2022 Subaru Outback Collision Avoidance Problems
8 owner-reported collision avoidance complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (8)
Your car's automatic emergency braking system activated unexpectedly while you were towing an empty boat trailer and approaching a vehicle turning onto a side road, causing your trailer to fishtail. A motorcycle was overtaking you in the left lane at the time, creating a safety concern. The system triggered for several seconds based on the head-up display indicator, though no crash occurred. Diagnosing this issue will likely require a technician to scan the forward collision avoidance system sensors and software for calibration or malfunction.
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Several months ago Subaru updated the software in the above mentioned systems. Ever since the systems have become overly sensitive to the point of locking breaks up on the highway, at highway speed, for no obstruction. This has taken me from highway speed to a complete stop in the middle of the number 2 lane on several occasions.
The entire electronics system resets while driving, all driving metrics, speed, eye-sight/collision detection shows reboot screen, and infotainment system goes blank for several seconds. It would appear that none of this vehicles safety systems or speed indicators are online for several seconds up to 20 at times. I have tried to catch this on camera, but since I am the sole driver of this vehicle, I am rarely in a position to safely operate my phone. It has been going on since I purchased the vehicle, but I am seeing more and more posts with other drivers and the same issue.
On multiple occasions my car has braked on its own when there was no reason to. It has happened on at least four (4) different times and has been taken to Subaru of Kennesaw to be looked at. Unfortunately the dealership has been unable to duplicate the problem. When I took my car back to the dealership on September 28, 2022 for this I contacted Subaru of America and they had an Engineer, [XXX] come and get the data off the Event Data Recorder in the vehicle. The engineer verbally said they have pictures from each time my car braked on its own and advised there was nothing in front of me. He said it is an eyesight issue but they cannot adjust the eyesight and they cannot fix the problem. The car just brakes without warning the engineer said this can happen if the eyesight sees a mailbox, cars to the right or left of me, trees, curbs and even a change in color in the roadway. This has continued to happen and now Subaru of America will not take my calls nor will they respond to my emails. I have asked for a copy of the pictures, a letter stating their findings and a letter stating my car is safe to drive but they will not issue this to me. This has been going on since April 2022. I am afraid I am going to be in accident one day when the car brakes on its own if someone is behind me and not paying attention. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
On a reoccurring basis, my Subaru will randomly slam on the breaks, detecting an object that isn't there. Dealership has done nothing, and Subaru of America has ignored my complaints
Windshield cracked while parked. Date of crack 9-13-2022 All the electronic safety features rely on an intact windshield to work properly. This crack occurred for no reason. No impact to windshield. Parked in an open parking lot. Not reproduced that I know of. Vehicle will be inspected tomorrow by dealer. 9-14-2022
SafeLite is Unable to calibrate vehicle EyeSight after non-OEM windshield replacement. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There have been two attempts to calibrate the vehicle EyeSight by SafeLite. The dealer says the EyeSight with a non-OEM windshield can not be properly calibrated. According to Subaru, the 2022 model requires that OEM glass be used for windshield replacements on models that are equipped with the EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Lane detection works randomly, periodically there a warning beep showing a vehicle icon between two bars and the word "Off" . In addition to the alarms, the Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) keeps nudging the steering wheel causing the vehicle to swerve. None of the front safe driving features of the vehicle can be trusted. The steering nudging problem doesn't happen when the VDC is turned off. The VDC defaults to on. To safely drive the vehicle the VDC needs to be manually turned off each time the car is started. No the problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. I assume the vehicle logs have a record of the warnings.
In 3 months of owning this vehicle, the Auto Emergency Braking (AEB) system has spontaneously triggered with no cause at least a handful of times (multiple incidents). I am driving with no danger or risk of collision and the vehicle will slam on the brakes and make horrible noises. Not only is this incredibly frustrating, but in an urban driving environment, it is incredibly dangerous.