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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 1921 of 1929

#19199 of 19283 2012 forester ecm problem by meme123

Feb 01, 2012 (4:07 pm)

Hi- My 2012 forester 2.5x with pzev. We have driven it for 5000 miles so far. On 3 different occasions we have had the check engine, traction control (solid) and cruise light (flashing)come on at the same time. We took it and had the codes run on the computer-it was listing misfires on the 1st and 2nd... with a permanent code on the 2nd. The dealership took a look at the car today and said it is a problem with the ECM and that Subaru is aware of this issue and has sent out a temporary file to fix it. So-do you know anything about this issue? The lights seem to come on as we are going uphill and pressing the gas pedal.
 This is our second Forester (2009). The other one never had this issue.

#19200 of 19283 Re: 2012 forester ecm problem [meme123] by harborboy

Feb 10, 2012 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: meme123 (Feb 01, 2012 4:07 pm)
hello i just bought a 2012 forester yesterday with 10 miles on it an today the transmission went out on it i cant believe i buy a brand new car an already transmission goes out wtf

#19201 of 19283 Re: 2012 forester ecm problem [harborboy] by sgloon

Feb 10, 2012 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: harborboy (Feb 10, 2012 7:07 pm)
Wow! Bad luck. Many states-at least mine does- have at least a 3 day "right of rescission" when buying a vehicle. Meaning you have 3 days to return the vehicle and walk away from the deal, ie cancel the contract. You get all your money back, etc. Check into it for your state. But act quick!!!

#19202 of 19283 Re: 2012 forester ecm problem [sgloon] by steve_ HOST

Feb 10, 2012 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: sgloon (Feb 10, 2012 7:21 pm)
I don't think so.
 
Last I checked California had a cancellation option for used cars, but fees and restrictions applied. New Jersey has a one day cooling off period if you lease a car to review the unsigned lease terms.
 
You can certainly try to unwind the deal but I think you're stuck with a warranty repair.
 
Bummer but stuff happens.

#19203 of 19283 Re: 2012 forester ecm problem [harborboy] by aatherton

Feb 15, 2012 (5:20 am)

Replying to: harborboy (Feb 10, 2012 7:07 pm)
I assume it was an automatic? What happened, exactly?

#19204 of 19283 Re: 2012 forester ecm problem [harborboy] by girlcarbuilder

Feb 15, 2012 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: harborboy (Feb 10, 2012 7:07 pm)
Hmmmm, not good for Subaru to have your post here! Because people like me/brother who buy their product will consider more carefully the next purchase.
 
As far as I am concerned, ECM should be good for at least 200K miles or more. If it fails before then, get rid of the car and fire the manufacturer. Yup, we harsh on them. We buy transportation not something sitting in my shop or theirs. There really is no excuse for any major driveline problems in anything for the first 200K miles with proper maintenance of course, other than abuse or accidents. That has been my atitude for the past 15+ years.
 
Now, if I was you, first to the dealer to fix it, 2nd call to attorney for advice, 3rd, begin needed documentation if it turns out to be a lemon.
 
A lemon from Subaru? If made in the US, I would not be surprised. We have seen a quality difference in American built versus Japanese built Subies.....and Toy's as well. Something that is considered now when buying.

#19205 of 19283 Subaru 1993 impreza wont start by subaru93chick

Apr 28, 2012 (8:51 am)

I just got this vehicle and we have been having some issues with it. First is when we drive in the interstate over 60 mph the car starts driving very ruff and the check engine light comes ON. Second once its driving I start smelling clutch oil ( like burning oil and rubber) burning when we are in 1st second gear AND when I park it you can smell it pretty darn bad. I check where it migh be leaking and I found underneath the clutch oil check is Over the muffler is where the oil has been landing on and burning. Its kinda wet down there but only in that area ( problably underneath the belts just where the opening torwards the muffler).
 
Could it be the seals ? or If anything can be wrong with it I REALLy apreciated the help figuring my caR PROBLEM.

#19206 of 19283 Re: Subaru 1993 impreza wont start [subaru93chick] by ateixeira

Apr 30, 2012 (6:37 am)

Replying to: subaru93chick (Apr 28, 2012 8:51 am)
Sounded familiar so I wanted to share what happened to us...
 
We had a 626, and an axle boot was damaged and leaked grease. The grease ended up shorting out an O2 sensor and gave a check engine light (plus the axle was noisy).
 
So one problem had a domino effect and created another. I think it was a rock or something that cut the rubber axle boot.

#19207 of 19283 Re: Subaru 1993 impreza wont start [subaru93chick] by girlcarbuilder

Apr 30, 2012 (7:44 am)

Replying to: subaru93chick (Apr 28, 2012 8:51 am)
Being a 93, I could rattle off a bunch of things. Like some one said before, check the drive shaft boots. That is a good start. Damaged boots will cause vibrations at high speeds. Subaru's not cared for will develope a lot of leaks in many areas, so you better know how to deal with them. One of them, the parts are cheap, but the labor to correct is not.
 
Now, based on what you said I assume a manual transmission? Is the leak over the first cat or second cat. If you can not determine where it is coming from, then you need to clean house. Get a can of engine cleaner, follow directions and clean up everything under there. Then you start watching what and where the leak is as you use the car. Tip, put cardboard underneath when it is parked at home and mark how it fits under the car. Where the drips are is where the leaks starts. Oil will also blow back from air flowing underneath as the car runs.
 
Common leak points to watch on Subies are: valve cover gaskets, power steering systems and the dreaded oil galley seal. The first can be tighten a little bit, the first second and third I live with until it threatens serviceability of the vehicle. There are other sources, but these are the most common and have engine oil of power steering fluid.
 
So again, I need more info, mileage, engine, model and transmission type. By the way....won't start? Oil leak? That old of a Subaru does not use "clutch oil." Are the tires in good shape also? Any bulges in any of them? Look at them carefully especially in the tread surface. Spin them and watch the tire tread for eveness. Tha year is OBD I, so check the oil level.

#19208 of 19283 noise proportional to road speed, not engine speed by curiouseng

Apr 30, 2012 (7:41 pm)

I have Outback 2004, basic model with manual transmission/ At ~101k, started getting road noise that is proportional in pitch to road speed. It is not changing with engine rpm's (absent when engine is rev-ed up at idle), it is not changing with turning or breaking or acceleration, just the road speed.
 
I brought it to Subaru dealer for diagnostics thinking that they will find a bearing problem. Instead, I am hearing over the phone that they are still looking into this, dropped the oil pan, and are finding possible issue with "turbo". My engine is not turbo-charged. It seems like complete nonsense, like they are confusing my car with someone elsse's. But then I got confused by a Yahoo/answers comment "all Subarus have turbo". Is there some other part of the Outback engine/transmission that can be called "turbo" ? Is it feasible that such part would move with the road speed and not with engine speed ?

Messages Page 1921 of 1929

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