1998 Subaru Legacy: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Dec 4, 2001 · Steering · OH

Over sensitive knock sensor, causes acceleration hesitation. It's been a known problem for years (see tsbs 115899 & 115398), but almost caused a serious and potentially fatal accident last weekend.

Filed Sep 19, 1999 · Brakes, Engine · OR

Tires lost nearly all air within 2,000 mile of checking;had to replace;they went to steel bar at 18000 miles; fumes inside cabin from purchase of car;fell asleep at wheel sevl times; romania subaru in eugene wouldn't fix on 2 visits;3rd visit, found leak;still have fumes inside cabin and more if window is down on pass side;no one can fix the open window fume problem;inside-found crankcase leaking on exhaust syst;cosmolene overload, but stillhave burning eyes and sore throat;can't find problem;brakes went to floor-replaced master cylinder per recal;windshield from purchase,couldn't see through;bad film;purchased a new one recently;car hesitates and surges forward;subaru says this is normal( dot number: tire size: 185 70 r14 )

Filed Jan 13, 1999 · Acceleration · CA

While accelerating away from a stop, at low engine RPM and low throttle opening, the car hesitates. If you give it more throttle, it gives a sudden but unpredictable burst of acceleration. It is very difficult to get out of the way if someone happens to be headed toward you. It is also impossible to know when the car will start to accerlerate normally. It is a jerky type of action that does not coincide with the smooth application of the accelerator pedal.

Filed Nov 1, 1998 · Body, Transmission · PA

Car out of alignment, car pulls to the right even when in alignment. Ride is very rough like something is out of kilter; the transmission doesn't operate smoothly between 2nd and 3rd gear... Like hesitation, and acts like there could be something wrong with the gas lines or parts controlling the fuel to car; cup holder is designed so that everything wants to tip out!! It is not deep enough which could be a definite safety hazzard if something hot tips out onto passenger. I previously owned a 1993 subaru legacy wagon that also pulled to the right!! And the transmission (standard) was sooooo poorly geared in 1st and snd that it ate tires continually, would not move on snowy or inclined surfaces, and posed a major safety hazzard in wet or snowy conditions,,, this was a standard, non-awd model... And the transmission went out on this vehicle at 93,000 miles and subaru woudl not take responsibility for any of these problems!!! That vehicle was clearly defective as this one is,,, and none of the corrections they (the dealership) has made have corrected or held so far! As for the gearing .. They say it is the nature of the beast!! As is the pulling,,, I think I have another subaru lemon,,, and I do not want to have the same problems or worse that I had before!!!

Filed Aug 19, 1998 · Acceleration · CT

Whenever the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vehicle would hesitate before catching or moving. Took to dealer & problem was confirmed. Mechanic did not know how to repair the problem.