2013 Subaru Outback suspension problems

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Body, Brakes · CT

I purchased a car from Middletown Nissan on May 24, 2025. The car was assured to have all these different safety checks so far it had to have the power steering pump replaced twice the power steering lines replaced all new control arms a new bearing brand new back brakes which include rotors and pads, and four new tires When the tires were put on they found that the car had significant damage in the subframe from rotting there are holes in it. The car was at the dealership several times for different problems and they never disclose this problem. They basically told me it was my fault when I’ve had the car for two months that the frame is completely rotted. The car is clunking and not driving mechanically the way it should

Filed May 29, 2024 · Steering, Suspension · PA

* I detected a noise in the front end and an instability in the handling. My independent service mechanic found the cradle on the right front severely rusted out at the point where the control arm attaches. He had to condemn the vehicle. * My mechanic says that it could have resulted in a total loss of ability to steer. He says that he is unable to order the part from the manufacturer because so many are on back order. He is also unable to find any used ones. Finally, he says that in the last 3 months he has had to condemn 3 other Outbacks due to the same problem. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. *Problem confirmed by my independent service center *No *No

Filed Aug 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Steering · 40,000 miles · CA

When driving over 40mph the car seems to jerk out of the blue it even seems like one side of the vehicle lifts or tilts as if it has hydraulics makes it hard to control continuously grip the steerg wheel in order to keep control is unbearable. There is something seriously wrong after readg online&on this website obvious somethings wrong. Why r u waiting for crashes& possible deaths to raise this issue? When driving on the highway at normal highway speeds all of a sudden you feel a quick pull as if a magnet just pulled your car and it also starts to lift when driving on the highway at normal speeds. Car lifts the front right side of suspension as if it's going to roll over and at the time it drops like it's going to fold under and you're going to crash. Like it has hydraulics but only on one side. This is very scary when your driving at normal highway speeds. This makes you slow down out of nowhere and causing others around you to suddenly avoid you. This is a nightmare. Subaru needs to acknowledge there is a problem. See all the other complaints and there is a lot more online by others that don't know how to go to this website and place a formal complaint because I did not even know about it. Came across by mistake. This car is meant for driving long distances and I am afraid to do so. When your afraid to drive your own car scarred of the quick jerk and the possible rolling of your car due to the "real" actions the car is performing while driving is and should be a vehicle safety concern prior to accidents and deaths taking place. Just because the "manufacturer" says it's in specs does't mean nothg wrong plus its the manuf sayg this, not an independent company.boweing their airplane had hard time stating plane's fault. You can not put the manuf in charge of making the right choice when it comes to money.

Filed Dec 28, 2016 · Suspension, Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

Excessive oil usage, regularly occurs within 6000 miles of oil change burns one quart of synthetic engine oil. Also note bushing in drivers side lower control arm has failed as of 50,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 5,000 miles · OH

Wonders from side to side. Took back to dealer they check alignment. Said everything was in spects. There was no charge this time for alignment but would not do it again for free. We purchased extended warranty at time of purchase. What a waste! My daughter and son-in-law borrowed it last summer. Put 8000 miles on it driving across country. Had a terrible time keeping it on the road. They where going to buy a outback but quickly changed their mind. Called dealer again and the service manger told me to change tires and cross rotate them. I told him we already did that and my husband cross rotated them. He said that there would be a charge to look at it. Since they didn't do anything the first time why pay them more to tell me it is in spects? I think they are waiting for someone to get killed or be killed. This is most definitely a safety issue.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 500 miles · NJ

While driving at speeds over 40 it is very difficult to keep the car centered in a lane. The dealer checked and corrected the alignment with little or no improvement. The service rep did admit that outbacks do wander. Email sent to subaru has apparently been ignored. This is an unsafe condition in our crowded interstates.

Filed Jan 2, 2014 · Fuel system, Suspension · 9,000 miles · MD

In temperatures lower than 45 degrees f, if not 'warmed up' the car will make a loud thunk noise and lurch forward upon being put into drive. If the brake is not firmly engage, the car will jump forward. The subaru dealer claims this is caused by the car's status as a performance vehicle, and engine warm up needs to occur to lower the rpms.

Filed Jul 17, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 92 miles · CO

The steering of my new subaru outback seems to wander on the road. It is a challenge to keep this brand new vehicle between the lines or in a particular lane of the road. Vehicle wanders / drifts to left and / or right, will not track straight and does this when ever driving but is more noticeable above speeds of 35 MPH. The driver has to make constant corrections while driving the vehicle straight, this causes fatigue in the arms and is exhausting to the operator. One can not safely operate a vehicle like this. A semi-tractor trailer rig was on the right side of my lane (we were in the number 1 lane of the highway) and my outback wandered to the right, we almost went into / under the trailer of the "big rig". I later I contacted the subaru dealership and arraigned to bring vehicle back to have them look at it. When I returned with the vehicle, they checked alignment and said it was ok. The vehicle continues to wander whenever I drive it and daily while I drive to and from work. Again, I drove the vehicle back to the subaru dealership and they have been talking with subaru of america, receiving different specs and the service department has been doing some work on the vehicle. I have never owned a vehicle, new or old (used) that handled this way. There are several forums with pages of information, data and complaints by people from all over the country. Please act now to resolve these issues before someone's looses their life due to the unsafe faulty vehicles.

Filed Jul 3, 2013 · Suspension · 2,000 miles · NJ

The subaru cannot hold the road and veers within the lane almost creating accidents while driving down the highway. The dealer was notified three weeks after purchasing the car that a problem existed. The car was taken into the dealer and the service manager drove the car and agreed that there was a problem. The problem was hypothesized to be due to the rear suspension system. Subaru was notified because the car is under warranty and the problem may be a design flaw, but the request was denied to have the problem resolved. I personally notified subaru and filed a complaint, but once again they will not acknowledge a problem. The car is unsafe and its constant wandering motion is imminent for an accident. It is a serious problem that needs action.

Filed Apr 4, 2013 · Suspension · 15 miles · IL

Vehicle sways and drifts in lane on non-windy day. Windy days made if impossible to stay in lane properly. 50+ MPH speeds seemed to be where/when affected. I later traded this vehicle in on another outback with more options. That outback does the very same thing. It is as if a drunk driver is behind the wheel.