Subaru Outback knocking problems

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Engine · AZ

Catastrophic motor failure at highway speed. I had just come of the Interstate 10 and stopped at the end of the off ramp. I made a right turn on to a 2 lane county highway and accelerated back up to 65MPH. As I attained speed, the vehicle lost power. The accelerator pedal was dead and the vehicle did not respond to my input. The oil pressure warning light illuminated, power surged back and was immediately lost again with dead pedal again. The vehicle would not respond to my input to accelerate and effected my ability to control it safely. I had to abruptly pull to the should and coast to a stop. Loud engine knock immediately occurred indicating catastrophic motor failure. The vehicle was immobilized and needed to be towed. I was fortunate the instant motor failure did not occur while attempting to pass another vehicle or any other maneuvers where I needed the vehicle to respond and move out of the way instantly.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Suspension · OH

I have advised Autozone about premature failure of this part number ball joint. Originally the part number was FA267. Autozone changed the part number and color but did not address the quality and/or longevty concern. I have had to replace all of these part numbered ball joints with oem Subaru parts. The Autozone version will not last until the next oil change(approximately 5k miles) before it is loose and making a knocking noise. The is a safety concern as the ball joint may break or fail while someone is driving. I have expressed this concern multiple time to multiple reps from Autozone over the last 12 years. Autozone's remedy was simply to change the color and part number, then continue selling the same sub standard part. Your attention to this would be beneficial to all involved. Thank you.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · KS

- Engine failure. Yes. - At a stop light the auto-restart function failed, following this event the vehicle began making a knocking noise, we towed it to the dealership for evaluation and their diagnosis was that it needed a new engine. - Dealership stated they too heard the knocking noise in the vehicle and it is engine damage due to low oil. However, the dipstick read fine when we took it into the dealership and we did not have a low oil warning. - Inspection completed by dealership - Received no warning lights nor messages regarding symptoms of the problem prior to failure. Initial event happened on 12/26 when at a stop light following the auto-off during braking function the car did not restart automatically. Car was turned off, and restarted. Following that event the vehicle had a knocking noise that increased in volume with driving. Did not drive the car after arriving to our destination. Towed the car to the dealership where we were told it needed a new engine.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TX

We had had no issues at all with our 2022 Subaru Outback until June 2025. Mileage at the time of the incident was approximately 52,000. We were driving one evening in June and all of a sudden the engine stopped and we could not drive it. It only produced a knocking sound when we attempted to turn the engine on. We had the car towed to the dealership and after taking the engine apart, they reported that an intake valve broke, flew and split one of the pistons causing the motor to seize up. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the engine failure. Regular oil changes had been performed on the car. This issue came completely out of left field as we had previously had no engine issues.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Brakes · WI

Brakes failed suddenly while on the highway. Virtually no braking available. This could have easily resulted in death or serious injury. Took car to Subaru dealership in Appleton WI. Found split brake line. This is a know issue and recall. Subaru had performed recall by putting anticorrosion on brake lines. All this did was possibly delay the inevitable. The recall stated they could have replaced them at the time of recall. Essentially there are a lot of Subarus driving around now that are ticking time bombs. If they would have replaced the brake

Filed Mar 23, 2024 · Brakes · AZ · 1 injury

I put my 2019 Subaru Outback in park, stepped out of my car and the car proceeded to unexpeectedly roll forward with the door knocking me to the ground. The back wheels of the car then ran over both my legs. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance company or anyone else. I sent a letter January 1, 2024 to Subaru's Customer Advocacy Department, but have not received a response. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the car unexpectedly going out of gear after being placed in park. prior to this occuring.

Filed Apr 6, 2023 · Visibility · IL

Driving on highway to my home on I 80 and ridge road, Illinois,a small tick noise was heard and the spider chip noticed on the passenger side windshield.

Filed Dec 30, 2022 · Engine · 110,000 miles · TX

The contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 2016 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there were abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that he was informed at a State Inspection that the vehicle was included in Subaru Campaign Numbers: WUJ95 and WTH68. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine intake manifold was fractured. The contact stated that he informed the dealer that he would not pay a fee for the maintenance of the vehicle and the dealer informed him that the parts to repair the vehicle under Subaru Campaign Number: WUJ95 were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · AK

Took in 2 yr old car relating to vehicle veering to the right, ticking helicopter noise on driver side. Took to Continental Subaru Anchorage Alaska on 11/2/22. For tire change over, alignment, oil change and for diagnostics on noise. I was told that my vehicle needed a complete driver side cx axle replacement. After axle was installed, they said they heard another noise and that it was my transmission, and now it needs replaced. I didn't get alignment according to papers. This car is 2 yrs old. 2019 bought in 2019 at Christmas or 2020. Why is transmission out? Low miles and drivers are very safe! I was given a rental till transmission could be ordered and replaced.

Filed Sep 17, 2022 · Electrical · CO

Started car and all warning lights on dash were flashing. Turned car off and car would not start and there was a loud ticking noise coming from the engine bay.Contacted AAA and technician checked battery and verified that it was dead and he was not able to start the car and this time there was a different loud ticking noise with all dash warning lights flashing. Installed higher quality battery and the car would not start with the same result. Had car towed by AAA (9/12/2022) to our local Subaru dealer for diagnosis. After 5 days the Joint Box or BIU part #82201AL20A was defective. These are the Subaru code defects from the dealer are B1578, B1401 and B1411. Cost to repair including diagnosis is $956.02. Previous battery/electrical issue in 2018. Battery drained by electronic brake fixed under warranty.