2003 SUBARU OUTBACK Suspensionrear Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER FOR A REGULAR MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V232000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

CAR IS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH AROUND 60,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS REGISTERED AND DRIVEN IN VERMONT YEAR-ROUND. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR STRUT RUSTED SEVERELY WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOWER SPRING MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE STRUT. THIS CAUSED THE SPRING TO FALL AND COME TO A REST ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT BOLT. FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT OCCURRED HOWEVER THIS IS A CONCERNING FAILURE ON A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED WHICH WILL ENTAIL REPLACING THE STRUT WHICH FAILED. *TR

ACCELERATING FROM COMPLETE STOP, I HEARD A LOUD SNAP FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. UPON INSPECTION BY AN ASE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT AND ASSEMBLY HAD RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 81,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS LOCATED IN A VERY HIGH SALT USE STATE, MAINE, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT TYPE OF RUSTING AND BREAKAGE PROBLEM OTHER SUBARU'S HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED FOR IN HIGH SALT USE AREAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE BOUNCES, SHAKES, AND WOBBLES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE FAILURE IS ALSO FOLLOWED BY A BUMPING SOUND. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT IT IS CAUSING WEAR AND TEAR ON THE VEHICLE. SHE IS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING THIS WAY DUE TO THE ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VISCUS CUP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS FAILURE WITH THE STRUTS, BEARINGS, AND SUSPENSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.