2005 Subaru Outback Suspension Problems
- 34
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 34 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- ghost walking · 8 records
- snow tires · 7 records
- snowy conditions · 5 records
- packed snow · 5 records
- very unstable · 5 records
- left right · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
| 60–100k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electronic Stability Control · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
On any wet or snowy pavement car is ghost walking, like the rear end has marbles under it. Speed of 35 mph, straight driving, on wet pavement. Like a cat walking on its nails.terrified. Had alignment, new tires, new rear struts, sway bar, transmission wiring harness. Disabled abs so at least i control braking
ODI 11278801
Steering · Suspension
While driving on slippery surfaces like ice and snow, the vehicle will begin swaying left and right uncontrollably. The sensation, also known as "ghost walking" could easily cause an accident if the driver can not control the swaying, and spinning out. Conditions of problem: driving during winter conditions, on snowy roads and highways. The vehicle is fine under dry/normal conditions. I believe the issue stems from…
ODI 11184192
Suspension
Was driving on the highway on june 21, 2017 with a dishwasher in the trunk. It was raining and there was traffic, so my speed was about 40 mph. As i was driving, the car abruptly swerved from right to left, and i almost hit another car. This was my scariest driving experience .
ODI 11001990
Suspension
Rear suspension issues cause uncontrollable steering from the rear end on snow and ice. Car refuses to drive in a straight line on snow/ice even with snow tires and proper alignment.
ODI 10937695
Body · Electronic Stability Control · Steering · Suspension · Wheels
I was pulling into a parking space and put on the brake. Vehicle didn't respond to braking and kept going, over the,curb, across the median and hit 5 parked cars before it stopped.
Crash reported
ODI 10861039
Suspension
My 2005 nearly killed me recently driving on straight highways that were a bit icy. Despite 4 studded tires, it would barely stay on the road above 35 mph even going totally straight. Cars of all other types were flying past at 60-75 mph, no problem. But my car would end up going sideways and inadvertently switching lanes and or almost going off the road at speeds starting at about 35-40mph. We had three adults in…
ODI 10823175
Power Train · Steering · Suspension
My 2005 outback is very unsafe to drive under certain conditions. After extensive research online, i have discovered people use the term "ghost walking" to describe the issue. After driving over a bump or slick spot on the road, the driver momentarily loses control of the vehicle. The back end sways side to side and the car can jump several feet to the left or right. I have noticed this problem several times but it…
ODI 10816220
Suspension
2005 subaru outback. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle front and back wheel bearings nneded to be replaced. *smd
ODI 10743247
Suspension
Car was purchased in september 2014. This was my first time driving this car in wet, snowy driving conditions. I had 5 passengers and twice we had the rear end of the car kind of break loose. It felt like it was swinging to the side. It scared me and the passengers in the car. I have not noticed it while driving alone. I originally suspected under inflated or poor tires, but when i checked the following day they…
ODI 10669361
Suspension
Vehicle ghostwalking while driving 40-45mph in a straight section of road. Multiple other verified issues from 2005-2009 outback vehicles exhibit the same symptoms. Almost lost control of vehicle and cannot safely travel above 45mph without losing control. Subaru has not officially acknowledged this problem or provided a solution. *tr
ODI 10554731
Suspension
First experienced what is now being called ghostwalking. Rear of the vehicle wants to break loose at any speed above 25 mph. Car has since been aligned and 4 new high end snow tires installed and is no better. *tr
ODI 10577029
Power Train · Suspension
I have had issues with my power train since purchase of the car. I have done both cv axles twice. The last time the control arms had to be replaced. Ball joints have been twice. The shop i took my car to said they have seen this same issue in 4 other subaru's of the same year. During repair my drive knuckles broke. I have spend thousand on just my power train. Between subaru dealership, burt brother, and premier…
ODI 10522335
Electronic Stability Control · Suspension
I am the third owner so after my problems, i researched to learn the first owner couldn't maintain tire life; subaru replaced all four tires and kept trying realignment for her. The second owner informed me he could not maintain new tire life, never acknowledging to me that the car is all over the road and a hazard to your life. Being the third owner, i never thought when i purchased this 2005 subaru outback that it…
ODI 10491471
Steering · Suspension
While driving on straight, flat and level ice-covered northern indiana road at 35 mph, my 2005 subaru outback xt ltd fishtailed (rear over-steer) repeatedly. This felt as if the rear of the vehicle was being quickly pushed from side to side. (this is often referred to as "ghostwalking" and is unmistakable once experienced.) there were two average weight adults in the front seats and one young adult (135 lbs) in the…
ODI 10490030
Suspension
This vehicle is dangerous on icy roads. On a recent trip when encountering ice, the rear end would fishtail uncontrollably until speed was reduced below 30 mph. This happened while maintaining speed in a straight line. All other cars were still doing speed limit (60) without problems and we were a hazard fishtailing at 30. A truck jackknifed trying to avoid us. Please do something about these cars before someone is…
ODI 10490921
Steering · Suspension
Purchased 2005 outback in april 2012 with approximately 190000 miles. Car felt very unstable when going over any uneven road surface. Replaced rear struts with no improvement. Tried different tires with no noticeable change. Decided it must be an odd but normal condition for the vehicle. Today, 9/18/12, drove car in light rain along a 2-lane road at approximately 50-55 mph and car was very unstable in the rear. The…
ODI 10475892
Suspension
Had the car for about a year now. Driven it thru some snow and have experienced what is know as the "ghost walking issue". The rear end tends to wander back and forth while driving on slushy snow and on ice. Also does this when one rear wheel goes in a pot hole especially when driving on an off ramp. Car has been aligned at the dealer and has new tires as well. These things were done to fix the issue but it did not.…
ODI 10486689
Power Train · Suspension
This was one of the first snows of the winter and i was driving my 2005 subaru outback down detroit freeways to metro airport to pickup my son. I had my wife in the front seat and my youngest son in the rear seat. As the snow began to fall i felt the car lurch back and forth as if i were driving through icy or snowy ruts. I am an experienced driver (50 years old) and had never experienced anything like this except…
ODI 10483773
Suspension
I have owned and driven this subaru since july 06 and have driven it through 5 northern illinois winters. Today was our first snowfall this season and for the first time i have noticed that the car exhibits very "un-nerving" handling qualities in very light snow road conditions. Something has changed to make me feel like i will loose control of the vehicle. The car feels like it wants to fishtail out of control at…
ODI 10443601
Suspension
Our subaru started what is described as "ghost walking". Mild but noticeably last winter, severe and constant this winter (2013). On icy or snow packed roads, the vehicle's rear end moves or sways back and forth. Speed from 25 mph up to 45 mph. Can't go faster due to terrain and roads anyway. *tr
ODI 10492393
Suspension
Failure of 2 rear wheel bearings and right front wheel bearing. *tr
ODI 10442745
Suspension · Unknown Or Other
Car is not safe on packed snow or icy roads. All road feel is gone and it feels as if the car could spin out of control at any moment. Most other cars seem to pass without issue. For a awd car this is unacceptable. You must slow down to 40 and below to have any hopes of keeping the car in a straight line. I have put nokia snow tires on the and car drives perfect in fresh snow but still cannot drive in slippery…
ODI 10434895
Suspension
I have experienced what is referred to as "ghostwalking" in my 2005 subaru outback. While driving in winter conditions such as slush, snow and ice mix, and black ice the car fishtails in the rear wheels making it impossible to safely drive this car. However driving on hardpack snow and hardpack powder the car handles fine. The car fishtails much worse when even a little weight is loaded in the rear. I do have…
ODI 10444832
Suspension · Wheels
Right and left front control arm bushings split and replaced along with both front control arms. *tr
ODI 10482051
Steering · Suspension
I reside in the sierra nevada mountains in california and experience snowy/icy driving conditions regularly throughout the winter. The outback was purchased for its performance in these conditions and is equipped with blizzak studless snow tires. On several occasions, in both ca and co, while driving on packed snow at approximately 40 mph, the rear end began to fishtale out of control. This situation continued to…
ODI 10443928