1999 Subaru Outback: broken coil spring

Filed Jun 9, 2016 · Suspension · 109,000 miles · MD

Front coil spring broke in half while vehicle was stationary - almost puncturing tire, and rendering vehicle immobile - the broken end of the coil was wedged into the tire sidewall. If this had happened while vehicle was moving, it would have caused a blowout and possible accident. Subaru has a recall for coil springs, but said the vehicle was not covered because it was outside the VIN range - but was clearly still affected by the problem.

Filed May 21, 2010 · Suspension · 115,250 miles · CT

We experienced an incident in which a front suspension coil spring failed. Parking our 1999 subaru legacy outback, the vehicle was perfectly fine. In the morning the vehicle had a flat driver's side tire. Jacking the car, it was difficult to remove the flat tire and wheel. The reason it was hard to remove was that a sharp long piece of the front coil spring has broken away, and punctured the sidewall of the tire. When the tire and wheel were finally removed, the broken coil spring could be seen sitting atop the front strut. The remainder of the coil spring had a long sharp point that had shot down over the spring seat on the strut and was protruding into the wheel well area where it had damaged the tire. Also, many pieces of black paint which had been coating the coil spring could be seen now lying on the ground. The coil spring itself was rusted over the entire spring surface of the spring. The broken piece of the coil spring which was separated from the rest of the spring was pulled off of the strut and put into the car. The remainder of the broken coil spring was then able to be lifted up and suspended above the strut coil spring seat in order to drive the car to a subaru dealer. The subaru dealer checked my vehicle VIN# telling me that there were no recalls on this vehicle for any failed coil springs. I referenced a recall notice I had found online which detailed the exact failure in which I had experienced, a broken coil spring, caused by defecting paint coating the spring, leading to rusting of the spring and breakage, also occasionally puncturing tires in the process. I was told a call would be place to the subaru rep to inquire about such a recall. I received notice that no such recall existed and no warranty coverage existed for the failed coil spring and tire puncture. I can only imagine how such a failure at highway speed and the subsequent damage to vehicle and driver and passenger might ensue.

Filed May 18, 2009 · Suspension · 171,798 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 subaru outback. While driving in reverse at an unknown speed, the passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the front passenger side tire. The contact did not realize the failure until the tire was changed. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number (01v216000). The current and failure mileages were 171,798.

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Suspension · OH

Dt: the contact stated when leaving the dealership after getting the vehicle serviced the driver's side front coil spring fractured. This punctured the tire and caused it to go flat in a matter of seconds. The mechanic took the tire off and found that the coil spring fractured. There was the federal safety agency recall, 01v216000, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. The vehicle is currently at the dealership getting repaired.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · MA

Front right coil spring broke which and caused the front tire to become shredded. The car was undriveable and needed to be towed to our mechanic. We discovered that a recall had been issued for this exact problem (the federal safety agency campaign id number : 01v216000). However, subaru refussed to pay for the repair because the car was not included in the batch of cars involved in the recall. We therefore had our mechanic repair the vehicle.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Suspension · MA

Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in the federal safety agency recall 01v216000. Passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, the front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring. Dealership indicated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.