RoadVitals

2010 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Jan 5, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 360 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Subaru Outback submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Jan 5, 2025

Engine subframe catastrophic failure (left side) due to severe corrosion. Lower control arm detached resulting in erratic handling and pulling. Car unsafe to drive and expensive to repair at ~$2200. Did research and found to be a very common complaint for 2010-2014. Recall needs to be issued to replace corroded subframes.

NHTSA ID
11634248
Incident
Jan 4, 2025
Suspension
Filed Aug 26, 2023

2010 Outback Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - I have excessive rust and Corrosion of sub frame. This should be a recall. A google search shows this is a common issue for this model. Please review my complaint

NHTSA ID
11540894
Incident
Aug 26, 2023
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 13, 2022

My daughter was concerned with the car making strange squeaking sounds on turning and braking and so I met her where her car was parked in a lot and drove it for less than 1 minute and could tell something was very wrong and that it didn't seem safe to drive home. My husband came to check as well and zeroed in on the problem being the front driver's side tire/suspension. Fortunately the Subaru dealership was less than .5 away and my husband drove it there (with flashers on). It was determined by the dealership that the subframe had rusted through (we have photos uploaded below) and a new one was ordered and replaced within the week. The materials and labor for that alone cost $1944.37. Control arm bushings, rear toe arms, and alignment were also completed. The total cost of the repair was $3281.14.

NHTSA ID
11489200
Incident
Sep 15, 2022
Suspension
Filed Sep 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while his daughter was reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle was making an abnormal clicking sound. The contact's daughter was able to continue driving; however, the suspension was not stable. The contact and his wife test drove the vehicle and noticed that the suspension was unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front subframe was severely corroded. The dealer diagnosed that the subframe, bushings, and the rear toe links needed to be replaced; and an alignment needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID
11487289
Incident
Sep 15, 2022
Mileage
114,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 30, 2022

I’m driving down the road and I hit a bump, then I go to brake and veers left, I take to my mechanic he says the my subframe cracked, car is not safe to drive, he says it happens a lot

NHTSA ID
11459014
Incident
Mar 18, 2022
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 26, 2021

Subframe or cradle Subaru OEM # 50527AJ01A is a vital safety component (see dealer's written comments below) and as designed and installed completely supports the weight of the engine and transmission - rust and corrosion per mechanics at 3 different garages (Mickey's, Weber, Ganley Subaru) advised vehicle is unsafe to drive due to subframe corrosion and imminent failure. Corrosion of sub frame and its welds are very extreme for low mileage 102,000 Quoting Ganley Subaru dealer in North Olmsted, Ohio in writing (vehicle originally purchase there by me the current owner): "A damaged sub frame puts everyone in the vehicle at risk. During a collision the subframe is responsible for absorbing and evenly distributing the forces from impact. If damaged the sub frame cannot distribute the impact causing a complete collapse of the vehicle." I called Subaru customer service/advocacy department on October 22, 2021 and was told there were no recalls or warranty on this part and I would bear the complete cost of repair and replacement almost $5,000.00 for subframe and steering rack and pinion. I have pictures and video's I also have requested the dealer return the subframe to me after repair and replacement. Picture attached is just one small length of the subframe the entire length of which on both the driver and passenger sides and on both sides of the frame show complete failure due to corrosion

NHTSA ID
11438170
Incident
Aug 26, 2021
EngineSuspension
Filed Feb 9, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM AND ECM HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A CONTROL ARM AND ECM TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 268,000.

NHTSA ID
11395379
Incident
Jan 26, 2021
Mileage
268,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2020

THIS 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS ONLY 69000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS SEVERAL RUSTED ROT SPOTS ON THE SUB FRAME, THE AXLES AND OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS ALSO HAVE LAYERS OF RUST SUGGESTING THE STABILITY OF THOSE PARTS IS ALSO COMPROMISED. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE WITH SO FEW MILES ON THE ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID
11341236
Incident
Jul 23, 2020
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed May 28, 2019

EXTREME SHIMMY / VIBRATION IN FRONT END CAUSE STEERING WHEEL TO SHIMMY AGGRESSIVELY. THIS EXPERIENCE STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE CAR HAS APRPOXIMATELY 150K MILES. WHEN DRIVING CAR OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR THE ENTIRE FRONT END SHAKES LIKE A VERY OUT OF BALANCE TIRE OR THE FEELING OF A WARPED ROTOR WHEN BRAKING. THE SHIMMY CAN BE SEEN IN THE STEERING WHEEL BOUNCING, AND FELT THROUGH THE FLOOR AND SEATS.TIRES AND BRAKES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM. WHY IS THIS NO A RECALL? I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11210396
Incident
Feb 4, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 21, 2019

MY 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK K-FRAME AND A-FRAME ROTTED OUT, AFFECTING MY STEERING, MY BREAKING AND MY ABILITY TO CONTROL MY STEERING. THIS CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. I NOTIFIED SUBARU AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE K-FRAME OF THIS YEAR'S VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN FOR THE REAR SUB-FRAME ON THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, SUBARU WANTED $1400 TO REPAIR THE SUB-FRAME, SO I WENT TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DISCOVERED THAT ALL BUT TWO OF THE SUB-FRAMES IN THE SALVAGE YARD WERE ALL ROTTED IN THE SAME AREAS. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE SUB-FRAME SHOULD BE REPORTED AS A SAFETY ISSUE; AS IF THE SUB-FRAME FAILS AT THE A-FRAME, YOU WILL LOSE STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. MY FATHER WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY OTHER OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS UNDERCOATED BY THE MANUFACTURER WHEN IT WAS BOUGHT--YET IT STILL ROTTED OUT.

NHTSA ID
11209146
Incident
Apr 10, 2019
Mileage
142,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 7, 2017

VEHICLE HAS VIBRATIONS INCREASING WITH SPEED. MOST NOTICEABLE AT 60MPH AND ABOVE AND THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING WORSE. THE CAR WILL ALSO OCCASIONALLY VEER OFF TO THE RIGHT DURING BRAKING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION THAT YEAR AND THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UPGRADED IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME $2000 IF I WANTED TO UPGRADE THE SUSPENSION, BUT THAT IT WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11022220
Incident
Sep 7, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Jun 26, 2017

2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BEARINGS WERE GONE AT 65,000 MILES. THE PURCHASED TIRED WER BALD AT 25,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10971328
Incident
Dec 24, 2016
BrakesSuspension
Filed Mar 16, 2017

MODEL YEAR HAS UNDER SIZED BRAKES FOR THE VEHICLE WEIGHT,( ROTORS QUICKLY WARP ) #2 IN THE ABSENCE OF SURFACE RUST, FRONT SUB FRAME ROTTING AWAY. GOT RID OF CAR AFTER JUST INSTALLING NEW SET MICHELLIN TIRES, BRAKES, ROTORS AND DETAILING. HAD I KNOWN!!! HOW DISCOVERED; STATIONARY, LOOKING FOR SOURCE OF STRANGE NOISE UNDER NEATH UPON STOPING AND STARTING IN TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
10966299
Incident
Mar 4, 2014
Suspension
Filed Oct 23, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED, ADVISING THE CONTACT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT ALL FOUR STRUTS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR STRUTS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS WRONG. AT 58,00 MILES THE VEHICLE HAD A 60,00 MILE SERVICE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED ALL OF THE STRUTS NEEDED SUBARU REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/2/13

NHTSA ID
10549274
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 16, 2012

THE FRONT END OF THE CAR SHAKES ON SMOOTH ROADS (RECENTLY REPAVED ROAD) AND IT TENDS TO PERSIST WHETHER YOU ARE ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. PREVIOUSLY TOOK CAR IN FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATED IT WAS A WHEEL BALANCE ISSUE. THEY ROTATED MY WHEELS, STATED THEY BALANCED THE WHEELS AND ALSO STATED THAT I NEEDED NEW TIRES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THE TIRES. THE ISSUE NEVER WENT AWAY ON THE SHAKING FRONT END OF MY CAR AND CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470862
Incident
Apr 1, 2011
Mileage
5,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 25, 2011

WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL IN THE SUMMER ON A DRY ROAD AT AROUND 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL EXCESSIVELY BEGIN TO VIBRATE/SHAKE AROUND 55MPH AND HIGHER SPEEDS LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT EXCESSIVELY. THE VIBRATION/SHAKING WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE AS IF IT WERE ON BLACK ICE. THE VIBRATION ONLY BECAME CONTROLLABLE IF I SLOWED DOWN. THIS SHAKING/VIBRATION ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND OCCURS QUITE OFTEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427096
Incident
Sep 2, 2011
Mileage
25,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 5, 2010

ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY 2010 2.5I OUTBACK WITH THE CVT I NOTICED A SWAY ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRAVELING AROUND 80 MPH. THE CAR FEELS TO DRIFT FROM SIDE TO SIDE (ALMOST SNAKE LIKE) WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I ASKED THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT IF THEY WERE AWARE OF ANY ISSUES AND THEY SAID NO, BUT WOULD TAKE A LOOK. THEY FOUND NOTHING TO BE INCORRECT YET THE CAR CONTINUES TO SWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS IF IT WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN UPGRADED FRONT AND REAR SWAY BAR TO TIE THE LENGTHIER VEHICLE TOGETHER A BIT MORE. I WOULD PURCHASE THESE MYSELF BUT DON'T WANT TO VOID THE LEASE WARRANTY AND REALLY FEEL THAT SUBARU SHOULD PROVIDE AND INSTALL THESE FOR FREE SINCE MULTIPLE PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10364230
Incident
Nov 5, 2010
Mileage
2,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 18, 2010

1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE AS IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR AND HAS BEEN EVIDENT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. 2. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BETWEEN 70 AND 75 MPH. IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME AT THOSE SPEEDS. CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND ALSO CAUSES NUMBNESS IN HAND AND ARM ON LONG TRIPS. 3. TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ROTATED BY DEALER, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10350317
Incident
Mar 4, 2010
Mileage
50 mi
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Jul 11, 2010

MY 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS FRONT END SHAKING, AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AT SPEEDS OVER 65 MPH, 1 TRIP TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10342535
Incident
Jul 10, 2010
Mileage
100 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed May 14, 2010

OUR 2010 3.6R OUTBACK ARRIVED IN APR. THE FIRST TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A PROMINENT HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS ALSO UNUSUAL FEEDBACK IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SLOWER SPEEDS THAT FEELS UNLIKE ANYTHING RELATED TO ROAD NOISE. I RESEARCHED THE "PROBLEM" ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN THAT THERE WERE MANY FORUMS IDENTIFYING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2010 OUTBACKS. I INFORMED OUR LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPT. ABOUT THE VIBRATION AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT. A SUBARU SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE VIBRATION DURING A TEST DRIVE AND RECOMMENDED A SPIN BALANCE. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PROPOSED "FIXES" ON THE INTERNET, I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT CONFIDENT THAT A SPIN BALANCE WAS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER IF THEY HAD BEEN INFORMED/AWARE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS AND SHE DENIED HAVING ANY PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF STEERING VIBRATION ISSUES WITH ANY OUTBACKS. THE SPIN BALANCE ADDED A MULTITUDE OF STICK-ON WEIGHTS TO ALL FOUR WHEELS (SOME EXCEED 9 IN. IN LENGTH). THE INVOICE SAID THAT A FOLLOW-UP TEST DRIVE BY A TECHNICIAN PRODUCED NORMAL STEERING AS DESIGNED. A TEST DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN PRODUCED THE SAME HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT. IMMEDIATELY AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN LEFT THERE THIS MORNING. I PRODUCED SEVERAL PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET IDENTIFYING THIS ISSUE. THEY MADE COPIES OF THEM AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO CONTACT SOA FACTORY ENGINEERS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. THE VIBRATION IS PROMINENT ENOUGH TO CAUSE FATIGUE AND NUMBNESS IN THE HANDS ON EXTENDED DRIVES. THERE IS ALSO A CONCERN OF WHAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING OR VEHICLE CONTROL. THE FAULTY COMPONENT NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND THE ISSUE FIXED BY SOA IMMEDIATELY. SOA HAS TRIED A NUMBER OF FIXES WITHOUT SUCCESS (SPIN-BALANCE, FORCED BALANCE, ALIGNMENT, BACKLASH SPRING, WHEEL BEARING, STEERING PUMP, REPLACE OUT-OF-ROUND TIRES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10330426
Incident
Apr 14, 2010
Mileage
100 mi
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Apr 27, 2010

I PURCHASED A SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5I PREMIUM (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) ON 03/15/2010 AND NOTICED MODERATE TO SEVERE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL VIBRATION ABOVE 40MPH ON THE SECOND DAY. I SUBSEQUENTLY CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL FOUR TIRES, GAVE THE CAR SOME TIME TO "BREAK IN", AND TESTED VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS AND SPEEDS TO DETERMINE IF THE PROBLEM IS MORE PRONOUNCED UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORS, SEATS, AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL, WITH THE INTENSITY INCREASING WITH SPEED, REGARDLESS OF ROAD SMOOTHNESS. AFTER THE CAR DIDN'T SELF-CORRECT, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 04/26/2010 TO DO AN INITIAL/ROUTINE CHECK OF THE CAR. THEY REBALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES AND SAID THAT SHOULD FIX IT, BUT ASKED THAT I ADVISE ANY FUTURE ISSUES. THE VIBRATION REMAINS, BUT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60MPH (A MERE 10MPH INCREASE) FROM BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES, AND - AS BEFORE - IS INCREASINGLY NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND DURING RAIN/WET WEATHER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HAVE SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO ADDRESS THIS VIBRATION ISSUE. I WILL POST A FOLLOW-UP ONCE THIS SERVICE IS COMPLETE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10327720
Incident
Mar 16, 2010
Mileage
90 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 20, 2010

STARTING FROM 1,700 MILES, THIS CAR STARTED DEVELOPING THE VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS VIBRATION/SHIMMY IS MORE PRONOUNCED ON HIGHWAY (>70MPH) BUT NOTICEABLE IN OTHER SPEEDS. I HAVE OWNED A COUPLE OF VEHICLES AND THIS KIND OF SHIMMY/VIBRATION HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY CARS THAT I OWNED/DROVE. I AM 100% SURE IT IS NOT NORMAL ROAD FEEL AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN DURING THE FIRST 1,700 MILES. ALSO, THE CAR DOESN'T TRACK STRAIGHT AND DRIFTS ON HIGHWAY. TWO ALIGNMENTS, TIRE BALANCING AND ROTATION HAVE BEEN DONE BUT THE VIBRATION AND DRIFTING PERSIST. I DEFINITELY CONSIDER THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AND DRIFTING A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT TOTALLY ISOLATED THE ROAD FEEL ON HIGHWAY. ALSO, I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO HAVE A CONFIDENT CONTROL ON THE CAR DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. RECENTLY I CAME ACROSS THE FOLLOWING FORUM FOR SUBARU OUTBACK OWNERS AND FOUND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE FOR QUITE A FEW 2010 OUTBACKS. PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING THREAD. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=20843&PERPAGE=20&PAGENUMBER=1. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326606
Incident
Mar 28, 2010
Mileage
1,700 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 2010

MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN LOYAL SUBARU OWNERS FOR OVER TEN YEARS, BUT WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED TWO TROUBLING PROBLEMS WITHIN THE SAME YEAR. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU OF AMERICA AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF GOING TO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAD A BAD TRANSMISSION WHICH FINALLY WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE PROBLEM AND IT NEEDED REPLACING BUT SUBARU OF AMERICA DECIDED IT WOULD BUY BACK THE 2009 SUBARU FORRESTER WHICH HAD THIS PROBLEM FROM THE DAY MY WIFE PURCHASED IT. WE WERE TOLD WE HAD TO BUY ANOTHER SUBARU BUT THIS WE THOUGHT WAS NO PROBLEM. MY WIFE CHOSE A 2010 OUTBACK AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS THE NIGHTMARE STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN. WE THOUGHT HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN'WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF TWO CARS FROM SUBARU HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE FIRST TIME WAS ONE THING BUT A SECOND TIME? THE TRANSMISSION IS ELECTRONIC BUT IT DOES NOT PERFORM PROPERLY. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP A NUMBER OF TIMES HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS OPERATING NORMALLY. WE KNOW THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SLAM INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AFTER BEING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM IS WAY PAST ANNOYING AND WE NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN MORE THAN PATIENT BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE HAVE TEST DRIVEN OTHER MODELS OF THIS MAKE AND DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. MY WIFE DRIVES THE CAR MORE THAN ME SEEING AS IT IS HER CAR BUT SHE IS AT WITS END. WE ARE WAY PAST BEING PISSED OFF OR EXTREMELY ANGRY AND WANT SOMEONE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA TO CHECK OUT THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10320300
Incident
Nov 28, 2009
Mileage
800 mi
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Mar 12, 2010

BRAND NEW 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS A SHIMMY PROBLEM . THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIES AND WHEN MAKING A WIDE TURN, OFTEN THE STEERING FEELS LIKE YOU HIT AN ICE PATCH, EVEN THO THE ROAD IS DRY. SUBARU IS AND WAS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE PRODUCTION, AND SOLD THEM ANYWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10319291
Incident
Dec 15, 2009
Mileage
250 mi
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Feb 26, 2010

THERE IS AN CONTINUOUS VIBRATION AND SHIMMY IN THE FRONT-END AND STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT SINCE NEW (OCT 2009) HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE RECTIFIED BY SUBARU MECHANICS, EVEN WITH COOPERATION BY SUBARU OF AMERICA. THIS VIBRATION CAN SOMETIMES BE DRAMATIC THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND CAUSES ERRATIC DRIVABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS. THIS VIBRATION MAY ALSO CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR ON FRONT TIRES, STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO FAILURE AND INJURY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IN FACT, SUBARU INITIALLY BLAMED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER - CONTINENTAL - FOR THE ISSUE, STATING THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, AND HAD CONTINENTAL ISSUE REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR MY OUTBACK. THIS DID SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF THIS PROBLEM IS RESEARCHED ON POPULAR AND RESPECTABLE AUTOMOTIVE WEB SITES, ONE CAN FIND THAT IT HAS BEEN AFFECTING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF 2010 SUBARU OUTBACKS AND TO DATE, NO OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR ISSUE RESOLVED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA. MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTED SUBARU OF AMERICA REPLACING WHAT WERE CONSIDERED "DEFECTIVE" CONTINENTAL TIRES, WITH ANOTHER SET OF EXACT TIRES FROM CONTINENTAL. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS ISSUE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH EXPOSURE AND MAY TAKE AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT FOR ANYONE TO SERIOUSLY TAKE NOTICE. I HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE CASE OPEN WITH SUBARU, BUT IT IS EVIDENT FROM MY REPEATED CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM THAT THEY ARE BEING EVASIVE WITH WHERE THEY ARE IN FIXING THIS ISSUE, AND I HAVE NOW BECOME DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. THEY WANT TO TRY ANOTHER 'FIX', BUT THAT WILL NOT BE UNTIL MID-MARCH, WITH NO GUARANTEE OF RESOLUTION. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONLY 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE ISSUES IT HAS HAD. THIS VEHICLE WAS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY TOYOTA, WHO OWNS A CONSIDERABLE PERCENTAGE OF SUBARU...IF THIS SAYS ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314682
Incident
Oct 12, 2009

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