2024 Subaru Outback

My 2024 Subaru Outback rapidly deaccelerated/tried to stop in the middle of the highway twice! This is a safety issue and an accident waiting to happen. This car has been to the Subaru dealer 4 times for this issue and the dealer says they can’t figure it out. The last time the car slowed drastically and in the middle of the highway, we had three of our little grandkids (all under 6) in the backseat. It was very scary and it almost caused a very serious accident. I am now too afraid to ride in that car especially with my babies.

On our long driveway, the car strongly accelerated with no gas pressure. I firmly pushed the brake and brought it to a stop. Upon lifting the brake again, it immediately accelerated entirely on its own with no use of the gas pedal. Heavy braking stopped it again. The same exact thing happened a few more times, the only way to prevent runaway acceleration was to forcefully apply the brakes. We safely parked the car. This experience was extremely alarming. Had we not been in our driveway and on the street, we could have been in a serious accident. The SUV was totally out of our control.

Vehicle was not accelerating properly, so took to the dealership (Mike Shaw Subaru) to have work completed. Technicians indicated that the engine valves (shim valves) all had to be replaced and other work needed to be performed such as: Intake manifold, shim valves, gasket throt chamber. After dealership assured me that all work was performed and car was okay to take home, the next time it was driven it burst into flames. After filling the tank with gas the vehicle was at a red light. Once accelerator was pushed the vehicle engine burst into flames. Unsure if it is a faulty part or incompetent technician

Sirius XM ads keep popping up at random times removing the ability to use or see the media display unless you press the small X on the far side away from the driver. Usually happens when starting the car, sometimes happens when you are driving regardless of speed. Has happened multiple times and causes distraction and is more than potentially dangerous. Can not opt out of it on the car, have talked to Sirius on the phone and told them I do not want their service. They don't care.

While driving, a SiriusXM advertisement popped up in the center infotainment screen that controls not only the radio, but several of the driver assistance and climate control features of the car. They created it in a way that makes calling the advertiser very easy, with a big centrally-located button, and clearing the advertisement out with a tiny x over by the passenger side of the screen. I had to pull over in order to safely regain control of the screen.

Sirius XM advertisement popped up twice today while I was driving, effectively preventing me from following navigation guidance on the screen. I had to take my eyes off the road and find the “x” on the screen to close the advertisement, so I could continue following the navigated route. An accident could have happened during this time. This advertisement is unnecessary and UNWANTED. I never approved of receiving Sirius XM ads, nor can I option out of receiving them and they take up the whole screen at random times.

More than 3 times, I have had a SiriusXM pop-up completely covering my Subaru Outback's headunit screen while I was actively driving. It completely disables all functions on the screen until you are able to click the small red X in the far right corner, away from the driver. Even though the message says you can call to opt out, if you call Sirius, they will tell you there is no way to opt out of the messages in the car. This is crazy unsafe, and Sirius needs to be forbidden from doing this and punished for its current actions.

Before I begin my commute, I’m greeted by a persistent message within the center infotainment display from the satellite radio service provider SirusXM. The message will not go away until manually closed out, as the exit button is farther away from the drivers reach (more accessible from the passenger side). This can lead to distracted driving, especially if you’ve already expressed no interest in the service, prior to its other attempts. It also doesn’t help that the center console is frustratingly non responsive for the first few minutes during every vehicle startup. There’s also a number displayed on the screen to call SirusXM to opt out of the messages but the attempt is useless as they will corner you into purchasing subscription. I shouldn’t have to do this for a vehicle I own and the monopoly that service presents as the only satellite provider is anti competition.

On multiple occasions, the car's onboard, factory-installed user interface system (the computer screen that operates climate control, navigation, entertainment, etc.) has pushed pop-up ads for Sirius FM. These pop-ups persist and interfere with operating of the system. This presents a driving distraction and hazard due to (1) operator attention is drawn from the road, (2) normal function of the screen is not possible, and (3) the operator is required to interact with the screen to close the pop-up. Nor does the screen expire and simply go away - it persists until the operator takes action. The marketing cannot be turned off and there is no opt. Also, it is not limited to SiriusFM customers - I have never been a user or subscriber. Sirius FM stated that the pop-up marketing is built into the software the Subaru installed in the vehicle.