2002 Subaru Outback Problems

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS BELOW 35 DEGREES, MY CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR VENTILATION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS WORSE WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. MECHANICS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT I JUST READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE THEIR SUGGESTED FIXES TO MY MECHANIC.

TERRIBLE GAS SMELL. FUEL IS LEAKING BECAUSE IT IS COLD OUTSIDE.

I BOUGHT CAR OCT 6; FIRST INSPECTION APPOINTMENT AT MY USUAL GARAGE MON OCT 12- FAILED DUE TO RUSTY SUSPECT BRAKE CONNECTION. SELLER HAD ME TAKE TO HIS DEALER- MASTRIA SUBARU IN RAYNHAM. THEY PUT A PAINT/COATING OVER RUSTY AREA. I WAS PRETTY SKEPTICAL BUT BROUGHT CAR TO MY GARAGE IN VT MONDAY OCT 19 AND THE LEAKY BRAKE FLUID MUCH MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE- DUE TO SMOOTHER (THOUGH BUMPY FROM OXIDATION BELOW) PAINT SURFACE. I ALSO SAW LEAKING COOLANT, LEAKS IN OIL PAN, AND A CRACK IN MUFFLER PIPE JUST ENGINE SIDE OF MUFFLER (IT HAD BEEN GETTING NOISIER AND NOISIER) MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE TIMING BELT GASKET WAS MISSING AND ONE BOLT 'MISSING' ; IT WAS STICKING OUT OF ANOTHER 'HOLE' THAT WAS FOR A FULLY THREADED BOLT. THE SELLER HAS SENT LONG-WINDED INSULTING E-MAILS AND STATES I MUST RETURN CAR TO HIM TO HAVE THE SAME DEALER SERVICE IT. I AM TAKING IT TO A&M, 400 MYSTIC AVE, SOMERVILLE THIS MORNING NEAR ME! FOR ESTIMATE TODAY. THERE'S A REJECT STICKER FROM READING PETROLEUM ON IT- I DIDN'T KNOW MA & VT HAD RECIPROCAL STATUS- BUT I THINK THE VT INSPECTION IS MORE STRINGENT, SAFER AND COMPREHENSIVE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE HAD FOUR SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT MY HEAD GASKET HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND GIVEN MY CAR HAS 190,000 MILES ON IT I BELIEVE FOUR ISSUES DEALING WITH THIS SAME SITUATION NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY ADDRESSED. NOT ONLY DOES THIS ISSUE RESULT IN A HUGE OUTLAY OF MONEY BUT IT GETS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE, PARTS, AND DRIVEWAY THAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.

I BOUGHT CAR OCT 6; FIRST INSPECTION APPOINTMENT AT MY USUAL GARAGE MON OCT 12- FAILED DUE TO RUSTY SUSPECT BRAKE CONNECTION. SELLER HAD ME TAKE TO HIS DEALER- MASTRIA SUBARU IN RAYNHAM. THEY PUT A PAINT/COATING OVER RUSTY AREA. I WAS PRETTY SKEPTICAL BUT BROUGHT CAR TO MY GARAGE IN VT MONDAY OCT 19 AND THE LEAKY BRAKE FLUID MUCH MORE CLEARLY VISIBLE- DUE TO SMOOTHER (THOUGH BUMPY FROM OXIDATION BELOW) PAINT SURFACE. I ALSO SAW LEAKING COOLANT, LEAKS IN OIL PAN, AND A CRACK IN MUFFLER PIPE JUST ENGINE SIDE OF MUFFLER (IT HAD BEEN GETTING NOISIER AND NOISIER) MY MECHANIC POINTED OUT THE TIMING BELT GASKET WAS MISSING AND ONE BOLT 'MISSING' ; IT WAS STICKING OUT OF ANOTHER 'HOLE' THAT WAS FOR A FULLY THREADED BOLT. THE SELLER HAS SENT LONG-WINDED INSULTING E-MAILS AND STATES I MUST RETURN CAR TO HIM TO HAVE THE SAME DEALER SERVICE IT. I AM TAKING IT TO A&M, 400 MYSTIC AVE, SOMERVILLE THIS MORNING NEAR ME! FOR ESTIMATE TODAY. THERE'S A REJECT STICKER FROM READING PETROLEUM ON IT- I DIDN'T KNOW MA & VT HAD RECIPROCAL STATUS- BUT I THINK THE VT INSPECTION IS MORE STRINGENT, SAFER AND COMPREHENSIVE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

AFTER RETURNING FROM A OUT OF TOWN TRIP, WE GOT TO OUR CAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT DID NOT PROPORTIONATELY INCREASE IN SPEED. AFTER GAINING SOME SPEED THE SYMPTOMS DISAPPEARED. THREE DAYS LATER AFTER SHIFTING FROM FIFTH GEAR TO FOURTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL ON I-70 THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY SLIPPED OUT. THE CAR WAS UN-DRIVABLE BUT WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE AND THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY PULL OFF ON THAT SIDE SO WE HAD TO MAKE OUR WAY ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE RIGHT EMERGENCY LANE. WITH NO POWER WE COASTED THROUGH CARS FLYING BY HONKING AT 65 MPH. LUCKILY WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNHARMED BUT QUITE A FEW CLOSE CALLS. WE SMELT THE SMELL OF A BURNT CLUTCH AND COULD NO LONGER ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION OR MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD ONLY COAST BACKWARDS. WHILE WE WERE LUCKY SOME OTHER MAY NOT. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR OTHER THAN A WEARABLE ITEM WEARING OUT. THIS CAR HAS 77,200 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD THE CLUTCH REPLACED ONCE BEFORE AT 34,500 MILES UNDER TSB 03-51-02R. WE HAVE OWNED FIVE CARS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ALL OF WHICH WE DROVE FOR OVER 130,000 MILES AND NOT ONE HAS NEEDED OR HAD A CLUTCH REPLACED. AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT STATED TO ANOTHER EMPLOYEE WHILE I WAS ON THE PHONE LINE THAT THE "FLYWHEEL IS MAKING THOSE GO OUT SO THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THAT TOO." *JB

UPPER FRONT FUEL LINE AND CONNECTION TO THROTTLE BODY? IS LEAKING RAW GAS AND FUEL IS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE JUST OUTWARD OF UPPER EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY FENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/19/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/26/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) AND 02V282000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA; UPDATED 4/17/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED TRADED VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO ABOUT FIXING IT. *TR

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK VISIBILITY IS POOR WHEN IT RAINS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED HE CAN'T SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THERE ARE LINES IN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD FREEZE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. *JB

FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE FORTH TIME DUE TO PECK IN THE WINDOW THAT DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS NOT LISTED ON THE AIRBAG RECALL, I AM CONCERNED MY CAR MIGHT HAVE THE AIRBAGS FROM TAKATA. THE YEAR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL STARTED IS 2000. MY CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK IS ON THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY CAR'S AIRBAGS WERE NOT MANUFACTURED BY TAKATA? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 37,000. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE BATTERY POSITION TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE FAILURE WAS. *AK UPDATED 06/19/07 *TR

WAS DRIVING MY RECENTLY BOUGHT 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, WHEN MY CHILD WHO WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SEAT IN THE BACK STARTED SCREAMING THAT THE SEATBELT WAS HURTING HER AND SHE COULDN'T BREATHE. I MADE AN EMERGENCY STOP AT A FULL SERVICE GAS STATION, JUMPED OUT AND TRIED GETTING THE SEATBELT UNDONE BUT IT WAS STUCK. RAN IN AND GRABBED A MECHANIC AND HE WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO RELEASE IT AND HE SAID THAT THE TENSIONER WAS BAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE CASE IF IT DIDN'T HAPPEN A BLOCK FROM HELP. *TR

EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR GO THROUGH A CAR WASH THE SEAT BELT GETS WET AND IS WORSE WHEN THE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN RETRACTED AS THE WET AREA NOW IS ALL ACROSS YOU. IT APPARENTLY IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SUNROOF. WHAT IS THE REPAIR FOR THIS, NEW SEALS IN THE SUNROOF OR THE ROOF RACK MOUNTING HOLES? *JB

TWO FRONT TIRES NEED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEIR INSIDES WERE WORN. 20,000 MILES LATER THE TWO FRONT AND ONE RIGHT REAR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME REASON. *AK

ON THE EVENING OF 21 JUN 04 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. AS I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN IN TO MY DRIVEWAY. I FELT AND THEN HEARD WHAT SEEMED TO TO A FLAT TIRE ON THE RIGHT (PASSENAGER) SIDE OF THE CAR. I HAD FILLED UP WITH GAS ON EITHER THE PREVIOUS FRIDAY OR SATURDAY. WHEN I FILL UP WITH GAS I CHECK MY OIL AND TIRE PRESSURE. ALL WAS OK. WHEN I GOT INTO MY GARAGE, I WENT AROUND TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AND CLEARLY SAW A FLAT RIGHT REAR TIRE. I CALLED AAA TO PUT ON A SPARE. THE AAA REPAIR MAN THOUGHT THE TIRE LOOKED DEFECTIVE. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO NTW AND REPLACED THE FLAT TIRE AND A SECOND TIRE WITH NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THE MANAGER AT THE NTW IN ROCKVILLE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIRE HE HAD SEEN THAT WEEK WITH THE SAME DEFECT. BECAUSE I ONLY HAD 19,600 MILES ON THE TIRES, HE GAVE ME A DISCOUNT ON EACH TIRE. HE ALSO AGREED THAT THE FLAT TIRE LOOKED DEFECTIVE. THEY CHECKED MY REMAINING TWO TIRES FOR ANY WEAKNESS. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) AND 02V282000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA; UPDATED 4/17/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED TRADED VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO ABOUT FIXING IT. *TR

FUSE FOR TAIL LIGHTS BLEW DUE TO TAIL LIGHT SOCKET PARTIALLY MELTING (AREA WHERE THE TWO CONTACTS FOR BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT ARE LOCATED-LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT). WAS UNAWARE THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. *TR

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO SHOW THE LIGHTS ARE OUT. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION THAT BOTH FRONT LIGHTS ARE OUT BUT IT SEEMS TO BE DUE TO ELECTRICAL OR ANOTHER PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OUTBACKS WITH ONE LIGHT OUT FOR THE SAME MODEL YEARS. IT SEEMS TO BE A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM UNRELATED TO THE BULBS. *JB

FUSE FOR TAIL LIGHTS BLEW DUE TO TAIL LIGHT SOCKET PARTIALLY MELTING (AREA WHERE THE TWO CONTACTS FOR BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT ARE LOCATED-LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT). WAS UNAWARE THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING FOR ABOUT 1 WEEK. *TR

REAR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR MAKE ANY REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, BUT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND WAS WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE AGENCY TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON REPEATEDLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING. HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS. HAS BEEN EXAMINED ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS (AT LEAST 4) AT RYE FORD SUBARU IN RYE NEW YORK WITH THE ONGOING RESULT THAT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM AND UNABLE TO REPLICATE. CAR WAS DELIVERED BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON A FLATBED AFTER STALLING 5 OR 6 TIMES IN MAIN THOROUGHFARE THAT RESULTED IN BEING REAR ENDED BY A TRUCK BEHIND ME. I HAVE REPEATEDLY INFORMED THE DEALER AND CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA THAT I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. I WAS NEARLY KILLED BY A NARROW MISS WHEN THE CAR STALLED ABRUBTLY IN A SNOW STORM. THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND HOLES WERE FORMING. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW CROSS MEMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION WHILE ON AN INCLINE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION) AND 02V282000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

CLUTCH DEFECTS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED AND NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER ON A SUBARU OUTBACK 20002. DEALERSHIP: LIBERTY, 1000 E PARK AVENUE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048 PROBLEM STARTED IN 2003 AND LASTED TO THIS DATE. IN AUG 2008, DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED PRESENT DEFAULT BUT REFUSED TO CONCEDE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM FROM THE START. WHEN THE CAR WAS SERVICED ON MANY OCCASIONS STARTED IN 2003 (OIL CHANGES) WE MENTIONED A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER BLAMED THE "NEW HYDRAULIC CLUTCH" AND GAVE US THE RUN-AROUND. NOW IN 2008, 3 YEARS LATER, THEY "DISCOVERED" THE CLUTCH PROBLEM AND WANTS TO CHARGE $1,300.00 TO FIX IT. WE REFUSED TO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER GARAGE TOLD US THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUED AN ADVISORY ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALER NEVER TOLD US. THE CLUTCH IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAVE DRIVEN MANY MANUAL GEAR SHIFT CARS WITH NO PROBLEMS, HAVING DRIVEN OUR PREVIOUS 1992 SUBARU OUTBACK TO 140,000 BEFORE IT NEEDED A CLUTCH REPAIR. THE CLUTCH ON THE 2002 HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ALMOST RIGHT FROM THE START. WE HAVE SERVICE REPORT DATED 06/17/05 INVOICE # SUCS426989 SAYING: " REF#2 03SUZ : DRIVE LINE - TECK :553 - CUSTOMER STATES AT TIMES VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH AND TAKING OFF, MORE AMPLIFIED AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING. ---INSPECTED VEHICLE, COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONDITION AT THIS TIME- THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS THE FIRST WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE DEALER. THERE IS A SECOND WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: DATED 11/28/06, INVOICE SUCS476828, REF J#2 08SUZ CLUTCH ---TECH 42898: CUSTOMER STATES THE CAR IS CHUGGING IN FIRST GEAR - SEE LINE 1 LINE 1 STATES J# 1 40SUZDGRT DIAGNOSIS ROAD TEST - CUSTOMER STATES THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANT TO STALL. PER SCANNER CODE, REPLACE FRONT O2 SENSOR AND REFLASH ECM" AS YOU SEE, THEY BLAMED THE O2 SENSOR AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLUTCH PROBLEM. *TR

AIR CONDITIONER HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE BOUGHT THE CAR. HAVE COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY ALL STATE IT IS PERFORMING "NORMALLY". THE A/C ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR CONSISTENTLY IN THE COLDEST AIR SETTING, IF YOU MOVE THE DIAL UP PAST THE LOWEST SETTING, WHILE STILL IN BLUE "ZONE" YOU WILL START GETTING WARM AIR. I THINK THERE IS A TBS ON IT, BUT THAT HAS NEVER BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME BY EITHER DEALER NOR SUBARU. *AK

CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE, HAD VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BOTH TIMES WHEN BRAKES FAILED, THE PAVEMENT WAS DAMP BUT ABOVE FREEZING, CONSUMER TREID TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN AND COULD NOT. *JG

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE LUG NUTS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V235000 (WHEELS) BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE WHEEL WOULD GRIND AND MAKE A NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVEN TIMES SINCE DECEMBER 2002, AND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK THE NOISE APPEARED TO COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WASHED. *SCC *JB

WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-95 GOING BETWEEN 55 AND 60 MILES AN HOUR AND THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD CAME UP BLOCKING OUR VISION AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND WERE LUCKY THAT WE COULD PULL THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. *TR