2003 Subaru Outback from North America - Comments

I have a 2003 Subaru Outback with a five speed manual transmission. Since it has been new I have experienced clutch chatter when first starting out (clutch not warmed up yet). The car now has 31,000 miles on it and the chatter seems to be getting more frequent. It will chatter longer after the initial start-up and will sometimes chatter when shifting to 2nd gear now. The clutch works fine and when it gets warmed up it is very smooth. However, when it is cold it is extremely annoying. It also seems to be worse when it is relatively humid. One dealer has said they know there is an issue and that there is a new clutch design available, but would not replace the clutch since they personally could not get it to chatter (since the car was warm since I just drove it to the dealership). Another dealer says it is considered normal to have chatter in first gear. I do not agree with this, and really don't feel like leaving it at a dealer over night only for them to tell me this is normal. Has anyone else had any similar experiences? Advice?

Other than that I am generally happy with the car.

I had the same problem in a 2001 Outback. I left it at the dealer over night and they confirmed the shutter. They replaced the clutch, no problem. Check the comments under the 2001 Outbacks, it might be a transmission problem. Since then the car was totaled in a hurricane by water damage, so I don't have a longer term follow up. I did replace it with a 2005 OB.

In my '95 Outback at 89,000 miles I had a noise coming from the transmission, local dealer said since it was out of warranty, they couldn't do anything. Since I have been a loyal customer (that was our 4th Subaru) and a mechanical engineer, I didn't feel that a transmission should fail so soon and they should repair at their cost. I tracked down the District manager and he drove the car along with the head mechanic from the dealership. They admitted there was a problem, but didn't know what it was. They thought it was in the viscous coupling unit. I told them they should fix it at their costs. We agreed, Subaru pay for parts plus a car rental and I'd pay labor. After pulling the transmission, they couldn't get the necessary parts (questions supply availability) so they ended up putting in a used (55K miles) transmission. It cost me $600-$700, but I know they spent over $2,000 on parts and the car rental, so I was satisfied and impressed they took responsibility for an unknown problem.

I have a 2003 outback limited wagon. Yes, there's wind noise on the driver side window and gets annoying during highway speed. Winter is worst cause it feels cold there! Another problem is that, just recently, one of the headlights burned out, than I replaced it with a new one, but then day after day, that light got dimmer and dimmer until it "burned" out! And also the other one too!! One day, I use the outback to charge my other car, and afterwards, I noticed the headlights came back on!! But then it went out the next time I started the outback!! At least I now know that the lightbulb was working!! But if anyone has that same problem or any solutions to that problem please comment! I have only the powertrain warranty remains and I doubt they would fix the headlight problem and the window noise problem although with the window noise problem since many people have that same problem, subaru may have to take it in the chin if I mention it so it could be fixed for free... I don't know, but I hope so... thanks.

I also have the annoying wind noise in my 2003 Outback. Is there anything that can be done about it? It spoils the trip and gives noise fatigue.

I also have a wind noise issue on my 2003. It's coming from the passenger-side window right by the side view mirror. It hasn't always been there. I don't remember having the problem for the first few years. Would also like to hear about a solution.

I recently purchased a 2001 Outback, with high mileage, but in great condition. It also has this wind noise in both the driver's side and passenger side windows - distracting above 40mph. I've heard several times that this is a known problem, but haven't heard of a good solution. Gussets and triangle plastic piece at the front corner of the window seem to be the problem areas. Would love to hear a solution as well.

I have a 2003 Outback Legacy Wagon and I ALSO have the issue of the noise from the windows - not just the driver side but eventually started on the passenger side as well and has gotten worse over time. Seems to be a problem with the rubber seal on the triangle piece.

Also, recently one of my headlights went -I replaced the bulb and it was fine for a few weeks, but suddenly last week BOTH headlights went at the same time - tried replacing the bulbs but it didn't fix the problem; the bulbs were fine. Tried checking all the fuses connected with the headlights and they are also fine, as well as all the wires leading to the headlight. Not sure what kind of malfunction occurred, but it appears I am not the only one who is experiencing it after reviewing the comments on here. Anyone with info. to share, please do so! Want to be prepared before taking it to the dealer.

I have a 2001 outback with high miles and have the same wind noise problem. Has anyone that has post a wind noise problem tried installing vent visors (window shades, vent shade, etc)?

I am going to try this but wanted to make sure no one had done so already.

Wind Noise fix.

Here is a link to the service bulletin that address the wind noise on the Subaru's. http://www.sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=33

FYI- Just because there is a service bulletin does not mean that this would be covered by Subaru, unless your vehicle is still under manufactures warranty.

I have a 2003 Outback LL Bean, and in hindsight I'm sorry I bought it. Yes it is great for the snow, but that's it.

My first problem began within 2 months of owning it. The roof leaked water. I had to have the roof replaced TWICE.

Then at 20k all my brakes went. It was covered under my extended warranty. I have had brakes replaced 3 times and I'm at 90k.

2 weeks ago, my fuel pump went while I was driving. That cost me about 1200 to fix.

Yesterday my check engine light came on and they said it was my catalytic converter, and that is 1600 dollars.

I can't afford much more of this. I may trade it in for something more reliable.

1999 Subaru Outback Wagon Clutch issue: I have a manual transmission and love to drive it, however I had a problem with the clutch. It went out after about 25,000 miles. I took it back to the dealer and was told that the problem with the clutch was that I needed to learn how to drive a stick. Sorry, but I have been driving sticks for 30 years in such diverse vehicles as semi-tractor trailers to motorcycles and have never had a clutch go out that soon. It turns out that Subaru has a very poor clutch design. The throw-out bearing rides over the front of the aluminum transmission. The bearing is chrome alloy steel-see the problem. The bearing wears out the front of the transmission and then the bearing cocks to the side causing clutch slippage and subsequent failure. I am wondering if the newer Subarus have had an upgrade to eliminate this problem as I am in the market for a new car, want a stick, but do not want to go through the clutch hassles again. Thanks.

I own a 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i and my headlights burn out every few months. The last one I changed came out with the headlight glass melted into a big bulge. I can't find anything on-line with a way to fix this, but I'm seriously tired of buying headlights for this car every two months or so. The lights also get dimmer and dimmer over their short lifespan, to a point that it looks like I've got a gnome with a candle acting as my headlight. Does anybody know how to get this fixed???

Regarding the headlamps and multiple frequent changes:

1st, don't touch the headlamp bulb itself with your fingers - wipe the bulb down with alcohol before installing to insure no oils are left on the glass. Because these bulbs are halogen, any oils will weaken the glass and cause burnouts.

2nd, I changed 4 bulbs in less than 2 months, and eventually my alternator had to be replaced. I don't know if there is any correlation, but since I replaced the alternator, I have not had to replace any more bulbs.

Wind Noise.

We solved ours on a 01 Outback with two pieces of gorilla tape, which we used to extend the rubber gasket on the windshield rubber gasket that covers the front of the window.

I have serious problems with the clutch on Subaru OB XT 2005.

Since I bought this car new, there was a terrible smell and the clutch was slipping. The dealership denied the problem in spite of the strong odor ever present. (Yes, the told me I don't know how to drive stick - with my 17 other manual transmission cars driven over 30 years period). I had to replace clutch (it finally died) at 37K and 2 weeks after the 3 year warranty expired. The dealership, if you guessed correctly, pointed to me that my car is out of warranty.

The new clutch, essentially the same as my mechanic told me no after market clutches are available for this model, is doing precisely the same thing. It smells horribly, gives the headache when I drive more than 50 miles on highway, and after 14K since replacement, I feel that its end is close. The mechanic tells me that the design is bad and it's a material they use for it. What to do, does anyone here know the answer to it? I'm completely out of ideas.