2005 Subaru Outback Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V274000 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW) FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

CAR IS NOT SAFE ON PACKED SNOW OR ICY ROADS. ALL ROAD FEEL IS GONE AND IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR COULD SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AT ANY MOMENT. MOST OTHER CARS SEEM TO PASS WITHOUT ISSUE. FOR A AWD CAR THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. YOU MUST SLOW DOWN TO 40 AND BELOW TO HAVE ANY HOPES OF KEEPING THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I HAVE PUT NOKIA SNOW TIRES ON THE AND CAR DRIVES PERFECT IN FRESH SNOW BUT STILL CANNOT DRIVE IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. I HAVE NOT NOTICED THIS ON WET PAVEMENT. SUBARU FEELS LIKE AN ALIGNMENT WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. GOING IN FOR ONE IN A WEEK. IF IT DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE I WILL SELL THE CAR. I FOUND MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG. *TR

REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FISHTAILS WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON AN ICY ROAD. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR REPORTS AND EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE SOMEWHAT, BUT TODAY DRIVING WITH A FULL PASSENGER LOAD WAS TRULY TERRIFYING. THE REAR WHEELS WOULD SWAY SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES FEELING VERY CLOSE TO THE POINT OF LOSING CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE LOTS OF EXPERIENCE WITH DRIVING VARIOUS VEHICLES (INCLUDING OTHER LATE MODEL SUBARUS) IN ICY CONDITIONS AND CAN STATE WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THERE IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR

DRIVING ON ICY/SNOWY ROADS, THE BACK END SWAYS/"GHOST WALKS" EXTREMELY DANGEROUSLY PROBABLY 2-3" EACH WAY REGARDLESS OF BRAKING/TURNING/STRAIGHTAWAY/ACCELERATING. WE WERE DRIVING ALONG WITH A 2WD VEHICLE FROM WI TO MT WHICH HANDLED SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE OUTBACK (WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE TOP OF THE LINE WINTER CAR). HAD BRAND NEW (300 MILES) QUALITY ALL WEATHER TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT. THE CAR ACTUALLY APPEARS TO BE DOING THIS NOW IN DRY CONDITIONS AS WELL WHEN I ENCOUNTER BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE FEELING OF SAFETY IS SEVERELY LACKING. *TR

BRAKES ARE VERY WEAK FOR THE FIRST COUPLE OF STOPS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE (ABOUT EIGHT HOURS OR MORE). BRAKES WORK FINE AFTER WARMING UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN FIRST BACKING OUT OF DRIVING; WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP FAST ENOUGH IF A CHILD OR PERSON WAS SUDDENLY IN THE WAY AND YOU NEEDED TO STOP. THIS IS THE CASE WITH OEM BRAKE PADS AND AFTER-MARKET PADS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,696 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

LEFT, REAR BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK EXHIBITS A SERIOUS OF STABILITY WHEN DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE IS THE SLIGHTEST DEGRADATION OF TRACTION. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON FLAT AND STRAIGHT ROAD SURFACES IF THE ROADS ARE WET FROM RAIN OR EVEN WITH A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW. ON DECEMBER 3 2010 I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 NORTH OF FLINT MICHIGAN, THERE WAS OCCASIONAL LIGHT SNOW FLURRIES THAT WERE BARELY COATING THE ROAD SURFACE. I WAS DRIVING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) WHEN THE SNOW STARTED TO LIGHTLY COAT THE ROAD THE VEHICLES REAR END STARTED TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN A VIOLENT MANNER. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 50 MPH TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ALL THE WHILE I WAS BEING PASSED BY 2WD PICK UPS AND 2WD DRIVE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME BEHAVIORS ON WET ROAD SURFACES DURING AND FOLLOWING RAIN. IT'S TIME FOR SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I'M NOT FEELING THE LOVE. *LN

WHILE DRIVING ON SNOWPACKED DIRT ROADS TO TOWN, I REACHED A STRAIGHTAWAY WHERE, UNKNOWN TO ME, ICE HAD FORMED OVER THE SNOW. DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 30-35 MPH, THE BACK END SUDDENLY BEGAN TO TRACK TO THE RIGHT. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO CORRECT, BUT THIS HAD NO EFFECT. I WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL, AND THE VEHICLE SLID INTO THE DITCH, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND MINOR INJURY TO MYSELF. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS "GHOSTWALKING" IN MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS SUCH AS SLUSH, SNOW AND ICE MIX, AND BLACK ICE THE CAR FISHTAILS IN THE REAR WHEELS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR. HOWEVER DRIVING ON HARDPACK SNOW AND HARDPACK POWDER THE CAR HANDLES FINE. THE CAR FISHTAILS MUCH WORSE WHEN EVEN A LITTLE WEIGHT IS LOADED IN THE REAR. I DO HAVE DEDICATED SNOW TIRES, WITH STUDS. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER IN WINTER CONDITIONS, I DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST IN POOR ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED. I HAVE MULTIPLE FRIENDS WHO DRIVE OLDER SUBARU'S WHO HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH AN ENCOUNTER WITH THEIR CARS. BOTTOM LINE THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON WINTER ROADS, I HAVE LITERALLY FEARED FOR MY LIFE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON EXTREMELY UNSTABLE ON SLIPPERY ROADS. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT ANY SPEED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. HAS BEEN TERMED 'GHOST WALKING'. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FIXED / HELPED WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT, BUT SHOULD NOT BE SUCH A DANGEROUS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. SOME OTHER FACTORS HAVE TO BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE HORRIFIC HANDLING OF THIS VEHICLE ON SLIPPERY ROADS. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF JUST SLOWING DOWN. *TR

THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING DUE TO A BAD ELECTRICAL CONNECTION THAT OCCURS WHERE THE HATCHBACK OPENS UP. THE WIRES FRAY AND BREAK FROM NORMAL USAGE OF THE HATCHBACK, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER, DEFOGGER AND BACKUP LIGHTS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND THERE A NUMEROUS BLOGS AND VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET SHOWING THIS PROBLEM, THIS SHOULD BE RECALL ITEM FOR ALL 3RD GENERATION SUBARU OUTBACKS (2005-2009). *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK UNSTABLE REAR SUSPENSION. THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFYING TO DRIVE AT HWY SPEEDS IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE REAR END SWAYS AND HOPS AND SWINGS UNCONTROLLABLY. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THIS CAR AND IT WILL HAVE A NEW OWNER. I WILL NOT DRIVE SUCH A UNDER ENGINEERED PIECE OF JAPANESE IRON AND HAVE THE LIFE SCARED OUT OF ME. THERE'S PLENTY OF CARS OUT THERE THAT ARE SAFER TO DRIVE THAN THIS THING. SUBARU NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS. *TR

FOLLOWING A FEW WEEKS OF A RUFF IDLE AT STOP LIGHTS, THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED ON MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I. AFTER GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, HOWEVER THERE WAS NO REACTION AT ALL FROM PUSHING THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT NORMAL FUNCTION RETURNED, HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED THAT FAILURE COULD OCCUR AGAIN AT ANY TIME INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. MY MECHANIC READ THE CODE AS THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. *TR

LAST MONTH, SIDEWALL FAILURE OF BF GOODRICH TOURING PRO 225/60R16 H-RATED. PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TIRE AT SAM'S CLUB 3 WEEKS AGO. TODAY, THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FAILED - SOME TYPE OF TREAD SEPARATION. CONCERNED AS I HAVE THESE TIRES ON BOTH MY 05 SUBARU OUTBACK, AND ALSO MY 97 VOLVO 850. ONLY THE 2ND INCIDENT DATE IS NOTED. *TR

RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS SPLIT AND REPLACED ALONG WITH BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK REAR HUB RECALL: NOT CONVINCED THAT THE RECALL THAT REPLACES THE REAR HUBS WITH THE IMPROVED VERSION IS EFFECTIVE. I HAD BOTH REAR HUBS REPLACE UNDER THE RECALL AT 45,000 MILES AND ONE OF THOSE WENT OUT AT 86,000 MILES (41,000 MILES AFTER REPLACEMENT). THIS CONCERNS ME THAT THE NEW REAR HUBS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SO QUICKLY. *TR

IN 2008 THE AIRBAGS ON OUR CAR DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THE SEATBELT LIGHTS IN OUR CAR BEGAN DINGING AND FLASHING AS IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH WAS EMPTY, AND THEN THEY DEPLOYED ON MY HUSBAND. AFTER 3 OR SO MONTHS SUBARU HAD THE AIRBAG COMPONENTS REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THEIR INVESTIGATION WAS INCONCLUSIVE TO WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENTS WITH NEW ONES ASSUMING THEY HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. JULY 11 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING AGAIN AS IF SOMEONE WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH AGAIN WAS EMPTY, AND I PULLED UP AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AS I AM 7 MONTHS PREGNANT AND FEARED THEY MIGHT EXPLODE AGAIN AND WE WERE ABOUT TO TAKE A 6 HOUR DRIVE. WHEN WE REMOVED THE KEYS THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR REMAINED ON. SUBARU NOW HAS THE CAR AND IS INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS A TIMEBOMB AND I CAN'T IMAGINE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE ROAD. THESE ARE THE EXACT SYMPTOMS WE HAD BEFORE THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED LAST TIME IT JUST HAPPENS WE WERE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING 55 DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 75 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES YET THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY LOT AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE @ 55,000 MILES. *TR

RIGHT, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR

LEFT, FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED BEING TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A BROKEN DOOR BAR WELD. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

WE HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT SWAYS IN THE REAR OF CAR UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS 1. OVER BUMPS THE REAR WILL SWING TO THE RIGHT AND DIP. WHEN ROADS ARE SLICK IT WILL ALMOST SPIN THE VEHICLE. IF YOU ARE IN A LEFT HAND CURVE, EVEN AT LOW SPEED, THE CONDITION IS EXAGGERATED MORE THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT SORT OF LIKE IT WAS PUSHED IN ADDITION TO THE NORMAL INERTIA YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE. 2. REAR END TRACTION BECOMES UNSTABLE UNDER ICY CONDITIONS WHERE IT APPEARS THAT TOO MUCH POWER IS BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE REAR OF THE DRIVELINE THEN OSCILLATING TO EACH INDIVIDUAL REAR WHEEL. IN MY OPINION 100% OF THE VEHICLES POWER CONCENTRATED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS ALTERNATELY DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS AND KIND OF GETS STUCK IN THIS MODE. *TR

ON APPROXIMATELY 10 OCCASIONS RIGHT AFTER A RAIN WHEN I START UP THE CAR THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND THE CAR RUNS ROUGHLY WITH LITTLE POWER. AFTER A SHORT TIME THE CAR POWER RETURNS BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ONCE THE LIGHT GOES OUT THE CAR THEN RUNS NORMAL UNTIL THE NEXT RAINSTORM. IT THEN DOES THE SAME ALL OVER. *TR

90 DEGREE SWING OF REAR END WHEN TRAVELING AT ONLY 10 MPH ON ICY ROAD WITH EXCELLENT SNOW TIRES. THERE MAY BE A REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEM BECAUSE LEFT REAR IS OVER AN INCH LOWER THAN RIGHT REAR. THERE IS NO SUBARU RECALL. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK TURBO. TURBO FAILED AT 65K MILES. AXEL BROKE AT 64K MILES AND NOW THE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING IS OUT AT 70K MILES. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL ON BOTH REAR BEARINGS BUT NOT THE FRONT. TURBO HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM TOO. *TR

IN COMPARISON WITH MANY TRUCKS AND CARS I HAVE DRIVEN IN WINTER CONDITIONS FOR OVER 30 YEARS, OUR 2005 SUBURU OUTBACK IS MUCH MORE UNSTABLE ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR END WHENEVER HARD PACKED SNOW OR ICE IS ENCOUNTERED EVEN AT MODERATE SPEEDS (30-50 MPH). AT LEAST ONCE THIS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPIN UNCONTROLLABLY. IN IDENTICAL CONDITIONS, A TRUCK IN 2WD (I HAVE SEVERAL TRUCKS ON MY RANCH) IS FAR MORE STABLE. THERE IS A CLEAR SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR WHICH TIRES, INFLATION, ALIGNMENT ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS SPECS FAILS TO CURE. *TR

I RESIDE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS IN CALIFORNIA AND EXPERIENCE SNOWY/ICY DRIVING CONDITIONS REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. THE OUTBACK WAS PURCHASED FOR ITS PERFORMANCE IN THESE CONDITIONS AND IS EQUIPPED WITH BLIZZAK STUDLESS SNOW TIRES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, IN BOTH CA AND CO, WHILE DRIVING ON PACKED SNOW AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR END BEGAN TO FISHTALE OUT OF CONTROL. THIS SITUATION CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL THE SPEED WAS REDUCED TO BELOW 30 MPH. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE DEALER AND OF COURSE, "THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN EVENT" AND DID NOT HAVE ANY IDEA AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THIS CONDITION NOR HOW TO CORRECT. THERE ARE TOO MANY REPORTS OF THIS IDENTICAL OUT OF CONTROL CONDITION FOR IT TO BE COINCIDENTAL, SUBARU NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

I'M A RECENT OWNER OF A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT WITH 58K MILES AND UNDER CERTAIN ADVERSE WEATHER SITUATIONS; THE CAR'S TRACKING/DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS PERFORM IN A HAZARDOUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY MANNER. WHEN TRAVELING IN SNOWY AND OR SLUSHY CONDITIONS ON PAVED ROADS, THE CAR'S REAR TIRES MOVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE LOOSING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY (I.E. OVERSTEER) WITH NO PROVOCATION FROM THE DRIVER OR OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF THE LOAD IN THE CAR (PASSENGERS/CARGO), AND UNDER ALL DRIVING SITUATIONS (ACCELERATING & COASTING). THE CAR HAS SNOW TIRES ON ALL FOUR WHEELS (NOKIAN 225-55-17) THAT HAVE LESS THAN 10K MILES OF USE AND ARE CORRECTLY INFLATED AS INSTRUCTED BY THE CAR'S MANUFACTURE (30F/32R). INITIALLY, I THOUGHT THE CAR MIGHT BE OUT OF REAR ALIGNMENT (TOE), HOWEVER AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT TIRE ALIGNMENT SHOP, THE CAR IS WITHIN SUBARU'S CURRENT SPECS FOR THE MODEL AND TSB NOTICE (5-36-07) FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. I DRIVE 200 MILES DAILY TO AND FROM WORK (PA/NJ) FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS AND IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH ZERO ACCIDENTS OR MISHAPS. THE PURPOSE OF BUYING A SUBARU WAS FOR THE ALL WEATHER CAPABILITY ADVERTISED BY THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, APPARENTLY I AM NOT ALONE, AS A RECENT SEARCH ON LINE PROVIDED AN OUTBACK FORUM DEDICATED TO THIS CAR (2005-2009) WHICH INDICATES THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS GROUP OF CARS BY THE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTIC. SOA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THE OBVIOUS 'ENGINEERED COMPROMISE' WITH A RAISED REAR SUSPENSION, AND MODIFY THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE REAR END STEPPING OUT DUE TO ADVERSE ROAD CONDITIONS AND LOADS CARRIED BY OWNERS UNDER WHAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE NORMAL OPERATING PARAMETERS. *TR

1. SLIGHTLY ICY ROAD CONDITION. 2. ABNORMAL LOSS OF ROAD FEEL AND CONTROL. 3. NO KNOWN SOLUTION. *TR

SUBARU OUTBACK 2005 PZEV - HEAD GASKET FAILURE. THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED SUCH THAT ENGINE OIL DRIPS ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND PRODUCES VISIBLE, FOUL SMELLING SMOKE WHENEVER THE CAR IS DRIVEN. MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, OR RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM, IN SPITE OF SIMILAR FAILURES IN EARLIER MODELS, AND PREVIOUS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT BECAUSE OF THOSE FAILURES. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER AN EMISSIONS WARRANTY THAT WILL EXPIRE AT 157,500 MILES. THE CAR WAS SOLD AS A PARTIAL ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE, BUT CLEARLY THE SMOKE FROM THE DRIPPING OIL EXCEEDS ANY EMISSION STANDARD. MY FEELING IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY, AS WELL AS PRIOR FAILURE HISTORY. *TR

WE PURCHASED A USED 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK LTD. WAGON IN AUGUST OF 2008 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULB. SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE REPLACED 3 MORE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS AND 2 RIGHT SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS. SUBARU TELLS US THERE ARE NO ISSUES WITH THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, YET THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES NOW AND THAT THEIR BRANDED BULBS SHOULD WORK. AT APPX. $20.00 EACH, THEIR SOLUTION SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $100.00 REPLACING BULBS THAT SHOULD LAST FOR YEARS AND YEARS, NOT 2-3 MONTHS! WE ARE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE LIVE IN A RURAL AREA OF COLORADO WHERE THERE ARE FEW STREET OR HIGHWAY LIGHTS AND WILDLIFE IS ALWAYS A CONCERN WHILE DRIVING. YOU NEED PROPER VEHICLE LIGHTING TO REMAIN SAFE ON THE ROAD AND THIS KNOWN DEFECT BY SUBARU NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. HEADLIGHT FAILURE DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN NEAR A SUBARU DEALER. OFF THE SHELF REPLACEMENT BULBS SHOULD DO THE JOB, BUT DON'T BECAUSE SUBARU IS NOT SHARING THE CORRECT LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY WITH THE AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS. THIS MAY NOT BE THE FIRST COMPLAINT YOU HAVE RECEIVED. WE SEE MANY 2005-2006 SUBARU'S LIKE OURS WITH BURNED OUT HEADLAMPS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF OUR COMPLAINT. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK SEDAN DRIVEN ON ICY/SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS EXPERIENCES EXTREME SLIPPAGE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS. AWD DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE KEEPING THE REAR OF THE CAR ON THE ROAD OR IN LINE. VEHICLE FISHTAILS OR GHOSTWALKS ON THE ROAD SURFACE IN THESE CONDITIONS. EACH TIME THIS WAS EXPERIENCED WAS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 70 MPH IN ICY/SNOWY CONDITIONS. I HAVE A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN AS WELL THAT DOES NOT EXHIBIT THIS TYPE OF UNNERVING WANDERING ON THE ROAD WHEN DRIVEN IN EXACT SAME CONDITIONS. THIS WANDERING MAKES VEHICLE FEEL EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND THE BACK OF THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT WANTS TO SPIN AROUND OR OFF THE ROAD. *TR

I DRIVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT LIMITED AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE REAR SWAY, UNSTABLE CONDITIONS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING. I HAVE DONE MUCH RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT SUBARU'S REAR SWAY BAR AND ALIGNMENT SPECS. TO BE UNMATCHED FOR THE LONGER WHEEL-BASE AND THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR SWAY BAR TO A HEAVIER DUTY ONE AND A BETTER ALIGNMENT MY OUTBACK NOW DRIVES OUTSTANDING AND HANDLES LIKE A DREAM. I AM A SPIRITED DRIVER AND I DRIVE IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING ICE AND SNOW AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE THE UPGRADES. *TR

RIGHT, REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR FOR THE 2-YEARS AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE. THE THROTTLE PEDAL AT TIMES WILL BECOME NON-RESPONSIVE AND THE ENGINE IDLE CANNOT BE CONTROLLED. AT THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH A CODE. P2138. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITH NO LUCK THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR HAS LEFT ME STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAD TO LIMP OR BE TOWED HOME. THE RPM CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM IDLE TO 3000 RPM AND AS I SAID THE PEDAL HAS NO CONTROL. I HAVE REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN. *TR

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

WITH 35,600 MILES ON OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK XT, THE TURBO FAILED. THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS DO TO THE CONDITION OF THE ENGINE OIL WHICH WAS 7 MONTHS OLD AND HAD 5,400 MILES ON IT. ALL 7 OF THE VEHICLES OIL CHANGES WERE DONE WITHIN THE 7,500 MILE INTERVAL SET FORTH IN OWNERS/VEHICLE MAINTENANCE MANUAL. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN # 02-103-07 (HTTP://STORE.FORCEDPERFORMANCE.NET/MERCHANT2/GRAPHICS/SUBARU_OIL/02-103-07.PDF -- NOT SENT TO OWNERS), THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE "BANJO BOLT" OIL SUPPLY LINE TO THE TURBO, WHICH MAKE THIS ENGINE UNABLE TO LIVE UP TO THE SPECIFIED MAINTENANCE INTERVALS IN ITS POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. *TR

PREMATURE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. RESULTED IN LOUD HUMMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT WAS REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A SUBARU OUTBACK AND LIVE IN BEMIDJI MINNESOTA--LAND OF BELOW ZERO WINTER TEMPERATURES. TODAY I WAS NAILED IN THE HEAD YET AGAIN BY THE TAILGATE DOOR OF MY CAR. YOU SEE, THE STRUTS THAT SUPPORT THE TAILGATE DOOR DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN ITS REALLY COLD OUTSIDE--LIKE APPROACHING 0 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LOWER. WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WARMER--ABOUT 20 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO--THE STRUTS FUNCTION AS USUAL. BUT WHEN IT IS EXTREMELY COLD, THE STRUTS DO NOT WORK AND THE DOOR FALLS FREELY ONTO YOUR HEAD OR WHATEVER IS IN THE WAY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN JULY 2006. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT COULD LEAD TO AN INJURY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IF THE CONTACT DROVE MORE THAN 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,875.

I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON. THIS WEEKEND, ON HARD PACKED ICE ROADS, THE BACK WHEELS WOULD "FLOAT", SWAY OUT FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY IN BLACK ICE CONDITIONS. I WAS TRAVELING 20 MPH SLOWER THAN THE REST OF TRAFFIC TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND THUS CREATING AN ADDITIONAL HAZARD TO THE VEHICLES THAT COULD HANDLE THE CONDITIONS. THE BELOW EMAIL THREAD IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST AND OTHER SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NEW TIRES AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS RECENTLY VERIFIED. THANKS, CALE STREETER HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=11267&PERPAGE=20&PAGENUMBER=32. *TR

I HAVE SEVERAL TIMES EXPERIENCED WHAT IS KNOWN AS GHOST WALKING WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.4I. I HAVE DRIVEN UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS WITH THE CAR MINIMALLY LOADED. ONLY ON THE TIMES THAT THE CAR WAS LOADED WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS AND THEIR BELONGINGS DID I EXPERIENCE GHOST WALK. ON THOSE TIMES I WAS DRIVING MY OUTBACK ON SNOW OR ICE COVERED ROAD. I WAS DRIVING AT A STEADY RATE OF SPEED WITH CONSISTENT PRESSURE ON THE GAS. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO PITCH BACK AND FORTH AS IF BEING BLOWN BY A HEAVY WIND. THERE WAS NO WIND ON THOSE OCCASIONS, OR NOT SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE TO SWAY THE WAY IT DID. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO PASS THE FRONT. I SLOWED DOWN EACH TIME, EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD SURFACE CONDITIONS DID NOT DICTATE IT. I WAS PASSED BY 2 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, BECAUSE MY CAR FELT UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WHILE THE CAR WAS LIGHTLY LOADED UNDER THE SAME ROAD CONDITIONS.

I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DRIVING ON HARD-PACKED SNOW AND/OR ICE/GLAZE ON THE HIGHWAY I HAVE FOUND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AT TRAFFIC SPEEDS WITHOUT THE REAR END LOSING GRIP AND SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S VERY WINDY, AND YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL. EXCEPT THAT IT'S NOT WINDY. THE CAR JUST SEEMS TO LOSE TRACTION IN THE REAR WHEELS. WE'VE HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 30 MPH WHILE SEMI-TRUCKS, REGULAR FWD AND EVEN RWD VEHICLES BLEW BY US. I'VE DRIVEN IN THESE WINTRY CONDITIONS FOR 35 YEARS WITHOUT THIS SORT OF ISSUE. I'VE OWNED A 1997 OUTBACK AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS SORT OF ISSUE. BUT THIS 2005 IS SCARY IF THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE JUST RIGHT (WRONG). THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND WHILE I LOVE THE CAR IN MANY OTHER WAYS I WILL PROBABLY NEED TO GET RID OF IT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROADS AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR MORE, THE CAR SOMETIMES "FLOATS" TO THE SIDE SEVERAL INCHES. IT FEELS DIFFERENT THAN FISHTAILING -- MORE LIKE THE CAR IS BEING PUSHED BY THE WIND. THIS OCCURS WITH NO CROSS-WIND, NO ACCELERATION, NO CORNERING OR BRAKING, ON FLAT STRAIGHT ICY ROADS WHILE DRIVING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. THE SIDEWAYS SLIP IS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT YOU FEEL YOU MAY LOSE CONTROL AND LEAVE THE ROAD. THE ONLY FIX IS TO SLOW DOWN TO 40 MPH OR LESS, WHILE OTHER CARS ARE PASSING AT 60 MPH OR MORE. AFTER SEVERAL OCCURRENCES, ALWAYS ON ICY OR SLUSHY ROADS, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER, WHO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THE REPORT SHOWS THAT THE CAR HAD POSITIVE TOE-IN OF 0.23 DEGREES (FRONT LEFT), 0.24 DEGREES (FRONT RIGHT), 0.22 DEGREES (REAR LEFT) AND 0.44 DEGREES (REAR RIGHT). TOO MUCH TOE-IN, I'M TOLD, CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND CAN ALSO CAUSE POOR HANDLING ON ICY ROADS. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT COMPLAINTS FOR BOTH THESE ISSUES MAY HAVE A COMMON CAUSE. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT TOE-IN INCREASES OVER TIME WITH SUBARU OUTBACKS, AND THAT TOE-IN ALSO INCREASES WHEN THERE IS MORE WEIGHT IN THE BACK END OF THE CAR. THE SUBARU OUTBACK DYNAMICALLY SHIFTS POWER TO NON-SLIPPING WHEELS WHEN ONE OR MORE WHEELS LOSES TRACTION, AND APPORTIONS POWER 60/40 FAVORING THE REAR WHEELS. COULD THESE FACTORS, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE TOE-IN, CREATE THE KIND OF DANGEROUS FLOATING ON ICY ROADS THAT MANY OUTBACK OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED? PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

IN DECEMBER OF 2008 I DROVE FROM IDAHO TO MONTANA OVER CHRISTMAS. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE BROKEN ICE AND COMPACT SNOW. WHENEVER THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE REAR END WOULD TEND TO KICK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I WAS FORCED TO REDUCE MY SPEED TO AROUND 30 MPH, EVEN THOUGH ALL OTHER VEHICLES COULD MAINTAIN HIGHER SPEEDS IN A SAFE MANNER. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL LATER OCCASIONS, AND IT APPEARS TO OCCUR ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOADED DOWN WITH PASSENGER(S) OR CARGO. SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG HAS A GIGANTIC THREAD ON THIS TOPIC. IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=B16BA9FDCE5398DEC3B38124C6D0E1B9&THREADID=11267&PERPAGE=20&PAGENUMBER=1 IN MARCH OF 2009, I HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN BOISE. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM TO DATE, BUT THIS WINTER HAS BEEN UNSEASONABLY WARM, AND I HAVE NOT DRIVEN ON MUCH PACKED SNOW OR ICE. MOREOVER, I HAVE NOT DRIVEN WITH EXTRA CARGO, WHICH SEEMS TO EXASPERATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I AM NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM IS GONE, AND JUDGING BY THE CONTINUED AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON SUBARUOUTBACK.COM, I BELIEVE SUBARU NEEDS TO FORMALLY ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

2005 SUBARU OUTBACK, 2.5L, 4EAT, AWD VEHICLE FEELS"LOOSE" AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN ~35 ON HIGHWAYS WITH PATCHY ICE, SLUSH, AND OR ICY RUTS. REAR END FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO COME AROUND. HAS OCCURRED WITH TWO PASSENGERS AND APPROX 250 POUNDS IN CARGO AREA AND WITH ONE PASSENGER AND ~250 POUNDS IN CARGO AREA. *TR

NOVEMBER 15, 2008 MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE AIRBAGS IN OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK DEPLOYED WITHOUT PROVOCATION. OUR CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP HERE IN PUERTO RICO WHERE THEY HAVE YET TO DISCOVER WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR IN SEATTLE BUT WE LIVE HERE BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS STATIONED HERE FOR THE MILITARY. WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET SUBARU OF AMERICA'S ASSISTANCE IN DETERMINING WHAT CAUSED THIS DEPLOYMENT BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING DONE IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. WE ARE FEARFUL TO DRIVE OUR CAR AGAIN AND WANT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO BE A LITTLE MORE ACTIVE AND INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS SAFETY MALFUNCTION IN THEIR VEHICLE. AS FAR AS WE KNOW THE SERVICE MANAGER HERE SENT THEM AN EMAIL INFORMING THEM THAT AFTER HE HAD LOOKED OVER THE CAR, HE SEES NO DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT. THIS INFORMATION WE ALREADY KNEW, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION. SO FAR THIS IS THE EXTENT OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FOUR PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. A MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE CRASH AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TUMBLER SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN UPDATED 07/27/10*JB