2007 Subaru Outback problems

“I purchased this 2007 Subaru Outback for my daughter after checking Subaru's official recalls website. That site listed Takata recall WQR-53 as completed [XXX]. My independent Subaru-certified mechanic diagnosed code 72 on the passenger airbag circuit and referred me to Don K Subaru in Whitefish, noting that the master technician there had trained him on the recall procedure. Don K installed Subaru test harness P on that circuit. Code 72 cleared, and the technician's written conclusion was that the inflator needs replaced. I opened case [XXX] with Subaru Customer Advocacy. Across two emails, their representative Tyler gave two different completion dates: [XXX], then [XXX]. He later admitted the first date was only the recall's effective date. Subaru's public website still displays [XXX]. I have asked twice, in writing, for the part number of the inflator that was installed and whether it was an interim Takata unit or the final non-Takata remedy. Subaru has not answered. A safety-critical airbag inflator throwing a failure code after a recall repair is not something I can accept as closed. I'm filing this complaint because Subaru's own records cannot agree on…”

“All rear lights, rear hatch lock, brake lights all failed due to wiring going from the body to the hatch getting cut from the action of opening and closing the hatch door. This seems to be a pretty common thing with at least the 2005-2007 models years.”

“AS I'M DRIVING MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTS FLASHING AND CRUISE CONTROL GETS DISCONNECTED ONE DAY IT WILL HAPPEN NEXT DAY IT WON'T”

“AN ACCELERATOR THAT BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON 3 LANE HIGHWAY. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT WITH SUBARU AND YOU CAN READ ABOUT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE PROBLEM WHICH IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU GO ONLINE AND SEARCH FOR SUBARU OUTBACK CODE P2138/THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR YOU WILL FIND THAT THE SENSOR HAS INTERMITENT FAILURES WHICH CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. EVEN WHEN PEOPLE GET THIS RESET AT A MECHANIC AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT WILL BEGIN RECURRING AGAIN. OR SOMETIMES THE MECHANIC CANNOT MAKE THE CAR FAIL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS A SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. SUBARU MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM!! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 5 TIMES NOW OVER THE LAST YEAR.”

“Driving down the freeway, snowy conditions, going roughly 50 mph in a straight line, no curves or turns in sight, hit a very small hump in the road and suddenly I found myself sideways from what seems like a rear steer situation, i corrected as best i could and luckily i was in the only section of the road that didn't have a wall, ended up backwards in a shallow ditch. No immediate damage noted, I was able to drive away, but confidence with driving in snowy and icy conditions has been severely diminished (been driving in snow and ice for 20+ years). My previous vehicle, 1988 chevy s10 was WAY more reliable in the snow that this thing. I have since felt this car try and "kick out" while going well under the speed limit but in slightly icy conditions. The only reason I can think that this hasnt happened again is due to myself being aware of the isssue, new struts and brand new $600 dollar tires i recently purchased. This is a huge issue, and Subaru needs to own up to it, I know i'm not the only one who's experienced this.”

“Both front driver and passenger side CV Boots have failed prematurely on several occasions well before the expected life and mileage expectancy for these parts (they have been replaced on four separate occasions). The CV boots hold grease in to provide lubrication to the axels. Safety was at risk as lack of lubrication increased chances of axel and associated component damage (braking and steering) at higher driving speeds. Subaru dealer has verified on each of the four separate occasions that the CV boots failed prematurely. The car has never seen any off road or rough condition driving conditions. The vehicle has always been meticulously maintained and all preventive maintenance requirements complete ahead of or on schedule and any recommended repairs by authorized mechanics are addressed immediately. Was urged by Subaru Dealer to contact Subaru of America (SOA) about the CV boots again failing prematurely. Previously, SOA was contacted and acknowledged parts should not have failed in the timeframes as it had. This time with even less mileage and time in service, Subaru is refusing to address the problem and replace the Subaru OEM parts at their expense.”