2005 Subaru Legacy Complaint Log

THE WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES TO THE HATCH IS MADE OUT OF UNDERSIZED WIRE AND FROM OPENING AND CLOSING THE HATCH THE WIRES HAVE BROKEN. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PREVIOUSLY, BUT AT THAT TIME, THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THE HATCH WOULD NOT LOCK. NOW I DO NOT HAVE BACKUP LIGHTS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET SUBARU TO FIX THIS?

AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WE HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A AIRPLANE PROPELLER WHIRLING. THE CAR THEN STOPPED. THE MECHANIC AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAID WE BLEW A CYLINDER. THE CAR IS NOW IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE OR WILL BE SCRAPPED. WE KEPT THE CAR SERVICE RELIGIOUSLY AND WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? I THOUGHT WE HAD A RELIABLE CAR.

MICHELIN DEFENDER TIRES; ALL 4 TIRES ARE DRY ROTTING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE CASING AND BELTS . DEGRADATION OF THE TIRES OVER A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS IS EXTREMELY PREMATURE CONSIDERING THESE TIRES ARE ADVERTISED TO GIVE 90,000 MILES AND WE PROBABLY ONLY PUT ON AROUND 8,000 MILES A YEAR . WE LIVE IN THE PITTSBURGH, PA AREA WHERE THEY USE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ICE MELTING CHEMICALS INCLUDING ROCK SALT THAT CAN ENTER THE LARGE CRACKS IN THE RUBBER AND EAT AWAY AT IT . I'M AFRAID TO TAKE THE CAR ON LONG TRIPS USING INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEED FOR FEAR OF THE TREAD SEPARATING FROM THE CASING OF THE TIRE . WHAT'S IRONIC IS THAT LOOKING ON-LINE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT MICHELIN TIRES DRY ROTTING PREMATURELY . I HAVE SEVERAL EXCELLENT CLOSE-UP PICTURES THAT I CAN EMAIL UPON REQUEST .

WHILE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR CONTINUED AT IT'S NORMAL IDLE, BUT PRESSING ON THE GAS GAVE NO RESPONSE. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP OFF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TWO TIMES AS OF TODAY AND IT TOOK SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET USE OF THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUED, AND OF COURSE A PROBLEM THAT COULD EASILY LEAVE ME AND MY KIDS STRANDED OR INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT IF I WERE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU. THE CODE THAT I RECEIVED WAS P2138 (THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR). *TR

IN THE 2005 WAGON, THE REAR WIRING HARNESS THAT GOES THROUGH THE HATCH AND IS SUBJECT TO A LOT OF BENDING (IT CONNECTS THE REAR WIPER, BACKUP LIGHTS, ETC) USES CHEAP WIRING THAT WEARS OUT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXTENSIVELY DOCUMENTED BY SUBARU OWNERS AT HTTP://LEGACYGT.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/WAGONS-BEWARE-TAILGATE-ELECTRICALS-161086.HTML. TODAY, MY REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING, AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRES ARE ABOUT TO BREAK. THIS COULD AFFECT REAR WIPERS, BACKUP LIGHTS, REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, ETC. THESE WIRES ARE OF VERY POOR QUALITY - I HAVE OWNED 2 OTHER CARS WITH HATCHES, AND EVEN IN HARSH CANADIAN WINTERS, HAD NO ISSUES. THESE WIRES BROKE JUST DUE TO USE IN VERY MILD CALIFORNIA CONDITIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HEATING SYSTEM ACTIVATED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS SMOLDERED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS SEVERELY BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 04/10/15*LJ UPDATED 6/26/2015*JS

REAR TAILGATE WIRE HARNESS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. REAR WIPER DID NOT WORK. THIS WIRE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. TWO OTHER WIRES FOUND TO BE CRACKED AND ABOUT TO FAIL. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE REAR HI MOUNT STOP LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, AND BACK UP LIGHTS TO BE NON-FUNCTIONAL. *TR

VEH. WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 25MPH UP A LOW INCLINE ON SLUSHY PAVED 2 LANE SURFACE. VEH. BROKE TRACTION SPUN SIDEWAYS AND TRAVELLED SIDEWAYS INTO BRUSH AND STRIKING A TREE IN THE DRIVER. SIDE FRONT FENDER (SIDE IMPACT). DRIVERS HEAD STRUCK AND BROKE DRVRS. DOOR WINDOW. DRVR. SUSTAINED SEVERAL FACIAL LACERATIONS REQUIRING PLASTIC SURGERY AND RESULTING IN PROBABLE SCARRING. FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIGHT LEG INJURY RESULTING IN SEVERE BRUISING AND SWELLING. BOTH WERE TREATED IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM AND RELEASED. VEH. IS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY. IF DEPLOYED, THE DRVR. SIDE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE DRVRS. INJURIES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR THE THE REAR SUSPENSION, THE REAR PASSENGER SPRING, BOTH REAR LATERAL LINKS, AND THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO CORROSION AND BUILD UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND CONTAINED EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. DAY APOLLO SUBARU (5450 UNIVERSITY BLVD, MOON, PA 15108, (412) 264-9222) INSTALLED A COATING AND PERFORMED THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE RISK OF THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURING. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO DEVELOP A MORE ROBUST METAL AND REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,948.

THE TURBOCHARGER SIMPLY WENT AT ABOUT 132000 MILES. FROM WHAT I READ ONLINE REGARDING THE FAILED LEGACY TURBO,THE TURBO COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF THE UNION ( BANJO) BOLT WITH FILTER WAS CHANGED. SUBARU DOES NOT NOTIFY THE CONSUMER REGARDING THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM; THAT IS IRRESPONSIBLE. IT COST ME $2300 TO REPLACE THE TURBO...I MADE SURE THAT THE UNION BOLT WAS REPLACED AS WELL. *TR

THE 2005 SUBURU SUDDENLY STOPS NO MATTER WEATHER GOING 35 MPH OR 70MPH WITHOUT WARNING! LATER THE ENGINE WARNING FLASHES, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL FLASHES, AFTER ABT. 20 SECONDS IT STARTS, BUT STOPS INTERMITTENTLY W/O WARNING. LIFE/DEATH RISK.JUST BOUGHT IT 5 MOS. AGO. THE TURBO MALFUNCTIONS--CRACKS. *TR

MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, MY WIPER WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY, AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES TRAVELING THROUGH THE RUBBER GROMMET TO THE REAR GATE HAD BEEN BROKEN DUE TO A DESIGN IN THE PATH THEY TRAVEL WHERE THEY ARE BENT SEVERELY EVERY TIME THE GATE IS OPENED AND CLOSED, AND EVENTUALLY THEY SNAPPED. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE ON MY MODEL AND PUT NEW WIRES IN PLACE OF THE BROKEN ONES. *TR

MY TAILGATE WILL NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK. AFTER A LOT OF READING ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR GATE HARNESS IS FRAYED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF ANY OF THE OTHER WIRES IN THIS HARNESS FAIL I COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE TAIL LIGHTS AND LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THE VEHICLES TURBO FAILED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE TURBO AND ENGINE WERE ALL FACTORY ORIGINAL. I REPLACED THE PART THAT I THOUGHT WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TURNED THE CAR ON AND BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OFF THE EXHAUST. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC SHOP I TOOK IT TO THE OIL UNION BOLTS ARE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM TO STARVING OIL TO THE TURBO AND THEN THE TURBO FAILS. I THINK IT IS UNCLEAR THAT THESE ENGINES HAVE A MAJOR FLAW IN THEM. MOST PEOPLE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WAY BEFORE THE 100,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER MARK. I WOULD NEED A COMPLETELY NEW ENGINE FOR THE VEHICLE. I DID OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES AND DID THE RECOMMENDED SERVICES AT EACH TIME OR MILEAGE INTERVALS. *TR

ONCE THE TEMPERATURE HAS DIPPED BELOW ABOUT 25 DEGREES, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY COLD, AND THOUGH I AM DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OUT OF NECESSITY (IT'S -5 DEGREES TODAY) THE GASOLINE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING, AND I HAVE SUFFERED FROM A HEADACHE THE PAST 3 DAYS IN THE MORNING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS OBVIOUS THIS ISSUE EXISTS BEYOND JUST ME, AS IT TAKES A SIMPLE SEARCH TO TURN UP DOZENS, IF NOT HUNDREDS, OF SIMILAR ISSUES. IT IS A SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

AFTER COLD START (~10F) EXPERIENCED SEVERE FUEL VAPOR ODORS IN CABIN. DEALER TIGHTENED EASILY ACCESSIBLE FUEL LINE CLAMPS NEXT DAY. TWO DAYS LATER SAME PROBLEM, SEVERE FUEL VAPOR INCURSION INTO CABIN. WAS FORCED TO DRIVE SUNDAY WITH WINDOWS OPEN. MONDAY BACK TO DEALER. WAS TOLD FUEL LINE PROBLEM MAY BE DEEPER, CAUSED BY COMBO OF COLD WEATHER AND ALCOHOL DETERIORATING LINES. ALSO THAT RELEVANT PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER DUE TO THIS BEING AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM. ITS DANGEROUS AND INCONVENIENT AS WE NEED OUR 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

EXTREMELY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM VENTS WITH HEATER ON. WEATHER HAS BEEN BELOW 30 DEGREES FOR OVER 2 WEEKS IN OHIO. THE SMELL IS NOT AS BAD WHILE DRIVING, BUT WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE ODOR IS CAUSING SEVERE HEADACHE AND BURNING SENSATION IN EYES. ALSO STARTS TO GAG YOU. FAINT SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. NO LEAK VISIBLE. INSIDE CAB SMELLS LIKE A GAS STATION, BUT STRONGER. *TR

PLASTIC FUEL PUMP BASKET/ASSEMBLY FLANGE THAT MOUNTS ON TOP OF FUEL TANK STRUCTURALLY DETERIORATES RESULTING IN MULTIPLE CRACKS THAT ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF TANK BELOW THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. WE OWN TWO DIFFERENT 2005 SUBARU LEGACY MODELS (ONE SEDAN, ONE STATION WAGON) AND UPON INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP BASKET FLANGE ON BOTH CARS SHOWED EXACTLY THE SAME STRUCTURAL DEFECT. THE FUEL BASKET ASSEMBLY IS ONLY AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE REPAIR INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL LABOR TO CHANGE ALL PARTS OVER. THIS IS CLEARLY A STRUCTURAL OR DESIGN ISSUE AND NOT A QUESTION OF MAINTENANCE OR RANDOM QUALITY CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V297000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (LOCATED AT 10800 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225, (904) 641-6455) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

2005 LEGACY TURBO. A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN COLD WEATHER. SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH WRX MODELS AND SAAB 9-2X BUILD BY SUBARU IN 2005 AND 2006. SHOULD THERE BE A RECALL FOR GAS LEAK. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SUBARU MODELS UP TO 2004. WHAT WAS THE FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND HAPHAZARDLY TRAVELED OVER AN ICE PATCH. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, HIP AND PELVIS. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BODY AS WELL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR CABIN. SMELL OF FUEL IS OVERPOWERING WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE FREEWAY. SEEMS TO BE WORSE DURING COLD WEATHER, BELOW 60 DEGREES? *TR

REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BROKEN WIRE INSIDE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ACCORDION BOOT FOR THE REAR HATCH OF THE WAGON. OTHER WIRES WITHIN THE HARNESS (WHICH SUPPLIES POWER TO THE REAR HATCH LIGHTS, HATCH LOCK, AND WIPER MOTOR/SPRAYER) WERE ALSO CRACKED. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THIS THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME A MORE FREQUENT ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED/RECALLED BY SUBARU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO RESPOND. THE RPM GAUGE MOVED DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS INDEPENDENTLY DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

WHEN I ENGAGE THE CLUTCH IN THE MORNING, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A WHINE SOUND. IT GOES AWAY AFTER TWO TO THREE MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR. I REPLACED ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE CLUTCH TWO YEARS AGE AND DRIVE HE CAR GENTLY. I READ ONLINE AND READ THAT PEOPLE WITH CARS SUCH AS THE IMPREZA WRX AND MY MODEL SUFFER FROM THE SAME THING. SINCE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR AND THE WRX ARE THE SAME AND THEIR CARS WERE UNDER 2,500 MILES IT MAKES ME THINK THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROWOUT BEARING. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING STARTED MAKING NOISE INDICATING IT WAS FAILING. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT ~ 42,000 MILES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SUBARU INDICATED THESE SHOULD LAST 80,000 MILES. YOUR PARTS SELECTION WON'T LET ME ENTER WHEEL BEARING. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) IN MAY OF 2013. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF

MY CAR DOOR POWER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING, REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, ALSO RADIO STOPPED WORKING. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY REAR LIFT GATE HAD TORN AND SHORTED OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SHORTCOMING ON THIS CAR, THE WIRES ARE SO SHORT AND PLACED UNDER CONSTANT TENSION THAT THEY RIP THEMSELVES APART. *TR

THE HATCH APPEARS TO BE RUBBING ON THE WIRES THAT CONNECT THE HATCH ELECTRICAL TO THE REST OF THE BODY. WIRES HAVE BEEN CUT AND VARIOUS HATCH FUNCTIONS ARE BEING DISABLED. SO FAR LOCKING AND HATCH OPEN WARNING HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, BUT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY AFFECT THE TAILLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, BACKUP LIGHTS, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND REAR DEFOGGER, AND THE ISSUE WOULD THEREFORE BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

BOOTS CRACK AND YOU MUST REPLACE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT. LEFT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS JUST REPLACED @85,000 MILES AS THE BOOT CRACKED ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL. THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS DRIVE SHAFT SITS OVER THE TOP OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WITH NO SHIELD TO BLOCK THE HEAT. *TR

THE REAR HATCH OF MY SUBARU LEGACY WAGON - THE ELECTRICAL WIRES SUPPLYING THE REAR BRAKES, HATCH LOCK, AND REAR WINDOW WIPER ARE BEING CUT BY THE HATCH OPENING AND CLOSING. LOSS OF REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, REAR WIPER FUNCTION, AND REAR HATCH LOCKING MECHANISM ALL EFFECTED BY THE POOR ROUTING OF THESE ELECTRICAL WIRES THROUGH AN ACCORDION STYLE BOOT. VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH REGARD TO MULTIPLE SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

SUBARU LEGACY 2005 WAGON; MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL WIRES ROUTED THROUGH A FLEXIBLE RUBBER BOOT LEADING FROM THE CHASSIS TO THE REAR HATCH OF THE WAGON HAVE BROKEN FROM REPEATED BENDING ACTION BY OPENING/CLOSING THE REAR HATCH RENDERING THE REAR WIPER INOPERABLE. *TR

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING CAUSING VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY OUT OF REAR WINDOW DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. I DISCOVERED THE CONNECTING HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR THAT CONTROLS THE REAR WIPER AND BRAKE LIGHTS DAMAGED WHERE IT PASSES FROM THE CAR BODY TO REAR TAILGATE. THE GROMMETT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SERVING ITS PURPOSE AND THE WIRING HARNESS DOES NOT SEEM DURABLE ENOUGH. THIS CAN CREATE A VERY DANGEROUS COMBINATION. *TR

SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN WHEN COOL/COLD WEATHER, VISIBLE LEAKING GAS WHEN CAR IS ON IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM FUEL LINES WHERE CLAMPED NEAR INTAKE TUBE. NO FIRE YET. *TR

STRONG GAS ODOR IN CABIN COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE WEATHER IS UNDER 38* FEELS LIKE IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF SPARK THE CAR WILL BLOW UP WITH ME IN IT , NOTIFIED SUBARU WHO TOLD ME I WAS THE FIRST ONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT, WHICH IS NOT TRUE, AS I SAW ONE MORE COMPLAINT LIKE THIS ALL OVER THE WEB. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE CAR SEEM TO LOOSE POWER, LUCKILY I NOTICED IT, AS I WAS ABLE TO COST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE. I OWN A CARMD, AND ATTACHED IT TO MY CAR, IT GAVE ME CODE P2138 WHICH MEANS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS (2 OF THEM) NOT BEING IN AGREEMENT. I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME WHILE ONE IS DRIVING, POTENTIAL LEADING TO A ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. *TR

FOR THE SECOND TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND MY CAR HAS GONE INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING (ELIMINATING THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE). THE CODE THE COMPUTER PROVIDES IS P2138, WHICH REFERS TO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS (THERE ARE TWO) NOT BEING IN AGREEMENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO WHITE BEAR LAKE SUBARU IN WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. THEY DID NOT REPLICATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY SERVICE. THE ISSUE AGAIN HAPPENED, THIS TIME OVER 1,000 MILES AWAY IN GEORGIA AND I WAS ALMOST RUN OVER BY MULTIPLE VEHICLES AS I TRIED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD - THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING. THEREFORE, THIS ISSUE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

CAR HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO REDUCE RPMS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS OR WHEN STOPPED (AND IN NEUTRAL) FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. TODAY, WHEN PULLING INTO A STARBUCKS, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. LUCKILY I HAVE A STICK SHIFT AND JUST PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN. AFTER SURGING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. USING A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL, I FOUND THAT THE CAR IS THROWING ERROR CODE P2138. THIS INDICATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION (APP) SENSOR IS EITHER BAD OR HAS A POOR CONNECTION. THE DETAIL ON THE ERROR STATS "THE ECM HAS DETECTED THAT THE APP SENSOR 1 AND APP SENSOR 2 DISAGREE MORE THAN 4.5% FOR LESS THAN 1 SECOND." ESSENTIALLY, ONE OR BOTH THROTTLE-BY-WIRE CIRCUITS ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM AND SOME FOLKS HAVE FOUND THAT THEIR CARS ARE SURGING FORWARD, THREATENING SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL LUG NUT BOLTS HAD SHEERED AWAY FROM THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS LOOSE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LUG NUT BOLT WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL LUG NUT BOLT WAS REPLACED. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LUG NUT BOLT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

2005 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER WHEEL BEARING FAILURE *TGW

FRONT AXLE FAILURE, RIGHT AXLE BROKE AND BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED AS THE LEFT WAS CLOSE TO FAILING. *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND WELL MAINTAINED SUBARU LEGACY THAT THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN IN UNDER 150,000 MILES. FIRST A 1999 AND NOW A 2005. RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND HAS ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT RECOURSE I CAN TAKE LEGALLY AS SUBARU HAS NOT OFFERED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED FOR AN INSPECTION. THE LAST TIME THEY OFFERED A $500 CREDIT TOWARDS A PROPOSED REPAIR THAT WAS ESTIMATED AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER THE CLOSEST INDEPENDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS HAD ANY SUCCESS IN GETTING SUBARU TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO ADDRESS IT, OR IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT I CAN JOIN TO GET SOME SATISFACTION. THANKS YOU. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TURBO MECHANISM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE REAR LIFT GATE (STATION WAGON) KEEPS BREAKING AND SHORTING OUT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT, AS REAR LIGHTS CAN GO OUT WITHOUT NOTICE, LEADING TO A POSSIBLE REAR-END COLLISION. DANGEROUS FOR PEDESTRIANS WHEN THE BACKUP LIGHTS HAVE SHORTED OUT AND ARE NOT VISIBLE. REAR VISIBILITY ALSO HAMPERED UNDER SNOWY OR RAINY CONDITIONS WHEN THE WIPER SHORTS OUT. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT LEAST THREE (3) TIMES (2/22/11, 3/24/13, 9/25/13), YET THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES STILL PERSIST. A RECALL FROM SUBARU SHOULD BE ORDERED TO ADDRESS THIS ELECTRICAL DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT. I HEARD NOISES START TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND THE CAR LOST POWER. AS SOON AS I SAFELY COULD, I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TURBOCHARGER. IT REPLACED THE TURBOCHARGER AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. IT TOOK THE DEALER FOUR DAYS TO RETURN THE CAR TO ME. APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES LATER, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP JUST A MILE OR TWO FROM WHERE I WAS LOCATED, BY COINCIDENCE, AT THE ONSET OF THIS SECOND PROBLEM. THIS SECOND DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM: THE REPLACEMENT TURBOCHARGER FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS NOW DAMAGED. NOW THE ENTIRE ENGINE, INCLUDING YET ANOTHER TURBOCHARGER, IS BEING REPLACED, ALONG WITH OTHER ANCILLARY PARTS. THE DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS THUS FAR. *TR

SECOND TIME CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS ISSUE. ISSUE IS COMMON, AND MANY FORUMS TOPICS HAVE BEEN STARTED DOCUMENTING THE COMMONALITY OF THIS ISSUE. I CAN PROVIDE LINKS. ISSUE: LEAKING/RAW GAS SMELL OUTSIDE OF CAR, INSIDE OF CAR, AND INSIDE OF ENGINE BAY IN COLD WEATHER UPON START UP (ENGINE WARM OR COLD). LEAKING/DRIPPING GAS CAN BEEN SEEN IN ENGINE BAY. FIRST REPAIR: TIGHTENED FUEL LINE CLAMPS. ISSUE FIXED. NEXT WINTER CAME ALONG, ISSUE RETURNED. THIS TIME DEALERSHIP (NORTH SHORE SUBARU, HIGHLAND PARK, IL) WANTS $700 TO FIX THE ISSUE. FIRST REPAIR COST $51.33 AT LIBERTY AUTO CITY/SUBARU IN LIBERTYVILLE, IL. CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND REPORTED REPEAT OF ISSUE. THEY HAVE NOT OFFERED TO REPAIR IT AND DENY THAT THE ISSUE IS COMMON. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY CONCERN. NO VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED HAS LEAKED FUEL AND I'M BAFFLED AS TO WHY SUBARU DOESN'T CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS LIABILITY RISK. *TR

THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A FUEL LEAK IN MY 2005 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 GT LIMITED WAGON (WHICH I PURCHASED NEW AND HAS BEEN IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED), AND IT STARTED OCCURRING DURING COLD WEATHER. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY POPULAR COMPLAINT AMONGST OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE/SAME YEAR, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER, AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED. FUEL ISSUES ARE DANGEROUS!!! THERE WERE RECALLS ISSUED FOR THE 2002-2003 SUBARU WRX (COLD WEATHER FUEL LINE SEEP WHICH BY DESCRIPTION IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE), 2004 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN, AND THE 2005-2006 SUBARU BAJA, FOR FUEL LEAKS AND THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE SAME THING, BUT IT SEEMS THIS IS A TREND FOR THE SUBARU VEHICLES IN 2002 - 2006. *TR