NHTSA Complaint #10327720 — 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK

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