The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, she observed that the front windshield had a crack from the bottom leading upwards. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced the week before. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the windshield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 44,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed that the new windshield that was installed 11 days prior, was cracked. The contact stated that the windshield was previously replaced due to the same failure. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact's wife owned a 2019 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked for approximately 4 to 5 hours in the car port unattended, the contact noticed that the vehicle had caught fire near the rear driver's side and burned up a portion of the garage and house, The fence, a Datsun truck, two golf carts, and trees were burned. The contact was previously at the local dealer for routine service. The fire department was able to aid in extinguishing the fire. There were no reported injuries, crash or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to the junk yard. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted after the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
Bullet 1: headlights defect bullet 2: i am blinded at night because when i have low beams on there are 4 distinct shadows projected on the road. I can’t drive at night because it not only is very distracting but blocks my vision of the left side of the road. Bullet 3: yes, the problem has been reproduced by the dealer at least twice bullet 4: it has not been checked by anyone except service and sales reps bullet 5: there are no warnings, this has been an issue since i started my lease.
In the two years i have had this vehicle, i have had to replace the windshield twice. The first time, a pebble hit the windshield and a 6-8 inch crack immediately appeared, the crack increased in size over days and nearly went across the whole windshield. Because this was a few months after purchase, subaru replaced it. Now in march 2024 and another pebble hit the windshield, this one so small i didn't even see it and a 8 inch crack immediately appeared. The crack increased in days as well. Subaru would not cover it and told me to go through my insurance. I waited to get it repaired and during this time another pebble hit the glass. Again, another 6-8 inch crack. Subaru refuses to take responsibility that this is a manufacturer issue. I've had 3 other subaru vehicles and this never occurred.
The two map lights and the part referred to as the front overhead console has a defective design which at the least stops the lights from working properly, but at the worst, can start a fire. Subaru must be aware of the problem because it routinely change them. My vehicle listed above was ready for the installation of the third console when i said to myself, this one is not under warranty so let me call subaru. They agreed to cover part of the cost- now we are sure that subaru knows there is a fire hazard, didn’t report it, do a voluntary recall, or notify you. Am i eligible for money for whistleblowing? So i have pictures of the melted condition, and the repair. I also made a video of the repair. You can search re-engineering subaru ascent map light console if you want to see it. I figured the cause, developed a solution, and re-engineered it. I can, most can’t. I definitely shouldn’t have to get out a solder gun and repair the electrical components because they are defective. The problem is the design. The direction you push the light cover switch pushes the socket away from its contact. This creates a gap that causes heat that both melts the plastic, and also cracking and melting around the plate of metal that makes contact with the socket. I just soldered them together and have a light that works perfect, but i do have degraded cracked plastic around the socket, so i condenser it perhaps temporary, but better than hearing the light sizzle while arcing. Plus the lights work every time. You can search subaru ascent maplight and will find a bunch of people asking about the problem. For some it just stops working which is the best thing. For others you get sizzleing and a dim light. The resulting arcing also causes the light to turn off improperly and results in sizzling also. That’s should not be able to happen. Off is off. Let’s get this taken care of. We dont want injuries, or accident s because the light started smoking and distracted someone.
My complaint is the Outback head unit. This unit has a delaminated surface on the inside of the Outback touch screen. This was explained to me by the service manager, at the local Subaru dealer. The screen looks to have little bubbles inside the touch screen covering 45% of screen. During the daytime the sunlight shining on the screen and the bubbles, blocks the feed from the backup camera when the car is shifted in reverse. The head unit will also bounce the various apps in the unit, in a totally random pattern. From the radio (FM to Am to Sirius), then to the CD player, to car play and the blue tooth app. The head unit has added the navigation into the mix in the last week. The only way to negate this mess is to turn the head unit off while operating the vehicle. After talking with Subaru customer service and the Subaru dealer, my cost to replacement would be $345.90 and Subaru would cover the rest. This was discussed on March 5th. I have tried to get any updates for replacing the head unit and no one from the dealer or Subaru customer service have returned calls or text messages.
I want to add my report of oil loss in the hope a recall is made. I found out after purchase that 2012-2014 or 2015 has a known problem with piston rings. With normal local driving I need to top off the oil every couple of weeks. With longer trips, say a couple hours of driving one way, the oil gets a quarter to half way down on the dipstick. I carry oil for all roadtrips and can't forget to keep checking the level. My understanding from many sources online is that Subaru is aware they put in bad piston rings and just call it good enough or within spec, but dumping so much oil isn't right. This isn't a wear and tear problem, although it can get worse over time and lead to other problems. The problem goes away when the rings and the engine block is replaced. Scotty Kilmer on Youtube tells a story of a customer that complained enough and after being persistent had it fixed for free (piston rings and block), and still has no oil loss issues after 60k miles. He also recommended reporting it here. This engine is used in various Subaru's, not just the Legacy.
Windshields crack easily. I was using the original windshield and it was cracked on the passenger side. Common error of Subaru Outback. My car is only 37000miles.
I experienced a fuel leak while driving my car. It was leaking from the fuel lines in the engine bay. My fuel gauge was showing low and i had just refueled several days before. I didn't know it had a leak in the line. When i tried to put more gas in, the fuel ran out under the car. I had my car taken to the dealer where i had bought it less than two years ago. They called me and said it was a bad fuel line caused by squirrels biting the line. They said the insulation around the line had soy in its making which attracted them. I i got it back after a week. This is most certainly a safety hazard. They also said other makes and models have used these same components since 2010.