16 of the
108 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback are about the
engine — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
65,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT AND STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP AND COOLANT HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,000 milesWeare, NH
ENGINE
MULTIPLE HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 60,000 MILE INTERVALS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT SEEMS LIKE THE MANUFACTURER IS COVERING UP A VERY BAD ENGINE DESIGN AFTER LOOKING ONLINE OF VERY SAME REPORTS. I AM SURPRISED WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS IT IS NOT BEEN RECALLED OR CORRECTED. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO COSTS OF REPAIR I AM FORCED TO SCRAP THE CAR AND FIND A DIFFERENT CAR COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10542004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesVienna, VAFire
ENGINE
THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES AT 2:30 IN THE MORNING IN MY DRIVEWAY. WE LAST DROVE THE CAR HOME AT 10:30 THE NIGHT BEFORE, SO THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR FOUR HOURS IN COLD WEATHER (AROUND 20 DEGREES). THE DOGS STARTED BARKING AND I WOKE UP TO FIND MY CAR BURNING IN THE DRIVEWAY. FIRETRUCK CAME AROUND 5 MINUTES LATER AND PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE WAS BURNING AROUND ENTIRE VEHICLE. FIREMAN SAID THAT FIRE APPEARED TO BE INTERNAL TO THE CAR AND NOT CAUSED BY HUMAN INTERVENTION. POLICE PUT THE FIRE DOWN AS A "ROUTINE" ENGINE FIRE. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OLDER SUBARU VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10496301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesHelena, MT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL TAPPING NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PISTONS. THE NOISE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH NEW PISTONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,100.
NHTSA complaint #10425771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesState College, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DURING EARLY DECEMBER 2010 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HEARD A HUGE RATTLING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND WE GOT THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VALVE ON THE ENGINE CYLINDER GOT DAMAGED AND AS A RESULT THE VALVE STEM HAS FALLEN INTO THE CYLINDER. AS THE PISTON WAS MOVING, IT GOT DAMAGED. SO WE NEEDED TO REPLACE TWO PISTONS. WHICH WE DID. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AS DIFFERENTIAL MATERIAL EXPANSION HAS CAUSED THE STEM TO FALL AND DAMAGE THE PISTON. IF THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED BY BAD DESIGN AND USING TWO DIFFERENT MATERIALS FOR ENGINE VALVE AND BLOCK. SUBARU NEEDS TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT BE PAYING. THE CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD ONLY 65,000 MILES. GOT IT REPAIRED. SUBARU WAS OF NO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10386223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,380 milesHuntingtown, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND ADDED COOLANT TO THE RADIATOR. THE COOLANT CONTINUED TO LEAK OUT OF THE RADIATOR; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE REPAIR WAS ONLY GOOD FOR A YEAR. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,380.
NHTSA complaint #10322807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,035 milesManchester, NH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0420 (CATALYST SYS). VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO CODE. 85000 MILES ON VEHICLE. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A COMPUTER UPGRADE FOR THIS COMPLAINT PUT OUT BY SUBARU. DEALER PERFORMED UPGRADE THEN INFORMED ME HEADGASKET WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED HEAD GASKET "GOODWILL". DAT AFTER REPAIR CODE 0420 CAME BACK AND NOW NEED CONVERTERS REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1800.00 TO $2200.00 DUE TO CONTAMINATED CONVERTERS. FUEL, OIL LEAKING INTO EXHAUST FROM FAILED HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10321730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,006 milesFort Lupton, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK.
NHTSA complaint #10264187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesOtisville, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLOWN HEADGASKET AT ONLY 40K. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE WITH EXTRA CARE CAR WHEN NEEDED. TOOK TO DEALER AND COMPLAINED OF SMELL OF COOLANT IN THE INTERIOR OF CAR WHEN DRIVING AND AFTER SHUTTING VEHICLE DOWN OR AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP. TOOK TO DEALER COMPLAINING OF A NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF ENGINE. AFTER THE DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE NOTHING WAS FOUND AS PER REPORT. I TOOK THE CAR FOR BRAKE REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC NOTED A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE LEFT BANK OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. HE STATED THAT HE CAR HAS A BLOWN HEADGASKET ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE CYLINDER BLOCK. THE WARRANTY ON THE POWERTRAIN IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT AND HE ADVISED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. HE DID STATE THAT THE DEALER WILL ONLY REPAIR THE BANK THAT IS LEAKING AND THE OTHER WOULD NOT BE COVERED AND SHOULD BE DONE AT THE SAME TIME TO PREVENT THE OTHER BANK FROM BLOWING OUT DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE BALANCE OF PRESSURE ON THE BLOCK RESULTING FROM THE REPLACEMENT OF ONLY ONE HEADGASKET.
NHTSA complaint #10261399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesWilliamsburg, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 6,000. THE RPM'S THEN DECREASED AND THE TIRES CHURPED. THE CONTACT HEARD A BUMPING SOUND, WHICH WAS THE SOUND OF THE FRONT AXLES FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10225936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barre, VT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK USED FROM OUR LOCAL DEALER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE HAD 28,545 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE WE SMELL BURNING OIL AND ENGINE COOLANT- WE CURRENTLY HAVE 36,119 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WENT IN FOR REPAIR, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET BECAUSE THERE WAS A "PIN SIZED HOLE" IN IT. AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS THE SMELL RETURNED AND WE BROUGHT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP PUT AN ADDITIVE IN THE VEHICLE THAT THEY SAID WAS RECOMMENDED BY SUBARU TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. WE ARE WAITING TO TAKE THE GAR BACK YET AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND ARE NOW BEING TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO SMELL THIS WAY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS EVEN TOLD US THAT THE SMELL WOULD BE ESPECIALLY BAD DURING THE WINTER WHEN GOING UP HILLS. THIS EXPLANATION SEEMS LIKE A BUNCH OF NONSENSE AND AN ATTEMPT TO GET US TO ACCEPT THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT SUBARU VEHICLES ARE. ALL WE WANT IS A CAR THAT WORKS AND DOESN'T SMELL LIKE COOLANT OR BURNING OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10209969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paoli, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
WE OWN TWO SUBARU OUTBACKS, A 2003 WAGON & 2004 SEDAN, BOTH PURCHASED NEW FROM, AND SERVICED BY, THE SAME DEALER, RAFFERTY SUBARU, WEST CHESTER, PA. WHEN THE DEFROST IS TURNED ON, THE AIR RECIRCULATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN FOLLOWING VEHICLES IN RAIN &/OR SNOW WHEN THE DEFROST IS NEEDED, EXTERNAL EXHAUST FUMES ARE SUCKED INTO THE CAR... IN SLOW OR STOPPED TRAFFIC, THIS HAS MADE MYSELF AND OTHER OCCUPANTS FEEL ILL. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO TURN OFF THE DEFROST, BUT THIS ALLOWS THE WINDOWS TO RE-FOG / -FROST CUTTING VISIBILITY. I'VE INQUIRED TWICE AT MY SUBARU DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE RECIRCULATION CUT-OFF IS BY DESIGN, AND HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU VIA THE INTERNET AND RECEIVED THE SAME ANSWER, WITH REFERENCE TO PAGES IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL DESCRIBING THE CIRCUMSTANCE AND NO RESOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #10147857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,200 milesDanville, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE COMMENCES TO SURGE AND LURCH FORWARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM *TT
NHTSA complaint #10118990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,500 milesTaylor Ridge, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS FOR SUBARU QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. AS A FAMILY WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR 2002 HAD BAD PISTONS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT RUN CORRECTLY AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHAUL SO WE SOLD IT AND REGRETTABLY PURCHASED YET ANOTHER NEW 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, WHICH IS NOW AT OUR LOCAL DEALER HAVING PISTONS REPLACED IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A 4 CYLINDER OUTBACK IN OUR FAMILY HAS LET US DOWN. I NOW KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUALITY THEY BUILD INTO THEIR VEHICLES. WE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OWNERS AND WE MAINTAIN OUR VEHICLES TO A REALLY HIGH STANDARD. WE FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ENGINE PISTON QUALITY IN 2002-2004 (4 CYLINDER) OUTBACK WAGONS SO THAT OTHER OWNERS DO NOT FIND THEMSELVES IN AN UNFORTUNATE AND PRECARIOUS POSITION. THE ENGINE IS JUNK!
NHTSA complaint #10100055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,500 milesTaylor Ridge, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS FOR SUBARU QUALITY AND RELIABILITY. AS A FAMILY WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL SUBARU OUTBACK VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR 2002 HAD BAD PISTONS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 11,000 MILES OF OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT RUN CORRECTLY AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHAUL SO WE SOLD IT AND REGRETTABLY PURCHASED YET ANOTHER NEW 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON, WHICH IS NOW AT OUR LOCAL DEALER HAVING PISTONS REPLACED IN THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A 4 CYLINDER OUTBACK IN OUR FAMILY HAS LET US DOWN. I NOW KNOW WHAT KIND OF QUALITY THEY BUILD INTO THEIR VEHICLES. WE ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE OWNERS AND WE MAINTAIN OUR VEHICLES TO A REALLY HIGH STANDARD. WE FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ENGINE PISTON QUALITY IN 2002-2004 (4 CYLINDER) OUTBACK WAGONS SO THAT OTHER OWNERS DO NOT FIND THEMSELVES IN AN UNFORTUNATE AND PRECARIOUS POSITION. THE ENGINE IS JUNK!
NHTSA complaint #10100055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesLexington, KYCrash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY SUBARU, FORESTER XT HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE IT HAD 5000 MILES. THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS INCONSISTENT. THE CAR HAS AN INTERMITTENT MISS AT IDLE, CRUISE CONTROL THAT DISENGAGES AT WILL, IS DIFFICULT TO START INTERMITTENTLY; SPITTING AND SPUTTER FOR 30 SECONDS, ACTS AS IF IT WILL STALL OCCASIONALLY WHILE BRAKING, AND THE CLUTCH DOES NOT GRIP THE FLYWHEEL PROPERLY. WHILE PASSING ON 2 LANE ROADS, I HAVE NEARLY HAD NUMEROUS HEAD-ON ACCIDENTS; THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE CONSISTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT HAS NEARLY CAUSED MANY OTHER ACCIDENTS IN DISTINCT CONDITIONS: 1. WHILE ASCENDING HILLS, I HAVE NEARLY BEEN REAR-ENDED BY OTHER CARS WHEN MY CAR LOSES SPEED WITHOUT WARNING 2. WHILE DESCENDING HILLS, I HAVE NEARLY LOST CONTROL AS THE CAR ACCELERATES WHILE CRUISE CONTROL HAS DISENGAGED I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR WHEN I MUST TAKE OFF HARD, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROSSING A BUSY STREET. WHEN LAUNCHING HARD, THE CLUTCH WILL SLIP EXCESSIVELY. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE; IT WILL ONLY BURN THE CLUTCH CREATING A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHICH GEAR I SWITCH TOO OR HOW MUCH THROTTLE I APPLY; THE CLUTCH WILL NOT GRIP UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN. I HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT NUMEROUS TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP, WHEN THE ENGINE IDLES DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL SINK AN ADDITIONAL HALF AN INCH. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND INVOLVED SUBARU'S REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER. ALL EFFORTS TO REPAIR MY CAR HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL OR IGNORED. THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE ONLY ADJUSTED SWITCHES AND REPLACED AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOW CLAIMED THAT THEY WILL NOT ISSUE A REPAIR ORDER, SINCE THE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT, EVEN THOUGH THE LEAD TECH HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. I AM STUCK WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE THAT IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS I DRIVE 1500 MILES PER WEEK THROUGHOUT A 6 STATE REGION.
NHTSA complaint #10088909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.