NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
16 reportsClear category filter66,100 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
WHILE CROSSING A FOUR-LANE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT LIMP AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BARELY MADE IT ACROSS THE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE MEDIAN SAFELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN PLACED INTO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED TO APPROXIMATELY 2500RPM WITHOUT MY FOOT …
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WHILE CROSSING A FOUR-LANE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT LIMP AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND BARELY MADE IT ACROSS THE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE MEDIAN SAFELY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN PLACED INTO PARK, THE ENGINE REVVED TO APPROXIMATELY 2500RPM WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE PEDAL. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND RESTARTED IT ONLY TO HAVE IT REV AGAIN ON ITS OWN TO 2500RPM. IT TOOK 5-6 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART IT BEFORE THE ENGINE IDLED APPROPRIATELY AND THE ACCELERATOR BECAME RESPONSIVE AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND OBD CODE P2318 WAS RETURNED WHEN I PLUGGED IN A SCANNER TO THE PORT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS EVENT HAS OCCURRED; IT HAS BEEN RANDOM AND SPORADIC FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS NOW, SOMETIMES OCCURRING AS OFTEN AS 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK TO GOING 2 MONTHS IN BETWEEN EPISODES. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR, IT'S HAPPENED AT BOTH FREEWAY AND PARKING LOT SPEEDS, IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER AND AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10640043
63,892 miles · Jun 28, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE PEDAL INPUT, RESULTING IN HAVING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, ACROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. AFTER RESTARTING 3 TIMES THE LIGHTS GO AWAY. DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE SO WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE,…
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THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO THROTTLE PEDAL INPUT, RESULTING IN HAVING TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, ACROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES. AFTER RESTARTING 3 TIMES THE LIGHTS GO AWAY. DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE SO WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE, USUALLY ONLY IN SUMMER. CODE IS P2138 AND APPEARS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH SUBARU VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10606646
133,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 6 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE. NO INDICATION OF IMPENDING PROBLEM. SUDDENLY THE AT OIL TEMP INDICATOR LIGHTED UP AND SPLIT SECOND I LOSS ENGINE POWER WITH STEERING BECAME STIFF. GOOD THING I WAS NOT IN THE FREEWAY YET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER WITH RESIDUAL MOMENTUM. THIS COULD BE WORSE IF I AM PASSING THRU …
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I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 6 MONTH PREGNANT WIFE. NO INDICATION OF IMPENDING PROBLEM. SUDDENLY THE AT OIL TEMP INDICATOR LIGHTED UP AND SPLIT SECOND I LOSS ENGINE POWER WITH STEERING BECAME STIFF. GOOD THING I WAS NOT IN THE FREEWAY YET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER WITH RESIDUAL MOMENTUM. THIS COULD BE WORSE IF I AM PASSING THRU MY DAILY COMMUTE OF USING THE BRIDGE OR IF IT HAPPENED IN THE FREEWAY BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE CAR BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE ER-HC ERROR IN THE DASH AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO MELTED WIRING HARNESS CONNECTING ALL THE COMPUTER SYSTEMS. THEIR ONLY REASON IS THAT IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 133K MILES THAT'S WHY WE SAW THE ISSUE. I THINK THIS IS A RELIABILITY/SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499559
72,300 miles · Jan 8, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND ENGAGED INTO LIMP MODE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE WITHOUT FAILURE HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,300. UPDATED 1/30/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY GO INTO LIMP MODE, BUT IT DID AFTER A PERIOD OF 2-10 MINUTES AFTER THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 01/31/13
NHTSA ODI #10491851
80,000 miles · Nov 23, 2012
Engine
WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED FLASHING, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY A HIGH IDLE. HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CLEARED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. OUT OF TOWN FOR THE SECOND OCCURRENCE SAME THING HAPPENED, NOW SUBARU HAS THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HARNESS HAS TO BE REP…
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WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED FLASHING, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY A HIGH IDLE. HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CLEARED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. OUT OF TOWN FOR THE SECOND OCCURRENCE SAME THING HAPPENED, NOW SUBARU HAS THE CAR AND I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1883.36. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485855
68,000 miles · Oct 21, 2012
Engine
THE TURBOCHARGER IN MY 2005 SUBARU LEGACY GT HAS NEEDED REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THE CAR BECOMES UN-DRIVABLE AND HAS ALSO CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD THIS OCCUR IN JANUARY 2011, AUGUST 2012 AND NOW AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2012. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN U…
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THE TURBOCHARGER IN MY 2005 SUBARU LEGACY GT HAS NEEDED REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. EACH TIME THE CAR BECOMES UN-DRIVABLE AND HAS ALSO CUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD THIS OCCUR IN JANUARY 2011, AUGUST 2012 AND NOW AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2012. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IS DEFECTIVE BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY CONCERN. I AM ONE OF QUITE A FEW CUSTOMERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. DESPITE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY SUBARU EACH TIME THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RECTIFY THIS RECURRING HAZARD. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON THAT A VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE AN ISSUE OF THIS MAGNITUDE OR SEVERITY AT 63000, 68000 AND AGAIN AT 69000 MILES. ASIDE FROM THE EXPENSE INVOLVED THE ISSUE IS CERTAINLY OF GREAT SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481324
Official recalls
7Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
May 28, 2015
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
Jun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Mar 27, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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