Clutch Problems of Subaru Outback

After returning from a out of town trip, we got to our car and started to drive away and the engine revved up but did not proportionately increase in speed. After gaining some speed the symptoms disappeared. Three days later after shifting from fifth gear to fourth gear while driving up a hill on I-70 the clutch completely slipped out. The car was un-drivable but we were in the left lane and there was no emergency pull off on that side so we had to make our way across three lanes of traffic to get to the right emergency lane. With no power we coasted through cars flying by honking at 65 mph. Luckily we made it to the side of the road unharmed but quite a few close calls. We smelt the smell of a burnt clutch and could no longer engage the transmission or move the vehicle, it would only coast backwards. While we were lucky some other may not. Subaru of America has refused to admit anything is wrong with the car other than a wearable item wearing out. This car has 77,200 miles on it and has had the clutch replaced once before at 34,500 miles under TSB 03-51-02r. We have owned five cars with manual transmissions all of which we drove for over 130,000 miles and not one has needed or had a clutch replaced. An employee at the dealership in the parts department stated to another employee while I was on the phone line that the "flywheel is making those go out so they will need to replace that too. ".

See all problems of the 2002 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The clutch on my Subaru Outback 2000 it's been a problem since day one I purchased the car in 2000. At times randomly it would slip or the pedal would not return up. Slipping of the clutch or the pedal being stuck multiple times almost caused me to get into accident when changing lanes or merging into traffic.

See all problems of the 2000 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Clutch chatter: my clutch is chattering or shuttering when the car is cold or I am driving it for the first time in the day. This has been a problem since I purchased the vehicle 2 years ago.

See all problems of the 2001 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Since day one, the clutch has shuddered at engagement when engine/drivetrain is cold. The tremors are violent enough to shake the entire vehicle disturbingly. This has been a nuisance and somewhat of a safety issue as you cannot accelerate quickly if necessary. Over the last 10000 miles or so, I've noticed a burning smell when engaging the clutch on an uphill start. Dealership says the clutch is slipping and will need replacement soon and I only have 61500 highway miles on the car! I've had plenty of cars go over 150000 miles with no clutch problems. Subaru has a definite design flaw in these hydraulic clutches that they are refusing to own up to! regrettably, I may have purchased my last Subaru.

I purchased a 2002 Subaru Outback wagon, manual transmission. I'm having terrible clutch chatter going into 1st and 2nd gear. This happens daily, usually for the first 10 minutes of driving it. The problem is enhanced when it is wet or cold.

The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a clutch adjustment. The technician informed that consumer that the clutch needed to be replaced.

My Subaru, forester xt has had numerous problems since it had 5000 miles. The engine performance is inconsistent. The car has an intermittent miss at idle, cruise control that disengages at will, is difficult to start intermittently; spitting and sputter for 30 seconds, acts as if it will stall occasionally while braking, and the clutch does not grip the flywheel properly. While passing on 2 lane roads, I have nearly had numerous head-on accidents; the car does not accelerate consistently. The cruise control defect has nearly caused many other accidents in distinct conditions: 1. While ascending hills, I have nearly been rear-ended by other cars when my car loses speed without warning 2. While descending hills, I have nearly lost control as the car accelerates while cruise control has disengaged I have problems with the car when I must take off hard, especially when crossing a busy street. When launching hard, the clutch will slip excessively. The car will not accelerate; it will only burn the clutch creating a large cloud of smoke. It does not matter which gear I switch too or how much throttle I apply; the clutch will not grip until it cools down. I have nearly been hit numerous times because of this. I am experiencing problems with the brake pedal. After braking to a stop, when the engine idles down, the brake pedal will sink an additional half an inch. I have brought my car to 2 different dealerships, and involved Subaru's regional service manager. All efforts to repair my car have been unsuccessful or ignored. The dealerships have only adjusted switches and replaced an oxygen sensor. The manufacturer has now claimed that they will not issue a repair order, since the problems are intermittent, even though the lead tech has experienced the problem, and they can't replicate the problems. I am stuck with a defective vehicle that is going to cause a serious accident, as I drive 1500 miles per week throughout a 6 state region.

See all problems of the 2004 Subaru Outback 🔎.

While shifting the gears gear shift failed, a loud banging noise was heard coming from the front. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the hydraulic clutch master cylinder needed replacement due to worn out part.

See all problems of the 1999 Subaru Outback 🔎.

2002 Subaru wagon manual transmission clutch shudders on cold start. Sometimes it is difficult to get through an intersection. The dealer could not duplicate the problem so it was not repaired. The problem persists.

There currently has been several technical service bulletins regarding 2000-2002 manual transmission Subaru Outbacks. These bulletins refer to a defect in the clutch that causes a premature wear of the clutch and yoke due to an imbalance in causing the car to "judder" or shudder when engaging into gears. I have had an independent mechanic, glen owner of oakland auto works state that he could not warranty the repair of clutch because the recommended repair by Subaru does not reliably fix the problem and many people end up having to have the clutch replaced numerous times in a short time span. Subaru is aware of this problem because they have changed the clutch kit several times and the method of repair to address the problem yet have failed to perform a recall. I am currently unsure on how to proceed in the repair of my vehicle as the repair cost is $1350. 00 and if the unit fails outside of warranty I may be subject having to pay this amount again. Some other problems which errupt from this defect include the clutch catching fire. The clutch pedal sticking and not releasing due to the yoke being worn for the clutch "judder". Last, premature of the clutch with only having a lifespan of 30,000 miles or less.

My 2001 Subaru Outback has a clutch shudder ( jutter ) that is reported to occur in all Subaru models with the 2. 5 ltr engine. There are inumerable consumer complaints about the problem and yet Subaru burries its head in the sand and pretends there is no problem.

Since about 10,000 miles the clutch shudders when trying to accelerate. Usually only when engine is cold but not 100% of the time. Have complained to Subaru dealer but they could not duplicate the problem. Apparently a known problem with some Subarus but not all dealers address it.

I have had continuos problems with the clutch on my 1998 suabru Outback. Since the car has been purchased I have had the cluch replaced 3 times, and it is now due to go in again. A common problem is "bucking" under load (1st & second). There are countless similar storied available on the internet. Subaru needs to be held accountable for this issue as it affects the majority of Subaru owners.

See all problems of the 1998 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Since new, the clutch on this vehicle has slipped when starting from a stop. It also occasionally slips when shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. This problem causes the vehicle to be difficult to start slowly in traffic and will eventually wear down parts until the clutch and transmission need to be replaced. This is a known problem with this vehicle but Subaru of America has not made any steps to rectify the problem. My local dealer claims they cannot reproduce the clutch slip and refuse to fix the problem.

While driving at lower speeds the clutch intermittently shuddered when pulling out from a stop. The vehicle has been to two dealers but neither dealer could resolve the problem.

Premature clutch failure on Subaru Outback wagon 2000. Original clutch replaced at 7500 miles and found to have a manufacturers defect, bent forks. Ew clutch placed in car. Shortly after, smell of burning, esp. When backing up or in cold weather, which lasted for 1 month. Clutch then failed prematurely after 40,000 miles. My hypothesis is that the clutch lost a substantial amount of its lining and life span when burning up in the first month of use. Numerous posting on edmunds. Com regarding premature clutch failure, burning smell, and clutch shudder in Subaru Outbacks. My experience, and the experience of other owners, suggests that there is a general defect present in Subaru clutches from 2000-2002. Lease investigate this defect and consider a recall.

My clutch shudders when cold and sometimes when warmed up. Been happening since around 20k miles. Took to dealer at 25k miles but they couldn't duplicate problem. They said bring it back when problem worsens. Brought back to dealer at 56k miles, and dealer said clutch was bad. Wouldn't cover it under warranty since they said it was "user wear". Yeah, right! I had to pay full cost to replace the clutch!! I think this should be investigated since many people with Outback clutches have similar problems. I've look at Outback model years 2000-2003 on the NHTSA complaint web site and there are many incidences about the defective clutches.

2001 Subaru Outback, 22000 miles. Clutch needed replacement.

Clutch and flywheel caught fire while driving on the freeway. Car has 36000 miles on it and is serviced by the dealer regularly. Dealer charged me $1200 to replace the clutch and said that it was my fault, that I must "rife the clutch" or habitually overload the vehicle, neither of which is true. I suspect the clutch was flawed to begin with.

Clutch chirps like a bird when out, is silent when fully depressed. Diagnosis: bad throw out bearing. This is the third clutch in this car for this same problem. The first at approximately 18,000 miles; the second at approximately 43,000, and now again just 1500 miles later! clutch actually disengaged permanently on the shop floor while the dealer was examining the car -- he was poking around the bearing and it "fell out" of alignment, completely preventing the clutch from working. This could've happened to me on the road, while driving.

Clutch shudder problem since 20k miles. Happens when cold or damp out, hesitates when accelerating in first gear, from stopped position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 3 times, including test drive w/ mechanic,can't find the problem.

The clutch on our 2001 Subaru Outback limited shudders when the car and/or temperature is cold. It has done this for the last 30-40,000 miles.

The clutch system appears to be unable to handle san francisco (extreme) driving conditions. I know of 4 other people whose clutches have all failed at 13,500 miles or less. We are all experienced clutch drivers in san francisco. Other cars don't have this problem. While I was told by the dealer mechanic that there was nothing wrong other than that I burned out the clutch, my friend was told a month later that the clutch needs to be readjusted more frequently in s. F. - every 7. 5 months. This implies to me that someone has looked into this and determined that the clutch system is problematic. My clutch needed to be fixed an additional 3 times before it was working correctly. However, I do not want a car that will need a new clutch every 2 years, or that needs to be brought in for a clutch adjustment every 7. 5 months. I think this vehicle should be recalled for drivers in s. F. Or similar extreme environments and replaced with a car that can handle normal driving.

The clutch or flywheel appears defective. The clutch shudders or chatters when engaged which causes the car to hesitate upon acceleration. This problem started around 9,000 miles and has continued intermittently till now at 18,000 miles. Subaru has agreed to replace my clutch and flywheel, but I am concerned regarding this problem. This problem is widespread among other Subaru drivers and the service techs report that this problem is commen and normal for suabrus. I believe this is a safety issue and defect in the design or manufactoring of the clutch and flywheel assembly. Please look into this problem. I would be happy to speak to anyone regarding this issue. When you engage the clutch upon acceleration the car jerks and trembles, chatters, shudders before engaging. This should not be accepted as normal operation. Thank you.

This is the 2nd clutch on the vehicle. Car still under warranty, dealer will not admit problem!!.

There is a dangerous clutch shudder when shifting in low gears. Car can stall in bad intersections. This is dangerous. . Read more...

Subaru Outback (1998) clutch failure. Notorious problem! replaced entire clutch assembly, fly wheel, master cylinder and slave cylinder at my cost!!! dealer would not cover. The clutches on Outbacks are lemons! class action suit from all owners is a real possibility because Subaru has not taken advantage of a "recall". This is a terrible thing (money and time and worry) to see over and over on the internet forums, and experience personally.

Since new, the clutch in this car has had a bad shudder when cold outside -- bad enough to shake the entire car as the clutch engages. It only happens when it's cold, but not all the time when it's cold, making it nigh impossible for the dealer to do anything about it. 20k miles later, the problem still exists for me and apparently many, many other Outback drivers. Internet posts confirm that this is a "common" Subaru problem, although a fix is not readily available. The dealer acknowledges that there are known problems with some legacy/outback clutches, but until the clutch will reliably fail while they have it, they cannot do anything about it. Most people, like me, just deal with the horrible shaking, but I can certainly see how this could lead to a hazardous situation when someone tries to pull into traffic and becomes startled by the shuddering car, backing off the gas and possibly getting hit.

Clutch shudders & required replacement. Hindsight being 20/20, I realize the clutch appears to have been defective from date of delivery. My own review of automotive websites indicates that others have either heard of or have had this problem and Subaru of America has been of no assistance. I have had numerous discussion in the last few months with soa about this and they refuse to acknowldge they have a problem.

I bought a 1999 Subaru Outback 30th anniversary limited edition in may of 1999. Within six months, the car began to exhibit clutch and transmission problems. I brought this to the immediate attention of the Subaru dealer. For three years they denied that there was anything wrong with the vehicle, always saying they were unable to duplicate the problems. Finally in June of 2002, I was able to get a regional service supervisor to admit that the car definitely had problems. His first solution was to suggest that I trade the car in on a new one. When I declined, he offered to have the car properly repaired, as it should have been three years prior. After four trips to two different Subaru dealers and after supposedly having the entire clutch assembly replaced three times, the car is in worse shape than it ever has been. Subaru has refused to repair the car, despite the fact that it's under an extended warranty that covers the entire transmission. Subaru claims that the car now "operates as designed" and that any problems I am now experiencing are a result of my driving habits. Subaru refuses to replace the car because they were able to stall any repairs until the car passed the two year lemon law exclusion.

Clutch chatter on my 98 Subaru Outback wagon. Problems from day one. Subaru 'fixed' the problem a few time under warranty, but to this day, there is severe chatter in the clutch.

The clutch-shudder problem has been going on since this winter. It happens most often in the morning, cold seems to be a factor most of the time, and it shudders when you go from stop to go. First gear is almost impossible to get out of smoothly without the shuddering. The dealer cant seem to replicate the problem, but I have read the other Subaru owners complaints of the same problem on the Subaru message board, so I know its more of a problem than just our car. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***761667.