NHTSA complaint: 2004 SUBARU OUTBACK — POWER TRAIN
THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT HAD BEEN LOCKED IN PARK, WHICH NEVER HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY. IT EVENTUALLY WAS RELEASED BY PUTTING THE TIP OF A KEY INTO THE AREA OF THE PANEL. ADVISED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE DRIVERS MANUAL. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE TWICE MORE , IT WAS PARKED AGAIN. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION, THERE WAS A WHIRRING SOUND AND WHEN IT STARTED, IT SURGED FORWARD VERY RAPIDLY AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES.. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS OFF THE ROAD AND ROCKS PUNCTURED A TIRE. IT STOPPED. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE SUBARU REPAIR SHOP, THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DID NOT ADVISE REPAIR, BECAUSE OF HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION ETC. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation