2019 Subaru Forester: engine overheating

Filed Mar 2, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · MA

While driving on a highway outside Milford, CT my vehicle is check engine light suddenly illuminated. I had a sudden loss of power, no heat, and the engine temperature was unable to read. Engine temperature was not accurately reporting and showed it as being cold as indicated by blue light warmup light. My eyesight, pre-collision system, and sport mode was disabled due to the engine light being illuminated. The vehicle was seen at a Subaru dealer, who diagnosed the issue to be the thermo control valve. Dealership informed me that it was unsafe to drive and I risk complete engine failure, overheating, and or fire if I continue to operate without required repair. As a result, I was stranded overnight, three hours away from home. Repair was completed on [XXX] at cost of $1830. I learned at the dealership that this is a known issue, in 2021 Subaru replace the plastic components of this part with aluminum due to similar issues experience by many customers. Customers are reporting vehicles going into “limp mode” and even engine damage. I learn that there is a class action lawsuit regarding the same issue, which can be reviewed here: [XXX] Please help to recall vehicles and push Subaru to repair/refund. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · MI

2019 Subaru Forester with 38,000 miles. Heat stopped working. 30 minutes later, check engine light came on. Warning on dash stating that Eyesight cannot turn on. Lane assist and adaptive cruise control will not turn on. Mechanic found it needs the Thermo Control Valve replaced or the car will have no heat and the engine can overheat. Quoted a $2,000 repair cost and 3 weeks before we can get the part.

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · VA

4 days ago my Check Engine light came on. In my car, when this happens, it disables all Eyesight features - collision warning, lane departure warning, etc. Work hours being what they are, I drove home that night and back to work the next day with it on. I managed to get it scanned when it popped a code for the Coolant Bypass Valve. Searching that code online lead me to DOZENS AND DOZENS of forums, posts, stories of the same code popping up on other 2019-2020 Subaru's. They all had to take it in for a hefty repair. It also led me to a Service Bulletin issued last year, which showed that Subaru had rebuilt the TCV so it could withstand corrosion, unlike the previous version. So naturally I took it into my local dealership to have it looked at, and sure enough - the TCV needed to be replaced. WHY HASN"T THIS PART BEEN RECALLED YET??? Given there is no thermostat on my cars dash, I would have no clue whether my car was overheating due to this faulty valve, until its too late. It seems like this is a big potential safety issue that Subaru needs to address, and someone needs to force their hand.

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Engine · TX

The TCV Thermostat Control Valve has failed which is a known issue and Subaru is very aware. The vehicle will ultimately believe it is overheating and shut itself down. This is a very well known incident and should be a proactive recall but instead subaru insists on waiting for customers to fail and hope its outside of warranty so they can charge them $2k to replace a known faulty design and part.

Filed Feb 21, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · AK

Auto safety systems compromised with illumination of check engine light and engine temp warning light. Subaru dealership service department determined problem with Thermo Control Valve. Engine was not overheating as the vehicle was being driven in winter time, February in Alaska. Only indication of problem was indicator lights and reduced heat from cabin heat system. Vehicle went into "limp" mode as soon as warning lights illuminated, disabling advanced safety systems.

Filed Dec 22, 2022 · Engine · NJ

The Subaru Forester 2019 Thermo Control Valve (TCV) fails. It is responsible for cabin temperature but also engine temperature and can result in overheating. There are numerous reports that this is a frequent problem and dealerships want to charge $1200+ to replace. It is certainly a design flaw and should be issued for recall. Mine is available for inspection and has been inspected by the dealership. It was first detected by a check engine light.

Filed Dec 16, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NC

The Thermo Control Valve has stopped working It causes the engine to overheat while drive. The windows fog up in the cold making it hard to because the defrost does not work Yes by an independent service center No No the engine light came while I was drive.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

While on freeway at night on 9/28/22 about 8pm several dashboard lights activated including check engine, eyesight assisted safety light, steering and safety controls disabled, all at once! I pulled over and called Subaru for assistance. Called AAA. AAA suggested I drive vehicle off freeway. I went to brothers and he noted car not overheated and drive short distance home. Car manuals did not explain so many warning lights. Drove car to Roseville Subaru next day and determined that engine part had failed to leave for repair. Dealer service agent Raj would not provide any details, strange? Went online and found Subaru Service Bulletin #09-80-21 dated 2/28/22 indicating thermo valve defective causing warning lights, and to replace. I felt unsafe as on freeway at risk at night and am elderly. Subaru bulletin shows part faulty as of June7,21 per s.bulletin. Why not recalled by now? Unsafe to drive this car as steering, braking, and driver assistance systems all fail to operate at once and I was not sure if I could control car. Virtually every safety system shut down as simultaneously the speed control, collision monitoring and lane control all stopped working. Furthermore, dealer can't estimate when part is available or provide me a lender car. I am a cancer patient at risk! This car only has 17,000 miles and is not safe or reliable and the dealer won't help. Please help asap!

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NH

12/6 - 3:30pm. My dashboard warning lights all came on as I turned right into my driveway, the car stalled so I turned it off. Next day 12/7 - 9:00 am all the warning lights came on when I turned the key. I called Subaru and described all the lights and was told it was safe to drive. I made an appointment for the next morning. At 12:00pm the Lights on dash went out and stayed off, but then they all came back on again at 4:05 pm. A minute later I took a right turn onto a side street and the car stopped suddenly and stalled in the middle of the road. I tried to start it back up 3 times. The Engine would turn on and then shut down again. After 2 hours we turned the car on and drove it 2 car lengths off to the side of the road and kept it idling to get warm, but it overheated after a while and we had to shut it off. We stayed there until 8:30pm (3.5 hours later) waiting for Subaru Roadside Assistance, but ended up walking home because they never came. Apparently they arrived sometime after 11:00pm and towed the car to Subaru dealer.