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.
There should be a recall for front suspension on this vehicle if not the entire suspension. Mine has been garage kept since day 1, is in showroom condition, not driven in salt on roads during snow, therefore no reason for the suspension to be in this condition. In 2019 at 74,000 miles I had to have the entire front end suspension all components replaced at a cost of over $2,500 USD the suspension was also causing what others refer to as "drifting" under any road driving conditions on dry or wet pavement at any speed above 30mph and would and still does after having the entire suspension replaced, drift, unstable, and when the original suspension was replaced even after being flawlessly maintained the suspension components from the factory were severely worn and including rubber gaskets, sway bars, etc and appeared to have a rust or corroded appearance in spite of the vehicle never being driven in weather during snow when most areas would place salt on roads which is a primary cause of rust or corrosion. The factory suspension also caused significant wear to any tires this causing any tires to wear uneven and require replacement within less than 15kmi. After suspension was replaced in 2019 tires were replaced as well. Vehicle driven 15kmi since 2019 and replacement, in 2021 the suspension again was drifting, causing severe uneven tire wear, and at highway speeds 60mph& above causes a severe drift and vibration which could cause a dangerous situation for the average driver and at highway speeds U have to literally hold the vehicle on the road with a moderate force or it will I'm fact drift and cause incident. I believe the manufacturer should recognise this issue and repair or replace all the components of suspension at no cost to consumer as I am not the only one affected by this. I have receipts I can provide upon request showing the suspension was replaced. Please do not show my personal information or very specific details about my vehicle online.
Driving in light snow or mixture of slushy snow the vehicle rear drifts left and right at speeds of 20 mph. Dangerous if the speed is exceeded. Car pass me all the time because they have not problems with the road at high speeds. I understand this is called ghost walking. The first time this happened I spun out.
On any wet or snowy pavement car is ghost walking, like the rear end has marbles under it. Speed of 35 mph, straight driving, on wet pavement. Like a cat walking on its nails.terrified. Had alignment, new tires, new rear struts, sway bar, transmission wiring harness. Disabled ABS so at least I control braking
While driving on slippery surfaces like ice and snow, the vehicle will begin swaying left and right uncontrollably. The sensation, also known as "ghost walking" could easily cause an accident if the driver can not control the swaying, and spinning out. Conditions of problem: Driving during winter conditions, on snowy roads and highways. The vehicle is fine under dry/normal conditions. I believe the issue stems from the AWD system.
Was driving on the highway on June 21, 2017 with a dishwasher in the trunk. It was raining and there was traffic, so my speed was about 40 mph. As I was driving, the car abruptly swerved from right to left, and I almost hit another car. This was my scariest driving experience.
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rear suspension issues cause uncontrollable steering from the rear end on snow and ice. Car refuses to drive in a straight line on snow/ice even with snow tires and proper alignment.
I was pulling into a parking space and put on the brake. Vehicle didn't respond to braking and kept going, over the, curb, across the median and hit 5 parked cars before it stopped.
My 2005 nearly killed me recently driving on straight highways that were a bit icy. Despite 4 studded tires, it would barely stay on the road above 35 mph even going totally straight. Cars of all other types were flying past at 60-75 mph, no problem. But my car would end up going sideways and inadvertently switching lanes and or almost going off the road at speeds starting at about 35-40mph. We had three adults in the car and the car filled with luggage, so it was fully loaded. I've read that this "ghost walking" phenomenon happens to 2005 to 2009 Subaru Outbacks that were produced in the usa. It mainly happens when the car is fully loaded, which due to a rear suspension flaw, causes toe-in on the rear suspension and then the rear end becomes totally unstable. I had to drive at 35 mph on highways back with my hazard lights on the avoid being rear ended by all the traffic going at normal highway speeds. Based on what I experienced, they're death traps that should be recalled. More info: www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/103820-05-Outback-AWD-tricky-on-some-winter-roads/
My 2005 Outback is very unsafe to drive under certain conditions. After extensive research online, I have discovered people use the term "ghost walking" to describe the issue. After driving over a bump or slick spot on the road, the driver momentarily loses control of the vehicle. The back end sways side to side and the car can jump several feet to the left or right. I have noticed this problem several times but it was drastically worse today. Driving on a straight, dry stretch of interstate, I drove over an icy patch under a bridge. My vehicle jumped to the left several feet and into the other lane. Had there been a car next to me, there most likely would have been an accident. I was traveling at approximately 40 mph as I had already experienced several incidents driving over large bumps. The issue seems to be worse when there is cargo in the back and on icy or bumpy roads. This seems to be a problem with numerous Outbacks model year 2005 through 2009. This is extremely unsafe behavior and it needs to be addressed. I do not intend to drive my vehicle much longer and I would hesitate to buy another Outback for fear of a similar issue.
Car was purchased in September 2014. This was my first time driving this car in wet, snowy driving conditions. I had 5 passengers and twice we had the rear end of the car kind of break loose. It felt like it was swinging to the side. It scared me and the passengers in the car. I have not noticed it while driving alone. I originally suspected under inflated or poor tires, but when I checked the following day they were not bad. I went to a Subaru website looking for tire recommendations and there are over 1,000 postings regarding "ghostwalking" on 2005-2009 Subaru Outbacks. I had never heard of this before but it appears to describe my conditions.
First experienced what is now being called ghostwalking. Rear of the vehicle wants to break loose at any speed above 25 mph. Car has since been aligned and 4 new high end snow tires installed and is no better.
Vehicle ghostwalking while driving 40-45mph in a straight section of road. Multiple other verified issues from 2005-2009 Outback vehicles exhibit the same symptoms. Almost lost control of vehicle and cannot safely travel above 45mph without losing control. Subaru has not officially acknowledged this problem or provided a solution.
I have had issues with my power train since purchase of the car. I have done both cv axles twice. The last time the control arms had to be replaced. Ball joints have been twice. The shop I took my car to said they have seen this same issue in 4 other Subaru's of the same year. During repair my drive knuckles broke. I have spend thousand on just my power train. Between Subaru dealership, burt brother, and premier auto, I want to make an official complaint and ask you to look into these issue. All of these companies have advised me to place this complaint.
While driving the car on a slightly snowy/slippery road with light snow falling, it felt like the rear end of the car was spinning out and I was heading off the road. I had to slow down to about 30 mph in order to stay in my lane. Everyone else was flying past me. I have since had many occasions where these same conditions caused the same effects with the car. It seems to worsen when I have passengers or any extra weight in the car. When the driving conditions that cause this problem exist, I cannot drive my car, but must rent another vehicle or borrow someone else's car. We have owned other Subaru Outbacks of 1998 or earlier with no problems in snow. Numerous times I brought this problem up with Subaru corporation of America and my dealership and everyone denies there is any problem with the car. I'm totally frustrated!!
While driving North on 91 to Vermont this car handled great in snow, . on the other hand the return trips the roads were plowed packed snow it was like the rear end was on ice skates(or ghost walking} whatever you call it when it happens it will scare the [xxx]out of you. The first couple times it happened, I had every excuse why it wasn't the car, I thought the stock tires were shot, so I bought 4 brand new dunlop snow tires. I hoped problem would be solved, car handled even better in snow same on packed snow/ice. Thought maybe the thule box was catching wind, removed thule box. Problem did not get better. I began searching for similar issues online and came across many suggestions that stock suspension sucked, which I kinda new, so I replaced suspension with supposedley the best available kyb hoped that after that investment problem would be solved, I was wrong again. After deeper investigation online I learned of ghostwalking. If I had bought a Chevy cavalier or Ford Taurus or any other piece of crap that you wouldn't expect to handle said conditions it's one thing but for a car that either endores or is endorsed by the us ski team, ski patrol this car is not safe. About two months ago I was driving up a straight away it had rained earlier. I was driving about 55 I the limit is 45 and the rear end slipped out and the car began ghostwalking. I don't feel safe driving my daughter in this car that I hoped to one day give her. I owned a 95 Outback and had none of the above problems had reg tires. Since finally figuring that I'm not crazy and other people are having this problem that can't be fixed, I want to trade it in but worry that whoever buys it might crash and die, icant very well go trade in this car and tell them this handles great, best car I ever owned just don't drive it on packed snow you no the reason you want a Subaru in the first place. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Our Subaru started what is described as "ghost walking". mild but noticeably last winter, severe and constant this winter (2013). On icy or snow packed roads, the vehicle's rear end moves or sways back and forth. Speed from 25 mph up to 45 mph. Can't go faster due to terrain and roads anyway.
I am the third owner so after my problems, I researched to learn the first owner couldn't maintain tire life; Subaru replaced all four tires and kept trying realignment for her. The second owner informed me he could not maintain new tire life, never acknowledging to me that the car is all over the road and a hazard to your life. Being the third owner, I never thought when I purchased this 2005 Subaru Outback that it could be an engineering problem with a company like Subaru, not identified or recalled. I have learned the car is unsafe and after research online have learned there could be a serious engineering problem with the raised rear suspension. I have the Subaru receipts from former two owners (they were related) and obviously Subaru is negligent in not identifying the issue and reporting it. Two different shops have assured me it is not ball joints, or suspension, etc. I spent $750 on the rear end and new alignment at the specialty spring and suspension shop and those tires seem to be wearing evenly. The front tires are cupped on the outside severely in six months. The car is all over the road.
This vehicle is dangerous on icy roads. On a recent trip when encountering ice, the rear end would fishtail uncontrollably until speed was reduced below 30 mph. This happened while maintaining speed in a straight line. All other cars were still doing speed limit (60) without problems and we were a hazard fishtailing at 30. A truck jackknifed trying to avoid us. Please do something about these cars before someone is killed. The condition is called ghost walking and is widely reported here and on other websites. These are dangerous cars.
While driving on straight, flat and level ice-covered northern Indiana road at 35 mph, my 2005 Subaru Outback xt ltd fishtailed (rear over-steer) repeatedly. This felt as if the rear of the vehicle was being quickly pushed from side to side. (this is often referred to as "ghostwalking" and is unmistakable once experienced.) there were two average weight adults in the front seats and one young adult (135 lbs) in the rear passenger seat. The vehicle received a four-wheel alignment two years ago and does not exhibit any alignment-related issues on dry pavement. I.e., doesn't pull to left or right, nor wear tires unevenly. The vehicle is equipped in winter with Bridgestone blizzak WS60 215/55 R17 tires with approx. 75% of their tread remaining. (these tires show no signs of abnormal wear or other defects.) I am a driver with 37 years of driving experience and believe this is a very serious safety issue with this vehicle. I've never experienced this degree of unpredictable instability in any vehicle that I've driven on ice. This vehicle gives the operator the impression that it is very sure-footed in any other condition, leading the operator to approach all road conditions with a level of confidence that can (and does) result in nearly out-of-control situations when the vehicle is driven on ice.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Emporia , KS, USA