2000 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems

Your car's subframe has rusted through to the point where it can't be repaired, even though Subaru performed recall work that was supposed to include undercoating to prevent this damage. Your mechanic notes the rust is concentrated only where the recall work was done, suggesting the undercoating may not have been applied properly. If the subframe fails, it could compromise your vehicle's structural integrity and safety.

While driving at 50 mph over a bump in snowy conditions, your car suddenly jerked and swerved, nearly causing you to lose control. The rear sub-frame had rusted through and broken, allowing the rear differential to shift upward and strike the fuel tank. Although Subaru issued a recall for this sub-frame rust issue and your vehicle was serviced in 2003, the repair (cleaning and anti-corrosion coating) proved insufficient—the sub-frame has now failed completely, making the car undrivable. Fixing this will require replacing the entire rear sub-frame and inspecting the differential and fuel tank for damage.

Your mechanic found significant rust on the rear cradle (the metal frame component supporting your rear suspension and drivetrain) and advised against carrying heavy loads due to the corrosion. You discovered there was a recall issued in 2003 for inadequate rustproofing on this part, but you never received notice of it. Addressing this rust may require having the rear cradle cleaned, treated, or potentially replaced depending on the extent of corrosion.

Your rear sub-frame is corroded and deteriorating, causing it to shift while you drive. You hear loud banging noises when starting, stopping, and driving as the weakened sub-frame moves around. The sub-frame may need to be replaced or welded to restore structural integrity and eliminate the noise.

You noticed a burned rubber smell and noise coming from the left rear wheel area. The suspension subframe cracked, which caused the left rear tire to rub against the wheel well and wear down. Your mechanic said Subaru wouldn't cover this as a recall, and Subaru confirmed there's no recall on record for your vehicle's VIN number. Fixing this will likely require replacing the suspension subframe and possibly the rear tire.

Your 2000 Subaru Outback had a rear suspension recall performed, but after the repair, an independent mechanic discovered the rear subframe assembly was severely corroded at 117,000 miles. Corrosion of this structural component can weaken the suspension system over time. You may want to have a dealer inspect the rear subframe to assess whether additional repairs or replacement are needed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CROSS BAR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V153000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPANSE AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

FRONT STABILIZER/ROLL BAR BROKE ON LEFT SIDE. *JB

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE FOR SEEMINGLY NO REASON. *NM

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN HALF WHILE PULL OUT OF A GAS STATION. DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS/ BY WAYS NO OFF ROADING. HAS 93K ON CAR. SUBARU DEALER WILL NO GIVE A BREAK ON PRICE, PART OR LABOR BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARRANTY. I HAVE ALREADY FOUND 6 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THIS SITE. *JB

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I DO NOT KNOW WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I DISCOVERED THE BROKEN PART HANGING DOWN NEARLY TO THE GROUND ON JANUARY 1, 2005. THIS HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AND I PLAN TO GET IT REPAIRED. I CALLED SUBARU AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (72,400 MILES). *AK

MY 2000 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK FRONT STABILIZER/SWAY BAR BROKE AT BOTH ENDS SIMULTANEOUSLY, AT THE SAME LOCATION, GOING DOWNHILL ON A BLACK TOP ROAD. AN AUDIBLE "PING" SOUND OCCURRED WHEN IT HAPPENED. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE STABILIZER/SWAY BAR ON DECEMBER 1ST, 2004 AT MY EXPENSE. SUBARU REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE PART OR LABOR. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 38K MILES ON IT.

FRONT SWAY BAR SNAPPED. *AK

BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED PREMATURELY, ONE AT 38000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 75000 MILES AND THE SECOND AT 79000 MILES. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS YEAR SUBARU, AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKEN CARE OF. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER JULY OF 2002. DEALER CLAIMED COULD NOT DO REPAIRS BECAUSE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE. KELLY SUBARU, 3122 W. TENNESSEE ST., TALLAHASSEE FL., 32304 850-575-6166.*AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. *AK (RECALL # 03V153000) *SCC *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V153000 CONCERNING THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME CORROSION IN JULY 2003. DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE RECALL DEFECT. *AK *PH *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03V153000, BUT A WELD ON RIGHT REAR OF REAR SUSPENSION THAT SHOULD BE RUST PROOFED ALREADY CRACKED.*AK

POSSIBLE DEFECT OF REAR SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL WHICH STATED IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN A "SALT BELT" AREA, CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO SALT COULD CAUSE THE REAR SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY TO RUST-OUT AND EVENTUALLY BREAK. *PH *JB

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE IN TWO PLACES. TWO DEALERS HAVE SAID THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. ISN'T THAT A SAFETY PROBLEM AS IT AFFECTS HANDLING? IT BROKE RIGHT AFTER THEY WORKED ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION! DT

WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH DIRT ROAD, HEARD A CLUNK UNDER THE CAR. STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDER IT ONLY TO FIND THE SWAY BAR BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAR. END LINKS AND OTHER PARTS FINE. THE THICK SWAY BAR DESIGNED TO BE STRONG BROKE. MUST INVESTIGATE. DT

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEPT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND FRONT END WAS WOBBLING, CAUSED BY THE CARRIAGE BOLT THAT FELL OFF. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE BIKE RACK DROPPED DOWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON DUE TO EVAPORATION LEAK FROM SYSTEM AND LOOSE GAS CAP. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SEAL WAS DAMAGED. *YH

SWAY BAR BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

LOUD CLUNKING AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. IT IS MOST PRONOUNCED DURING LEFT TURNS BUT ALSO DOES IT WHEN TURNING RIGHT. DEALER REP SAYS HE COULD NOT HEAR IT. WE WILL SCHEDULE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND WILL MAKE SURE DEALER REP IS NOT DEAF. *AK