Front Suspension Coil Spring Problems of Subaru Outback

Front coil spring broke in half while vehicle was stationary - almost puncturing tire, and rendering vehicle immobile - the broken end of the coil was wedged into the tire sidewall. If this had happened while vehicle was moving, it would have caused a blowout and possible accident. Subaru has a recall for coil springs, but said the vehicle was not covered because it was outside the VIN range - but was clearly still affected by the problem.

See all problems of the 1999 Subaru Outback 🔎.

We experienced an incident in which a front suspension coil spring failed. Parking our 1999 Subaru legacy Outback, the vehicle was perfectly fine. In the morning the vehicle had a flat drivers side tire. Jacking the car, it was difficult to remove the flat tire and wheel. The reason it was hard to remove was that a sharp long piece of the front coil spring has broken away, and punctured the sidewall of the tire. When the tire and wheel were finally removed, the broken coil spring could be seen sitting atop the front strut. The remainder of the coil spring had a long sharp point that had shot down over the spring seat on the strut and was protruding into the wheel well area where it had damaged the tire. Also, many pieces of black paint which had been coating the coil spring could be seen now lying on the ground. The coil spring itself was rusted over the entire spring surface of the spring. The broken piece of the coil spring which was separated from the rest of the spring was pulled off of the strut and put into the car. The remainder of the broken coil spring was then able to be lifted up and suspended above the strut coil spring seat in order to drive the car to a Subaru dealer. The Subaru dealer checked my vehicle VIN# telling me that there were no recalls on this vehicle for any failed coil springs. I referenced a recall notice I had found online which detailed the exact failure in which I had experienced, a broken coil spring, caused by defecting paint coating the spring, leading to rusting of the spring and breakage, also occasionally puncturing tires in the process. I was told a call would be place to the Subaru rep to inquire about such a recall. I received notice that no such recall existed and no warranty coverage existed for the failed coil spring and tire puncture. I can only imagine how such a failure at highway speed and the subsequent damage to vehicle and driver and passenger might ensue.

The contact owns a 1999 Subaru Outback. While driving in reverse at an unknown speed, the passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the front passenger side tire. The contact did not realize the failure until the tire was changed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number (01v216000). The current and failure mileages were 171,798.

According to Subaru in NHTSA recall no. 01v-216, the protective paint was applied incorrectly to '96 Subaru legacy Outback springs which leads them to rust and break. Subaru will replace the front springs but will not replace the rear springs, even though the same problem occurs on both front and rear springs. Both of my front springs broke, one of my rear springs broke, and the other rear spring is cracked and breaking. When the rear springs break there is the same safety issue as when the front springs break, that being that the car may become uncontrollable which could be fatal at highway speeds. Please prompt Subaru to recall the rear springs as well as the front to mitigate this safety issue. Thanks.

See all problems of the 1996 Subaru Outback 🔎.

The contact stated when leaving the dealership after getting the vehicle serviced the driver's side front coil spring fractured. This punctured the tire and caused it to go flat in a matter of seconds. The mechanic took the tire off and found that the coil spring fractured. There was NHTSA recall, 01v216000, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. The vehicle is currently at the dealership getting repaired.

Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in NHTSA recall 01v216000. Passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, the front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring. Dealership indicated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Front right coil spring broke which and caused the front tire to become shredded. The car was undriveable and needed to be towed to our mechanic. We discovered that a recall had been issued for this exact problem (NHTSA campaign id number : 01v216000). However, Subaru refussed to pay for the repair because the car was not included in the batch of cars involved in the recall. We therefore had our mechanic repair the vehicle.

Recall 01 v 216 000/front coil spring: unable to get dealer; hassett dealership; wantah, NY; phone# 516/785-7800 to honor recall due to no parts being available. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

See all problems of the 1997 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Recall 01 v 216 000/coilspring: unable to get dealer; frederick motors; frederick,MD; phone# 301/663-6111 to honor recall because no parts were available. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter. Feel free to provide any further information.

See all problems of the 1998 Subaru Outback 🔎.

Consumer received recall 01v-216, however when consumer contacted dealership to schedule an appointment she was informed that they were out of parts and it would take a few weeks to get the parts in and then another couple weeks to get on the service schedule.

Consumer received recall 01v-216, however when consumer contacted dealership to schedule an appointment she was informed that they were out of parts and it would take a few weeks to get the parts in and then another couple weeks to get on the service schedule.