NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
6 reportsClear category filter53,300 miles · Apr 15, 2021
StructureCrash
I EASED INTO A PARKING SPOT, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO PARK. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, PICKED UP SPEED, AND DROVE INTO THE BUILDING. I NEVER TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT DOWN TO REVERSE (NOT UP) TO GET OUT OF THE BUILDING, WHICH VERIFIES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…
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I EASED INTO A PARKING SPOT, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, AND PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO PARK. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, PICKED UP SPEED, AND DROVE INTO THE BUILDING. I NEVER TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD TO MOVE THE GEARSHIFT DOWN TO REVERSE (NOT UP) TO GET OUT OF THE BUILDING, WHICH VERIFIES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHEN IT ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE NOT CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO ACCIDENTALLY HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH.
NHTSA ODI #11408245
53,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
StructureVisibility/wiper
DASHBOARD HAS SUDDENLY BECOME VERY STICKY/TACKY, AND EXTREMELY SHINY. ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN OR REMOVE APPARENT RESIDUE HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON STICKINESS, AND LINT FROM RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS TENDS TO STICK TO DASH. IN SUNLIGHT, MOONLIGHT OR STREETLIGHT, DASHBOARD SURFACE REFLECTS ONTO WINDSHIELD AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. DASHBOARD …
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DASHBOARD HAS SUDDENLY BECOME VERY STICKY/TACKY, AND EXTREMELY SHINY. ATTEMPTS TO CLEAN OR REMOVE APPARENT RESIDUE HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON STICKINESS, AND LINT FROM RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS TENDS TO STICK TO DASH. IN SUNLIGHT, MOONLIGHT OR STREETLIGHT, DASHBOARD SURFACE REFLECTS ONTO WINDSHIELD AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. DASHBOARD PLASTIC APPEARS TO BE CHEMICALLY BREAKING DOWN OR MELTING. A SIMILAR ISSUE AFFECTED SEVERAL MILLION TOYOTA VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURE DATE (2007-8), PARTICULARLY IN SUNNIER STATES WITH MORE UV EXPOSURE (FL, AZ, CA) AND TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL. SUSPECT THE SAME/A SIMILAR SUBCONTRACTOR PROVIDED SIMILAR/IDENTICAL PLASTIC TO BOTH MANUFACTURERS. OUR CAR HAS BEEN KEPT MOSTLY OUTDOORS IN MD, CA AND HI. SUBARU HAS YET TO FOLLOW TOYOTA IN ISSUING A RECALL. SEVERE VISIBILITY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10681213
59,754 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Structure
ON MANY SEPARATE OCCASIONS (BUT REPORTED TO SUBARU AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER ON 03/28/12, 10/01/11, AND 09/21/11), OUR HOOD HAS PARTLY POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A RANGE OF SPEEDS AND IN A RANGE OF TEMPERATURES. IT IS AS IF THE INITIAL HOOD RELEASE LATCH HAS BEEN PULLED FROM WITHIN THE CAR, BUT THE HOOD THEN CATCHE…
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ON MANY SEPARATE OCCASIONS (BUT REPORTED TO SUBARU AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER ON 03/28/12, 10/01/11, AND 09/21/11), OUR HOOD HAS PARTLY POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A RANGE OF SPEEDS AND IN A RANGE OF TEMPERATURES. IT IS AS IF THE INITIAL HOOD RELEASE LATCH HAS BEEN PULLED FROM WITHIN THE CAR, BUT THE HOOD THEN CATCHES ON THE MANUAL RELEASE UNDER THE LID. ONCE LOOSE, THE HOOD WOBBLES (WITH INCREASED VIOLENCE AT HIGH SPEEDS) AND IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SECURE. THE SUBARU SHOP TECH INITIALLY ADJUSTED AND REALIGNED THE HOOD LATCH. ON A SUBSEQUENT VISIT, THE ENTIRE HOOD LATCH WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND ON VISITING AFTER THE THIRD OCCURENCE, THE SAID THEY HAD NO RECOMMENDATIONS AS THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EITHER ON THE ROAD OR IN THE SHOP, AND WERE SHOWING NO DIAGNOSTIC ISSUES WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT. SUBARU OF AMERICA WERE CONTACTED BY THE SHOP AND HAD NO AVAILABLE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BUT THE SUBARU SHOP AND IS CLEAR OF PRIOR BODY DAMAGE. THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THIS ISSUE IS MOST ALARMING -- WE CAN NEVER TELL WHEN OUR HOOD IS GOING TO COME LOOSE WHILE TRAVELLING, AND HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEED TO SECURE THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI #10466411
2,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Structure
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (NEW), THE HOOD LATCH BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE SAFETY LATCH DOES CATCH THE HOOD BEFORE IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, BUT IT IS NEVERTHELESS DISCONCERTING, AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 82000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AND WOULD ESTIMATE THAT T…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (NEW), THE HOOD LATCH BEGAN TO OCCASIONALLY OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. THE SAFETY LATCH DOES CATCH THE HOOD BEFORE IT OPENS ALL THE WAY, BUT IT IS NEVERTHELESS DISCONCERTING, AND CERTAINLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 82000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, AND WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THE HOOD HAS SELF-OPENED WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 20 TIMES. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT I WAS NOT CLOSING THE HOOD SUFFICIENTLY WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, OR WHEN ADDING WASHER FLUID. I DO NOT CHANGE MY OWN OIL, AND RARELY NEED TO OPEN THE HOOD, AS THE DEALER OR A QUICK-LUBE SERVICE HAVE BEEN PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPEED OR ROAD CONDITION, AS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE THE HOOD TO OPEN ON DEMAND, AND NEITHER HAS THE DEALER. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE NUMBER OF MILES SINCE THE LAST OCCURRENCE. SOMETIMES THE TIME BETWEEN OCCURRENCES IS VERY SHORT (LESS THAN A WEEK, AND LESS THAN 150 MILES), AND OTHER TIMES I CAN GO SEVERAL MONTHS BETWEEN OCCURRENCES. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AT LEAST 8 TIMES, I BELIEVE, AND HAS DONE VIRTUALLY NOTHING BUT "ADJUST" THE LATCH. I HAVE COMMUNICATED THIS PROBLEM TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFERRED IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ASKED IF I KNEW WHEN IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN (I DID NOT), AND THEY ASKED ME TO BRING IT IN THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENED SO THAT THEY COULD SEE THAT THE HOOD LATCH WAS OPEN (I DID).
NHTSA ODI #10423372
17,600 miles · May 1, 2008
EquipmentStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH A KAYAK STRAPPED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE KAYAK FLEW BACKWARDS AND DETACHED FROM THE ROOF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RETRIEVED THE KAYAK WITH THE AERIAL BAR STILL ATTACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,00. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN THE CAR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH A KAYAK STRAPPED TO THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, THE KAYAK FLEW BACKWARDS AND DETACHED FROM THE ROOF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RETRIEVED THE KAYAK WITH THE AERIAL BAR STILL ATTACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,00. UPDATED 5/20/08 *CN THE CARRIER THAT ATTACHED TO THE CROSS BAR OF THE ROOF RACK BROKE. UPDATED 05/20/08
NHTSA ODI #10226372
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2007
Exterior LightingStructure
THE REAR TRIM THAT RETAINS THE CENTER LIGHT WILL BREAK OFF IF THERE IS ICE BUILT UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HINGE AREA. ALL ICE AND SNOW CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SEAL BETWEEN THE REAR HATCH AND THE BODY TO PREVENT ICE FROM BUILDING UP. THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THE CAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. …
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THE REAR TRIM THAT RETAINS THE CENTER LIGHT WILL BREAK OFF IF THERE IS ICE BUILT UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HINGE AREA. ALL ICE AND SNOW CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR, HOWEVER THERE IS NO SEAL BETWEEN THE REAR HATCH AND THE BODY TO PREVENT ICE FROM BUILDING UP. THERE IS NO WARNING WITH THE CAR TO BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE OWNER UNTIL IT TOO LATE AND YOU HAVE BROKEN THE WING OFF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212354
Official recalls
8Jan 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.
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
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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