2001 Subaru Outback: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Aug 13, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · ME

I was driving on I-84 in ct when my passenger side rear tire blew. The car fishtailed but I got it slowed down and over to the shoulder without getting into an accident. When the garage put the car up on a lift it was determined that the rear subframe had broken right where the upper control arm connected to it which allowed the tire to lean in towards the body of the car where it rubbed against the body, heated up and then ruptured. These tires had just been installed 3 days earlier. Looking at the subframe it was badly rusted, the various control arms attached to it had some surface rust but nothing like the subframe. The underside of the car was not rusted. The subaru dealer gave me an estimate of $2000 to replace the subframe, since the car was worthless otherwise I told him to proceed. I found out that my vehicle had been subject to a recall for "certain rear suspension subframe components were produced with poor paint quality " ..."which, after continued exposure to corrosive road salts for a period of several years, could result in rust-out of the component and possible breakage of the subframe. If such breakage occurs while the vehicle is being operated, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash." my vehicle got "treated" for the recall which included cleaning the subframe and painting it. I called subaru of america and asked if they would be willing to share in the costs since it was obvious that the recall "treatment" did not work and there was no reason, except a defective paint job, for a subframe to fail on a 13 year old car. The declined to help me citing the age of the car and the fact that the recall "work" had been performed. They also offered a $500 coupon if I wanted to buy a new subaru. I believe that these vehicles need to be recalled and the rear subframe replaced on subaru dime.

Filed Oct 6, 2003 · Tires · 29,010 miles · AR

Tire sidewall blowout, firestone wilderness. Door plate shows 30 psi, tire shows 44 psi, difference of 14 pounds--too much difference.

Filed May 7, 2003 · Tires · IL

Hi, on february 25, 2003 while driving on the highway my left rear firestone tire on my subaru outback blew up. I was very lucky that no one was next to my car at the time the tire blew and I was able to pull to the side. The tire was firestone wilderness 225 60-16 h-rated. Part # 074772. The car is a subaru 2001 and it had only 21000 miles when the tire blew. I contacted firestone customer service dept. And the firestone shop on dempster in skokie, illinois and was informed that I will have to purchase 4 new tires because if I replace only the tire that blew, it will damage my transmission. I asked why the tire blew with only 21,000 miles on it and they could not explain but said they will send it back to their factory for investigation. They were willing to prorate only the tire that blew, not all 4 new tires. I had to pay close to $400 for 4 new tires. I contacted your office by phone the same week and explained my problem to a lady in your office. I was told that I will get a form in the mail to be filled out by me but I did not get it so I decided to contact you by e-mail. A few weeks later, when I changed my oil at the subaru dealer on grand avenue in naperville illinois, an employee in the service department stated that he was aware of another incident about a month earlier that a lady came into the shop with a similar blow out on the same firestone type wilderness tire and she had to buy 4 tires also. I am concerned that there might be more such instances and someone needs to investigate this issue before someone gets killed. The tire separated 360 degrees on its side around where the white circle is on the sidewall. I took a number of digital pictures of the tire that blew before firestone took it. I would like to send them to you either by e-mail or I can make prints. *jb please advise. Zelig

Filed Mar 14, 2003 · Tires · 29,489 miles · NY

The right rear tire blew out with no warning. *jb the consumer excessively checked for cracks which were found on all four tires. Scc

Filed Feb 27, 2003 · Tires · IL

The front passenger tire blew out, which caused the consumer to pull over.

Filed Jan 10, 2003 · Tires · WY

While traveling at 65 MPH, consumer states right rear tire blew 2 1/2 inches from the rim, and there were splits going all the way around tire. Please provide any further information.