Engine owner reports: Subaru Outback years in the records

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“On 12/6/2023, as I slowly turned right into a parking space, my car suddenly surged forward and accelerated without my input to the gas pedal. The brakes did not work, and there was no resistance from the brake pedal when I repeated to push it. The car continued to accelerate for about 80 ft as I focused on steering to avoid hitting other cars parked in the lot. The car ran over a curb, up a grassy area, and crashed into a row of trees. The airbag did not deploy. I sustained neck muscle strain/whiplash, and bruises to my chest and right knee. My safety was at risk, as well as anyone or anything that was in the car's path since I had no control over the acceleration or the brakes. The car is a 2020 Subaru Outback with about 44000 miles. It is in a body shop and they have not yet determined if it is safe to work on. So far, they have observed the engine race when the car was turned on. There were no warning signs prior to the acceleration. When I called the Subaru dealer service department, I was told that they never heard of this before and it had to have been my fault. They said I could bring it in after the body damage is repaired, and that I can pay for a diagnotic report. However, they expect that the report will not show anything.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Car fire, originating under the hood. Unknown if vehicle is available for inspection. Last reported by Insurance company to be at IAA; [XXX]; PH#: [XXX]. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Car fire began while in the car after moving through an intersection with a stop light. Four of us in the car, ages raging from [XXX] old. Fire quickly spread; however, we were able to exit the car without injury. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - NO, car was totaled and Subaru, NA Consumer Advocacy agent assigned claims that the vehicle is no longer available for inspection. Both insurance company (Travelers Auto) and Subaru, N.A. consumer advocacy group made aware of our concern as to why the vehicle caught fire. One or both demonstrated nonchalance of this concern. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - YES - Just prior to the start of the fire, the vehicle stalled and cut-off with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. Also, we smelled an unusual exhaust at the time prior to, and at the time of the cut-off. This occurred at the intersection of where the car caught fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx/Limited/Touring XT (2.4L Turbo FA24) Component: Engine Lubrication / Oil Pan Sealant I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving the engine oil pan seal on the 2020 Subaru Outback 2.4L Turbo. Upon inspection of fluid accumulation at the transmission joint, a Subaru dealership diagnostic confirmed that the engine oil pan seal has failed. The dealership noted that engine oil is leaking and being forced rearward by airflow while the vehicle is in motion, saturating the transmission assembly. Technician Admission: The service department at the Subaru dealership explicitly stated that this is a "known manufacturing issue" with the FA24 engine series. Financial Concession: To acknowledge the nature of this premature failure, the dealership waived the $185 diagnostic fee, resulting in a $0 invoice (attached). Inadequate Coverage: Despite the dealership’s admission and a repair quote exceeding $1,100 (file is attached), Subaru has not yet issued a recall or extended warranty for this specific 2020+ turbo application, though similar issues with RTV sealant have plagued the brand’s newer engine platforms. The technician confirmed that the leak is significant enough that oil is traveling the length of the transmission. This presents a potential fire hazard if oil contacts high-temperature exhaust components (such as the turbocharger or catalytic converter) and contributes to environmental contamination. This is the Turbo (XT) model. Turbochargers generate much higher heat, which makes an oil leak significantly Subaru National Customer Service has advised me to file this complaint with the NHTSA. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate the frequency of oil pan seal failures on the 2020+ 2.4L Turbo (FA24) engine to determine if a mandatory recall or extended warranty (similar to past CVT or engine seal settlements) is warranted to protect consumers from the high cost of a documented manufacturing flaw.”