2001 Subaru Legacy: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Nov 1, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Tsb numbers 115899 & 115398 I have a 2001 subaru legacy outback. It started giving me trouble and, I found out that there are lot of other people like me who are facing this problem. The vehicle hesitates while driving. It doesn't pick-up speed even if you give it gas. Doesn't cross 35 MPH for sometime irrespective of if you give more gas. But suddenly picks up the speed. I once took it to the dealer and he changed the oxygen sensor or knock sensor. It worked alright for a month after that. Again it started doing it. I need help with this. I am told that this site helps me in filing this complaint.

Filed Dec 20, 2004 · Engine · 51,062 miles · MI

Whne the car is cold, it hesitates and stalls when taking off from a stop sign or other stop. Dealer does not know how to fix. Fails every time the car is operated cold.

Filed Nov 1, 2004 · Fuel system · 64,000 miles · MD

Inconsistantly, but frequently my 2001 subaru legacy 2.5l wagon surges and/or hesitates. The result is that I have little reliability for acceleration, etc. When driving. This has resulted a near collsions when the car hesitated in the middle of intersections. I no longer feel safe driving it--especially when my 2 young children are in the car. My car has been examined by my mechanic (who specalizes in subarus and other japanese cars) and despite experiencing the same problems while driving and several days in the shop, no problem has been diagnosed. My mechanic has consulted subaru and they have provided no useful advise either.

Filed Jun 3, 2003 · Fuel system · 17,400 miles · PA

Fuel system issue. I have owned my vehicle for approximately 9 months. I bought it as a used car from sloane in philadelphia. It has approximately 17000 miles on it and is considered still under warranty. I have had to take it in for service 4 times for the vehicle hesitating upon acceleration. The service center first said the hesitation came from a bad battery, second incident they stated they could not find anything wrong, third incident, when I almost got in an accident because the vehicle started to stall up entering the freeway traffic, I brought it back in for service. They did a thorough check and said it was the oxygen sensor. They replaced it. Approximately 2 weeks later, the vehicle began hesitating once again! Again, at a crucial point in a traffic situation. I returned the vehicle again for service, they stated it was the codes, they just needed to be cleared. The vehicle is still hesitating and is causing a potential for serious injury upon driving under crucial situations. I have now resorted to public transportation. Audio system issue: vehicle's radio will display all it's features, but will not play any sound through speakers. This has been addressed with the service team on 3 past occasions, but it has not been remedied. Last know problem was the speaker amps and grounding mechanism for speaker, also the radio, when it does work gets interference when the rear defrost is on.

Filed Jan 4, 2002 · Engine · ME

Repeated cold engine hesitation to the point of stalling when gaining speed from a stop. Manufacturer repeatedly stated that there is no fix and the problem was a "condition of operation"characteristic of all 2001 and 2002 engines, that owner would have to warm the engine prior to use and burn a higher grade of gasoline. Engine light on at time of first service with code p0133. Replaced a/f sensor did not fix problem. Condition was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. Dealer warms engine prior to customer test drive. After being refused a refund, I traded in the car 11/14/01 at oconner vw, augusta me. Informing owner of dealership about problem.

Filed Sep 6, 2001 · Acceleration · KS

When engine is cold,vehicle hesitates and nearly stalls when accelerating from idle speed or taking off.

Filed Aug 23, 2001 · Acceleration · MD

I am afraid to drive this car now. It hesitates, then lunges forward very quickly. The dealer acknowledges the problem, which he says is a problem in alot of legacy sedans, but subaru can't figure out how to fix it. I am asking them to fix it or replace the car with a safe vehicle.