2005 Subaru Outback driver assistance problems

Filed Nov 8, 2019 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 180,000 miles · MI

On any wet or snowy pavement car is ghost walking, like the rear end has marbles under it. Speed of 35 MPH, straight driving, on wet pavement. Like a cat walking on its nails.terrified. Had alignment, new tires, new rear struts, sway bar, transmission wiring harness. Disabled ABS so at least I control braking

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 230,000 miles · CO

Gas pedal failed while the car was traveling at 65 MPH on a highway. Unable to accelarate. Total failure of pedal. Luckily pulled over to the shoulder before another vehicle plowed into me. Restarted vehicle and pedal operated properly. Very disconcerting. Failure code was p2138.

Filed Apr 23, 2016 · Body, Driver assistance · 110,000 miles · MD · crash

I was pulling into a parking space and put on the brake. Vehicle didn't respond to braking and kept going, over the,curb, across the median and hit 5 parked cars before it stopped.

Filed Feb 15, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 114,000 miles · KS

While traveling in heavy flow rush hour multi-lane traffic at around 65 MPH and at merging point of multi higher exchange with near zero shoulder or stopping lane, the car suddenly lost response from accelerator pedal. I manage to coast to a stop just between the triangle space separating two of the major highways varying two separate direction with very heavy traffic at high speed on both sides (nearly getting smashed several times before coming to the only possible yet dangerous place to stop). The car remain idling but very limp; afraid to venture to continue to the next exit because there would be no shoulder area to pull over, I called for help thinking the car had ran out of gas and was just running on fume. After enduring several minutes of near death moments of being crashed into by on-coming vehicles at high speed merging traffic coming from a curving road, I dangerously ventured to open doors into flowing traffic to fill the tank escaping death many times. The car started and was able to get off highway to fill tank. Same limp pedal repeated again two days later coming off a two lane {two-way) bridge with absolutely no shoulder. I was able to coast to the end of the bridge to turn into a business parking without being plowed by the heavy traffic around. Obd reading of the car indicate p2138 pointing to faulty fly-by-wire defect in the accelerator position sensor which is part of the accelerator assembly. I manage to escape death with this manufacturer defect. I just wonder how many crashes and deaths have resulted and will continue to result because of this very well reported issue with these subaru outbacks before the accelerator assembly units are recalled?

Filed Jan 4, 2013 · Driver assistance, Suspension · PA

I am the third owner so after my problems, I researched to learn the first owner couldn't maintain tire life; subaru replaced all four tires and kept trying realignment for her. The second owner informed me he could not maintain new tire life, never acknowledging to me that the car is all over the road and a hazard to your life. Being the third owner, I never thought when I purchased this 2005 subaru outback that it could be an engineering problem with a company like subaru, not identified or recalled. I have learned the car is unsafe and after research online have learned there could be a serious engineering problem with the raised rear suspension. I have the subaru receipts from former two owners (they were related) and obviously subaru is negligent in not identifying the issue and reporting it. Two different shops have assured me it is not ball joints, or suspension, etc. I spent $750 on the rear end and new alignment at the specialty spring and suspension shop and those tires seem to be wearing evenly. The front tires are cupped on the outside severely in six months. The car is all over the road.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 10,000 miles · NH

2005 subaru outback will not track straight in slippery conditions at all. The term 'ghost walking' is being used for this and is very accurate. I do not feel secure driving in any snowy conditions in this vehicle. I had a 1995 subaru before this that was rock steady in snow, this car is very unpredictable. Tire changes do not solve problem nor does alignment to oem specs. Has been on going since I bought the car new.

Filed Apr 9, 2010 · Driver assistance, Suspension · 42,412 miles · NY

We have a 2005 subaru outback that sways in the rear of car under the following conditions 1. Over bumps the rear will swing to the right and dip. When roads are slick it will almost spin the vehicle. If you are in a left hand curve, even at low speed, the condition is exaggerated more than you would expect sort of like it was pushed in addition to the normal inertia you would experience. 2. Rear end traction becomes unstable under icy conditions where it appears that too much power is being distributed to the rear of the driveline then oscillating to each individual rear wheel. In my opinion 100% of the vehicles power concentrated to the rear differential is alternately distributed between the rear wheels and kind of gets stuck in this mode.

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Driver assistance · 65,000 miles · 00

1. Slightly icy road condition. 2. Abnormal loss of road feel and control. 3. No known solution.

Filed Jan 8, 2010 · Body, Driver assistance · 20,000 miles · WY

In comparison with many trucks and cars I have driven in winter conditions for over 30 years, our 2005 suburu outback is much more unstable especially in the rear end whenever hard packed snow or ice is encountered even at moderate speeds (30-50 MPH). At least once this cause the vehicle to spin uncontrollably. In identical conditions, a truck in 2wd (I have several trucks on my ranch) is far more stable. There is a clear safety problem with this vehicle for which tires, inflation, alignment according to manufacturers specs fails to cure.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Driver assistance · 70,000 miles · 00

Driving under normal cold conditions. Every time that we went under an overpass where ice has forced on the highway the car momentarily lost control. It was a good thing that the hazard ended quickly otherwise we would have been off the road