2011 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

NHTSA complaint #11485091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11378073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11366521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 500.00 FOR A REPAIR THAT'S SHOULD NOT NEED TO HAPPEN IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS TIME!

NHTSA complaint #11241873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11230302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE TORGUE CONVERTER IS CAUSING NOISE, SHUTTERING, AND LATE DOWN SHIFTING REPLACEMENT OF A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED.

NHTSA complaint #11205036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 200.00 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.

NHTSA complaint #10967874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10948590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN I TURNED THE CAR IN THE AFTERNOON THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS FLASHING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND E-BRAKE ON. I LOOKED ONLINE SUBARU FORUMS AND THEIR IS A LOT OF CHATTER FOR THE GAS CAP HAVING ISSUES. I CHECKED MY GAS CAP AND NOTICED THE RUBBER GASKET WAS BROKEN. I PURCHASED A NEW ONE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, DROVE THE CAR AND THE LIGHTS ARE NOW OFF AND WORKING NORMAL..WE'LL SEE WHEN I TAKE A 6HR TRIP IN A FEW DAYS..

NHTSA complaint #10615286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, STOPPED AND, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SHIFTED TO DRIVE TO PULL FORWARD. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD RAPIDLY. I STOOD ON THE BRAKES, THE SURGE CONTINUED VERY BRIEFLY AND THEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS KIND IN THE THREE YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10615392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

NHTSA complaint #10562754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

DURING THE 2 YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2011 OUTBACK 2.5I (CVT), THERE HAVE BEEN ABOUT 15 OCCASIONS WHERE I WAS GOING DOWNHILL, USING ENGINE BRAKING, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, CRUISE CONTROL NOT ENGAGED, BUT GAS WAS FED TO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN SPEEDS OF 45 TO 50 MPH (4500 RPM) IN 2ND GEAR. ONE INDICATOR THAT GAS IS BEING FED TO THE ENGINE IS THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS POOR GAS MILEAGE. THIS DEFINITELY DOES NOT FEEL LIKE ENGINE BRAKING WHEN THE ENGINE IS SCREAMING AS YOU ARE SPEEDING DOWNHILL. USUALLY WHEN I DRIVE THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD USING ENGINE BRAKING MY SPEED IS 30 TO 35 MPH IN 2ND GEAR AND THE FUEL ECONOMY GAUGE SHOWS NO FUEL IS BEING CONSUMED. SUBARU REFUSES TO COMMENT ON THIS PROBLEM SINCE I CANNOT REPRODUCE IT FOR THEM. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE SIMILAR BUT LESS SEVERE, REPEATABLE BEHAVIOR, OF CYCLING BETWEEN ACCELERATING TO OVER 2000 RPM AND DECELERATING TO ABOUT 1200 RPM. HE SAID THIS IS DONE TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS.

NHTSA complaint #10543369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10475574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10474520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10474202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.