[emcr]

I just bought a 2018 Subaru outback a week ago and am experiencing severe motion sickness. It literally feels like I'm floating while driving. More like on a boat than in a car.
Has anyone else experienced this? I see they adjusted the suspension system new for 2018...


Am completely bummed since I owned a 2008 OB for the past 10 years and loved it. Was really excited about this new car but am so debilitated after driving it, I may be returning it and lose some serious money. I've ridden in friends' outbacks (2012-2014) with no issue.


Tires are all at correct pressure.
It's not EMF. I am in new cars all the time and have no issue.
And I thought about the new car smell. But my dog who also is also prone to car sickness is getting severely sick in the car as well.
I've never experienced motion sickness as a driver so this is a first for me.
Some have suggested adjusting the suspension system to see if it helps. But I get so sick, I'm leaning towards getting rid of the brand new car
Would appreciate any thoughts on what is causing this.

 

[z28dug]

I might check for a carbon monoxide leak.

 

[ThriftyBattleWagon]

Yeah, I was getting a little sick from looking out the side windows while driving. I noticed a slight refraction in the glass when moving my head and looking at the side-view mirror. I'm not sure if it's from the new glass thickness or the tint (I have the 2018 Limited). Also, the reflection from the silver band around the a/c vent shows up in the line of sight of the mirror, and that was causing me some grief. I've managed to get used to it and don't feel sick anymore. I've had my OB for a little over a month now.

There might be something to it if you look at your mirrors a lot like i do. But i'm also prone to motion sickness....

 

[Rico]

I might check for a carbon monoxide leak.

Maybe your rear gate does not close properly?
Crack couple windows open for cross-ventilation.
Don't watch videos (or map screen) while driving..

 

[jdog1]

Trade it in for a new Forester, than you'll bounce all over the road, no floating there!!!!

 

[BayNative]

Seriously check for a carbon monoxide leak as suggested. The fact that your dog is getting sick too is not a good sign. In the meantime drive with the windows cracked to avoid passing out.

 

[JamesBond]

I've owned a handful of newer Outbacks, later 90s till now. And I can say my 18' 3.6 Limited is the most floaty soft compliant riding Outback I've owned thus far.

I mean for something with off road ability, I sure hope the shocks and struts on these new Outbacks tighten up when going off road.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

 

[phishfood]

I've owned a handful of newer Outbacks, later 90s till now. And I can say my 18' 3.6 Limited is the most floaty soft compliant riding Outback I've owned thus far.

I mean for something with off road ability, I sure hope the shocks and struts on these new Outbacks tighten up when going off road.

I thought for offroading you wanted a loose softer suspension to ease wheel articulation when going over big bumps holes rocks etc.

Not the case?

 

[quikshifter]

my wife and baby have the same issue in the back seat of my 2017 but her 2017 forester they have no issues in.

 

[traildogck]

I thought for offroading you wanted a loose softer suspension to ease wheel articulation when going over big bumps holes rocks etc.

Not the case?

You typically would want the softest spring that can carry the load. However, you want very sophisticated compression and rebound damping. KYB struts have crappy damping and are NOT sophisticated at all.

Which is why the OP is getting sick behind the wheel.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

nothing wrong with checking for exhaust leak and having the sway bars/suspension inspected but, decades ago, I would regularly be nauseated riding in the back of a coworkers Chevy Impala coming back from lunch with a group. Never experienced that in the front or in any other vehicle.

sometimes, a specific type of travel/movement is just incompatible with specific people I guess?

 

[IcePick]

I am also prone to motion sickness and had minor issues when I first started driving a 2017 Outback. It was pretty much only on 30 minute or longer Hwy driving.
Went away after a month or so.
I chalked it up to different vehicle motion compared to the VW JSW I had before.

 

[JamesBond]

I thought for offroading you wanted a loose softer suspension to ease wheel articulation when going over big bumps holes rocks etc.

Not the case?

No, I'm sure you would. I was just trying to convey my surprise as to how floaty this new suspension set up feels to me from older Outbacks.
Also I came from a 15' FXT which has a sport tuned suspension.

 

[toysbyus]

I might suggest that you take a look at the rear sway bar.....when we got my 2015 OB LTD, I was generally very happy with the ride BUT, when we exited the highway on those long sweeping ramps, it felt like I was driving a 1965 Chevrolet Impala Caprice wagon.......hardly confidence inspiring especially as the radius decreased deeper into the exit/enter ramp.....

I swapped out the 16 MM in favor of the "moderate" upgrade size, 19 mm..............and that disconcerting big car sway and see saw body movement went away.......

Just saying.....

Steve

 

[traildogck]

Also I came from a 15' FXT which has a sport tuned suspension.

In what way...is the FXT's suspension "sport tuned"?

 

[HernameisPearl]

Two months in and I'm still getting used to the slight wavy-ness on the driver window near the front. I seem to remember this being an issue on my last car which was a Chevy so I'm guessing (for me) it's just a matter of allowing your eyes/brain to get used to the differences.

 

[Acemaster 4]

I think the ride is fairly balanced and it's been good for me in my 18. I have 3300 miles on mine since bought in August. My driving style varies from puttzing to sporty. We've taken a few road trips and I like it overall. Quiet enough, smooth enough on a variety of roads. Getting used to my first CVT but it seems to work better now than when brand new. idk. But I do feel some "float" or sway at times but not to an unacceptable level. I've driven all kind of cars & trucks and I get along with most though.
In the new OB I thought about installing the 19mm sway bar and may still to get better performance when cornering. But too stiff swaybars have their downside on lesser roads.
In the end I think some folks are more sensitive to motion variations than others and I get that it can be a concern.

 

[runner9595]

Two of us in my family are VERY prone to motion sickness... Almost an EXTREME any ride at a park will set us off.. 1 and done! But anyways, in our '16 we have NO issues at all, in fact we LOVE the way it rides. I would also check for leaks. Somethings not right if your dog is getting sick. I would also x2 on the 19mm Sway bar upgrade. I'd maybe even go bigger. It is a noticeable difference in the way the back end of the car handles the road, BETTER. Highly recommend. But even bigger then 19! Also wonder if theres something in the "new car smell" thats making you sick with the chemicals, thats been talked about quite a bit on these forums.

 

[emcr]

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions and thoughts. Was concerned I'd get a lot of grief from others on here and really appreciate the support. It's been a rough week of stress over what to do with this new car and the financial ramifications that come with getting rid of it now. Depreciation when you drive a car off the lot is a killer! Not to mention this was my dream car...super bummed to not be enjoying it!

As an update, I'm 8 days into driving the car and still feel really sick every time I drive it. No improvement there.
I talked more to the dealer and they noted that new for 2018, the outback now has a single-piece frame instead of a 2-piece, meant to completely eliminate "roll" when driving around curves. And as mentioned in my original post, the suspension is completely different from previous models. After hearing their description of the changes, it resonated with why I feel like I'm floating instead of driving in a car and am just not getting enough "feedback". It doesn't sway like my dad's oldsmobile. It literally floats/glides.
I'm sure plenty out there will love it but I'm curious about how the feedback comes in as more buy the 2018's.

I'm definitely going to look into carbon monoxide potential. If that checks out, I'm off to find a new car and figure out what to do with this one.
THANKS everybody!