Body problems of the 2013 Subaru Outback

The vehicle caught fire while driving along the interstate. It's a total loss.

I purchased a car from middletown Nissan on may 24, 2025. The car was assured to have all these different safety checks so far it had to have the power steering pump replaced twice the power steering lines replaced all new control arms a new bearing brand new back brakes which include rotors and pads, and four new tires when the tires were put on they found that the car had significant damage in the subframe from rotting there are holes in it. The car was at the dealership several times for different problems and they never disclose this problem. They basically told me it was my fault when I’ve had the car for two months that the frame is completely rotted. The car is clunking and not driving mechanically the way it should.

The subframe has deteriorated beyond repair. This is our sixth Subaru Outback, either owned or leased, all in the same geographic area, housed 90% of the time in a covered garage. This is not normal wear and tear. The vehicle is dangerous, as inspected by a local independent service center that has serviced the car regularly for years. I have reported this to Subaru corporate, citing that the substandard quality of the subframe has been a known issue on Subaru Outback earlier models and received a reply that Subaru would assume no responsibility whatsoever. There was no warning whatsoever. The issue was discovered during a routine service visit. The problem appeared in late July 2024. I attempted to contact Subaru two times with no response. I finally received a response in late October 2024.

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the right while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the sub frame had fractured due to severe rust. The subframe was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,800.

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 75 mph, the sunroof suddenly exploded and the glass shattered onto the shade guard. The contact stated his wife veered to the side of the road, where she inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated his wife was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,900.

Driver's door will not open from the inside or outside during sub-freezing temperatures. Front passenger door and rear doors are not affected and operate as designed. The danger, of course, is not being able to exit the vehicle when safety requires an exit. Cycling the power locks does not correct the problem. Have not tried the back-up metal key that fits the exterior lock only. Driver's door will either not open at all or may open only 3" or so. If it does open 3", then repeated attempts may cause it to fully open.

Sudden unwanted forceful acceleration (suspect auto cruise control got engaged via eyesight malfunction), collision avoidance failed to engage. Back home safely from a local grocery, pulled the car slight on the driveway, stopped with foot on the brake to open the garage, about to hit the home link, must remain stopped while garage door opens because driveway slopes downward, heard engine roar with foot still on the brake, car started throttle forcefully, got bewildered, pressed hard on the brake; it did not respond, the car hit hard on the garage and brick wall, causing extensive damages. Air bags deployed, driver was senseless, both driver and passenger hurt, car is declared total. It was very hot at about 4:15 pm, air condition had been running at full force all the while during the short 15 minute drive. The driveway has a 10 ft slab with upward slope, the car stopped with front wheels at the end of the first slab. The remaining driveway is about 30 ft on a downward slope. I keep the car totally standstill while the garage is opening. The car was at a slight angle facing slightly toward the driver side corner of the garage. The car is still on my driveway: event data recorder and eyesight data recorder should have valuable diagnostic information. The impact was very forceful: a complete brick wall got displaced by almost 1 inch at one side and the displacement on the other side of the wall caused a two story load bearing brick column to crack on both sides. Garage structure and roof got damaged. This car is maintained in good condition and never have been in accident before. Called police, but they did not come. Let me know ASAP if you want diagnostic data: I am 100% sure that this is a manufacturing defect. I saw collision avoidance work in many other situation, but this time, it did not work. This is a serious public safety issue happening a lot with Subaru.