NHTSA Complaint #10384950 — 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10384950
Vehicle	2009 SUBARU OUTBACK
Component	UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Date of Incident	February 21, 2011
Date Filed	February 23, 2011
Mileage	26,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	MN

Consumer Description

ROAD CONDITIONS: POOR, ICY. VEHICLE: 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON LOADED WITH 4 PASSENGERS (2 ADULT, 2 TEEN, PLUS "LIGHT" LUGGAGE). WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED OVER AN ICY PATCH, THE CAR SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE VIOLENTLY. ON SUBARU FORUM WEBSITES, THIS TYPE OF LOSS OF CONTROL IS TERMED "GHOST WALKING" WHICH IS AN ODD BUT ACCURATE TERM FOR THE FEEL OF THE SITUATION. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE ENTRIES ON THE OWNERS' FORUM WEBSITES DESCRIBING THIS PHENOMENA, AND IT APPARENTLY AFFECTS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. MY DEALER OFFERS TO RE-ALIGN THE BACK TIRES WHICH MAY FIX THE INSTABILITY PROBLEM (WHICH IS ATTRIBUTED TO "LOAD") BUT WHICH WILL CAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM: EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS SUBARU MARKETS THE CAR FOR THE WINTER DRIVING MARKET, IT NEEDS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OVER COMPENSATING FOR THE SYSTEM-DRIVEN FISHTAILING. PLEASE NOTE: ALTHOUGH SUBARU ATTRIBUTES THIS TO "LOADING" OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR WAS NOT LOADED BEYOND STRICTLY NORMAL USE FOR A STATION WAGON. THIS IS AS DANGEROUS AS "SUDDEN ACCELERATION" IN TOYOTA.

Related Complaints for the 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK

Other UNKNOWN OR OTHER Complaints

#11048347 — November 25, 2017 — THE HOOD LATCH HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY CAUSING THE HOOD TO BECOME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING, PRESUMABLY RISKING THE HOOD ...

#10969757 — March 31, 2017 — TAKATA RECALL - THE LETTER FROM NHTSA VIA SUBARU RE. THE RECALL WAS MISLEADING. 1. IT SAID THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE AP...

#10747264 — August 9, 2015 — WHEN IT RAINED DASH LIGHTS COME ON WOULD NOT GO OUT WHEN TURNED CAR ON FOR A FEW DAYS NEXT RAIN WENT TO CHECK CAR WHE...

#10732605 — July 8, 2015 — CAR TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START.

#10253102 — December 29, 2008 — I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5 SPECIAL EDITION. WHILE DRIVING ON I-35 NEAR CLOQUET, MN, THE CAR EXHI...

Recent Complaints for the 2009 SUBARU OUTBACK

#11717564 — AIR BAGS — February 12, 2026 — airbag light is on.

#11700571 — ENGINE — November 20, 2025 — The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle had failed to a...

#11697677 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — November 5, 2025 — The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting ...

#11678013 — POWER TRAIN — August 2, 2025 — When I parked my vehicle in the garage, I smelled an odor coming from the engine compartment. I found that the front ...

#11655443 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — April 18, 2025 — The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed ...