Recalls: Subaru BS Outback
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Subaru BS Outback
2015 model year Subaru BS Outback: pre-collision braking may not work
In June 2015, a recall was issued for ‘2015 model year’ Subaru BS Outback vehicles that were equipped with pre-collision braking (PCB) and adaptive cruise control (ACC). If the brake lamp switch (BLS) failed, a software error may cause the PCB system not to operate as intended in an emergency situation or the ACC not to properly engage the brakes. As a result, the braking performance of the PCB and/or ACC systems would be compromised and could lead to an accident. To fix, a modified software program was to be installed on potentially affected vehicles (PRA 2015/14758).
2015 model year Subaru BS Outback: electronic parking brake may stick
In March 2016, a recall was issued for ‘2015 model year’ Subaru BS Outback vehicles because the electronic parking brake (EPB) motor may ‘stick’ after the brake is engaged (as occurs when parking) and may not subsequently release. If the EPB did not release, the vehicle could not be driven until it was fixed, creating a potential hazard to the driver and other road users (PRA 2016/15274).
2017-18 Subaru BS Outback: incorrect driving range indicator
In November 2018, recall campaign SI0492 was issued for 2018 model year Subaru BS Outback vehicles that were produced prior to 1 August 2018. Due to a programming error in the Combination Meter Display (CDM) unit, the driving range indicator may provide inaccurate information about the distance that may be driven before the vehicle’s fuel tank was exhausted; the low fuel warning light would, however, still illuminate when the fuel level was critically low. Nonetheless, drivers who relied solely on the indicated driving range could inadvertently run out of fuel and, if this occurred while the vehicle was being driven, would pose a hazard to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled Subaru BS Outback vehicles, please see PRA 2018/17143.
2021 Subaru BS Outback: pre-collision braking activated unexpectedly
In April 2021, recall campaign SRT 306 was issued for Subaru BS Outback vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 14 January 2021 to 31 March 2021. In these vehicles, the stereo camera may misdetect roadside objects and/or miscalculate the travelling direction of an oncoming vehicle, resulting in the system unexpectedly activating the pre-collision braking function. Unexpected activation of the pre-collision braking function could cause a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2021/18937.
2021 model year Subaru BS Outback: electronic brake booster (EBB) fault
In March 2021, recall campaign SRT-305 was issued for 2021 model year Subaru BS Outback vehicles. In these vehicles, the electronic brake booster (EBB) may have been incorrectly set up and not operate correctly. If the EBB did not operate correctly, the following may occur:
- cruise control could not be set;
- the stop lamp remain on even when not braking;
- flat battery;
- more pressure needed to be applied when braking, and this may increase the vehicle’s stopping distance.
These circumstances increased the risk of a collision, thereby increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2021/18894.
2018-19 Subaru Outback 3.6: deformed fuel pump impeller and loss of power
In August 2021, recall campaign SRT-311 was issued for 2018-19 Subaru Outback 3.6 vehicles. The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications and could therefore deform. If this occurred, the fuel pump may stop working and the engine may stall, causing a loss of power; this condition increased the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users.
For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-001697.
2015-18 Subaru BS Outback: vehicle could roll away while in ‘park’
In August 2022, recall campaign SRT324 was issued for 2015-18 Subaru BS Outback vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect, the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) adaptor cord connector may not operate as intended. This condition could result in the vehicle moving or rolling away whilst the ‘park’ was selected, increasing the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005485.
Problems and faults: Subaru BS Outback
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2015-17 model year Subaru BS Outback 2.5i CVT: bump sensation at idle
In May 2017, Subaru issued Technical Service Bulletin 16-104-17R for 2015-17 model year Subaru BS Outback 2.5i vehicles that had continuously variable transmissions (Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ CVT). According to the bulletin, the driver may experience a ‘bump’ sensation once the CVT had reached operating temperature, the CVT was in ‘Drive’ and the engine was idling. While the service bulletin described it as a ‘bump’ sensation, owners have described it as a ‘jolt’ which is comparable to a rear-end collision. To address this problem, a software update was introduced for the transmission control module (TCM) for 2017 model year vehicles.
‘Lineartronic’ CVT slow to engage drive/reverse
Subaru’s ‘Lineartronic’ continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) are slower to shift to/from reverse or drive than conventional automatic transmissions – this occurs because significant pressure must be generated before the sheaves (i.e. the sides of the pulley that contact the metal belt) can clamp the belt such that it will not slip. According to Subaru service manuals, the normal delay or lag when switching into reverse or drive from park is 1.5 seconds or less.
Some Subaru owners, however, have reported delays of around three (3) or four (4) seconds when switching between reverse and drive. While re-flashing the transmission control module (TCM) and replacing the CVT fluid have reduced the delay to within Subaru’s normal range, the delay has subsequently increased over time.
