This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Continuous variable transmission (cvt). The vehicle stopped while making a left turn suddenly motionless, engine revved up at 3500 RPM but the cvt remained unresponsive. Paced shift gear to park position then to drive gear then the vehicle moved-up very slow then it pulled forward to a normal driveable condition. This issue happened in 2017, 2018, 2019. Took to dealership 2X tested the vehicle but, no problem found and no manufacturer's issue was release. Several Subaru owners complaints with the same issue, on 2013 - 2015 Outback models.the battery on 2015 Outback model like mine, had replaced in 2017 while under warranty up to 3 - years. Lately, the battery died several times, took back to the dealer for test and replacement but, the 3 - years warranty was over from its original purchased. The warranty should be applied on the second battery replacement that runs for the next 36 - months. Another issue is the catalytic converter the vehicle has, took back to the dealer last July 2020, a srvice advisor admitted that there was a problem, the vehicle drove for testing then came back with nothing wrong on the catalytic converter per mechanic assessment. The front exhaust pipe was cracked and it was repaired as part of manufacturer recalls. There are issues on this model referring to the cvt, battery, infotainment got freezed, no data on screen, engine oil consumption to fast. The main issue for me is the "safety issue." Which is the transmission. First time it happened was in 2017, 2018, 2019.
When I change gears from P( parking) in to D(drive) it take around 2 seconds to start the car driving I think that is bad for transmission, another problem is with taching screen it doesn't work properly many times especially when I'm driving in R(rearverse) and the gear lights in dashboard do not turn on. Thanks
Consistent battery issues on start up; upon a mechanic looking at battery, the battery is fully charged/ok - but there appears to be possible connection issue" it appears to be a known issue. Is there a fix for this"
Vehicle is equipped with Subaru's "eye sight" system, which provides pre-collision braking and is involved with lane departure warning. The eye sight system in my car is intermittently inoperative while the car is in motion. Sometimes, the system begins working again, then turns off, turns on, etc. If eye sight is inoperative as the car comes to a full stop, the inoperative warning message usually disappears, but the message returns shortly after the car begins moving again. This has been happening every time the car is in motion for three weeks.
Received Subaru recall (wuj-95) on Aug,3.2020 pertaining to exhaust pipe bellow failure. The recall includes replacement of the exhaust Y-pipe that is installed from engine to tale pipe. This exhaust pipe in my understanding was installed under a stress manufacturing process where the pipe and fastener system has to be forced in to install. This puts excess stress on the bellows and caused failure. My question is why did Subaru wait five years to notify the consumer and issue a recall. Please return my request for a full explanation of what happened. 2nd. I would like to address the cvt transmission issue. Subaru extended the transmission failure time line to 10yr-100,000 mile. I am having many issues with my cvt transmission and Subaru will not issue a recall. With all the complaints and problems with the gen-5 cvt transmission would please take a 2nd look at this issue.
- Glen Dale, WV, USA
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Child lock on back passenger door is locked down so you can't get out unless someone from outside opens. I never used the child lock and have no idea how it got down. Took it to Subaru dealership and they said it would $350 to fix it. This seems to be a defect. Seen many posts of others having the same problem.
I was pulling into a parking space and as I was gradually hitting the brakes, the car started to accelerate on its own at high speed hitting the fence in front. I am sure that I did not have my foot on the gas. I hit the brakes and it was of no use. After hitting the fence the car stopped as I shifted to neutral. I am scared to drive the vehicle.
Automatic breaking activated for no reason but only for a very short time but very hard. Then released. There was a flash of something on the dash I think a breaking warning and beeping sound. Moving approx 35mph, not breaking, on 2 lane road ( East pea ridge rd. Huntington wv). Nothing in front of me for quite a distance. No one coming toward me either. Road conditions were good. Straight road. ( I have included a google map picture of approximately where it happened) time: About 12:45pm car was previously a "company car" of my brothers. (wheels Inc) I purchaned it in Oct 2017. My brother said this had happened to him one time also. Found same complaint at: Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Outback/2015/brakes/service_brakes.shtml google map link: Https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4181887, -82.3074982,3A,75Y,91.28H,90.13T/data=!3M9!1E1!3M7!1S0vricifyqxplamxba7Q8dw!2E0!7I13312!8I6656!9M2!1B1!2I41?hl=en
Automatic front seats. When wife opens the passenger door first (before the driver) the driver seat adjusts to her set position. An D if I don't pay attention the driver seat will push/crush me into the steering wheel. I have a bad back and drop foot, so I don't have the strength of a younger person. My only salvation is to squeeze out or hit the position button on the door panel. Also, the presets go out all the time. I have asked if they could disable the passenger side door sensor. Nothing. Rear gate opening: It has happened so many times. I have complained directly to Subaru about the seat and gate problem. No results. The rear gate has opened while raining outside during the night. It has opened while in the garage jamming the overhead garage door. I am afraid on trips to have stuff stolen out of my car is such an incident. Happened once. Also... they have a cute preset so you can set the max height of the gate opening. Twice my wife has walked into the rear gate and literally flipped backwards to the pavement! Subaru denies any problems about the gate. Funny, one day I was helping a friend and her mom was there. As they helped me unload my Subaru we discovered that mom had also a similar model. The first question she asked me "have you any problem with your rear gate"!!! it's not just me. Subaru needs to step up and fix these problems before someone really gets hurt or have loss of items from the car.
During the fall of 2019, I noticed an exhaust smell when starting my 2015 Subaru Outback in my garage. This smell coincided with the car running rough when starting and the exhaust smell entering the cabin when the heater was turned on. I did not notice this cabin exhaust smell in the summer due to using the ac on recirculate. The exhaust smell was especially noticeable when I was idling waiting to pick up my kids and sitting at traffic stops. I brought my vehicle in to a Subaru dealer and they stated that my catalytic converter was cracked and should be replaced. This was when my car was at 80,829 miles and they actually had the part on hand. I am assuming that this happens to them quite frequently since stocking a $1500 on hand would not be the best use of inventory. The repair cost $1940 since my emission warranty was barely out due to the 829 miles. I explained to them that this was happening way before the 80,000 miles, but they refused to cover it under warranty. I feel that having exhaust entering the cabin should be an exception to the warranty, especially when kids lives are involved. Also, by having this part on hand tells me that I am not the only owner having this type of problem with my Subaru.
Navigation screen reflects sunlight so you can't see important information. Map shows zigzag pattern. Tried changing contrast, didn't help. This is a constant problem when on the highway. Dealership said the new Subaru navigation screen is fine, I don't need a new car!
My dashboard releases vocs so much I cannot keep the windshield clean and the sun blinds my view because of it. I clean almost every day but the smog just gets moved around and will not clean. It is a terrible safety hazard. They need to manufacturer the dash with a safer material.
Vehicle would not start. After jumping the battery vehicle started, aaa performed roadside testing and determined the battery and alternator are working properly and are sufficiently charged. Car would not start for unexplained reasons. Previous service history leads me to believe there is an ongoing electrical issue with this vehicle. Previously the airbag light would frequently illuminate. Dealership stated it was due to electrical interference and that nothing was wrong.
Battery is dead after one day of complete battery charge this is the third time this has happened on a replacement battery. The original Subaru battery failed in same manner. Charging system is putting out $13.85 volts when car is running. Battery voltage after trickle charge $12.87. Stationary
I was on a major highway coming to stop for a traffic light. All of a sudden the car accelerated. I pressed harder on the brake but it wouldn't stop. Finally I put the car in neutral and tapped on the gas pedal and the engine tuned down. I purchased the car used in 2017 from Honda North.in butler pa. After about 6 months the incident happened. This has been going on since then and has only gotten worse. This past month it has been happening at least twice a week. Lrecently I almost a small child and his mom pulling out of a parking spot. I have grand children that I take with me daily and I am scared what will happen if they are in the car with me when this happens. Does someone have to die before you pays attention to this on going problem. I expect to hear from someone soon before this car accelerates and kills someone
Hello, my windshield broke about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle. I don't know how or why. It was just broken one morning when I went out to my car. I figured a rock or something hit it. There was no recall at the time and so I had it replaced with a oem windshield. My second windshield just broke a couple of weeks ago while changing my wipers you can see where the ceramic wiper heater delaminated inside of the windshield. It turned bright red. I have owned alot of cars and never seen a windshield that is so fragile. I have changed many, many wiper blades and I know what a quality windshield is. I set the wiper blade holder down on the windshield gently and it cracked, the crack grew across the windshield in a day or so. Ridiculous. These windshields run about 500 bucks and should be better quality. I also have electrical problems where my car clock will not set... currently. It took them 3 years to figure out the steering retaining pin was broken even though I was complaining about it since I bought the car. The rear gate stopped opening and they had to replace the struts on a 3 year old car. There is something wrong with the front end but my dealer said "wait until it gets worse" can you believe that? thanks,
Key stuck in ignition when I parked and tried to take key out. I was away from home. Eventually, I moved gears and I pushed key inwards and it released. I just had a hefty repair bill before discovering recalls for this issue on earlier models.
The windshield on my 2015 Outback cracked from the driver's side bottom upward then turned toward the passenger side in an L shape. Took it to the Subaru dealership and they of course claim that there must have been an impact that caused the crack. The asst. Service manager actually argued with me and claimed that you could feel a point of impact where a rock "must have hit" and blamed that for the crack. I can feel no point of impact and was in fact driving the car when the crack happened and know that nothing hit the windshield. Despite the class action suit against these windshields, Subaru is still not willing to replace it after their "close and careful" inspection that took about 10 seconds. They told me the warranty would not cover it. They clearly know there is a problem with these windshields and are doing nothing to correct it, even refusing to replace ones that do have a problem. Besides being a bad business move for Subaru, this seems like a huge safety issue for consumers.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bay Point, CA, USA