general problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback

Two problems related to vehicle speed control have been reported for the 2008 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2008 Outback.

1 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 08/03/2015

Twice in less than six months, while my car was stopped but in drive, with my foot firmly pressed on the brake, the car has revved up and surged forward of its own accord. Braking did nothing to stop the car either time. On August 3, 2015 at @ 8:30 a. M. , I pulled into a parking space directly facing a building and stopped. As I was getting ready to shift from drive to park, the car surged forward, across a sidewalk, and into/through the wall/windows of a business. I contacted the local Subaru dealership and was told they knew of no similar issues locally or nationally. I left my car with the dealership for a week so they could inspect it. The car was driven under 30 miles and the issue did not arise, so the car was returned to me. I asked that they notify Subaru nationally and the NHTSA of the incident, and only learned later that they did neither. On December 19, 2015, I was on a city street (wet, but not icy) @ ½ block back from a red light completely stopped in a line of traffic. I was at least 4-6¿ behind the car in front of me, with my foot firmly depressing the brake, and my car again surged forward, despite all my efforts to control it, and slammed into the rear of the car in front of me. I contacted the dealership again, and only after two visits was a record made of the 12/19/2015 incident and I was given the number for national Subaru customer service. I have requested a form to allow an inspector to download information from the event data recorder for review when he inspects the car in two weeks. I use only my right foot on the brake and gas pedal. I have factory floor mats which are pinned down and do not move. I wear flat shoes.

2 Vehicle Speed Control problem

Failure Date: 03/28/2008

Sudden unexpected acceleration while driving. Even pulling into the driveway with foot on the brake the engine revs up or same problem while sitting at a stoplight. It's as though the car does not want to stop. At times if you shift down and let off on the gas the car goes for a short stretch without slowing down.


Other Vehicle Speed Control related problems of the 2008 Subaru Outback



Safety Ratings of Outback Cars
Fuel Economy of Outback Vehicles
Outback Service Bulletins
Outback Safety Recalls
Outback Defect Investigations