2003 Subaru Outback transmission problems

Filed Jun 19, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 123,400 miles · WA

After previous repairs to transmission fluid leak and head gasket repair, the car's transmission failed and had to be rebuilt. The transmission failed as I was driving. I could not shift from first to second. I was able to get the car to the dealer by driving in first and living with a sharp clunk into second. I was close to the dealer or else this would have been a tow. If this had happened on the freeway it could have been catastrophic.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Transmission · 194,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru outback. The contact stated that the while parked, the vehicle rolled away. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the parking mechanism within the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 194,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

Head gasket failure***** 2003 outback **** this is not a new problem as four of the subaru's we've owned had hg issues. Although in the past subaru acknowledged the failures and repaired them under the wwp99 campaign (1998-2002 model years). While this failure continues to be widespread (just google subaru head gasket problems and you'll get pages of complaints of hg failures) subaru has stopped repairing them or even acknowledging there is a problem. This appears to be solely a cost saving strategy. When the gaskets fail, oil leaks outside the engine which contacts the exhaust system. The burning oil puts smoke and fumes inside the car. I would think this is also a fire concern. Inside the engine, oil and coolant mix and can cause catastrophic damage/failure. Is there anything I can do to get this repaired by subaru? They seem to be getting away with a huge consumer injustice just by acting like it doesn't exist. Can they be required extent the champagne (wwp99) with the 03 and later models? Subaru clearly acknowledges a head gasket problem in previous years and later model years have the same failure.

Filed Nov 14, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · AZ

After smelling leaking oil for many months, my mechanic confirmed that the head gasket is leaking. Oil is leaking down onto the exhaust creating a constant burning smell. I contacted subaru and they are unwilling to address this in any way, despite the fact that the engine has been meticulously maintained and serviced.

Filed Sep 5, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 75,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru outback. While driving at any speed, the vehicle bounces, shakes, and wobbles from side to side. The failure is also followed by a bumping sound. The contact believes that it is causing wear and tear on the vehicle. She is terrified to drive the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was performing this way due to the items in the vehicle. The driveshaft was replaced and the dealer stated that the viscus cup needed to be replaced. Currently, there is failure with the struts, bearings, and suspension. The dealer stated that the vehicle would pass inspection. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 74,000 miles · NY

Defective drive shaft defective viscous coupler defective suspension no deaths or accidents yet I am afraid that my life and safety are seriously at risk and none of the subaru techs will acknowledge a problem or agree to fix. I had the above defects diagnosed by an auto shop not affiliated with subaru. There may be other problems too.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · CA · crash

On january 26,2008 at 8:10 pm my husband and I arrived home from a dinner out. He stopped at the top of our very steep driveway and placed my 2003 subaru outback in park. The car was running.. . As I was in the car I didn't notice immediately that it was rolling. It made no grinding sound as it should have if it was slipping out of gear. It was as if it was in neutral. He yelled at me (I was strapped in the passenger seat) to hit the brake but I could not because I was strapped in my seat. I never thought of the emergency brake as I was panicked. In march of 2007 I was diagnosed with a very serious spinal condition and had to get a five level neck surgery to keep from becoming paralyzed. I was told that if I got hit on the back of the neck or was in an auto accident I could be paralyzed. The car reached a speed of about 10 miles per hour and I slammed into our 1997 rodeo isuzu. Thankfully the airbag did not deploy and jolt my head and I braced my hands on the dash. I suffered only minor wrist sprains and multiple bruises and some neck soreness and absolute physical shock. I have had nightmares about the accident. We called highway patrol and our insurance company. I did not feel it necessary to get medical attention as I was not seriously injured. After this was over my husband went on the internet and read about a recall of 2002 and 2003 legacy outbacks because of a defect of the parking rod that fails to engage. My car was not on the recall list but it should be. I took it to the dealer to check this problem out and they, after having the car for 6 days only checked the parking break and the shifter and shifter linkage which didn't address my complaint about the parking rod at all. I am currently out $500 deductible for my subaru and $3000 for the body damage to my other car and mostly I am still major concerned that this rolling in park thing will happen again.

Filed Sep 13, 2007 · Transmission · 27,479 miles · CO

I took my 2003 subaru outback in for regular oil change maintenance. The auto mechanic informed me that the engine was quite noisy and thought it might need valve adustments. We took it to the dealer thinking that the dealer would cover this under the warranty. We left the vehicle with the dealer to be checked out, their diagnosis was that the timing belt tensioner was defective. Being that our vehicle only had 27,000 miles on it, the maintenance mechanic said it was probably defective right from the factory. If we had not caught this at this time, it could have cause considerable about of damage to the timing belt or engine. The warranty covers 6 years on the powertrain, but the dealer would not cover this expense of this part.

Filed Nov 13, 2006 · Transmission · 24,207 miles · PA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH on wet roads, the vehicle ran rough, and did not accelerate properly. The vehicle began to buck, and the check engine light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where the transmission fluid was found to be empty, and was refilled. The problems persisted, so the vehicle was taken to a service dealer several days later, where the problem was unable to be determined.

Filed Nov 18, 2003 · Transmission · 73,523 miles · NV

Consumer had a difficult time depressing the clutch pedal when driving. Consumer stated clutch pedal was too close to the brake pedal, making it hard to engage.