NHTSA Complaint #10444832 — 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK SUSPENSION

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10444832
Vehicle	2005 SUBARU OUTBACK
Component	SUSPENSION
Date of Incident	November 29, 2010
Date Filed	January 22, 2012
Mileage	60,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	OR

Consumer Description

I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS "GHOSTWALKING" IN MY 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS SUCH AS SLUSH, SNOW AND ICE MIX, AND BLACK ICE THE CAR FISHTAILS IN THE REAR WHEELS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR. HOWEVER DRIVING ON HARDPACK SNOW AND HARDPACK POWDER THE CAR HANDLES FINE. THE CAR FISHTAILS MUCH WORSE WHEN EVEN A LITTLE WEIGHT IS LOADED IN THE REAR. I DO HAVE DEDICATED SNOW TIRES, WITH STUDS. I AM A VERY EXPERIENCED DRIVER IN WINTER CONDITIONS, I DO NOT DRIVE TOO FAST IN POOR ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT APPARENTLY MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED. I HAVE MULTIPLE FRIENDS WHO DRIVE OLDER SUBARU'S WHO HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH AN ENCOUNTER WITH THEIR CARS. BOTTOM LINE THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON WINTER ROADS, I HAVE LITERALLY FEARED FOR MY LIFE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

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