2001 Subaru Outback Limited from North America - Comments

First off, I'm a marine engineer and know well my way around an engine and a vehicle.

Subaru's are absolutely horrible:

Car has pulled harshly to the right since 4000 miles; has been in 16 times to be fixed, now the warranty's out and it still pulls. Many parts replaced: Wheels, tires, rack and pinion, steering box, suspension parts, you name it.

Windows leak air all over the place.

Transmission is excessivly rough and will sometimes refuse to shift.

Tires wear more on the inside all the way around due to too much weight on outside of the wheel.

Electrical problems.

Exhaust heat shields love to rattle.

Not great gas mileage for a 4-cylinder.

Rear Sliding sunroof had burnt out motor at 11000 miles.

Been to 6 different dealers; they are all very slow and relatively unknowledgable about vehicles.

Vehicle shakes some at low speeds even with new rotors, wheels, freshly balanced tires.

Rotors have warped twice.

Area above drive shaft accumulates a lot of snow and ice and causes some strange problems with the drive shaft when going down the highway.

All subaru exhaust systems are mounted somewhat cocked sideways as I have seen from the vehicles on the lot.

Inside paneling tends to fall off if you put what I consider to be relatively low levels of bass to it.

Drivers side seat heater quit working at 6000 miles.

Firestone wilderness and Bridgestone Potenzas are terrible. They get a lot of flats, though they don't hydroplane much. THE FACT THAT THEY DO A FULL FRONT TO BACK SLIDE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO BEING WAY TOO WIDE FOR THIS VEHICLE IS TERRIBLE.

The 60/40 all wheel drive set up causes the front wheels to spin too much and reduce drivability in the snow.

I'm sure theres more, but I can't even begin to remember it all.

Don't bother calling Subaru of America they are very disturbing and unhelpful. Or if you want you can call and tell them that you are having similar problems as me and get some recalls started.

I was very happy when I bought this car. it had 111,000 miles on it. the engine did not feel as smooth and if I was to make a choice, I would not go for this car. good on the outside. questionable on the inside; it died on me.