2001 Subaru Outback: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed May 4, 2005 · Transmission · 61,500 miles · WA

Since day one, the clutch has shuddered at engagement when engine/drivetrain is cold. The tremors are violent enough to shake the entire vehicle disturbingly. This has been a nuisance and somewhat of a safety issue as you cannot accelerate quickly if necessary. Over the last 10000 miles or so, I've noticed a burning smell when engaging the clutch on an uphill start. Dealership says the clutch is slipping and will need replacement soon and I only have 61500 highway miles on the car! I've had plenty of cars go over 150000 miles with no clutch problems. Subaru has a definite design flaw in these hydraulic clutches that they are refusing to own up to! Regrettably, I may have purchased my last subaru.

Filed May 11, 2004 · Transmission · CA

My clutch shudders when cold and sometimes when warmed up. Been happening since around 20k miles. Took to dealer at 25k miles but they couldn't duplicate problem. They said bring it back when problem worsens. Brought back to dealer at 56k miles, and dealer said clutch was bad. Wouldn't cover it under warranty since they said it was "user wear". Yeah, right! I had to pay full cost to replace the clutch!! I think this should be investigated since many people with outback clutches have similar problems. I've look at outback model years 2000-2003 on the federal safety agency complaint web site and there are many incidences about the defective clutches.

Filed Apr 23, 2004 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · IN

My 2001 subaru outback has a clutch shudder ( jutter ) that is reported to occur in all subaru models with the 2.5 ltr engine. There are inumerable consumer complaints about the problem and yet subaru burries its head in the sand and pretends there is no problem.

Filed Apr 13, 2004 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · FL

Since about 10,000 miles the clutch shudders when trying to accelerate. Usually only when engine is cold but not 100% of the time. Have complained to subaru dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. Apparently a known problem with some subarus but not all dealers address it.

Filed Apr 7, 2004 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · OH

The clutch on our 2001 subaru outback limited shudders when the car and/or temperature is cold. It has done this for the last 30-40,000 miles.

Filed Dec 4, 2003 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · NH

Clutch shudder problem since 20k miles. Happens when cold or damp out, hesitates when accelerating in first gear, from stopped position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 times, including test drive w/ mechanic,can't find the problem.

Filed Apr 30, 2003 · Brakes · PA

Have been experiencing continued brake problems with my 2001 subaru outback ltd. This causes shuddering and pull to both left & right upon application of brakes. Dealer has turned rotors etc. ( 1st @ 18000 miles) but problem still exists (current milage 28500) I have been hearing of other indiv. With the same problems in this model year...rumor : rotors are too thin /undersized? For car heat build up etc. I feel this to be a safety issue as well . Car is hard to stop in a straight line...I am also concerned as to subaru backing up their warranty on this problem, as I've been hearing some "horror stories" . Can you explore the safety/warranty issues on this problem?

Filed Aug 13, 2002 · Transmission · WI

There is a dangerous clutch shudder when shifting in low gears. Car can stall in bad intersections. This is dangerous. There is a lot of public discussion about this problem here: http://pub1.ezboard.com/fultimatesubarumessageboardsthenewgenerationofsubarus.showmessage?topicid=3533.topic

Filed May 8, 2002 · Transmission · MA

The clutch-shudder problem has been going on since this winter. It happens most often in the morning, cold seems to be a factor most of the time, and it shudders when you go from stop to go. First gear is almost impossible to get out of smoothly without the shuddering. The dealer cant seem to replicate the problem, but I have read the other subaru owners complaints of the same problem on the subaru message board, so I know its more of a problem than just our car. *ts ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***761667

Filed Jan 28, 2002 · Transmission · NV

Since new, the clutch in this car has had a bad shudder when cold outside -- bad enough to shake the entire car as the clutch engages. It only happens when it's cold, but not all the time when it's cold, making it nigh impossible for the dealer to do anything about it. 20k miles later, the problem still exists for me and apparently many, many other outback drivers. Internet posts confirm that this is a "common" subaru problem, although a fix is not readily available. The dealer acknowledges that there are known problems with some legacy/outback clutches, but until the clutch will reliably fail while they have it, they cannot do anything about it. Most people, like me, just deal with the horrible shaking, but I can certainly see how this could lead to a hazardous situation when someone tries to pull into traffic and becomes startled by the shuddering car, backing off the gas and possibly getting hit.

Filed Jan 26, 2002 · Transmission · CA

The clutch or flywheel appears defective. The clutch shudders or chatters when engaged which causes the car to hesitate upon acceleration. This problem started around 9,000 miles and has continued intermittently till now at 18,000 miles. Subaru has agreed to replace my clutch and flywheel, but I am concerned regarding this problem. This problem is widespread among other subaru drivers and the service techs report that this problem is commen and normal for suabrus. I believe this is a safety issue and defect in the design or manufactoring of the clutch and flywheel assembly. Please look into this problem. I would be happy to speak to anyone regarding this issue. When you engage the clutch upon acceleration the car jerks and trembles, chatters, shudders before engaging. This should not be accepted as normal operation. Thank you.