2008 SUBARU OUTBACK — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Lost use of my brakes. Could have been killed. Recall WQK-47 was improperly addressed by using rust inhibitor as band-aid. My opinion and that of a 25+ year ASE certified mechanic. I originally wanted the lines replaced and subaru refused, cheaped out and used the inhibitor. It obviously was an ineffective solution since the whole reason for the recall is now an issue with my car. The lines should have been replaced and really sealed, not cheaply coated with an aerosol spray. The car might be older but is far from rusted out. The other brake lines are just fine. I was expecting something from subaru, cover the parts or labor at least but nothing.. Their fix was only "preventative" not actually fixing the problem.

The dash pad in the 2005 to 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback models have a very common problem of deteriorating to where they become sticky and then sections start cracking and falling off. My concern is that this is happening in the area of the passenger air bag. There is a portion of the dash bad which says SRS AIRBAG imprinted in the pad material and mines actually about to fall off. If the air bag should deploy from a serious enough collision, these loose pieces will be one projectiles and could easily cause injury esp to someone eye. I reached out to SOA but they offered no help. The claim number was 250530-0001813. Subaru did extend the warranty on this a few years back but they have since expired. The missing piece in the image is towards the bottom but the area directly over the airbag is severely cracked.

Brakes failed suddenly while on the highway. Virtually no braking available. This could have easily resulted in death or serious injury. Took car to Subaru dealership in Appleton WI. Found split brake line. This is a know issue and recall. Subaru had performed recall by putting anticorrosion on brake lines. All this did was possibly delay the inevitable. The recall stated they could have replaced them at the time of recall. Essentially there are a lot of Subarus driving around now that are ticking time bombs. If they would have replaced the brake

Due to a known manufacturing defect in the automatic transmission acknowledged in TSB 16-74-09 the driveability of my vehicle has been severely hampered and the shuddering/vibration is steadily worsening. I wasn't aware of this torque converter defect or an available remedy until well after the warranty expired as I didn't have access to the TSB. This is apparently a widespread problem affecting many vehicles of the era based on online forums and other complaints to NHTSA. I took the vehicle to dealerships over the years for related transmission issues but they "couldn't replicate" my concern. Recently, a local dealership has confirmed our transmission is affected but it does not throw any trouble codes or illuminate warning lamp as these underlying mechanical defects are not monitored by the OBD system. Having a gradually failing, defective transmission is a safety issue as we can grow complacent and it could give out any time without warning while driving. The vehicle is certainly available for inspection. It has been impeccably maintained, and none of these issues are due to mechanical wear and tear or neglect. It's unbelievable that a known manufacturing defect in the transmission would not affect every vehicle with that unit and be subject of a broad recall.

Subaru Outback 2008 -- This model's frequent brakes problems are an outrage. Subaru has known for years, with several Subaru recalls already, that the Subaru 2008 Outback has a defective brakes design and/or manufacture. I have experienced brakes problems on several occasions throughout my ownership and reported them to Subaru -- beginning the first weeks of ownership. This began within weeks of purchase. Subaru stated for the entirety of my new-owner warranty period that they couldn't replicate the problem. But once that warranty's ended, weeks later Subaru told me I needed "a full set of brakes" and sought nearly $2K for it ---on a car bought new just about two years earlier and well under 18K miles. My car again displays the "Err SS" code as it did as an early precursor to the Subaru defective brakes recalls in past years. For approximately 5 weeks -- mu Subaru Outback was in Subaru's service centers under the required diagnostic evaluation service at two Subaru service centers. Both -- you guessed it -- stated they were unable to replicate the problem. (These Subaru mechanics also were unable to replicate and/or diagnose the problem of erratic-/non-start, pulsing lights, random alarm and radio function that arose following Subaru's replacement of my alternator following the manufacturer's regularly scheduled timing belt maintenance.) Subaru has dragged out the process of required diagnosis for literal years. Per its pattern or practice, Subaru opened, stalled for months at a time to return a call and/or email, then closed cases regarding the on the very same reported brakes issues (and alternator repair). Subaru, for the past 18 months or so, has resorted to the excuse of "an older car" -- after Subaru have ignored for years at a time and then failed to properly repair the known brakes defect that needs regular repair -- not related to regular wear and tear.