NHTSA Complaint #10324919 — 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK

PURCHASED BRAND-NEW SUBARU OUTBACK-3.6 LIMITED IN LATE MARCH 2010. AT TIME OF DELIVERY (PRIOR TO SIGNING PAPERS), I NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF STEERING VIBRATION. THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE NEED FOR THE TIRES TO BREAK-IN AND TO CALL SERVICE IF IT CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3 MILES ON DELIVERY. THE STEERING VIBRATION CONTINUED AND I RETURNED TO SERVICE FOR A "POTENTIAL SOLUTION" TO THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SOA THAT IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE SINCE THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VIBRATION CAN ACTUALLY BE FELT IN THE FLOOR AS A DRIVER OR PASSENGER. THE INTENSITY OF THE VIBRATION INCREASES IF YOU DRIVE OVER BUMPY ROADS. (ALMOST AS IF SOMETHING WAS LOOSE IN THE FRONT END) THE FREQUENCY OF THE VIBRATION INCREASES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND IS NOT PREDICTABLE. WHAT CONCERNS ME MORE THAN THE VIBRATION IS THE OCCASIONAL PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALMOST FEELS LIKE I HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND NEED TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE STEERING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WITH CONCERN FOR SAFETY, I NOW DRIVE WITH 2 HAND ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES IN FEAR OF THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. AT PRESENT, I AM AWAITING NOTICE FROM THE DEALER ON A "PART" TO ARRIVE FOR THE SECOND ROUND OF ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR