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Subaru Is Hit With Another Lawsuit- Owners Say EyeSight Is Dangerous

A new lawsuit had been filed against Subaru. 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek, and other models are included. See why owners say the automaker's EyeSight safety technology is dangerous.

Subaru of America is hit with a new class action involving 2013-2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other models equipped with the brand's EyeSight driver assist technology. The new Subaru lawsuit was recently filed in the district court of New Jersey.

Attorneys Berger Montague PC and Capstone Law APC represent Laura and James Sampson, Anthony Ventura and Joanne Fulgieri Ventura, Elizabeth Wheatley, and Shirley Reinhard. The plaintiffs claim Subaru's EyeSight includes automatic emergency braking (AEB), and lane-keep assist technology is dangerous.

2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 2021 Subaru Outback

Torque News has reported the advantages of the Subaru EyeSight safety technology and its many benefits. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given 2021 Subaru Forester, Outback, Crosstrek, and other models a 'Superior' rating in front crash prevention when equipped with EyeSight driver assist technology.

The new lawsuit against Subaru claims the automaker failed to warn customers about the automatic emergency braking system, which allegedly has defects with software calibration from multiple control modules. The plaintiffs say the brakes activate when there are no objects in front or behind the vehicle.

2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 2021 Subaru Outback

Other complaints say the Japanese automaker's automatic emergency braking fails to engage when objects are in front of the 2013-2021 Subaru models equipped with EyeSight. The lawsuit alleges this is caused by errors between the transmission, brakes, and cameras located at the top of the windshield.

The new Subaru class-action lawsuit says the EyeSight's lane keep assist feature is also defective. It alleges errors in the system "correct the vehicle's steering when the driver is trying to change lanes, is driving on the road with construction barriers, or if the road has multiple lines due to construction."

2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, 2021 Subaru Outback

The lawsuit documents many owners who claim the lane keep assist system will shut down entirely until the vehicle is restarted, preventing the cars from providing owners were promised in the automaker's advertising. The lawsuit also alleges the lane-keep system jerks the steering wheel and "even steers the vehicle into other vehicles."

The lawsuit alleges that the lane-keep assist problems are due to poor software calibration from the power steering control module and other modules.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Outback, 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, and other models now come standard with EyeSight driver assist technology. The plaintiffs allege the problems make the safety technology useless and dangerous and that Subaru increases its profits by inflating the prices of its most popular models. Torque News will bring updates on the new Subaru lawsuit as they become available.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Photo credit: Subaru USA

Comments

Kyle (not verified)    March 9, 2022 - 3:08PM

I’m having issues in my 2022 Wilderness where the screen will go blank and it will say eye sight disabled and it won’t work again until I stop my car and turn it off and back on. Is there any legal recourse I have since I was not notified about this issue with my car?

Agustin Ferrer (not verified)    March 14, 2022 - 11:46PM

My windshield was charged, and now the dealer says tgey can't recalibrate the camera, and they said the camera is broken or not working, who is responsible for that? Because before they changed the windshield the system camera sigty was working perfect.
The cost of reparations is $3,300!

Demetrius Cooksey (not verified)    March 18, 2022 - 6:06PM

Dear Subaru, I have been driving for nearly 40 years without a single accident; I don't need help driving my car. Offer your base model WITHOUT this BS technology. The Start/Stop BS is also a waste of money; the miniscule amount you save on gas isn't worth paying to get a new starter every 12 months. BTW, if I wanted an over-engineered money pit I'd buy a BMW. Get back to the basics of Less Is More so I don't have to buy a new car every 6 years when the warranty has expired and all this tech crap doesn't work any more!

Don K Balls (not verified)    February 11, 2023 - 9:01PM

In reply to by Demetrius Cooksey (not verified)

Dear Ragging Bitch, ive been driving for 55 years wityhout a single accident. But its sure nice to have tech to help with taking a bite out of your lunch oh i forgot 30 years driving as a occupation. if we wouldve wanted any of your lip. we wouldve got it off our zippers. subaru even without the tech still the best affordable vehicle on the road. PERIOD. and no not yours karen.

Eric (not verified)    May 31, 2023 - 2:55PM

In reply to by Demetrius Cooksey (not verified)

Start stop saves a LOT of gas lol. How many starters have you replaced so far? I bet zero! The starters are engineered to the extra use requirements. Commercial delivery vehicles are started hundreds of times a day and they don't have to replace starters every year lol

Alvin McCroan (not verified)    April 17, 2022 - 10:26PM

Thank you everyone for your comments. I saw the ad for the Subaru with these systems you're speaking of and my first question was when I go to pass is this safe or not allowing software control ours braking system. Life and Death is often must a matter of choosing between the gas or brake petal. Testing shows conclusively the human mind is still more Superior then any software developed. Reading some of the views, that proves to be still a fact. It also appears the system requires the owner being informed of key operational data that undoubtedly isn't given to some who purchase them, especially on used car lots. You'll be lucky to get an owners manuel sometimes on a used lot. I think it's bad policy and unwise to give up ones full control of the acceleration and braking of our vehicles. I didn't read in any comments that you can disable the system. I hope the lawsuit goes well and continues to bring light to the safety concerns facing drivers today with new technology and the amount of control the industry will absorb if left unchecked. We already have Automotive cars that currently give drivers the choice and thier right to enable or disable the system. Any vechile that does not offer a disable function with this much power is dangerous and drivers should be explained of both the features and the risk. Drivers should understand it's a buy and drive at your own risk and accept responsibility for driving a vehicle with that much power and having no control. I'll be staying away from this manufacturer and purchasing from manufacturers that allow me to disable the system and enable it when I want to. I like being in a control during rush hour traffic and heavy rain. Lines can hard to see and I don't need a machine to lock me down when all the drivers around me can barely see themselves. I'm happy to know some of you have been trouble free and hope the others who have not didn't experience anything to harmful but something tells me thats not the case. Class Actions Lawsuits gives you a clue. People have died. How many deaths a year are worth keeping the technology on the road. Are drivers just now collateral damage in the world we live in for big tech companies or do our lives matters will be the balance scale of justice and law in this case. It'll most likely end in a settlement and to what measure of change will be addressed and required we'll just have to wait and see so hopefully they will run an article after the ruling.

Vaf (not verified)    July 14, 2022 - 1:06PM

Ну не совсем. Если подойти к этому делу с умом, то можно спокойно зарабатывать деньги. Я в свое время нашел сайт -
, на котором лежит 1xbet зеркало, приложение, промокод и прогнозы на неделю. Ну как бы спокойно играю себе. В течении недели в плюс по-любому выйду! Бывает на 5000 рублей, а бывает и на 30 000, как пойдет) Так что, регистрируйся, пробуй.

bill josephson (not verified)    July 28, 2022 - 1:15PM

My eye sight message recurringly goes on and off every couple of days.
check engine light, RAB and a few other icons light up.
Don't notice too much difference driving with the message on except there is some minor bucking when accelerating. Cruising speed it seems fine.

Rodents ate through the soy wiring as the message light first came on.
Wires were fixed and insurance covered cost.
Then it kept coming on and going off.
They determined it was a faulty sensor and fixed that. Car's still under warranty and they fixed that.

Message came on right after I picked up the car last Monday.
Still in the shop, they don't know what the problem is still working over the car.
2019 Forrester, 24,000 miles.

Dimitri (not verified)    September 27, 2022 - 9:54PM

My brakes slammed when a piece of clear plastic flew up from under the trailer in front of me. Terrifying when you are doing 60 and car behind you barely misses you. Now car completely shuts off at intersections. Had to restart car completely twice now. Calling dealership tomorrow.

bill josephson (not verified)    September 27, 2022 - 10:44PM

After 35 days with a loaner car Subaru seems to have fixed the problem.
After replacing the sensor they also replaced the computer and finally the engine harness. Had the car back for a month, no eye sight message.

not a douche (not verified)    February 11, 2023 - 8:55PM

As a Owner and a driver that drives 25k a month, Eyesight may have little hiccups like can not see when its so foggy no body could see. or if windshield is so muddy the cameras can not see through the windshield. however i think this article is BS i have only one major concern or issue. it only has LKA for 30 seconds at a time if you take your hand off the wheel after the visual warnings x2 different actual warnings then totally disengages which is crazy they should have it to where eyesight navigates you to the emergency lane and stops and engages emergency flashers or with roads without lines should come slowly to A STOP. the actual driving of LKA is jerky and needs tuning however your a retard if you think that its a faulty system. i would bet that your looking for some sort of cop out.

deez nutz (not verified)    February 11, 2023 - 9:04PM

You guys need to stop relying so much on tech to fix the fact you do not know how to drive. its a car.

Doddski (not verified)    February 12, 2023 - 1:03AM

In reply to by deez nutz (not verified)

Take Deez Nuts outta your mouth and listen, jackwagon. My Eyesight system yanked my vehicle into oncoming traffic. It's flawed and dangerous and frankly, unnecessary. Comments from mouth breathing knuckle-draggers like you aren't needed, so shut your hole and save it for when you're making money behind dumpsters...

Jim Mitchell (not verified)    February 21, 2023 - 5:52PM

I just bought a 2023 Forrester. It has less than 3000 miles on it. Yesterday we going to a town about 2 hours away. We left home about 8:00 AM. Got on the highway, headed East into the sun. Hit 68 MPH and set the cruise. Suddenly, a warning came on and the car slammed on the brakes. Warning said "object detected". There was no object. Had someone been behind us there would have been a very serious accident. The car continued giving me the "object detected" for several miles. I finally had to turn off eyesite to continue to our destination. I called the service department at our dealer and he said he had never heard of anything like this.

Trust me! It scared the crap out both my wife and I when the front bumper nearly scraped the pavement it braked so hard.

Sue (not verified)    May 2, 2023 - 7:25PM

We just returned a Crosstrek because with our mountains and curvy roads, the head lights only illuminated a few feet in front of us in many situations. Full refund, and we got our old car back.

Eric (not verified)    May 31, 2023 - 2:52PM

All of the supposed issues are common on every car that uses this tech. It's not the cars fault if you live in a shitty state that doesn't know how to paint lines correctly. Also it's not the cars fault that you don't properly signal before changing lanes lol. If you don't use turn signals the car doesn't know you are changing lanes on purpose and tries to mitigate.

Floyd Hancock (not verified)    June 11, 2023 - 11:43PM

so we all have to sue subaru just to get something done..I got this subaru forester 2016 because I keep hearing how good they are ..well it's not .the eyesight is defective..almost crashed a few times ..I have not heard back from.who ever took.my complaint..still.waiting to hear of a recall that has not happened yes. I'm done.with subaru if they can't stand behind there cars. then I hope the stand in front of it.. I'm pissed

mike (not verified)    September 30, 2023 - 9:00AM

We have a 2016 manual trans crosstrek so no eyesight. In SD wind the stability control system keeps the car going straight. I can feel the car reacting to wind gusts while going straight down the road at 80. After a minor accident we drove 2 different 2022 Subie loaners with eyesight. Neither car handled the wind as well as our manual trans Crosstrek. Both loaners lane wandered, felt unstable. Haited it. Turned it iff. Wife says no new subies with eyesight.

RSJ (not verified)    March 16, 2024 - 12:23PM

I have a 2018 Forester Premium with Eyesight. Going on 6 years now and the system has operated flawlessly. It has saved me a couple of times from a collision. The adaptive cruise control is a must on road trip! The lane centering on my generation is not ideal and I usually turn it off as it ping pongs between the lines on the road - more annoying than helpful. Overall, I have had zero serious issues with eyesight. The complaints about this system getting confused when encountering road construction zones is crazy in my opinion. The manual makes clear that this system does not replace human driving skills and is only designed to assist, I would never expect it to maneuver in a construction zone with temporary lane lines and abnormal lane shifts! I think people are grasping at straws on this issue.