2004 Subaru Outback: jerking or lurching

6 of the 90 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Outback describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 36,039
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

2025
3
2024
3
2023
2
2022
6
2021
5
2020
8
2019
3
2018
10
2017
6
2016
12
2015
9
2014
4
2013
6
2012
8
2011
15
2010
6
2009
3
2008
2
2007
2
2006
2
2005
2
2004
6
2003
1
2002
4
2001
3
2000
3
1999
2
1998
4
1997
1

What owners say

Filed Aug 28, 2014 · Acceleration · 56,000 miles · CA

When accelerating from a stop car lurches forward. There is no such thing as smooth acceleration with this vehicle. After reading all of the other incidences of this and worse on this model car on this site, I will file a complaint and dump the darn car. This was my first subaru, purchased used, and I was excited to have purchased it. Now it seems like a curse. I bought it because consumer reports rated it as one of the safest for teen drivers. Canceled my consumer reports subscription. I bought it for my daughter - now I will not let her drive it. No more subarus for me.

Filed Apr 7, 2006 · Transmission · 51,639 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle shifted roughly upon both acceleration and deceleration. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer three times who determined the rough shifting was related to a bad torque converter; however the torque converter was not replaced. Now, while stopped at a light, with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lurches forward because the transmission engages. The vehicle has not been returned to the dealer concerning the forward motion.

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Electrical · 36,039 miles · NY

My 2004 subaru outback sedan would idle extremely high. When I put it in reverse it would lurch back suddenly. As I was driving, I would take my foot off the pedal and it would remain at the speed I was going. It was looked at twice and was not able to be replicated. The service tech stated he had seen the problem before and would clean out the throttle box. Approximately 2-3 weeks later the vehicle would not go over 40 MPH without lurching back and forth and making a violent banging noise, at this point the check engine light came on. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. They replaced the throttle sensor system with negative results and stated they were not able to rectify the problem. Currently vehicle is in shop waiting for tech support to call.

Filed Jun 8, 2005 · Acceleration · 12,361 miles · CA

Throttle intermittently stuck open when driving from 40-45 MPH, and vehicle surged when applying the accelerator pedal from the stop position. Both issues caused the vehicle to suddenly/unexpectedly accelerate and lurch forward. Consumer had a concern that this problem will lead to an accident. Vehicle had been to the dealer on five separate occasions. Twice the dealer could not duplicate the problem, and three times dealer was able to duplicate the problems, but unable to correct the problem. *ak as of may 13, 2005 vehicle has failed 6 times, 4 times the dealership was able to duplicate the problem and twice they were unsuccessful in finding the problem. Vehicle gets stuck in cruise control and doesn't want to go below 40 MPH.

Filed May 31, 2005 · Engine · 11,200 miles · CA

On two separate occasions the vehicle commences to surge and lurch forward while applying the brakes. Consumer was able to control the vehicle without any incidents. The vehicle has been to the dealer once and they were unable to duplicate the problem. *nm *tt

Filed Feb 1, 2005 · Acceleration · 2,500 miles · NJ

On two separate occasions, with two different drivers, my subaru outback 2004 vehicle experienced dangerous sudden acceleration. In both cases, we were stopped in traffic for a few minutes, foot on the brake, when suddenly, the car began to surge forward. Even exerting strong pressure on the brake, the car continued to surge forward, the engine racing. On one occasion, we were behind other stopped cars and almost rear-ended the car in front of us. On another, we were stopped at a cross walk and almost lurched forward into pedestrians. In both cases, we then threw the car into neutral (it is an automatic). The engine then raced wildly for a few seconds. We then threw it into park. At this point, the engine continued to race, then subsided. A moment later, the car was behaving normally again. Our initial calls to subaru were regarded with lightheartedness. They told us, in essence, we didn't know how to drive (each driver has more than 30 years driving experience). A search on the internet reveals many other subaru owners who have had this problem, and a subaru history of ignoring it and their customers' safety. Shame on subaru. Please take action to prevent injury or death resulting from this unsafe vehicle.