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2010 Forester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously?

31 messages,  Last post on Sep 05, 2012 at 4:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, SUV

    

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 31 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? by dvai

Aug 29, 2010 (6:11 pm)

I bought my first new car- a 2010 Forrester yesterday with all the bells and whistles I wanted. Happy as a clam.
  
Today I'm driving and the CHECK ENGINE light comes on, the Vehicle Dynamic Control symbol light comes on with a slash through it (I hadn't touched the button and when I mashed the button to see if I had turned it off accidentally and needed to turn it back on, nothing happened) and the CRUISE light is flashing.
  
Seriously? Please tell me this is not typical. Anyone else have this problem with a brand new one? I have driven used cars all my life- old used cars. I'm sick of going to the shop!

#2 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [dvai] by dcm61

Aug 30, 2010 (5:09 am)

Replying to: dvai (Aug 29, 2010 6:11 pm)
My first guess would be that the dealer filled it with gas and didn't tighten the gas cap properly.
 
Remove / replace the gas cap ... should click a couple times when tight.
 
If that was the issue, it may take several start / stop cycles to "extinguish" the CEL.
 
Or if it's not a hassle ... go back to the dealer and have them pull the code.

#3 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [dcm61] by ateixeira

Aug 30, 2010 (8:11 am)

Replying to: dcm61 (Aug 30, 2010 5:09 am)
I would go back either way - especially since more than one malfunction was reported.
 
If they can't fix it right away then I'd demand another Forester.
 
I'm sure it'll be a simple fix, and no, that is not typical at all for a brand new Subie.

#4 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [ateixeira] by skarri

Oct 03, 2010 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 30, 2010 8:11 am)
I bought my Subaru Forester in June 2010. After 1700 miles, today morning I am facing the same problem as you are...check engine light comes on , vehicle dynamics light comes on and flashing cruise light.
 
I am going in to the service center tomorrow.
 
I am keen to find out if you figured out why these lights are coming..Is this a major problem?

#5 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [skarri] by dvai

Oct 03, 2010 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: skarri (Oct 03, 2010 2:57 pm)
No. It turned out to be nothing. I think sometimes if the gas cap isn't on tight those lights will come on. And this will happen when the car is new because the rubber is settling.
 
We took it in and they adjusted something minor and it went away and hasn't returned.

#6 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [dvai] by ateixeira

Oct 05, 2010 (8:40 am)

Replying to: dvai (Oct 03, 2010 3:15 pm)
Glad to hear it.
 
A friend here at work just got a Fiesta and the trans blew up at 230 miles. She needs a new trans, too.
 
Bad luck.

#7 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [ateixeira] by xwesx

Oct 05, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 05, 2010 8:40 am)
Ouch.... and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why new cars have factory warranties!

#8 of 31 Check Engine, Dynamics & Cruise Light on 2010 Subaru Forrester by sube2010

Jan 17, 2011 (8:25 am)

A colleague and myself also have 2010 Subaru Forresters with that problem. i.e check engine light on, vehicle dynamics light on and flashing cruise light. The cruise function of my vehicle also does not work and for the FOURTH time last Friday, I've taken the car to the dealer to sort these issues out.
 
The first time I took the car in to the dealer, I was told that the problem occurred because I must have put some 'bad gas' in and the electrical codes were reset so that the light came off.. (This is impossible because I only use premium gasoline)
 
..Three weeks later, the same thing happened, but since they could find nothing wrong with the vehicle, they simply reset the electrical codes again. After two weeks passed, the problem re-occurred. This time they found that a coolant line in the engine had busted and had to replace the line! Now, only a week later, I've had to take it in again! The problem now is that the alternator belt is in 'bad' condition (nearly busted) and they're not sure what is causing the belt to erode.
 
Like myself, my colleague is also experiencing similar problems with his 2010 Subaru Forrester and his alternator belt was busted one month ago. Prior to the lights coming on, we both experienced 'cold' start ups...
 
Does anyone have any idea as to what may be the root problem here.. My dealer seems to be as clueless as I am!!!

#9 of 31 Re: Check Engine, Dynamics & Cruise Light on 2010 Subaru Forrester [sube2010] by aatherton

Jan 27, 2011 (10:28 am)

Replying to: sube2010 (Jan 17, 2011 8:25 am)
"... took the car in to the dealer, I was told that the problem occurred because I must have put some 'bad gas' in and the electrical codes were reset so that the light came off.. (This is impossible because I only use premium gasoline)."
 
Octane should not be confused with bad gas. The naturally aspirated Forester is designed to run on 87 octane and receives no benefit from higher octane. Bad gas occurs when gas of any octane becomes contaminated with water.
 
Two years ago a Shell station repaid us $900 that we spent having bad gas removed from our fuel system. We were one of a dozen that they said they repaid. Their gas was bad due to water, not low octane.

#10 of 31 Re: 2010 Forrester bought yesterday-Check Engine Light Seriously? [dvai] by foxewolf

Jan 28, 2011 (7:29 am)

Replying to: dvai (Aug 29, 2010 6:11 pm)
I actually just experienced this same issue. I had just gotten my 2011 forester yesterday. I drive up a hill and the Transmission seems to slam out of gear and rev high. Next thing I see is the "AT Oil Temp" Light beginning to blink, followed by a solid "ABS" light. I pull over to the side of the road and shut off the engine. After about 10 minutes I restart the car and I receive a "Check Engine" light, a "Vehicle Dynamics Control" light, and a Flashing "Cruise" Light. I try to toggle the VDC and Cruise control, and nothing happens. I have only put 20-30 miles on this car.

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