I own a 2007 subaru outback 2.5i with a manual transmission. This vehicle is an early warning indicator for black ice on the road surface. The outback vehicle has a stability control problem in certain conditions. While driving at constant speed (constant and low throttle position) on a flat road, the back end of the vehicle tends to oscillate from side to side in icy conditions. The vehicle feels like it is going to spin out, although that hasnt happened to me yet. Other vehicles on the road at the same time seem to have adequate traction (2wd, awd, 4wd). The problem is not traction while: 1) cornering under slippery conditions, 2) hard acceleration on ice, or 3) braking on ice. Road conditions that I have experienced the oscillation on are very thin ice (black ice). I suspect there is something wrong with the rear suspension design on my 05-09 outbacks. The problem is more prevalent and pronounced when the vehicle has occupants in the rear seats. The stability of this vehicle seems to be marginal and it only takes certain conditions (road and vehicle parameters) to be on the edge of disaster. Subaru released technical service bulletin 05-36-07 which eliminated the positive side of the original toe tolerance for rear tire alignment. I think the vehicle experiences large rear tire toe in when weight is added. I suspect this large rear tire toe in when weight is added contributes to the stability problem in icy conditions I have brand new (jan 2010) hankook ipike w409 studless winter tires. Its not the tires. Those who have not experienced this situation naturally respond by saying it is ice, what are your expecting, just slow down. I have lived in colorado since 1981 and consider myself a competent driver in all weather conditions. Without a doubt, I would actually feel safer and more in control driving my 2wd minivan (or any other car I have owned) in these conditions. I implore you to recall this vehicle. It is unsafe.
2007 Subaru Outback suspension complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 14 of 14, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2007 subaru outback 2.5i with snow tires (snow flake symbol). I first noticed the occurrence last year when driving slightly snowy roads in colorado,. The back end of my car would wobble side to side at a high rate -- probably 5 inches to each side. It felt as if the car was sending power to each wheel independently. The faster I would go, the more violently it would wobble side to side. I was suddenly having to drive 20mph on interstate 70, I was being passed by large semi- trucks and little miatas. Since then, I have felt the wobble on grooved concrete surfaces, but mostly roads that have a little snow on them, but I can still see the road surface. One time, the car wobbled so violently that it swung into another lane. I've contacted subaru america, but they have been very little help and do not seem to take it seriously. I know several other 2005-08 subaru outback drivers that this has happened to. Our best theory is that the suspension is too soft and when it gets weighted down (with two or more people in the car) it changes the geometry of the suspension and the alignment with some how plays with the rear differential.
2007 subaru outback 2.5i, 4 snow tires, 5mt. This has happened several times. When driving the vehicle straight (no turns) on slightly icy or blowing snow roads, the rear end begins to wobble approxiamtley 3inches side to side. I am giving the car little to no throttle and it will still sway. The swaying becomes much worse with more weight in the car (1 foot side to side). The swaying is so bad that I often have to drive 15-20mph slower than general traffic. I have had new tires put on (snow tires) and had the car aligned. It still occurs.
2007 subaru outback does not handle properly on icy roads. The awd fails or pulls, causing the driver to lose control at speeds over 35-40mph. Other 2wd cars on the road pass and handle the same conditions better with no appearance of sliding. This has happened several times. We have also replaced the tires and had two alignments in the past year. The problem persists whenever we are on an ice packed road, but does not present in snow or where the road has been treated with adequate mag chloride.
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