Problems with 2004 Subaru Outback EQUIPMENT

2004 subaru outback wheel bearing failure. *tr

Blown headgasket at only 40k. car has been maintained on a regular schedule with extra care car when needed. took to dealer and complained of smell of coolant in the interior of car when driving and after shutting vehicle down or at a traffic light stop. took to dealer complaining of a noise coming from the bottom of engine. after the dealer examined vehicle nothing was found as per report. i took the car for brake repair and the mechanic noted a coolant leak from the left bank of the engine block. he stated that he car has a blown headgasket on the left bank of the cylinder block. the warranty on the powertrain is about to run out and he advised to return the vehicle to the dealer for the repair. he did state that the dealer will only repair the bank that is leaking and the other would not be covered and should be done at the same time to prevent the other bank from blowing out due to a change in the balance of pressure on the block resulting from the replacement of only one headgasket. *tr

With your approval, i had an aoi electrical air bag switch installed on my 2004 subaru outback. the air bag error light will not reset and subaru has informed them that all air bags may be immobilized as well as the seat belt tensioners. i cannot seem to get aoielectrical to attend to the problem. *tr

I purchased a new 2004 subaru outback (manual transmission) in may 2004. i have been very happy with the vehicle, have maintained it per manufacturers instructions and have had no problems with it. on june 30, 2006 i took the car to my local dealer in response to a notice stating there was a recall on 2004 outbacks for an "engine control module reprogramming (reflash). since that reprogramming the rpms are sluggish in returning to normal in between shifts and at idle. in-between shifts, the re-engagement of the clutch is what forces the engine rpms down to match the transmission revolutions (i do have concerns this will eventually cause abnormal wear on the clutch plate. it can take anywhere from 1.5-5 seconds for the rpms to drop from 3-4,000 rpms to 1,000 rpms; and longer at higher rpms. this is dangerous when a sudden decrease in speed is essential for safety (the brakes are fighting the engine revving even thought the accelerator has been released). my gas mileage has decreased due to over-revving (i have kept a mileage log since i purchased the car). on one road trip last august, the rpms never dropped below 1000 and, in fact, fluctuated between 1,000 and 2,000 rpms at idle! i have taken the car back to the local dealer numerous times over the last 5 months (and 7,000+ miles) to try to correct the problem. a case # was opened with subaru of america and i have been in touch with them several times regarding the issue. a "field rep" has collected data on the vehicle and sent it off to the corporate techs. the local dealer has done everything they know to do at this point. i have been told that there is nothing "wrong" with the car. this is not acceptable to me; it was a great car until the ecm re-programming. i cannot drive this car for the rest of it's life in this condition; nor would i want to sell it to another person due to safety concerns. it is not safe. *nm