NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
276 reports150,000 miles · Jan 17, 2020
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING STRIPPED OUT, EMPTYING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RUINING TRANSMISSION. AS CAN BE SEEN IN PICTURE, OEM COMPONENT HAS VERY FEW THREADS WHICH ARE SHEARED AND COVERED IN FACTORY LOCTITE. THIS IS NOT AN INSPECTABLE COMPONENT, NOR LISTED ON ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, HOWEVER WHEN I CONT…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION COOLER FITTING STRIPPED OUT, EMPTYING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RUINING TRANSMISSION. AS CAN BE SEEN IN PICTURE, OEM COMPONENT HAS VERY FEW THREADS WHICH ARE SHEARED AND COVERED IN FACTORY LOCTITE. THIS IS NOT AN INSPECTABLE COMPONENT, NOR LISTED ON ANY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU THEY STATED THAT IT IS NOT DEFECTIVE, CONSIDERED REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR, AND OUTSIDE THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I POINTED OUT THAT THEY JUST SETLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING FAULTY POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS, AND THEY DECLINED FURTHER DISCUSSING MY CONCERNS
NHTSA ODI #11300104
1,430,000 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Service Brakes
MY SON LOST HIS BRAKES AND NEARLY WRECKED THE OTHER DAY. BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND THE DEALER WON'T HONOR THE RECALL ON THEM BECAUSE THEY GOT SOME HALF-ASS RECALL TREATMENT BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. SUBARU DID NOT DO A PROPER FIX TO THESE LINES AND THEY KNOW IT! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSE TO DO WITH A CAR WITH NO BRAKES!!?
NHTSA ODI #11280901
153,000 miles · Sep 9, 2019
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERTERA SUBARU (499 RIVERDALE ST, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089, (413) 734-4964) AND A SMOKE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BERTERA SUBARU (499 RIVERDALE ST, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089, (413) 734-4964) AND A SMOKE TEST WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER. AT THAT TIMES, A SMOKE TEST WAS COMPLETED AND THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A SMALL ALLOWANCE TOWARDS THE REPAIR OR TOWARDS A NEW OR USED VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11254095
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2019
Air Bags
I GOT A RECALL NOTICE FOR FIXING PASSENGER SEAR AIR BAG. BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE. IT STILL SAY 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS. HOW CAN ANYONE TRUST THIS WEBSITE?
NHTSA ODI #11205947
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2019
EngineService BrakesSuspension
MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FROM 2NS-3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING, IT JERKS PRETTY HARD IF COLD, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE PROBLEMS, TAKES A LONG TIME TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, & I'M HAVING NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH SUSPENSION. BALLJOINTS KEEP CLICKING WHILE REVERSING, (CONTROL ARMS,BALLJOINTS, BUSHING…
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MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY FROM 2NS-3RD GEAR WHILE DRIVING, IT JERKS PRETTY HARD IF COLD, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE PROBLEMS, TAKES A LONG TIME TO STOP AT SLOW SPEEDS, & I'M HAVING NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH SUSPENSION. BALLJOINTS KEEP CLICKING WHILE REVERSING, (CONTROL ARMS,BALLJOINTS, BUSHINGS, BEARINGS, HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED, ETC.) THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED AND HAS ALMOST NO MILES. IT IS BECOMING A MONEY-PITT AND NOBODY WANTS TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #11184294
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2019
Air Bags
2006 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK LL BEAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES BEING SENT TO THEM THOUGH THEY NO LONGER OWN VEHICLE. *AS *TR
NHTSA ODI #11175476
175,000 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
ERROR CODE P2138, LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW SUBARU IS NOT FIXING OR CALLING OUT THE DEFECT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. ISSUES WITH CONNECTIONS OF THE PLUG, WATER/DIRT CAUSING CORROSION TO NOT ALLOW IT TO WORK, AND DEALERS NOT FIXING THE REAL ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN AS LIGHT WAS RED BU…
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ERROR CODE P2138, LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW SUBARU IS NOT FIXING OR CALLING OUT THE DEFECT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR. ISSUES WITH CONNECTIONS OF THE PLUG, WATER/DIRT CAUSING CORROSION TO NOT ALLOW IT TO WORK, AND DEALERS NOT FIXING THE REAL ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN AS LIGHT WAS RED BUT THEN IT CHANGED TO GREEN. I PUSHED GAS AND WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 30 SECONDS LATER PRETTY MUCH ALL OF MY INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. CRUISE LIGHT WAS EVEN BLINKING. VIDEOS I'VE BEEN WATCHING TALK ABOUT FLY BY WIRE PEDALS AND HOW IT PUTS CARS INTO LIMP MODE. WHICH IS WHAT IT WAS DOING WHEN I FIRST TRY TO ACCELERATE. I CLEARED A LOT OF CODES BY DOING THE CRUISE BUTTON RESET WHICH FOR NOW TURNED MOST LIGHTS OFF BUT STILL HAVE LIMP MODE ISSUES WHEN FIRST TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11180279
184,000 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
REPEATED PEDAL SLIP CODES 'P2138' HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A DAY NOW AND HAPPENS FROM STOP TO START POSITIONS AT RANDOM TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11176387
180,000 miles · Jan 20, 2019
Engine
LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, TN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. CAR WAS ON AND IN DRIVE, BUT GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. WAS ABLE TO IDLE TO SHOULDER. WHEN GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL OR PARK, CAR WOULD REV UP TO 2K RPM. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, CAR RESUMED NORMAL FUN…
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LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, TN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. CAR WAS ON AND IN DRIVE, BUT GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. WAS ABLE TO IDLE TO SHOULDER. WHEN GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL OR PARK, CAR WOULD REV UP TO 2K RPM. WHILE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, CAR RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. THIS HAS HAPPEND TWICE SO FAR, BUT AUTO SHOP UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE SINCE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT STAY ON.
NHTSA ODI #11171096
155,000 miles · Dec 18, 2018
Service Brakes
BOUGHT CAR FROM PRIVATE OWNER IN OCTOBER 2018. IMMEDIATELY AFTER SALE HAD THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP REPLACE REAR BRAKES IN OCTOBER 2018 AND COMPLETELY INSPECT CAR FOR ANY NEEDED REPAIRS. IN EARLY DECEMBER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE ENTIRE F…
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BOUGHT CAR FROM PRIVATE OWNER IN OCTOBER 2018. IMMEDIATELY AFTER SALE HAD THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP REPLACE REAR BRAKES IN OCTOBER 2018 AND COMPLETELY INSPECT CAR FOR ANY NEEDED REPAIRS. IN EARLY DECEMBER BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ON, THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE ENTIRE FAMILY WAS ON BOARD. FOUND OUT FROM DEALERSHIP THAT, DESPITE FINDING CORROSION ON BRAKE LINE UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, THE CORROSION WAS ENCAPSULATED BY BARRIER SPRAY AND CONTINUED TO CORRODE BRAKE LINE UNTIL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AWAITING DEALERSHIP RESPONSE.
NHTSA ODI #11162168
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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