Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru outback. The contact stated that the vehicle would continuously overheat while driving or while the vehicle was sitting idle with the engine on. The contact also mentioned the vehicle was emitting a burning oil smell. He stated that the failure was due to a defective head gasket. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.
2003 Subaru Outback engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Subaru outback 4 cyl wagon engine cooling problems/head gasket failure. Car had to be turned off in traffic several times,extremely hot,fumes go in the car. Took it to dealer and it is past warranty by approx 10,000 miles. It is a 4,000. Job to fix.
Head gasket developed a coolant leak. It was less than 30 days from the warranty running out. The dealership did the warranty work but said they could not do the other head gasket because it had not failed and the warranty would not allow them to replace it. It only makes sense if the one side failed that the other side was right behind it.
Dt*: the contact stated after having the 30,000 mile service performed on the vehicle, it began having multiple problems. The gas mileage decreased 50 miles per tank. There was an oil smoke smell coming from the vents when the fan was on. A pinging noise could be intermittently heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection; however the problems could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was alerted.
When car was slowing for a stop sign it would stall, however it could always be restarted. The consumer would have to place the vehicle in park and restart. *ak the dealer was unable to diagnose the problem. *sc
2003 subaru outback cut off in the middle of traffic.***no answer required***. *mr subaru was unable to find out what was causing the stalling problem. *sc
Consumer states that while driving and without warning the vehicle will stall. The dealer was notified. *nd when braking to stop or make a turn the vehicle will stall. The consumer was told that thee are other vehicles (same make/model) with the same problem.
Car keeps shutting off in infrequent intervals. First at 375 miles and by 9000 miles it did it 9 times. The car has been at the dealer 6 times and just now subaru is admitting to having other cars with this issue. All 2003 6 cylinder engines. I was told after the 4th time at the dealer that they cannot fix it, end of story. Then after filing a complaint with the attorney general office they are working on it again. They are now starting to replace stuff and want to put a black box in. This car shuts off only at a stand still so far but this is very dangerous. Subaru admits to having more cars like this and they only could fix half of them.
Nar 03-27-2003 mr the car dies intermittently at speeds between 20-25 MPH on deceleration. The power is completely lost with no power steering control. Additional items noticied .. Shifting in transmission at low speeds, dashboard creaks and drivers window faulty.
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