports of same problem posted at www.subaruoutback.org/forums regarding fuel gauge incorrectly displaying the fuel level. 2011 Subaru Outback 3.6 limited, purchased May 2010, 1st owner.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cumming, GA, USA