2001 Subaru Outback Cruise Control Problems
13 owner-reported cruise control complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Cruise Control Recalls (1)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Owner Complaints (13)
While you were parking your 2001 Subaru Outback, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and crashed into a fence. No one was injured. The dealer couldn't reproduce the problem when they inspected it, so no repair was made. This type of unexpected acceleration during low-speed maneuvering could indicate an issue with the throttle control system or accelerator pedal mechanism.
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While driving on the highway at 65-70 mph with cruise control enabled, traffic suddenly slowed. When you tried to disengage cruise control and brake, both the throttle and brake pedal became unresponsive and failed to slow the vehicle. You were forced to swerve left to avoid a truck, which caused you to rear-end another car, and you only managed to stop by downshifting and using the parking brake. The issue involved a complete failure of both acceleration control and braking systems during an emergency situation.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED EIGHT TIMES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE STEERING FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SCENE UNCONSCIOUS. SHE SUSTAINED CRACKED RIBS, BRUISES, AND SPRAINS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. SHE HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE. A VALID VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
"THIS IS GRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE LIKE SUBARU 'FORGETS' TO FIT A $1 SPRING CLIP. THE THROTTLE PROBABLY STUCK AT AROUND 3/4 OPEN AS SHE HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING UP A STEEP HILL LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE. THE ROAD THEN DIPS DOWN AND GOES INTO A SERIES OF S BENDS, SHE LEFT THE ROAD DOING ABOUT 80MPH AND HIT A TREE 5 FOOT UP IN AIR FROM THE ROAD'S SURFACE. IT WAS A BRIGHT SUNNY DAY, NO PRECIPITATION, SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THERE FOR 45 MINS AND AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE DOOR PILLARS THEY TRIED TO CUT WITH THEIR HURST CUTTERS THE CAR SURVIVED REMARKABLY. BUT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS WRECK SAID IT WAS NOT A SURVIVABLE ACCIDENT. I WONDER IF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR BIG CORPORATIONS EVER CONSIDER THESE TYPE OF THINGS, OR WHETHER THEY SLEEP AT NIGHT???"
DT: THE ODOMOTER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONTACT TESTED THE ODOMETER AND THE RESULTS WERE NOT CORRECT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE ODOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY THEN THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT READING CORRECTLY. *NM *AK
MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, ON ITS OWN, WHILE MY FOOT IS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY IN PARKING LOTS/PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES.*AK
CONSUMER WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND FOOT WAS PLACED ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WITH BRAKE OR CLUTCH. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING. *MR *TS
THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN WHILE DESCENDING A 1.5 MILE GRADE. THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. *YH
WHILE ON LINE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE CONSUMER PUT FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR AT SAME TIME. CONSUMER ACCELERATED INTO REAR OF SOMEONE'S CAR. CONSUMER FELT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THESE PEDALS.*AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR ARE POORLY LOCATED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *YH
ENGINE ACCELERATES SPONTANEOUSLY AT SLOW SPEED ENTERING GARAGE WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL WHILE BRAKING TO KEEP SPEED LOW.