[WildernessOB]

From the Jalopnik article in question "Though visibility and traction were excellent, the Subaru Outback Wilderness did have a few issues off-road. The shocks topped out often, making a “clunk” noise in the cabin..." (Basically topping out, means the shock cannot extend any further - which, again, aligns with when I hear my clunk).

 

[LarryDangerfield]

From the Jalopnik article in question "Though visibility and traction were excellent, the Subaru Outback Wilderness did have a few issues off-road. The shocks topped out often, making a “clunk” noise in the cabin..." (Basically topping out, means the shock cannot extend any further - which, again, aligns with when I hear my clunk).

Yeah, sorry I should have posted that but I was in a hurry at work. Thank you for quoting it.

 

[-dustin]

Literally the only time I hear it is on speed bumps. 2 sets of particularly gnarly speed bumps. Is the stroke length of the shocks on the OBW the same as non-Wilderness models? Anyone happen to have that info?

 

[Dave-G]

Interested in this since I noticed this on my OBW. But only after I went over a speed bump faster than I wanted to. I heard a thump and right my bad, but maybe it's a Subaru bad...?

 

[SilverOnyx]

Is this a Wilderness-only issue? I have an Onyx and my car sounds normal when it goes over a speedbump fast - normal speedbump sounds, no unusual clunking or thunking or metallic click.

 

[OFFM]

Is this a Wilderness-only issue? I have an Onyx and my car sounds normal when it goes over a speedbump fast - normal speedbump sounds, no unusual clunking or thunking or metallic click.

Good question. Not sure how to go about it, but would it make sense to survey Wilderness owners in this forum?

 

[SilverOnyx]

If we make a poll it might be good to have a reference video of the "wilderness speed bump sound" so that people can choose:

• My wilderness makes that noise
• My wilderness does not make that noise
• My non-wilderness makes that noise
• My non-wilderness does not make that noise.

 

[DanielAcosta]

My non-wilderness Premium doesn't make any noise over speed bumps and takes them better than my 4x4 truck.

As to windshields, after going through the original and one replacement Carlex, I switched to Pilkington and haven't had issues since. This isn't to say Pilkington is bulletproof, but they do seem to be more durable than Carlex. My Safelite tech noticed the Pilkington was heavier than the Carlex, which does suggest thicker glass.

 

[HKshooter]

My non-wilderness Premium doesn't make any noise over speed bumps and takes them better than my 4x4 truck.

As to windshields, after going through the original and one replacement Carlex, I switched to Pilkington and haven't had issues since. This isn't to say Pilkington is bulletproof, but they do seem to be more durable than Carlex. My Safelite tech noticed the Pilkington was heavier than the Carlex, which does suggest thicker glass.

If/when I have to deal with replacing mine I'm asking for Pilkington based on this post alone.

 

[Safobes88]

I purchased a brand new 2022 Outback Wilderness a few weeks ago. I only drove it 300 miles so far, and it has a loud clunk sound or bang when I drive over speed bumps 5 to 10 miles per hour. (I have to drive over 4 of them in my residence all the time.) It sounds like the car is bottoming out, somewhere in the back end of vehicle. Subaru dealer could not find source of the problem but knows there is one. After spending over $40,000 for this 2022 Outback Wilderness, I also had to buy extra insurance after I purchased the vehicle because the overly thin windshield, cracks very easily. When windshield needs to be replaced, the eyesight assist radar needs to be recalibrated and can cost over $1,000 dollars every time you get a crack/need to replace your windshield. Car insurance covers the windshield ONLY, and not the recalibration. This is not what I expected from Subaru. I did contact Subaru of America Headquarters about the loud clunk/ thump sound and have not received a response.

Hmmm, this sounds vaguely like an issue I had with my transmission cross support in another make of Car I had. That might be worth looking into.

 

[PDX Wilderness]

My cargo covers flap was not fully tracked. It was flapping on bumps and making noise I had.

 

[VinnieB]

I purchased a brand new 2022 Outback Wilderness a few weeks ago. I only drove it 300 miles so far, and it has a loud clunk sound or bang when I drive over speed bumps 5 to 10 miles per hour. (I have to drive over 4 of them in my residence all the time.) It sounds like the car is bottoming out, somewhere in the back end of vehicle. Subaru dealer could not find source of the problem but knows there is one. After spending over $40,000 for this 2022 Outback Wilderness, I also had to buy extra insurance after I purchased the vehicle because the overly thin windshield, cracks very easily. When windshield needs to be replaced, the eyesight assist radar needs to be recalibrated and can cost over $1,000 dollars every time you get a crack/need to replace your windshield. Car insurance covers the windshield ONLY, and not the recalibration. This is not what I expected from Subaru. I did contact Subaru of America Headquarters about the loud clunk/ thump sound and have not received a response.

I hate to bring this up, maybe you have a Clunker.

 

[Barrymmiller]

First, welcome to the forums! A few things here:

From Range Rovers to Audis to Subarus - Any vehicle will produce loud bangs or thumps, or bottom-out, if you fly through speed bumps at 10mph. I am unsure what the issue is here. If your spare is not loose, it is definitely driver error. Slow down.

Be careful when reading information in an echo-chamber where people post their issues first, and their successes second. There are a ton of members here with reasonable input. And we don't hear about millions of happy Subie owners that don't zero-in on fringe issues.

Insurance is part of life, and the coverages you make is a choice. My old 2015 Range Rover's windshield costs $3500 replace. Subies are cheap. Find the right coverage, which is what shopping for insurance is for. I pay $620/6 months for full coverage and $0 Comprehensive deductible on my Wilderness, which is what covers my windshield plus recalibration. There are deals to be had with policies that fit your needs, pending credit ratings and driving records.

You never have to buy anything (like extra windshield coverage that doesn't fully cover the cost of replacement). Those are choices.

Additionally, there is no evidence that Subies have "thin," windshields or fail en masse. While there are fringe cases of possible "surprises," at the end of the day a rock is a rock, and will chip or crack glass both when flying through speed bumps at 10mph or on the highway at 70mph. The full story is never presented, and usually when reading experiences the person leaves out how fast they were going, how close they were to the vehicle, what kind of vehicle they were tailgating, and whether their windshield was already compromised.

Just my thoughts.

I don’t agree about the windshield breakage. I had a 2019 Outback and had 2 broken windshields in about 9 weeks. One was from a rock peck about the size of a ball point pen point.
I have a 2003 Baja with 229,000 miles on it, has some stone chips but still the original windshield.
I do believe something changed to make the newer car windshields more prone to breakage. For one they are bigger than the older Subarus.
Windshield was replaced twice but recalibration was not needed because I had Subaru glass installed?

 

[notsolinear]

I have a 2003 Baja with 229,000 miles on it, has some stone chips but still the original windshield.
I do believe something changed to make the newer car windshields more prone to breakage.

The truth is probably way more complex than we can deduce just by measuring thickness or weight of various replacements. One big change is the move to unibody construction and the windshield becoming an increasingly integral component of the structural rigidity of the car. Windshields used to just float in a rubber gasket and now they’re bonded to the metal frame with high tech urethane adhesives. (I take it with a grain of salt, but some articles say it contributes 20-60% of the strength) The strength to weight ratio of the glass itself has probably gone way up due to better manufacturing methods and controls, while at the same time the demands on the glass have also increased. With all the dynamic forces acting on the windshield even minute differences or unevenness in tempering could probably play a role in fragility without otherwise being perceptible.

 

[kurtlange]

Why wouldn't you take this to the dealer?

 

[HKshooter]

Why wouldn't you take this to the dealer?

Read it. He did.

 

[Hokieman]

Six days later, a lot of discussion and theories, yet nothing else from the OP. Hmmm? Always makes me wonder when this happens from a first time poster.

 

[Brettcr]

So just for information's sake... had the same clunk every now and then going over speed bumps a little more briskly but still slow in my 2019 Limited. Same thing in my 2021 touring XT. It isn't a Wilderness thing. Always sounds like something in the spare tire storage area. Just never really bothered me enough to go into fears about it, but my first step would be to take everything out of the spare compartment leaving it empty and hit the same bump that causes it 100% of the time. I personally don't have that bump. But that would be my first super simple troubleshooting. Then I would take it to the dealer, then report the issue in this thread. Seems from reading a simple step was missed. I may be wrong though.

As far as insurance, same suggestion as others, find another policy provider. I have Allstate and don't have the extra money issue for windshields.

 

[keeganxt]

Same here, it's the tool carrier inside the spare and the carpeted floor hatch for the spare tire. It get's a bit of air when I go over speed bumps at just the right speed where the vehicle rebounds upward rather than the suspension absorbing the bump.

 

[Brettcr]

Same here, it's the tool carrier inside the spare and the carpeted floor hatch for the spare tire. It get's a bit of air when I go over speed bumps at just the right speed where the vehicle rebounds upward rather than the suspension absorbing the bump.

In all honesty, that was my thoughts every time it happened. It's exactly what it sounds like as well.