2019 Subaru Outback

Certain year models of Subaru vehicles suffer from ‘sudden and unexpected acceleration’. We know since it has happened to us and, research shows, many, many other people. Waiting for the automatic garage door to open, the vehicle experienced the sudden and uncontrollable acceleration. This resulted in extensive damage to the vehicle, garage and contents in the garage. What will Subaru do when this happens at a crosswalk?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, FACING FORWARD ON HER INCLINED ICED DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER RIVERHEAD BAY SUBARU (1521 OLD COUNTRY RD, RIVERHEAD, NY 11901: (631) 727-4000) AND SHE WAS INFORMED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ICE AND THE NO USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,214.

ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 9TH, 2020 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY AND WAS ON AN INTERCHANGE FROM ONE FREEWAY TO ANOTHER WHEN I SUDDENLY HEARD A 'CRACK'. AS I ARRIVED TO WORK A FEW MINUTES LATER I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD NOW HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT. I LOOKED FOR A POINT OF IMPACT THINKING A PROJECTILE MIGHT HAVE HIT IT BUT I DID NOT FIND ONE. AT THAT POINT I REMEMBERED THAT I WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE INTERCHANGE AT THE TIME AND THAT THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO SEND ANY PROJECTILES FLYING BACK. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY WINDSHIELD AS THERE WAS NO OTHER CAUSE FOR THE CRACK. ADDITIONALLY, ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT SPUTTERS OR AS IF TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS CAUSING A DELAY IN PICK UP AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LACK OF ACCELERATION.

UNKNOWN ORIGIN. CURRENTLY APPROXIMATE MILES 12500. TRAVEL 450-550 MILES PER WEEK, 400-450 MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 10,000-11,000 MILES I STARTED NOTICING A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALING/WHINING ONLY WHILE IN MOTION. IT STARTS AROUND 20-30 MPH, AND EITHER GOES AWAY OR BECOMES UNNOTICEABLE AFTER ~50 MPH. COULD NOT PINPOINT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. WHEN SCHEDULING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED OF NOISE. AT THE TIME OF MAINTENANCE, SERVICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATED SAID NOISE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS THE CARRIER BEARING. HE DID NOT MAKE IT SOUND URGENT, THAT IT WAS "MORE OF AN ANNOYANCE RIGHT NOW" AND WOULD CAUSE "MORE SERIOUS ISSUES EVENTUALLY ".

FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 5,850 MILES NO PROBLEM. AFTER SECOND OIL CHANGE AT 11,948 MILES, VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE AS IT STUMBLES AND LOSES POWER BETWEEN 2,000-2,700 RPM. DEALER HAS REPEATED OIL CHANGE 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES AS THEY ARE NOT CERTAIN IF THEY MAY HAVE OVERFILLED THE ENGINE (KNOWN SUBARU ISSUE). THEY HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE EXHAUST, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AIR FILTER, INTAKE SYSTEM, AND TRANSMISSION, ALL TO NO AVAIL. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND GROUNDING THE CABLES TO DISCHARGE ALL CAPACITORS PROVIDED TEMPORARY RELIEF, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED WITHIN 36 HOURS AND 200 MILES. NOW ENTERING 3 WEEKS AND 600 MILES OF TROUBLESHOOTING AND TEST DRIVING BY THE DEALER, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS STILL UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE, AS 2000-2700 RPM IS THE HEART OF THE POWER BAND THAT IS ALWAYS USED WHEN DRIVING.