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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 1768 of 1929

#17671 of 19283 Un-reliable Car by sierrasnow

Jan 26, 2008 (8:56 pm)

Hi Everyone,
I am a little stuck on what to do. I have a 2007 Subaru Legacy, last January my car stalled out. I couldn't get my brakes to work, I could not stop, until I hit my dads truck I turned the car on and it had the check engine light on, the ABS Light on and the Cruise control light was blinking on and off. I took it to the dealership and they could not figure it out. It happened again but they told me it was a hickup and they did not document that I called. It happned again last February, they thought it was a sensor or something. they replaced a sensor, it was fine through the summer and then this January I couldn't get out of my driveway, which is not steep at all. my front right tire was the only wheel working, my ABS light was on too. the mechanics say that it is fine and nothing is wrong. this is just getting dangerous, and mind you it only happens in the snow.. what do i do? I am starting to think my car is a lemon

#17672 of 19283 Re: Un-reliable Car [sierrasnow] by jeffmc

Jan 27, 2008 (3:05 am)

Replying to: sierrasnow (Jan 26, 2008 8:56 pm)
Sorry to hear about your troubles!
 
First thing to do is contact Subaru Customer Service:
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)
Hours of Operation:
8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (EST) Monday through Thursday
10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (EST) Friday
 
They can start a case number for you, recommend how to proceed, and at least it's all documented with Subaru of America, not just the dealer. If some major warranty issue or vehicle replacement is considered, the decision will likely come from these guys anyway. They can also apply pressure to the dealer, if necessary to resolve problems.
 
It sounds like two separate issues to me, though, and the stalling problem has not happened since the sensor replacement, right?
 
Anyone else here comment on the AWD issue pulling out of a slick uphill driveway? Can you tell us which Legacy model you have, and if it's manual or automatic transmission?

#17673 of 19283 Re: Un-reliable Car [jeffmc] by paisan

Jan 27, 2008 (9:17 am)

Replying to: jeffmc (Jan 27, 2008 3:05 am)
Yeah need to know which engine, trans, at/mt, VDC? etc.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#17674 of 19283 Re: Un-reliable Car [sierrasnow] by hypov

Jan 27, 2008 (1:08 pm)

Replying to: sierrasnow (Jan 26, 2008 8:56 pm)
Describe "I couldn't get my brakes to work" some more.

#17675 of 19283 SOA comes through by cptplt

Jan 28, 2008 (11:08 am)

my 02 WRX had the infamous gas smell from a leaking fuel line, subject of a TSB in 2003. Anyway my pathetic dealer said , even with my subaru gold ext warranty, it won't get covered as it was a bad hose and "hoses are not covered". Called SOA this AM and spoke with Marisol. An hour later the dealer calls back to say it will be covered. I saved 600 bucks.
My experience with SOA customer service has always been nothing but great, unlike several other manufacturers I have had to deal with.

#17676 of 19283 Re: SOA comes through [cptplt] by ateixeira

Jan 28, 2008 (11:19 am)

Replying to: cptplt (Jan 28, 2008 11:08 am)
Glad to hear that.
 
Patti used to work there and I swear her effects are still felt.

#17677 of 19283 Another Forester Sunroof Problem by declansdad

Jan 30, 2008 (10:05 pm)

Long time no post, but I thought I would let other members know that I've encountered a problem with my sunroof too. The dealership seems to think that the deflector is the problem and they have ordered the new part. I'll give that a try and let you all know if that fixes the problem.
 
Michael

#17678 of 19283 engine history by tbragg44

Jan 31, 2008 (5:41 am)

Any way to check the history of an engine? EngineFax, or something along that line?
 
I have an engine from a salvage yard, and have doubts about their claimed mileage on it. How many places are the serial numbers stamped?
 
Thanks.
 
TB

#17679 of 19283 CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback by tompaine

Feb 04, 2008 (8:53 pm)

I posted the following to the Outback/Legacy Check Engine Light Forum. I am re-posting it here in case there is another forum that would be good for this post. Thanks.
 
"I'll start off this post by saying that the dealer's service department that I have been using acknowledges that they have never seen a series of Check Engine Light (CEL) problems like the ones they have seen with my vehicle. I'm hoping that that is not simply a diplomatic way of saying I have a lemon (perhaps the only one on the roadways of Colorado).
  
Let me give a little history of these problems so that I can get your collective thoughts on whether they are all related and symptomatic of a larger or missed problem or simply unfortunate isolated incidents.
  
My 2002 Outback Wagon is the base model with a standard 4 cyl. engine, automatic transmission. It currently has approx. 93k miles on it.
  
Back in late 2005, when I had approx. 51k miles on the vehicle, I started getting constant Check Engine lights. The dealer pulled a Code P0420 and started off by replacing a Fuel (or Oxygen) Sensor. (The dealer indicated that these were the same things.) When the CELs persisted approx. 2500 miles later, and the same code reappeared, the dealer replaced the catalytic converter. I went 15k more miles and the problem resurfaced - same code. The dealer cleared the computer and told me to drive on it some more. At 73787 miles, when the CEL and same P0420 code came back, the dealer replaced the same fuel/Oxygen sensor. Then, at 76874 (now February 2007) -- same code came back and the dealer put in a new catalytic converter.
  
Up to this point, I simply got constant CELs and it did not really affect driving performance in any perceptible way. That changed this past fall, when I noticed that the vehicle would sputter and I would get intermittent engine vibrations, usually at idle or low RPM. Occasionally, the vibrations and sputtering would get more intense and sometimes at higher RPM (e.g. 2k). I also noticed that I would typically see the problems when the weather turned colder and in stop-and-go traffic or at higher altitudes (in the mountains at 9000 feet and above). The CEL would blink for 20-30 seconds and then turn constant.
  
When I brought the car to the dealer in November with approx. 89k miles, at first they could not pull a code, and simply cleared the computer. The problem reappeared and technicians were able to pull a code: P0302 (cyl. 2 misfire). I was up for my 90K service, so that was done, replacing the spark plugs, and I also had them do a fuel injector flush at their recommendation.
  
My problems came back in about 2 weeks and less than 2000 miles. This time the technicians pulled a P0420 code. They cleared the computer, told me to drive it some more, but warned that if the code came back I would be due for my fourth catalytic converter.
  
The same symptoms persisted but when I brought the vehicle back to the dealer in late January, with approx. 93k, the techs pulled a P0302 code (the cyl 2 misfire) again. At their recommendation, I had the ignition coil assembly and ignition wires replaced. Although it was not documented, the technician also told me he did a comprehension test, which came back with normal results. They told me to use better gasoline and drive on it.
  
The same problems -- engine sputtering/engine vibs, blinking CELs, etc. - came back within a week and less than 200 miles (using the better grade gasoline). The tech who worked on my car confessed that he was not sure whether the new coils and wires would solve the problem but all that the dealer can offer at this point is the recommendation that I continue to drive on it and keep putting in better grades of gasoline. Otherwise, they are out of ideas. (The service manager confessed that he did not think gasoline quality was really the issue.)
  
So the short questions I have following this long post are these: Are the problems interrelated? Has something been overlooked? (A friend mentioned that loose connections with the air filter may be a culprit.) Any thoughts on what steps to take next?
  
I would be grateful for any suggestions or advice.
  
Thanks. "

#17680 of 19283 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Subaru Outback [tompaine] by samiam_68

Feb 04, 2008 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: tompaine (Feb 04, 2008 8:53 pm)
Ask the dealer to loan you a different ECU (computer) and let you drive with it for a few weeks. That will rule out a bad ECU.

Messages Page 1768 of 1929

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