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.
My mechanic tells me my Outback's K frame/engine cradle is rotting out where the control arms are attached. This is obviously a common problem with this run of vehicles, and leads to catastrophic failure. Further, the rear brake lines have rotted, and the geniuses ran them above the fuel tank, which would have to be dropped in order to repair. I believe this is a common enough problem to warrant investigation.
My front subframe broke. I was driving the car and was exiting the highway. I heard a snap n then had no control. Had my mechanic look at car and said frame snapped and control arm broke. The week before i had my car alignment and new tires put on. Nothing was noticed then. Mechsaud rusted from inside out.. After talkwith many different repair shops, they all stated that the front subframe breaks on subarus. They need to change the design. I called subaru and asked them to fix. Said car was to old and to many miles. I have owned cars for over 40yrs, with well over 200k mils on them. I have never had a frame break. It's very unusual when mechanics says this is a problem with subaru. Plus the subframes are on backorder. Thats how many they are selling. Even the used parts dealers can't get them
The left front engine cradle collapsed due to rust while driving. this caused the car to swerve to the left, and when the brakes were applied, it also swerved left. The car was almost undriveable. The failure put the driver of the car at risk, and luckily it happened in city driving, and not on the highway. The engine cradle is a component of the frame of the car, and should not be rusting out after 130,000 miles. This is why I think this model may need to be subject to investigation and possible recall. The Subaru Dealer (Cityside Subaru) looked at the car and confirmed that the left front cradle collapsed due to rust. They say the repair would cost $2800. There was no warning or indication prior to failure. In fact, we have had this vehicle continuously serviced at the dealership since 2011, and since 2016 we have spent over $16,000 in repairs, including various front wheel components. I would have expected the dealer to notify us if there was a potential problem. Because they didn't I feel this is a catastrophic failure that could be dangerous in any situation, especially at high speeds.
My car just dies on it's own while driving and it has trouble starting back up or somedays it just won't start up but after it dies while going down the road but after cranking it a few times it finally starts the check engine light comes on the traction control light starts flashing the brake light starts flashing and the cruise control light starts flashing I took it to a dealer and no codes were thrown in my car and after a few days of all the lights on and flashing they suddenly go away on their own this is extremely dangerous I can't control when or where this happens on the road I've almost been hit several times from this happening it does the exact same thing when I'm sitting still in park trying to start my car I get all the lights on the dashboard lit up and blinking on and off just like when it dies going down the road but nobody can find a cause or a reason why they say it's a manufacturer issue and subaru can't even figure it out
- Monticello, IN, USA
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The 2011 Subaru Outback subframe (K-Frame) failed structurally while the vehicle was in operation. The bolted connection between the left side (driver side) control arm broke due to extensive corrosion of the K-frame allowing the bolt to pull through one side of the box-shaped frame. The vehicle exhibited a pronounced pull to the left and handled erratically. The vehicle was immediately driven to a local repair facility where the broken frame connections at the control arms was discovered. The vehicle has approximately 79,000 miles and has been regularly serviced. Evidence of heavy corrosion and metal fatigue were noted at several locations on the K-frame (photo attached). The 2011 Subaru Outback has been owned/operated in western NY State where roads are frequently treated with brime and salt throughout the winter season. Servicing mechanic noted that he had completed recent replacement of the K-Frame on an identical year, make, model Subaru within the previous 3 months. Comparison of the K-Frame removed from my vehicle with the identical model showed similar corrosion and failure points. The symptoms and causes of this structural failure are nearly identical to vehicle safety complaint filed by another 2011 Outback owner; NHTSA ID # 11474045. The failed subframe, along with a second subframe from an identical Subaru replaced earlier this summer are available for inspection at the motor vehicle repair facility. Photo attached. Insofar as this is the third reported structural failure on this model within a short span of a few months and Subaru has declined to address the matter responsibly, NHTSA intervention is warranted and necessary.
Upon application of the brakes approaching a stoplight, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right, entering the right lane from the left and was rendered unsafe to operate due to this condition. Had a vehicle been present at this time in the right lane, a collision would have likely occurred. Upon inspection by the mechanic, the front engine frame had broken on the right side. The broken area has two (2) large rust holes on the top and bottom sides of the box frame. Directly above the two (2) rust holes the drain for the air conditioning condenser is located. Illinois, like 22 other states in the U.S., uses road salt to combat icy road conditions. The combination of road salt with the location of the air conditioner drain tube directly above the frame failure point leads ut to reasonably conclude that this model has a design defect that led to the failure. A remedy for this issue would be to simply extend the drain tube approx. 5" so the water dripping from the air conditioning condenser does not drop onto the top, flat portion of the engine frame where road salt may accumulate over time. In addition, 1. I have possession of the original frame for inspection by the NHTSA. 2. At the time of the repair, the mechanic ordered the replacement dram from the local Subaru dealership. Our mechanic was informed that he was ordering the last remaining subframe assembly that Subaru of North America had in stock at that time.
My 2011 Subaru Outback with the automatic CVT transmission has recently started stalling and dying entirely when coming to an abrupt stop. Or even coming to a stop in general, regardless of speed. This having started within the last month or so around the begging of March, 2022. My vehicle has just passed the 10 year mark and is still currently under 100k miles, currently at 96k. After much research and a few trips to the mechanic, I have found that this is a common issue regarding the torque converter within many Subaru vehicles. I have also found that this was such a common issue that this should have been labeled as a recall. But have discovered that this was an -??extended warranty-?? concern instead. That being said, I have, on more than one occasion, come to a stop in traffic with my child in the car and my car just dies in the middle of the road. Which is entirely unsafe and in my opinion deserves a recall.
The vehicle stalls out at stop signs and red light as far as I-??m concerned this is a safety hazard.I-took it to Minooka Subaru and they said it it was a torque converter I had it fixed it cost me 1500 dollars and as far as I-??m concerned it should be reimbursed because.,it is very much a safety hazard. This happen d numerous of times.
The hood latch will not stay locked so it-??s popping as I-??m driving. The hood hasn-??t completely come up, yet, but it-??s definitely an imminent danger. It has happened multiple times over the last three days.
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.
My car went in for repairs for stalling at a light or stop sign, the day after I got the car back it stalled again and this time cut out the electricity to the vehicle, I could not engage the emergency break nor could I put the car in park. I held my foot on the break because of a small downhill and I was afraid the car might run into other cars at the intersection. The person at Subaru was walking me through the process of how to manually put the gear in park, while I was attempting to do this a woman yelled at me to get out of the car because it was on fire, according to Subaru's investigation, the fire started at the left rear of the engine.
Inner wheels at rear threads wearing with out threads still new. Notice a roaring sound while backing up in reverse. A/C RPM drops and goes up when turned on. There was a rear suspension recall on vehicle and trying to see if alignment was done. Due to thread decreasing inwards.
I have been reporting problems with my transmission since 2012 to my regular dealership, star Subaru when the car had just 23,472 miles on it. At this point, I believe that I have been wrongfully denied warranty coverage... the consumer stated the vehicle would spontaneously jump or slam while driving. Coil repairs were attempted, but the problem persisted. The dealer discovered the failure code was P1710 torque converter. Turbine speed signal circuit malfunction, after the warranty was expired. The manufacturer offered to assist with repairs. The consumer stated the repairs cost $6,000 the dealer offered $2,500 towards the repair or a new vehicle. The consumer did not agree to the terms.
On 2/11/20 around 12:30pm et, I was approaching the highway via an onramp, and my speed was barely 25 mph. Suddenly, as I was on the approach-road, I suddenly felt that the steering was locked and turning on the right side only (either steering or anti-lock malfunction). It hit the fence and then turned (flipped) on its driver side as can be seen in the picture. I believe this is a safety issue, so please make a proper investigation. My car was totaled. My damaged car is in 'county towing' in 49 fullerton ave, yonkers, NY 10704, phone: (914) 423-1101
I was 40 miles from home after coming down a steep curvy mountain road in manual when Subaru began shifting with big jerks and shudders in early Sept 2019, had trouble shifting from one gear to next. Hanlee's Subaru evaluated, replaced valve body and serpentine belt. A few days later in rush hour traffic at a rr crossing it shuddered to a stop and died during which there was a loud clanking sound under and behind me. I started it up again but was terrified of causing an accident. Returned to hanlee's where they had it for a week and could not reproduce the symptoms.since I picked it up it still has a "bump" when I slow down. Then 0N 11/4/19 it did the same shuddering stop when I braked in traffic(going 35 mph) five miles from my house, dying completely. I restarted it and took it to Subaru. They say it might be a torque converter. I'm worried for my safety. I also see that both the cvt and torque converter had extended warranties issued for these reasons. When these problems began the car had 110K miles. This is my third Subaru and have never experienced such poor, dangerous performance on a car that should run well for at least 200K miles with good service. I am waiting to hear from hanlee's on the second day they have had my car.
Shutters when you put it in reverse. Also, will shutter and stall when coming to a stop. Very dangerous when at a busy intersection and I have to put the vehicle in park and restart it!! 123,000 miles, so no longer under warranty. I've seen many other complaints of the exact same issue, but Subaru has never acknowledged there is a problem! we bought this vehicle used as we cannot afford brand new car payments and were told by many that Subaru is a very reliable vehicle. Will definitely not by another Subaru and will discourage anyone else from doing so!!
Driver was attempting to make a turn around in a driveway and needed to stop and switch reverse. The car would not stop and driver was not able to switch gears and hit garage wall.
Multiple warning lights appeared on the dashboard while driving. When sitting in the car, in the garage, the minute the key is turned, although the car is not started, all the dashboard warning lights went on although the car was stationary. Picture uploaded taken when car was in garage.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lincolnville , ME, USA