NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
9 reportsClear category filter126,955 miles · May 17, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS. ON COLD START IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. I TOWED IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID NOISE WAS INTERNAL MOTOR NOISE. I AUTHORIZED R&R OF THE OIL PAN AND THE FOUND THE #3 ROD BEARING SPUN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED NOR NEGLECTED AND I HAVE SERV…
Read full complaint
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 2 1/2 DAYS. ON COLD START IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. I TOWED IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY SAID NOISE WAS INTERNAL MOTOR NOISE. I AUTHORIZED R&R OF THE OIL PAN AND THE FOUND THE #3 ROD BEARING SPUN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED NOR NEGLECTED AND I HAVE SERVICE RECORDS SHOWING EVERY SERVICE DONE ON TIME. ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE EVERY 3500 MILES. ALSO.. AT 92K MILES MY CAR DEVELOPED A HEAD GASKET LEAK. SUBARU HAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 99-2002 SUBARU LEGACY HEADGASKETS UP TO 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. SUBARU DECLINED COVERAGE ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO VIN # BEING OUTSIDE OF VIN # GROUP THEY HAD EXTENDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330889
40,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AT AN ACCELERATED LEVEL. ONLINE RESEARCH YIELDED A CAMPAIGN FOR REPAIRS THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE KNOWN ISSUE. THE WWP-99 CAMPAIGN COVERAGE WAS DENIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238795
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL, WHEN HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT I HEAD A SMALL HEAD GASKET LEAK. (MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND HAD THE STOP LEAK PUT IN IT) OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T WORK. THE LEAK IS WORSE AND I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT, WONDERING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM TO FIX A PROBLEM SUBARU WAS AWARE O…
Read full complaint
STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL, WHEN HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT I HEAD A SMALL HEAD GASKET LEAK. (MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND HAD THE STOP LEAK PUT IN IT) OBVIOUSLY IT DIDN'T WORK. THE LEAK IS WORSE AND I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT, WONDERING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM TO FIX A PROBLEM SUBARU WAS AWARE OF , IE. THE RECALL! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10197408
65,501 miles · Apr 17, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingInjury
COOLANT LEAK. DEALER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO SEAL. DEALER REPLACED ONE OF TWO HEAD GASKETS($1328.00). DEALER DENIED ANY RECALL. FOUND SUBARU SERVICE PROGRAM WWP-99 ON INTERNET, SAME MODEL YEAR, ENGINE AND PROBLEM. DEALER AND SUBARU ARE DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY SAYING CAR NOT INCLUDED IN VIN RANGE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155500
93,000 miles · Feb 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEAKING HEAD GASKET. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10151252
30,000 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
FOR 30000 MILES MOTOR WAS QUIET THEN DEVELOPED A SEVERE KNOCK ON COLD START UP THAT ALWAYS LASTS UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10079133
19,374 miles · May 24, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
1) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT;2) HESITATION AT DANGEROUS TIMES, ESPECIALLY THROUGH TURNS, OCCASIONAL BACKFIRING;3) THREE TIMES IN SHOP FOR WARRANTY WORK, REPLACING AIR/FUEL RATIO SENSOR AND REPROGRAMMING ECM/ECU/PCM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073078
12,000 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10047812
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingSeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO…
Read full complaint
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM, REAR TIRE, WHISTLING NOISES COMING FROM DOOR AND OIL LEAK.*MR THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE WHEEL. THE REAR HATCH WAS ADJUSTED FOR WHISTLING NOISES, AND THE BRAKES WERE DUSTED OFF TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE OIL FILTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED TO ELIMINATED THE SEATS FROM MOVING WHILE DRIVING. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10040384
Official recalls
4Mar 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Apr 22, 2003
THIS RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. CERTAIN REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME COMPONENTS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS FOR A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS, COULD RESULT IN RUST-OUT OF THE COMPONENT AND POSSIBLE BREAKAGE OF THE SUBFRAME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF SUCH BREAKAGE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN AND RUST-PROOF THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. 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.
Oct 30, 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. 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.
Mar 12, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUR PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗