general problems of the 2007 Subaru Outback

Driving down the freeway, snowy conditions, going roughly 50 mph in a straight line, no curves or turns in sight, hit a very small hump in the road and suddenly I found myself sideways from what seems like a rear steer situation, I corrected as best I could and luckily I was in the only section of the road that didn't have a wall, ended up backwards in a shallow ditch. No immediate damage noted, I was able to drive away, but confidence with driving in snowy and icy conditions has been severely diminished (been driving in snow and ice for 20+ years). My previous vehicle, 1988 chevy s10 was way more reliable in the snow that this thing. I have since felt this car try and "kick out" while going well under the speed limit but in slightly icy conditions. The only reason I can think that this hasnt happened again is due to myself being aware of the isssue, new struts and brand new $600 dollar tires I recently purchased. This is a huge issue, and Subaru needs to own up to it, I know I'm not the only one who's experienced this.

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went over a bump in the roadway and went sideways. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the rear stabilizer bar had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Vehicle was moving at less than normal speed, straight highway driving this morning on I-69, south of lansing, and on I-94, between I-69 and m131. Road had no snow, but patchy ice conditions. Back of vehicle was loaded with suitcases and telescope. Driver and passengers felt multiple, slippage in control of vehicle = unsafe. Other vehicles driving at greater speeds than ours were not experiencing issues. Confidence was lost in the ability to maintain traction. Driver feel was that two rear tires were alternating which tire had more authority in directional control. Felt as unnerving as prior driver experience with blowing out the rear tire on a goldwing motorcycle. Driver found this on internet, and it describes experience we had today: "summary of the ghostwalking symptoms: in winter driving conditions and especially on ice, some USA 2005-2009 Outbacks appear to have a chassis tuning issue where the rear suspension oscillates in such a way to cause rear-steer. This is not fishtailing due to using too much gas, lifting off the gas mid-corner, or hitting the brakes too abruptly. This can occur during straight line driving at moderate speeds. Road feel and handling confidence is totally lost when this occurs. The symptoms are not 100% reproducible and Subaru has not acknowledged that there is any problem. Subaru did revise the rear wheel alignment specifications for these cars in 2007 due to rear tire wear complaints. The change to alignment spec tightens the tolerance for rear toe. ".

Refer to NHTSA complaint 10558038 vehicle was driven a couple of times on good dry roads after December complaint about rear end stability and traction problems. On Jan 29th, mid morning driver was driving with 1 passenger on a slightly snow covered gravel road. Vehicle in front of him turned off and when he accelerated to approximately 35 mph with slight throttle pressure, he stated "the car started driving itself and became totally uncontrollable. " he said "it spun around one way then the other" before going through a ditch, running through a fence and into a railroad tie post. He said that he had tried every thing possible to avoid the crash and could not figure out what had happened. This is the same driver in previous complaint that is a ex-race car driver, has had numerous spin outs at high speeds on the track and is also a professional truck driver. He drove an old 2 wheel drive pickup truck later that day under worse road and weather conditions and did not have any problems. The car was drivable to get it home. On the way to the body shop, 40 mph it again started swaying back and forth erratically when he drove over a patch of ice on the road. The car is at the body shop with over $3000 damage. Bags did not deploy.

While driving on snow covered roads with three people and ski equipment in the vehicle, I experienced dangerous, abnormal handling. This phenomenon has been reported by many other 2005-2009 Subaru Outback owners, and is believed to be caused by a design flaw in the vehicles suspension system. Specifically, the Outbacks appear to have a chassis tuning issue where the rear suspension oscillates in such a way to cause rear-steer. When this occurs road feel and handling confidence are completely lost. Please investigate this dangerous design flaw and see that it is properly addressed by the vehicle manufacturer.

2007 Subaru Outback 2. 5i with snow tires (snow flake symbol). I first noticed the occurrence last year when driving slightly snowy roads in colorado,. The back end of my car would wobble side to side at a high rate -- probably 5 inches to each side. It felt as if the car was sending power to each wheel independently. The faster I would go, the more violently it would wobble side to side. I was suddenly having to drive 20mph on interstate 70, I was being passed by large semi- trucks and little miatas. Since then, I have felt the wobble on grooved concrete surfaces, but mostly roads that have a little snow on them, but I can still see the road surface. One time, the car wobbled so violently that it swung into another lane. I've contacted Subaru America, but they have been very little help and do not seem to take it seriously. I know several other 2005-08 Subaru Outback drivers that this has happened to. Our best theory is that the suspension is too soft and when it gets weighted down (with two or more people in the car) it changes the geometry of the suspension and the alignment with some how plays with the rear differential.

2007 Subaru Outback 2. 5i, 4 snow tires, 5mt. This has happened several times. When driving the vehicle straight (no turns) on slightly icy or blowing snow roads, the rear end begins to wobble approxiamtley 3inches side to side. I am giving the car little to no throttle and it will still sway. The swaying becomes much worse with more weight in the car (1 foot side to side). The swaying is so bad that I often have to drive 15-20mph slower than general traffic. I have had new tires put on (snow tires) and had the car aligned. It still occurs.