Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

139 reports

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001

Power Train

SPONTANEOUSLY TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT FROM 1ST GEAR INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT 19,000 58,000 AND AT 65,000 MILES, BUT IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE DEFECT, AND REFUSES TO FIX DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891460

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

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IN APRIL 2001 WHILE SITTING AT A RED SIGNAL WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE ENGINE REVVED UP TO VERY HIGH RPM'S CAUSING ME TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FOREWARD EVEN WITH EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE PEDALS. I MOVED THE LEVER INTO NUETRAL AND IT CONTINUED AT HIGHER REVOLUTION, I RETURNED THE SHIFTER TO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE KEPT CREPPING INTO THE CROSS TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT HOLD IT. I SHIFTED AGAIN NUETRAL AND BACK AND IT QUIT JUST AS SUDDENLY AS IT STARTED. I COULD NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION EVEN WITH AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I COULD APPLY TO THE BRAKES. I ENDED UP PART WAY INTO THE # 3 LANE BEFORE IT STOPPED.I WAS CERTAINLY CONCERNED AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL SUBARAU DEALER IN VENTURA AS THE ONE I BOUGHT FROM WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 4/25/2001 TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECKUP. I HAVE ALSO HAD A VERY LOW MILAGE SINCE ACQUIRING THIS VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES COMPLAINING. ON AVERAGE I HAVE RECIEVED BETWEEN 120 TO 130 MILES PER EACH FILLUP (FULL TANK) AND THE DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG AFTER MANY CHECKS AND TESTS.(AT LEAST 4) THANK YOU VERY MUCH ROBERT A. HOULE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #744618

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN DRIVER BRAKED TO AVOID ACCIDENT ON ROAD AHEAD. DRIVER HAD TO SWERVE OFF ROAD INTO DITCH, SLIDING DOWN SLOPE AND IMPACTING CULVERT AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR. CAR TOWED AWAY. CAR REPAIRED AT SPRINGFIELD VA SUBARU DEALER, AND COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, CAR BROUGHT IN TO DEALER TO ADDRESS BRAKE CONCERNS (SHUDDERING, NOISE), DEALER SAID BRAKES WERE OK. CAR BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR CONTINUING BRAKE CONCERNS, DEALER THEN SAID ALL 4 BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT COST OF ABOUT $800. WE CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THIS, THEY REFUSED TO COMMUNICATE A REPLY TO US UNTIL ONLY AFTER REPEATED CALLING. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY REFUND ON THE BRAKE WORK (WE THOUGHT THE REPAIR EXCESSIVE IN COST). MY CONCERN IS THERE IS A BRAKE FLAW WITH THE SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK THAT IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED AT IDLE AT STOPLIGHT, REQUIRING STRONG BRAKE FORCE TO RESTRAIN THE CAR FROM MOVING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743563

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SECOND MASTER CYLINDER WAS PURCHASED FROM SUBARU SERVICE CENTER, BUT FAILED IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743425

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001

Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #743115

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE MECHANIC NOTICED CRANKCASE LEAK. WENT TO DEALER WHO TOLD CONSUMER ALL 3 OF THEIR VEHICLES DO THAT, SEEMED LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. *AK A CRANKCASE SEAL FAILED CAUSING CRANKCASE LEAK. *YH

NHTSA ODI #877111

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A WATER PUMP LEAKING PROBLEM. SO THEY CHANGED IT ABOUT 5000 MILS LATER I HAVE AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM. NOW THEY TELL ME I MIGHT HAVE A CRACKED HEAD OR A CRACKED HEAD GASKET.BUT THEY CANT TELL EVAN AFTER THE TEST.NOW THEY WANT TO GO IN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737243

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE ROTORS WOULD BE PULSATING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHCLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. BRAKES WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN BRAKES WERE IN USE. WOULD NEED TO DRIVE SLOWLY (40MPH) INSTEAD OF 60MPH TO STOP VEHICLE FROM SHAKING. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #872918

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000

Electrical System

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATED SEATS (LIGHT WHICH ILLUMINATES SWITCH HASN'T WORKED IN MONTHS, AND SEATS APPEAR TO REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN SWITCHED OFF), CONSOLE LIGHTS (CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED AT NIGHT) & FUEL GAGE (STOPPED WORKING, HAD TO RESART THE VEHICLE TO GET IT FUNCTIONING AGAIN).

NHTSA ODI #729767

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2000

Electrical System

ALTERNATORS ON 1995 & 1996 MODELS WERE RECALLED, 1997 MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY NO RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #728593

Official recalls

01V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jun 25, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

98V091000 · Suspension:front:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:hanger,bracket

May 4, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.

98V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THROTTLE SHAFT BALL BEARING ON THE SENSOR SIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS NOT INSTALLED IN CERTAIN THROTTLE BODIES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A MISSING THROTTLE SHAFT BEARING CAN EVENTUALLLY LEAD TO AN INCOMPLETE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE VALVE RESULTING IN A HIGH IDLING CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY IF THE BEARING IS MISSING.

98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 20, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

97V210000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Nov 13, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE WITHIN THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHT SWITCH HOUSING CAN CAUSE A BINDING BETWEEN THE ACTUATING BUTTON AND THE HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SWITCH COULD STICK IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION WHEN DEACTIVATING, RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNALS BECOMING INOPERABLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED HAZARD WARNING SWITCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE99067 · Electrical System

Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed May 31, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ODI HAS RECEIVED 5,820 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING.OUR COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE COMPAINTS ARE CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE.IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPOMSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO PERFORM THE OWNER NORTIFICATION PROGRAM CITED ABOVE, INCLUDING QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS TO ODI.THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OWNERS TO GET THEIR ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR FREE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.