2024 Subaru Outback other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving, a SiriusXM advertisement popped up in the center infotainment screen that controls not only the radio, but several of the driver assistance and climate control features of the car. They created it in a way that makes calling the advertiser very easy, with a big centrally-located button, and clearing the advertisement out with a tiny x over by the passenger side of the screen. I had to pull over in order to safely regain control of the screen.

NHTSA complaint #11741707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sirius XM ads keep popping up at random times removing the ability to use or see the media display unless you press the small X on the far side away from the driver. Usually happens when starting the car, sometimes happens when you are driving regardless of speed. Has happened multiple times and causes distraction and is more than potentially dangerous. Can not opt out of it on the car, have talked to Sirius on the phone and told them I do not want their service. They don't care.

NHTSA complaint #11741713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The entertainment system is dangerous and actively so. The system pushes pop up advertisements for sirius xm among other distracting features that require taking attention away from the roadway to dismiss

NHTSA complaint #11741760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On multiple occasions, the car's onboard, factory-installed user interface system (the computer screen that operates climate control, navigation, entertainment, etc.) has pushed pop-up ads for Sirius FM. These pop-ups persist and interfere with operating of the system. This presents a driving distraction and hazard due to (1) operator attention is drawn from the road, (2) normal function of the screen is not possible, and (3) the operator is required to interact with the screen to close the pop-up. Nor does the screen expire and simply go away - it persists until the operator takes action. The marketing cannot be turned off and there is no opt. Also, it is not limited to SiriusFM customers - I have never been a user or subscriber. Sirius FM stated that the pop-up marketing is built into the software the Subaru installed in the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11741584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Before I begin my commute, I’m greeted by a persistent message within the center infotainment display from the satellite radio service provider SirusXM. The message will not go away until manually closed out, as the exit button is farther away from the drivers reach (more accessible from the passenger side). This can lead to distracted driving, especially if you’ve already expressed no interest in the service, prior to its other attempts. It also doesn’t help that the center console is frustratingly non responsive for the first few minutes during every vehicle startup. There’s also a number displayed on the screen to call SirusXM to opt out of the messages but the attempt is useless as they will corner you into purchasing subscription. I shouldn’t have to do this for a vehicle I own and the monopoly that service presents as the only satellite provider is anti competition.

NHTSA complaint #11741653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

More than 3 times, I have had a SiriusXM pop-up completely covering my Subaru Outback's headunit screen while I was actively driving. It completely disables all functions on the screen until you are able to click the small red X in the far right corner, away from the driver. Even though the message says you can call to opt out, if you call Sirius, they will tell you there is no way to opt out of the messages in the car. This is crazy unsafe, and Sirius needs to be forbidden from doing this and punished for its current actions.

NHTSA complaint #11741690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sirius XM advertisement popped up twice today while I was driving, effectively preventing me from following navigation guidance on the screen. I had to take my eyes off the road and find the “x” on the screen to close the advertisement, so I could continue following the navigated route. An accident could have happened during this time. This advertisement is unnecessary and UNWANTED. I never approved of receiving Sirius XM ads, nor can I option out of receiving them and they take up the whole screen at random times.

NHTSA complaint #11741699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2024 Subaru Outback has twice become inoperable while stopped at a traffic signal. In both incidents, the engine was off while stopped, but the vehicle remained powered on and would not restart. The vehicle also would not properly power down. The car could not be safely driven or moved and required towing both times. This created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle became disabled in active traffic and could not be restarted or properly shut down. After the first incident (on [XXX]), the Subaru dealership replaced the battery. Approximately 4 weeks ([XXX]) later, the exact same failure occurred again. The dealership has now had the vehicle for approximately three weeks and states they cannot replicate the issue. No cause has been identified and no repair has been made. During one of these incidents, my [XXX] child was in the vehicle while we were stranded in traffic. This appears to be a repeat electrical / ignition / operability failure affecting the vehicle’s ability to restart or properly shut down after stopping in traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11729500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The windshield on the 2024 Subaru Outback obtains cracks easier and more often than my 2017 outback. Is there a possibility that Subaru did not fix the issue with 2020-2022 outback windshield?

NHTSA complaint #11725068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

12/4/2025 Over the past two weeks, two uncommanded pop-up ads from SiriusXM have appeared in the middle of my infotainment screen. The ads pop up in front of anything else that might be on the screen. The ad blocks are bright white and eye-catching (distracting), particularly at night. SiriusXM has never been active in this car, nor do I even have a SiriusXM account.

NHTSA complaint #11703087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The infotainment screen pushes ads for Sirius XM even while the car is in motion. This is where the GPS is located and it gets blocked from the ads. It causes me to drive distracted in order to clear away the ad to allow the GPS to work again making me more likely to get into an accident. There is no way to disable the ad feature either.

NHTSA complaint #11702782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sirius XM Ad popping up on my Infotainment Screen while vehicle is in motion causing a distraction.

NHTSA complaint #11702858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving, a pop-up advertisement for SiriusXM appeared on my vehicle’s head-unit screen. The ad covered important display areas and required visual attention to dismiss, creating an unnecessary distraction. This unexpected interruption diverted my focus from the road and posed a potential safety hazard by encouraging interaction with the screen while the vehicle was in motion.

NHTSA complaint #11701141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Map application in my car has very inaccurate speed limit information. In one case the Map App showed the speed limit to be 55 MPH for a residential street. That street is [XXX] . I have reported that and several others to TomTom. Since the App data is loaded not live nothing will change until the next update. This is definitely a Safety Hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11684285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While at a stop, exiting a parking lot, driver’s side rear door window spontaneously blew out, inward. Police responded. No indication of foul play. No environmental issues. No temp change. Purely random.

NHTSA complaint #11660230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Subaru bluetooth and CARPLAY is not working for phone calls. The caller cannot hear driver. There is an issue with subaru technology here and I note many other drivers reporting same issue. Subaru needs to fix this and do a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11660170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback in July 2024 brand new. With less than 1,500 miles, I noticed an unexplained crack in the windshield one morning. The crack originated from the bottom with no visible impact and quickly spread. I wasn't event driving it and had not been driving it. Within a week, another crack appeared in an entirely different location, again with no sign of impact. When I initially brought this to Subaru’s attention, I was told it was due to a small chip from impact. However, I strongly disagree, as there was no such impact. Since that visit, four additional windshield cracks have formed, all originating from the bottom of the windshield, and none show any signs of external impact. I will be taking it back to Subaru for a fair resolution. There have been over 3,000 comments on just this issue with the NHTSA for Subaru Outback years 2022 through 2024.

NHTSA complaint #11649553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My car is a lemon and has been unsafe to drive . They aren’t doing anything about it but lowball offers outside of ca lemon law provisions

NHTSA complaint #11646571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MagSafe charger cause my iPhone to overheat every time I try to use it. My iPhone typically shuts down. This seems to be a disaster waiting to happen.

NHTSA complaint #11619353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

String wheel locked and couldn't start engine. Called dealer, who said to jiggle the transmission while attempting to turn the steering wheel. After three or four tries, everything freed up and everything ran normally. The dealer rep in the service dept said that that had happened to her "a few times"and there wasn't any way to fix it. Dealer doesn't want to see or inspect, no warning lights or anything else associated with this failure. First happened on Friday 13 July 2024. Hasn't happened since. What would prevent the steering wheel from locking up while driving? The dealer service rep said if we couldn't fix it by jiggling things, we would have to have it towed in. This doesn't seem to agree with the prior statement that there wasn't any way to fix the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11602284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On Sunday [XXX] around 10:00 am I stopped to gas up my car while I was going to church with my [XXX] baby in a car seat in the backseat. I closed the car door leaving my car keys and cell phone in the center console and as I went behind the car to gas up it unexpectedly locked. I panicked and ran into the gas station and had them call 911 because I knew my daughter would die if I could not quickly get her out of the car. An off duty Lee County, Florida Deputy happened to be gasing his car and heard the commotion and attempted to assist with a hammer to break the drivers side window but that did not work. The gas station owner came rushing out with a glass breaking safety tool and Deputy Angell (Badge # 21-182) was able to break the window and I safely got my baby out of the car. I took my car to Subaru of Naples where I had purchased the car several months previously. The Service Manager, Victor Hyer and the Service Consultant, Larry Carsi were very helpful and had the window replaced at no cost to me. They researched the problem and told me that was how the car locking system was supposed to work. This does not make sense to me since if the Deputy had not been able to break the window my baby would have died! I'm hoping you can look into this further as I want to prevent this happening to some other mother, who could have a catastrophic outcome. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11596140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

In my first “road trip” with the vehicle I experienced a cracked windshield. Less than 2000 miles from new. I was told by dealer nothing can do and that’s why they stress “extended warranty packages”. Sold a >$1,000 package that replaced windshield and converter several more. It seems that this is a very common occurrence from reviewing online forums. It should not be the customers fault for normal driving and the windshield be so thin / incapable of normal rocks etc not causing damage.

NHTSA complaint #11580959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Both front headlights cast a tabbed rectangular shadow into driver's field-of-view creating two potentially dangerous disruptive shadows/dead spots at certain longer distances and in open flat terrain areas. These tabbed rectangular shadow/dead spots often tricks the driver into falsely responding/over-reacting unnecessarily. The dead spots in the driver's field-of-view can be potentially dangerous while driving at night and around turns/corners where the LED headlights automatically track and follow based on the steering inputs by the driver. These projected tabbed rectangular tabs often startle my wife and or I often tricking our eyes into seeing what appears to be an object darting out in front of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11579168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Windshield cracked after a rock hit. This is the first crack I have ever had and I believe Subaru glass to be at fault. It continued to splinter while driving at a quick rate even on a smooth road. Which also seems unreasonable. This seems like a safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11564519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.