2002 Subaru Outback Complaint Log

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE HAD FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT MY HEAD GASKET HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND GIVEN MY CAR HAS 190,000 MILES ON IT I BELIEVE FOUR ISSUES DEALING WITH THIS SAME SITUATION NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED. NOT ONLY DOES THIS ISSUE RESULT IN A HUGE OUTLAY OF MONEY BUT IT GETS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE, PARTS, AND DRIVEWAY THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS BELOW 35 DEGREES, MY CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR VENTILATION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS WORSE WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. MECHANICS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT I JUST READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE THEIR SUGGESTED FIXES TO MY MECHANIC.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) AND 02V282000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

TERRIBLE GAS SMELL. FUEL IS LEAKING BECAUSE IT IS COLD OUTSIDE.

WHEN TEMP. OUTSIDE GO BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE INSIDE OF MY CAR FILLS WITH RAW GAS SMELL, THIS HAPPENS EVERY WINTER. I LIVE IN WI. WHEN IT IS ABOVE FREEZING IT IS FINE AND ALL SUMMER IT IS FINE. I AM SO AFFRAID TO HAVE MY GRAND KIDS IN THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THE FUMES WILL EXPLODE.WHEN I AM DRIVING I DO NOT SMELL GAS. BUT IF I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT IT FILLS UP THE CAR. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR

I BOUGHT CAR OCT 6; FIRST INSPECTION APPOINTMENT AT MY USUAL GARAGE MON OCT 12- FAILED DUE TO RUSTY SUSPECT BRAKE CONNECTION. SELLER HAD ME TAKE TO HIS DEALER- MASTRIA SUBARU IN RAYNHAM. THEY PUT A PAINT/COATING OVER RUSTY AREA. I WAS PRETTY SKEPTICAL BUT BROUGHT CAR TO MY GARAGE IN VT MONDAY OCT 19 AND THE LEAKY BRAKE FLUID MUCH MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE- DUE TO SMOOTHER (THOUGH BUMPY FROM OXIDATION BELOW) PAINT SURFACE. I ALSO SAW LEAKING COOLANT, LEAKS IN OIL PAN, AND A CRACK IN MUFFLER PIPE JUST ENGINE SIDE OF MUFFLER (IT HAD BEEN GETTING NOISIER AND NOISIER) MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE TIMING BELT GASKET WAS MISSING AND ONE BOLT 'MISSING' ; IT WAS STICKING OUT OF ANOTHER 'HOLE' THAT WAS FOR A FULLY THREADED BOLT. THE SELLER HAS SENT LONG-WINDED INSULTING E-MAILS AND STATES I MUST RETURN CAR TO HIM TO HAVE THE SAME DEALER SERVICE IT. I AM TAKING IT TO A&M, 400 MYSTIC AVE, SOMERVILLE THIS MORNING NEAR ME! FOR ESTIMATE TODAY. THERE'S A REJECT STICKER FROM READING PETROLEUM ON IT- I DIDN'T KNOW MA & VT HAD RECIPROCAL STATUS- BUT I THINK THE VT INSPECTION IS MORE STRINGENT, SAFER AND COMPREHENSIVE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA; UPDATED 4/17/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED TRADED VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO ABOUT FIXING IT. *TR

THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGINS TO BLOW HOT MOIST AIR AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF WORKING PROPERLY. MULTIPLE MECHANICS INCLUDING A SPECIALTY SHOP CAN'T DIAGNOSE, AND THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE THE CLUTCH ISN'T SOLD SEPARATELY. I'VE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME "INTERMITTENT" A/C THAT ONLY WORKS ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, THEN STOPS WORKING SECONDS OR MINUTES LATER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE CAN BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AND THE A/C JUST QUITS.

WHEN GETTING THE CAR INSPECTED WE FOUND OUT THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED SO BADLY IT WAS CRACKED. IT WAS IN SUCH A KEY SPOT THAT IT WASN'T FIXABLE AND THE CAR COULD HAVE EASILY LOST A WHEEL ON THE ROAD WITH LITTLE TO NO WARNING (A SMALL BUMP COULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH TO TRIGGER AN ACCIDENT). THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WELL AND WHEN INSPECTED JUST A YEAR AGO AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NO MENTION OR SIGN THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A PROBLEM. THE FAST DETERIORATION OF THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE CAR IS THE COMPLAINT AND WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PART OUT THE OTHERWISE WONDERFUL CAR DUE TO SAFETY AND UNABLE TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY MY 17-YEAR-OLD CHILD. THIS IS MY SECOND SUBARU WAGON AND THE SECOND TO HAVE COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAKS. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMP ON THE OFFENDING FUEL LINE AND I HOPE THAT IS AN ADEQUATE FIX. BUT IT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAS NOT HAD A RECALL, AND THAT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 20 YEARS. (MY FIRST SUBARU WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS A 1991 LEGACY WAGON.) HOW MANY CAR FIRES HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES? PLEASE MAKE SUBARU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A POORLY DESIGNED FUEL LINE. *TR

ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS NOT LISTED ON THE AIRBAG RECALL, I AM CONCERNED MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THE AIRBAGS FROM TAKATA. THE YEAR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL STARTED IS 2000. MY CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK IS ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY CAR'S AIRBAGS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA? *TR

UPPER FRONT FUEL LINE AND CONNECTION TO THROTTLE BODY? IS LEAKING RAW GAS AND FUEL IS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE JUST OUTWARD OF UPPER EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. *TR

SINCE THE RECENT TEMPERATURE DROP WHERE WE LIVE (MARYLAND, DC METRO REGION), WE'VE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR'S CABIN. THE SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, FOR OUR OWN HEALTH AND THAT OF OUR CHILDREN. THE SMELL ONLY APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING (THOUGH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DEPEND ON SPEED). WE'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE MARCH 2010, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE NOTICED THE ISSUE; IT'S ALSO THE COLDEST WEATHER WE'VE ENCOUNTERED SINCE PURCHASE. APPARENTLY THERE'S A FUEL-LINE-RELATED RECALL FOR IMPREZAS OF THIS VINTAGE, BUT NOT YET FOR OUTBACKS. *TR

THE SMELL OF RAW GAS PERMEATES THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN TEMPERATURES UNDER 10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. *TR

RUBBER FUEL LINKAGES CONTRACT IN LOW (BELOW 30F) TEMPERATURES, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LEAKING FUEL CREATES A VERY STRONG, AT TIMES INTOLERABLE, FUEL VAPOR SMELL IN THE CABIN. SOME LEAKS DRIP ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND ENGINE BLOCK SO ENGINE FIRE IS A POSSIBILITY. *TR

MY WIFE DROVE HER CAR, A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, ABOUT 5 MILES HOME FROM WORK, AND TOLD ME IN THE EVENING HER CAR REEKED OF GASOLINE WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HOME. WHEN I CHECKED HER CAR THE GAS ODOR HAD DISSIPATED, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE THE GAS ODOR WAS VERY STRONG. I MOVED IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND SHUT IT OFF. I DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT THE ODOR WAS LIKELY DUE TO A FUEL HOSE LEAK ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD WEATHER START. THE TEMPERATURES HERE ARE COLD FOR MISSOURI, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 20'S. IT STILL IS COLD, ALBEIT AS A MINNESOTA BOY IT STILL SEEMS LIKE SPRING. AT ANY RATE, I FOUND A WEBSITE WITH USEFUL DIAGRAMS AND I LOCATED THE HOSE UNDER A BRACKET (OF COURSE), AND MANAGED TO UNCOVER THE HOSE AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMPS, WHICH WERE VERY LOOSE. AFTER RE-ASSEMBLY I DROVE THE CAR TO BURN OFF THE GAS REMAINING ON THE ENGINE AND I TESTED THE REPAIR WITH ANOTHER COLD WEATHER START LATER. I HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT HOSE FROM THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR 12 BUCKS. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALLS AND SERVICE ADVISORIES HAVE OCCURRED AND ARE IN PLACE FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS INCLUDING THE CLOSELY RELATED 2001 LEGACY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE 2002 OUTBACK AND EVERY OTHER SUBARU THAT USES THE HOSE PART # 807707130. THE DISCUSSIONS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE REVEAL SOME PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITH THEIR WINDOWS OPEN OR WITH CABIN AIR SET TO RECIRCULATE, OR WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP ENOUGH FOR THERMAL EXPANSION TO SEAL THE LEAK. AS AN INDUSTRY CHEMIST I FIND THIS IGNORANCE ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF GASOLINE FIRES APPALLING. HOWEVER I THINK SUBARU'S PIECE-MEAL APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING IS FRIGHTENING. DON'T THEY CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS? MY WIFE TEACHES CHEMISTRY, A TYPICAL CUSTOMER, ACCORDING TO SUBARU ADS. SHE LOVES HER SUBARU. SUBARU DOES NOT LOVE HER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-95 GOING BETWEEN 55 AND 60 MILES AN HOUR AND THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD CAME UP BLOCKING OUR VISION AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND WERE LUCKY THAT WE COULD PULL THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK SPORT. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD BEGUN TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 152,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF

DATES ARE APPROXIMATE, PROBLEM IS ONGOING. UPON INITIAL START-UP, IN COOL/COLD WEATHER THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE VERY HARD AND BRAKES ARE VERY WEAK REQUIRING TREMENDOUS FOOT PRESSURE WITH STILL REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND MULTIPLE STOPS BRAKE ASSIST SEEMS TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKES GET STRONGER OR NORMAL. I HAVE RESEARCHED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU CARS AT HIGHER MILEAGE. IT IS SAID TO BE WATER IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER HOSE ONE WAY VALVE. CHANGING THE HOSE, I AM TOLD, WILL NOT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS MORE WATER WILL ENTER THE SYSTEM AND FREEZE OR GUM PU THE WORKS. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY FOR DRIVERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PRESS SO HARD ON THE PEDAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT CORROSION WAS ON THE REAR SUB FRAME. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:03V153000(SUSPENSION:REAR). THE FAILURE WAS ALSO CONFIRMED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,731.

WHEN WEATHER TURNS COLD, THE SMELL OF RAW GAS COMES INTO THE CAR, AS WELL AS IN THE GARAGE AFTER PARKING. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS JUST TIGHTENED A CLAMP, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M ON A HI-WAY AND THAT HAPPENS? I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR WITH A GAS LEAK IN THE ENGINE AND TO FAR AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION SO DO I CALL A TOWE TRUCK OR MY LAWYER. BECAUSE THE CAR BURNT UP? CAN'T BELIEVE THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IS BEING SO UNRESPONSIVE ABOUT THIS. GET THIS RECALL TO ALL THE SUBARU HAVING A ISSUE I THOUGHT YOU HAD GREAT CARS NOT SO MUCH NOW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE EXHAUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK CABIN GETS FILLED WITH VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL AS THE CAR WARMS UP WITH THE HEATER ON. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD, THAT MY DAUGHTER NEARLY THROWS UP EVERY MORNING ON OUR WAY TO SCHOOL IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MY LOCAL DEALER EXPLAINED AWAY HAS A TYPICAL SUBARU THING IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD AND SUBARU IS GETTING AWAY WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN USING THIS PARTICULAR CAR FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND EVERY WINTER THE SMELL GETS WORSE AND WORSE. SUBARU NEEDS TO STEP UP, ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT, OR FACE THE VERY REAL PROBLEM OF A MASSIVE LAWSUIT SOON. *TR

I RECENTLY TOOK MY OUTBACK IN TO A LOCAL SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THE HEAD GASKET HAS STARTED TO LEAK. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND OPINION, AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. CALLED FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES, AND GOT ESTIMATES FOR ANYWHERE FROM $1500-$2100 (AFTER SPENDING $2K ON OTHER WEAR AND TEAR REPAIRS THIS SUMMER). EVERY MECHANIC I SPOKE WITH WAS KEENLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OBVIOUSLY MEANS THIS IS A VERY COMMON - AND EXPENSIVE - DEFECT! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WOULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHERE THE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. HOWEVER, ONE YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

WAS DRIVING MY RECENTLY BOUGHT 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, WHEN MY CHILD WHO WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SEAT IN THE BACK STARTED SCREAMING THAT THE SEATBELT WAS HURTING HER AND SHE COULDN'T BREATHE. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP AT A FULL SERVICE GAS STATION, JUMPED OUT AND TRIED GETTING THE SEATBELT UNDONE BUT IT WAS STUCK. RAN IN AND GRABBED A MECHANIC AND HE WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO RELEASE IT AND HE SAID THAT THE TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE CASE IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN A BLOCK FROM HELP. *TR

THERE IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH OLDER MODEL SUBARU OUTBACKS (EARLY 2000S) LEAKING GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN COLD WEATHER. DEALERS AND REPAIR SERVICES CANNOT FULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS. INTERNET FORUMS PROVIDE COUNTLESS CASES (HERE IS JUST ONE HTTP://ACTION.PUBLICBROADCASTING.NET/CARTALK/POSTS/LIST/1794410.PAGE). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE LUG NUTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V235000 (WHEELS) BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FUSE FOR TAIL LIGHTS BLEW DUE TO TAIL LIGHT SOCKET PARTIALLY MELTING (AREA WHERE THE TWO CONTACTS FOR BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT ARE LOCATED-LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT). WAS UNAWARE THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. *TR

PROMINENT GAS SMELL INSIDE CABIN WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE ON SUBARU'S BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY SUBARU TO RECTIFY THIS POOR ENGINEERING SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR BEHALF. I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND ON PHONE AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY FENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/19/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/26/10*JB

IDLING AT STOP WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDEN SURGE WITH AUDIBLE AND TACHOMETER INCREASE IN RPM. CAR JUMPED FORWARD SLIGHTLY. A FEW PRIOR MINOR RPM SURGES WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. THANKS TO THE RECENT NEWS RE TOYOTA. I KNEW TO SHOVE THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. *TR

FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CABIN WHEN WEATHER IS COLD (20' OR BELOW). SHOP HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. SEEN REFERENCES TO SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE WRX MODEL AND FUEL LINES/CLAMP. *TR

OVER LAST FEW WINTERS, WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP TO FREEZING THERE HAS BEEN A BAD FUEL SMELL IN CABIN. ESPECIALLY WITH HEATER BLOWING, THOUGH IT STILL SMELLS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEAT OFF. ONCE THE WEATHER WARMS UP THERE IS NO NOTICEABLE SMELL. I HAVE TRIED TIGHTENING 5 CLAMPS AS SUGGESTED IN AN ONLINE HELP PAGE. NOT SURE IF THIS HELPED OR PROBLEM JUST WENT AWAY WITH THE COLD WEATHER. LOCAL SHOP COULDN'T SEE LEAK ON CURSORY CHECK WHILE THE ODOR AS AT IT'S WORSE. MAYBE ONLY VISIBLE IF IT'S FREEZING AND UP ON A LIFT. SUBARU DEALER SUGGESTED FUEL LINES NEED TO REPLACED AS NORMAL PROCESS AS CAR AGES. SUBARU SHOULD FIND SOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT'S OBVIOUSLY COMMON TO THESE VEHICLES AND PUT OUT CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON DIAGNOSING AND FIXING THIS ISSUE. *TR

BRAKES BRIEFLY FAIL IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. 5 OR 10 HARD PUMPS HAVE USUALLY BROUGHT THEM BACK. VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT. I NEVER LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY OR PARKING SPACE WITHOUT REPEATED PUMPING TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. WE ARE SKI INSTRUCTORS (AND THIS CAR IS MARKETED FOR THAT) BUT ITS QUITE DANGEROUS IN FREEZING WEATHER. *TR

REPETITIVE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. ROTORS HAVE THICKNESS VARIATION WHICH CAUSES HEAVY BRAKE PULSATION AND STEERING WHEEL JUDDER FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN BRAKING FROM GREATER THAN 45 MPH. FIRST COMPLAINT 6/18/03 9971 MILES FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. SECOND COMPLAINT 5/3/04 16180 MILES RESURFACE FRONT ROTORS. THIRD COMPLAINT 4/7/05 23013 MILES RESURFACE FRONT ROTORS REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS. FOURTH COMPLAINT 5/20/08 42147 MILES REPLACE FRONT ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. FIFTH COMPLAINT 3/17/09 49719 MILES RESURFACE FRONT ROTORS. SUBRAU DOES HAVE A CUSTOMER PAY UPGRADE IN THEIR TSB #: 06-33-04 DATE: 01/15/04 FOR 2001-2003 SUBARU VEHICLES TO MODIFY THE DISC BRAKE PAD. *TR

BOTH MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBARU OUTBACKS HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN WHEN STARTING THE CARS. A CHECK UNDER THE HOOD SHOWED GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM SEVERAL OF THE RUBBER FUEL LINES WHERE THEY JOINED METAL FUEL LINES. THE FUEL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE AND RUNNING DOWN TO THE GROUND. UPON TIGHTENING THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS THE PROBLEM STOPPED. WHEN I USED GOOGLE TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM THERE WAS SEVERAL 100,000 HITS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO LOW TEMPERATURE <+10F. *TR

MY 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON, 2.5 LITER ENGINE, LEAKED FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINE. THIS WAS MOST PRONOUNCED ON A COLD DAY. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. THOUGH WE SMELLED THE STRONG FUEL ODOR, FORTUNATELY, THERE WASN'T A FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW BEING REPAIRED AND WILL BE READY 01/21/09. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR IS $485. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE PART. THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 09-36-03, ISSUED 04/01/03 ONLY APPLIES TO THE WRX, EVEN THOUGH THE OUTBACK HAS A SIMILAR SETUP. *TR

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK- DEC. 08'- EXPERIENCING VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER. SAME SCENARIO UNFOLDED LAST YR. 07' WHEN IT GOT COLD. LAST YEAR DEALER CHARGED FOR INSPECT AND TIGHTENING OF CLAMPS ALONG FUEL LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACKS..WHY NO RECALL?..WITH FUEL LINE LEAKS AS COMMON AS THEY ARE WITH THIS MODEL I AM SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING SUBARU IS OFFERING TO HELP OWNERS RECOVER MONIES BEING SPENT ON THIS FIX? *TR

CLUTCH DEFECTS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON A SUBARU OUTBACK 20002. DEALERSHIP: LIBERTY, 1000 E PARK AVENUE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048 PROBLEM STARTED IN 2003 AND LASTED TO THIS DATE. IN AUG 2008, DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PRESENT DEFAULT BUT REFUSED TO CONCEDE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED IN 2003 (OIL CHANGES) WE MENTIONED A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER BLAMED THE "NEW HYDRAULIC CLUTCH" AND GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. NOW IN 2008, 3 YEARS LATER, THEY "DISCOVERED" THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE $1,300.00 TO FIX IT. WE REFUSED TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER GARAGE TOLD US THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUED AN ADVISORY ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER NEVER TOLD US. THE CLUTCH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANUAL GEAR SHIFT CARS WITH NO PROBLEMS, HAVING DRIVEN OUR PREVIOUS 1992 SUBARU OUTBACK TO 140,000 BEFORE IT NEEDED A CLUTCH REPAIR. THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALMOST RIGHT FROM THE START. WE HAVE SERVICE REPORT DATED 06/17/05 INVOICE # SUCS426989 SAYING: " REF#2 03SUZ : DRIVE LINE - TECK :553 - CUSTOMER STATES AT TIMES VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH AND TAKING OFF, MORE AMPLIFIED AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING. ---INSPECTED VEHICLE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AT THIS TIME- THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS THE FIRST WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE DEALER. THERE IS A SECOND WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: DATED 11/28/06, INVOICE SUCS476828, REF J#2 08SUZ CLUTCH ---TECH 42898: CUSTOMER STATES THE CAR IS CHUGGING IN FIRST GEAR - SEE LINE 1 LINE 1 STATES J# 1 40SUZDGRT DIAGNOSIS ROAD TEST - CUSTOMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANT TO STALL. PER SCANNER CODE, REPLACE FRONT O2 SENSOR AND REFLASH ECM" AS YOU SEE, THEY BLAMED THE O2 SENSOR AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH PROBLEM. *TR

I REPLACED THE LEFT HEAD GASKET (AT A LOCAL SERVICE CENTER) AT 122,000 MILES DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE. AT 123,000 MILES THE RIGHT HEAD GASKET FAILED. I CONTACTED SUBARU BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT'S COINCIDENTAL FOR BOTH HEAD GASKETS TO FAIL THAT CLOSE TOGETHER. THEY WILL NOT HELP ME BECAUSE OF THE MILES AND BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE FIRST WORK DONE AT A DEALER. *TR

HEAD GASKET FAILURE CAUSING COOLANT LEAK FROM ENGINE, POTENTIAL OVERHEATING AND ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CLEANED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE LATCH IN THE HATCH BACK. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LOOSE LATCH. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE LATCH WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2007 WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

OVERWHELMING ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

FOR THE PAST 2 WINTERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN FOR THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OR SO OF RUNNING THE CAR IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 25 DEGREES, INCLUDING IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC LAST WEEK, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON "SUBARU GAS SMELL" YOU WILL FIND 25,800 HITS OF PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUBARU'S, FOR A VARIETY OF MODELS/YEARS. BASED ON THOSE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS, I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THEIR HASN'T BEEN A RECALL? *TR

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON. LAST WINTER (2006-07) I STARTED TO DETECT AN INTENSE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 30 DEGREES F. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (NOT A DEALER) BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING THIS WINTER (2007-08). I SCHEDULED TO BRING IT IN TO A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER BUT THEN THE TEMP ROSE ABOVE 30 DEGREES, SO THERE WAS NO POINT IN BRINGING IT IN SINCE THEY WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO GET COLD AGAIN SO I CAN BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO CHECK. IN THE MEANTIME, I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL LINE LEAKAGE (O RINGS OR CLAMPS OR SOMETHING). THEY SEEM TO HAVE DETERMINED THAT GAS IS LEAKING INTO THE AREA UNDER THE HOOD. ONE OWNER DESCRIBED SEEING SPARKS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WONDERING 1) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES A RECALL IS ISSUED, AND 2) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SUBARU WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR COVERING THE COST FOR REPAIRS. ALSO WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, AS I USE THE CAR TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF AND DON'T WANT TO PUT US AT RISK OF INJURY. *TR

I HAVE A SUBARU 2002 OUTBACK. THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I PROVIDED TO THE DEALER IN THE LAST VISIT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, BEFORE MY WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED, I HAD ISSUES WITH LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINES AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINE AND THE LEAK SEEMED TO STOP. THERE WERE ADDITIONAL SMELLS OF FUEL IN COLD WEATHER SO I BROUGHT MY CARE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY OTHER LEAKS AND SPAYED A WHITE LEAK DETECTOR ON THE FUEL LINES. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN A FEW WEEKS LATER AND NO ADDITIONAL LEAKS WERE PRESENT. AT THAT TIME, SINCE THE ISSUE ONLY SEEMED TO HAPPEN COLD WEATHER, IF THE ISSUE RETURNED I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALER. THE GAS SMELL RETURNED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ID THE SOURCE. HOWEVER, DURING HE COLD WEATHER LAST WEEK, I DISCOVERED IN COLD WEATHER SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR THAT THE SAME FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LEAKING FUEL AGAIN. AFTER I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS, THE FUEL LEAK STOPPED. SEVERAL CLAMPS WERE LOOSE ON OTHER PARTS OF THE FUEL LINES. THIS IS THE SAME SCENARIO THAT TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY '07. TO ELIMINATE ANY FUTURE LEAKS CAN I HAVE THE TSB 09-36-03 WORK COMPLETED ON THE FUEL LINES. THE ISSUE IN MY OUTBACK IS THE SAME AS THE ISSUE NOTED IN THE TSB. HOW CAN I GET THE SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER? *TR

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK REAR SEAT LATCH CLIPS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO USE CHILD SAFETY SEATS (6 POINT HARNESS SYSTEM) CLIPS ARE TUCKED TOO FAR DOWN INTO SEATS. NEED EXTENSION CLIP TO ACCESS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.