2002 Subaru Outback: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 15, 2005 · Acceleration · 47,888 miles · MA

2002 subaru outback wagon has 48,000 miles. Car stalls at red lights, sputters and hesitates when trying to accelerate from a stop. Dangerous trying to get on highway. Dealer tested all systems and said nothing was wrong with the car. Independent mechanic tested it and said main computer not working properly. Check engine light never came on. Mechanic reset computer but suggested I get rid of the car asap

Filed Jan 20, 2005 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 31,200 miles · CT

Dangerous hesitation in first and second gears especially. At stop light, upon attempting to accelerate, car bogged down, rpms dipped and nearly stalled before car finally accelerated with a violent jerk forward and back. Has happened on numerous occasions. Very dangerous-nearly been in three accidents already. So far the dealer has bled the clutch, adjusted the clutch, replaced the clutch, replaced knock sensor, replaced coolant temp sensor and replaced front oxygen sensor and problem still as bad as ever if not worse.

Filed Sep 27, 2004 · Acceleration · 44,500 miles · NY

The engine began to idle roughly quite a few months prior (dealer unable to detect any problem), subsequently experienced hesitation from stop; progressed to fluctuating idle speed from 750 to 500 RPM with self correction to 750 after car had been driven and fully warmed up which progressed to episode of hesitation while driving up hill with near engine stall. Thereafter had a few episodes of engine surging while stopping in drive, which did not stop when put into either neutral or park (dealer unable to diagnose any problem, did software replaced but problem continued to degenerate). Engine stalled when it came to stop then when restarted continued to have surging as above described. Engine would have hesitation and near stall also during regular operation on highway even at cruising speeds from 20 MPH to 65 MPH. Dealer currently attempting to diagnose problem again.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Transmission · NC

The car hesitates on acceleration, mainly in 1st and 2nd gear. Can be severe enough that car practically stalls in intersections.

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · DE

I have owned a 2002 subaru outback station wagon since august 2002, and have experienced a very frequent (daily to weekly) but inconsistent hesitation and shudder while accelerating from a stop. It occurs in 1st and 2nd gear, and is pronounced in cold starts only. The hesitation and clutch shudder also is pronounced in stop and go traffic, in first or second gear - in this situation, the car lunges or lurches forward until the speed increases to over 10 or 15 MPH. This causes a safety concern at low speeds, and the start of acceleration from a stop. Have taken it to the subaru dealer on several occasions, but they have not been able to fix the problem. The problem appears to be quite prominent in other subaru oubacks and other models (based on other the federal safety agency complaints, and postings on the www.utlimatesubaru.net (search for shudder or hesitation and you can find hundreds of similar complaints). A trouble file has been set up with subaru america. However, the problem continues to persist.

Filed Apr 11, 2003 · Transmission · KY

I purchased a 2002 subaru outback from oldham's subaru of nicholasville, ky in feburary 2003. On sat. March 22, 2003, I noticed the car hesitating during initial acceleration after a stop and then with acceleration after shifting into second gear (manual transmission). On sun., march 23, 2003 the problem became much more severe. The car would lurch into intersections after a stop, and then hesitate. The car would not move at all, then would lurch out of the intersection. This nearly caused a very serious accident, and I had my 2 year old son in the car. I finally decided to pull to the side of the road and call roadside assistance. The car was towed to the dealership, who drove the car the next two days for 7 miles, then 6 miles, and said that they found no problems. I picked up the car and did not have the problem for a week, but I am now having the same hesitation problems with the car. It is clearly unsafe to drive, and I am afraid to drive it. My own investigation into the problem (web research) reveals that many other owners of subaru's made in the late 90's to the present have had similar problems, with no help from their local dealerships. I hope that this problem can be investigated and addressed before people are injured or killed.