2010 Subaru Outback electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This car is a very well-maintained, low-use vehicle with regular oil changes and routine maintenance performed on schedule. Early in this drive, I noticed an unusual hissing sound as I approached a stop. When I tried to brake, I realized my brakes didn't seem to be responding. I pressed the brake pedal harder and realized that with 50-100 pounds of pressure (guess), I could slow the car down. As I came to a stop, the engine died. I restarted the car, and it died again immediately. After the following restart, I realized I could manually keep the RPM up in neutral while at stops, and press with significant force to get the car to stop. Had I not been comfortable two foot driving or understood the issue, this surely would have resulted in a crash of some sort. The car indicated a check engine light, loss of traction control, a flashing BRAKE light, and a flashing cruise control light. I took the car immediately to a local shop where they identified the problem as a vacuum leak at the brake booster. The plastic piece that the hose clamps onto had cracked off, leading to this problem. This make and model does not seem to have a check valve downstream of this component.

NHTSA complaint #11723980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. Additionally, the vehicle would make abnormal sounds and the gear shift indicator light would disappear from the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to four independent mechanics. The last mechanic diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V297000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #11447082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Total engine failure at just 75k miles. Barely driven, maintenance schedule always kept up to date, out of nowhere engine stopped and I was told the oil was completely empty. They were unable to resolve by adding oil. Also, transmission light has been on for 3+ years. Have been told by every repair shop who has checked this that it’s just a glitch in the electrical system and the transmission is fine. A few weeks prior to engine failure, the car began to have trouble accelerating and made a sort of “race car” sound. Barely could go past 40 mph without slamming on gas. Finally, doors have randomly decided to stop locking and unlocking while using key fob. Batteries have been replaced. Some doors work, some do not (namely, the driver side door). Other misc electrical issues like USB failure.

NHTSA complaint #11435616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE HORN MADE NO SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED MINIMAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT WITH OFFERING A PARTIAL PAYMENT FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.*DT*DT*DT*JB VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #11398102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS I WILL BE DRIVING AND IF USING MY CRUISE IT STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE FLASHING LIGHTS , BRAKE AND CRUISE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF, CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON. THESE LIGHTS STAY ON FROM 1 DAY TO ALMOST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED MANY TIMES BY SUBARU DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS WITH NO RESOLUTION EXCEPT TO CLEAR THE CODES

NHTSA complaint #11389164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP. BRAKE, SKID CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED DURING THE SUMMER AND I STOPPED AT A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT WORKED FINE UNTIL TODAY. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS DEALERS HAVE MANY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS BUT EVEN AFTER REPAIRS, OWNERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I JUST RETURNED MY CARE TWICE FOR A RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS.

NHTSA complaint #11383179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DROVE MY CAR A FEW MILES AND THEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON A 4 LANE ROAD IN THE CITY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE THROTTLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND BACK INTO DRIVE AND STILL NOTHING. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND ENGINE RESPONDED TO THROTTLE.

NHTSA complaint #11377213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CRUISE CONTROL, BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL LIGHTS ALL COME ON WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11360358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON: BRAKE, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, AND AT OIL TEMP. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND LIGHTS GO AWAY ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11317822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UPON STARTING CAR THE CENTER CONSOLE DIDN'T TURN ON - THIS INCLUDED RADIO/CD PLAYER, AC, HEATER, MPG, CLOCK, AND CHARGING STATION/USB, STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SHORT

NHTSA complaint #11233291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE CHECK ENGINE, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, PARKING BRAKE, AND CRUISE CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU (LOCATED AT 5790 UNIVERSITY DR NW, HUNTSVILLE, AL 35816, (256) 382-2425) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-38208244231. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11154801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS GOING OFF. STARTS AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE TURNS ON. VERY RARELY DOES IT TURN OF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS FLASHING, ANTI-SKID LIGHTS FLASHING, LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS FLASHING, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS FLASHING. HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE FIXES, BUT NOTHING WORKS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 1 YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11120675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY HUSBAND TOOK IN MY SUBARU OUTBACK FOR RECALL. IT WAS VDC. FOLLOWING THE FIX FREQUENTLY THE OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON. ALSO THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. ALSO THE TRACTION LIGHT WILL COME ON. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THEY WERE ESPECIALLY NICE WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME IN. MY HUSBAND DIED IN APRIL AND I SEEM TO GET A RUN AROUND. THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE RENTALS FOR ME AND THAT THEY ARE LOSING MONEY BY GIVING ME A LOANER. THE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I AM DRIVING AND IT CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY STREETS, AND I AM NOT TURNING AT THE TIME. SOME TIMES THE BLINKER SOUND COMES ON WHEN I AM SITTING WITH THE ENGINE ON. IT IS REALLY FAST AND LOUD.

NHTSA complaint #11114261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY HEADLIGHTS BOTH LOW BEAM AND HIGH GO OUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF LAKE TAHOE. THIS IS A NUISANCE AS WELL AS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY HAZARD AND THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS TO THINK THERE IS NO ISSUE OTHER THAN CONTINUAL BAD BULBS. I AM CONSIDERING FILING A LAW SUIT AGAINST SUBA [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

NHTSA complaint #11098504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN MARCH 2013 AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTED THERE WAS A RECALL (49 CFR PART 573.6) FOR PUDDLE LIGHTS ON MY CAR AND ORDERED THE PARTS. THIS IS NOTED IN MY FILE AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE GOING TO CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. NOW MY PUDDLE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED AND THE SHORT MAKES IT SO MANY MORE FEATURES IN MY CAR DO NOT WORK (INTERIOR LIGHTS, GAUGES AND KEY FOB (CURRENTLY USE THE SAME FUSE). FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW ON THE RECALL LOOK UP, BUT IT FITS THE VIN RANGE AS WELL AS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SUBARU CAN SKIRT THE RECALL, IF THE PUDDLE LIGHTS WERE INSTALLED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND NOT AT THE FACTORY (SAME PART, AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT, NEW CAR)? THIS APPEARS TO BE THE CASE.TO DATE, SUBARU USA HAS OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST THE REPAIR ($881) IN THE INTEREST OF 'CUSTOMER SATISFACTION' AND NOT PER THE RECALL (SR1-30211430901). MY LOCAL MICHAEL'S SUBARU IN BELLEVUE WASHINGTON (SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX]) HAS NOT OFFERED ANYTHING AND HAD MADE FEW EFFORTS, IF ANY, TO CONTACT ME WITH STATUS. I FEEL THE BELLEVUE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROPPED THE BALL 5 YEARS AGO WHEN IT WOULD GAVE BEEN EASIER TO ADDRESS (NEW RECALL AND NEWER CAR - 67,000 MILES). THE PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTED IN DECEMBER 2017 WHEN THE KEY FOB STOPPED WORKING. THAT WAS TRACKED TO A SHORT IN ONE OF THE PUDDLE LIGHTS. I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS PART SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL AND IF THIS MIGHT ALSO BE RELATED TO THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT EVEN THOUGH THUS A A RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11075509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SOFTWARE UPDATE REQUIRED THAT IS NOT COVER BY RECALL. IF NOT UPDATED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CRUSE LIGHT BLINK.

NHTSA complaint #10993841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PADDLE SHIFTERS ON STEERING WHEEL ARE NOT WORKING. WHEN DOWNSHIFT IS APPLIED WITH PADDLE, NOTHING HAPPENS OR VEHICLE UPSHIFTS (VEHICLE IN MOTION.) SPORADIC LOSS OF RADIO, HORN, COMPASS AND OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WHEN STARTING CAR AND CONTINUING WHILE DRIVING. REFER TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V283000 DATED 6/24/2010. MFR CAMPAIGN WVR-28.

NHTSA complaint #10990474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TOOK 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND WAS TOLD LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT AND LEFT FRONT MARKER LIGHT BULB WAS OUT. THIS IS THE ?? TIME LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10957443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CENTER CONSOLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. ONGOING- STILL AS OF 6/15/15 REPEATED SERVICING AND CONTACTS WITH DEALER AND SUBARU NATIONAL HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE PROBLEM CONCERNED WHETHER OTHER PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR

NHTSA complaint #10725283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR USED AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS DID NOT WORK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS CAR AND THIS CAR HAS ALREADY HAD THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON IT IN DECEMBER OF 2010. THE AFFECTED PART IS THE STEERING WHEEL ROLL CONNECTOR. THIS PART ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CONTACT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL SIGNALS FROM THE AIRBAG, CRUISE CONTROL AND PADDLE SHIFTERS TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. I PURCHASED THE PART FROM THE SUBARU DEALER AND INSTALLED IT PER THE SERVICE MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. UPON INSTALLATION OF THE ROLL CONNECTOR AND COMPLETION OF THE TOTAL REPAIR THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS FUNCTIONED AS THEY WERE INTENDED. I THINK THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE SUBARU HAS REPLACED A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART WITH ONE THAT AFTER A LITTLE OVER 4.5 YEARS HAS FAILED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION ON THE INITIAL RECALL THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS WERE ONLY THE FIRST SYMPTOM OF THE EVENTUAL TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL THE CONNECTIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL ROLL CONNECTOR. WHICH COULD ALSO LEAD TO THE AIRBAG NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD DURING A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10704017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE OUTSIDE BULBS CONSTANTLY BURN OUT, IT CAN BE A HEADLIGHT, (HIGH BEAM, LOW BEAM) LICENSE PLATE LIGHT, BRAKE LITE, RUNNING LIGHTS....THE INSIDE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OK THIS BULB ISSUE STARTED AT 27,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE. OUT OF 24 SERVICE ORDERS, NINE OF THOSE ORDERS HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE ONE OR MORE BULBS REPLACED. I LIVE IN THE FOOTHILLS OF CALAVERAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA AND THE EXCUSE THE DEALERSHIP GIVES ME IS THAT WE HAVE ROUGH ROADS IN THESE HILLS. WELL, I SAY, WHAT A LINE OF POOP, I DRIVE A SUBARU, IT'S MADE FOR OUR AREA. EITHER I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT OBVIOUSLY STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY OR THAT THE BULBS THAT ARE BEING USED ARE TOTALLY OF BAD QUALITY.

NHTSA complaint #10648479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AFTER REPLACEMENT A YEAR AND 3WKS AGO. THIS IS THE 3RD HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT ON A 2010 VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE 3YRS AGO AT 29,500MI AS A CERTIFIED USED SUBARU FROM THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10643245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON APPROXIMATELY 04/13/2014 APPROXIMATELY AT 6:00 PM ET, MY SUBURU OUTBACK 2010 RAPIDLY ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS CENTERED ON THE BRAKE PETAL AND I MOVED THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, ENGINE HIGHLY REVVED. I PUSHED HARD AS POSSIBLE ON THE BRAKE AND SHOVED THE GEAR BACK INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND I SWITCHED OFF THE POWER. I POWERED BACK UP AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE, GAS MILEAGE CALCULATOR, ETC. WAS OUT. THE AC/HEAT TEMPERATURE AND CONTROL SCREEN WAS OUT. THE FAN CONTROL ONLY WOULD WORK AND PUT OUT EXTREME HEAT. THE OUTSIDE MIRROR MOTORS WOULD NOT WORK. FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES ON THE WAY HOME I STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS UPON RESTART. ON APRIL 14, 2014, ALL SYSTEMS WERE NORMAL WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SWITCH (KEYS) BUT HAD NO INFORMATION ON RAPID ACCELERATION OUT OF CONTROL. I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND RESULT IN WRECK AND/OR INJURY TO MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS. NO MATS WERE IN THE CAR AT TIME OF INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10583058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT IN TANDEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN 2012. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER. HEADLIGHTS SHOULDN'T BURN OUT AFTER LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF REGULAR USE. THERE ARE FEW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT DOES NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE USE (EITHER NIGHT DRIVING OR LEAVING THE HEADLIGHTS ON DURING REGULAR USE). MY MECHANIC FEELS THIS IS A SIGN OF A LARGER ISSUE AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S FAIRLY WIDESPREAD. MY MECHANIC ALSO VERIFIED WITH A SUBARU MECHANIC THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BULBS SUPPLIED BY HIS SHOP AND A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE BOTH PHILLIPS BULBS.

NHTSA complaint #10558002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE FAILING EVERY 6 MONTHS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10533499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOLLOWUP TO NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10525592 THE EFFECTED LOT NUMBER IS 0423SD (YEAR 2010, APRIL 23, LOCATION SD) THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL EFFECTED LOCATION OF 9X13A OR EARLIER (OCT 13, 2009, LOCATION A AND EARLIER). EXHIBITS THE SAME SYMPTOMS. ORIGINAL COMPLAINT: VEHICLE PADDLE SHIFTER FUNCTION, CRUISE CONTROL, HORN CONTROL ARE INTERMITTENT AND VOL UP AND MUTE RADIO FUNCTIONS DO NOT WORK ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V283000. I WILL HAVE THE DEALER PROVIDE THE STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR LOT NUMBER TO DETERMINE IF MY VIN HAS AN OLDER STEERING COLUMN ON TUES. MY VIN IS OUTSIDE OF THE EFFECTED RANGE OF A*310001 TO A*377827.

NHTSA complaint #10526149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE PURCHASED OUR 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK IN DECEMBER 2009. BY SPRING OF 2010 I HAVE NOTICED THAT AT RANDOM TIMES I WILL TURN THE CAR ON AND MY INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK, MY HEATING/AC WILL BE BLASTING HOT AIR AT ME FROM THE DASH VENTS WHEN IT IS IN THE OFF POSITION, RADIO WILL NOT TURN ON AND CAN NOT SEE MY MILEAGE DISPLAY. ALSO AT RANDOM TIMES MY GAUGES WILL NOT REGISTER. I HAVE TAKEN IT SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP. EACH TIME THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT, THEY CAN NOT RECREATE IT AND TO NEXT TIME DRIVE IT THERE WHEN IT DOES IT SO THEY CAN SEE IT IN ACTION. EACH TIME IF I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE ALSO HAD INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO STALL. I MUST SAY I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I WAS FINALLY IN A POSITION WHERE I COULD AFFORD ONE AND IT ENDS UP BEING WORSE THAT THE CRAPPY CAR I HAD IN COLLEGE. WE PURCHASED A SUBARU BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION FOR SERVICE AND SAFETY. I FELT MORE SAFE IN MY SATURN THAT I DO THIS CAR. IT DOES NOT HELP THAT THE DEALER SHIP LOOKS AT ME LIKE I'M NUTS WHEN I TAKE IT IN. I FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO HONOR MY WARRANTY. NOW IT SUMMER 2012 AND IT IS DOING THIS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND STILL I AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH THE COMPANY. WILL NEVER OWN ONE AGAIN. I SHOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT TRADING IN A 2 1/2 YEAR OLD $30000 CAR THIS SHOULD BE LASTING ME YEARS AND I AM AFRAID TO KEEP IT PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD.

NHTSA complaint #10464053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BOUGHT MY OUTBACK IN MARCH 2010. I NOTICED MY DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING EARLY IN MY OWNERSHIP, BUT I THOUGHT THEY FLICKERED BECAUSE MAYBE I WENT INTO A SHADOW AND A SENSOR CAUSED THEM TO GO OFF AND ON. THE FEELING THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, BUT IT WAS AND WOULD ONLY HAPPEN EVERY NOW AND AGAIN. ON A RECENT TRIP, JANUARY 8, 2012, IT DID IT EVERY TIME I SLOWED DOWN FOR 4 OR 5 TRAFFIC LIGHTS . THAT REALLY GOT MY ATTENTION. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES WERE CATCHING SO I TOOK IT INTO MY DEALER ON JANUARY 12, 2010. THEY TOLD ME THE BRAKES WERE FINE. AFTER I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, I DECIDED THE "CATCHING FEELING" ACTUALLY FELT MORE LIKE L HAD NOT DEPRESSED A CLUTCH WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR WAS GOING TO STALL. THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH THAT THEORY IS THAT I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC I SPOKE TO MY-SON IN-LAW ABOUT THE FEELING THAT THE ENGINE IS GOING TO STALL WHEN I SLOW DOWN AT A LIGHT. HE MENTIONED THAT HE HAD NOTICED THE FLICKERING LIGHTS LAST WINTER WHEN HE DROVE MY CAR. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS NOT NORMAL FOR THE LIGHTS TO DO THAT. HE TOLD ME TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 27, 2012. THEY RAN THREE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE. I AM SO AFRAID THE CAR WILL CUT OUT ON ME AND I WILL LOSE CONTROL ON THE ROAD. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER MY SON DID AN INTERNET SEARCH HE FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. FROM THE COMPLAINTS I READ MOST PEOPLE HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #10445708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BOUGHT NEW, MAY 2010. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED FLASHING- BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE, OIL LIGHT, ETC. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL ONLY ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE STILL ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, MY AUTO IMPORTS IN MUSKEGON MI, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES IN THE PAST. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IT IS GOING BACK IN TOMORROW AFTER THE FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR 6 DAYS. THE STALLING HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN ACCELERATING TO ACCOMMODATE A TURN OR START UP FROM A STOP SIGN/SIGNAL.

NHTSA complaint #10384074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.