NHTSA Complaint #11396627 — 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK

ON TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY, 2021 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM PICKING MY TWO CHILDREN UP FROM SCHOOL (AGE 4 AND 6). AS I APPROACHED THE DRIVE WAY THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY TO ALLOW ME TO TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, BUT SUDDENLY THE BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY CLOSED GARAGE DOOR. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL STEERING BUT REGARDLESS OF MY FOOT PRESSING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THANKFULLY, INSTALLED IN THE CEMENT WAS A ROGUE R3 WEIGHT RACK THAT WAS BOLTED INTO THE CEMENT AT FOUR LOCATIONS. THE CAR PROCEEDED FORWARD UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE WEIGHT RACK, A MERE 3 FEET FROM OUR HVAC SYSTEM AND THE HOME STRUCTURE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. IF THE WEIGHT RACK DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE MYSELF AND MY TWO CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED, NOT TO MENTION, IF MY HUSBAND OR TWO SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE GARAGE AT THE TIME, THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN DEATH. MY AIR BOGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE AUTO COLLISION SAFETY MECHANISM FAILED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY IN HOPES TO KEEP THIS AS A FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, PRIMARY REASON FOR PURCHASE WAS SAFETY. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. MY VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO RPM PERFORMANCE IN BURLINGTON WASHINGTON FOR INSPECTION. LATER, BROUGHT TO DWAYNE LANES SUBARU (PURCHASE LOCATION) FOR INSPECTION. FINDINGS WERE THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED AND DRIVER IS AT FAULT. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. DANGEROUSLY UNSAFE AND THIS MUST BE MADE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS AND POTENTIAL DEATHS.