Apr 29, 2015Seat beltsSpeed controlCrash1 injury
I WAS SLOWING PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND JUST STRAIGHTENING OUT THE CAR WHEN I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT I HEARD A VERY LOUD ENGINE REVVING SOUND AND THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD LIKE A ROCKET, WENT OVER THE CEMENT BARRIER AND INTO THE WALL OF A BUILDING. IT SEEMED LIKE A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THOUGH THE DISTANCE WAS ONLY ABOUT 8 FEET. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND MY CHEST SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS DETERMINED LATER AT THE HOSPITAL THAT I HAD A CRACKED STERNUM AND SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS. I BELIEVE THERE WAS SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AND THE SEAT BELT ALSO WAS DID NOT FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10713619
Mar 22, 2015Seats1 injury
I HAVE A NEW 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED. WITHIN A MONTH OF PURCHASE, IT STARTED GIVING ME LOWER BACK PAIN. SEVERAL OWNERS OF NEW 2015 OUTBACK INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL REVIEWERS ARE ALSO REPORTING BACK PAIN AND INJURIES BECAUSE OF OVER EXTENDING LUMBAR SUPPORT - SOME EXAMPLES ATTACHED BELOW. WHEN CONTACTED SUBARU, I WAS ADVISED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE THE LUMBAR SUPPORT. DEALER ALSO ADVISED ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE FROM THEIR SIDE. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF THIS CAN BE INVESTIGATED. HTTP://WWW.SUBARUOUTBACK.ORG/FORUMS/138-GEN-5-2015-PRESENT/210521-TOO-AGGRESSIVE-LUMBAR-SUPPORT-KILLING-MY-BACK.HTML HTTP://WWW.KBB.COM/CAR-NEWS/ALL-THE-LATEST/2015-SUBARU-LEGACY-FINALLY-A-CONTENDER/2000010841/. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10700936
Mar 18, 2015Electrical systemVisibility & wipersFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON, THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROSTER CAUSED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE CRACK WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDED UPWARD. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE PLASTIC EXTERIOR PANEL NEAR THE WINDOW MELTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400...UPDATED 06/09/15*BF UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI 10695156
Feb 26, 2015Speed controlCrash
I HAVE 2015 SUBARU OUTBACK WITH EYESIGHT AND BLIND SPOT DETECTION. I HAD STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, ABOUT 10 FT FROM THE GARAGE, WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO CLEAN THE FLOOR. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME OUT OF THE GARAGE AND SIGNALED ME TO PARK THE VEHICLE INSIDE, I WAS ABOUT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY IN THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED LIKE A BULLET, AS IF IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO THAT SET SPEED, QUICKLY. MY HUSBAND HEARD THE WHEELS SCREECHING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING. HE JUMPED ON THE SIDE AND SURVIVED BY AN INCH OR SO. WITHIN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, THE VEHICLE HIT THE CENTER SUPPORT WHICH SUPPORTS THE GARAGE DOORS, THEN THE SNOW BLOWER AND FURTHER STRUCK THE ITEMS KEPT AGAINST THE WALL BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE GARAGE, BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. IT APPEARS THAT, IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE I APPLIED, EYESIGHT MAY HAVE HELPED STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IN THE US FOR OVER 18 YEARS WITHOUT A SINGLE INCIDENT. PARKING IN THE GARAGE IS THE SIMPLEST OF ALL THE TASKS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN DUE TO SOME MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI 10690859