2012 Subaru Impreza: check engine light

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Transmission · NY

I was on the highway in mixed traffic for a couple hours. There was a burning smell in the cabin and then the warning lights came on including a check engine light and transmission light. The car started to jerk erratically when I accelerated and ultimately it would not accelerate. I pulled over and turned the car off as recommended in the owner's manualAfter following the manual's instructions to let the engine cool down, I attempted to turn the car on and put it in gear. It would not move when I put it in reverse or drive. The transmission failed entirely. Previous to my taking the car on this trip, I brought the car to my Subaru Dealership because I smelled the same burning in the cabin along with a strange whirring sound and the transmission light came on then too. At that time, I pulled over and read the owner's manual and did what it recommended. The car started working again after 10 minutes of cooling. This is why I brought the car to the Subaru dealership to have this issue inspected. At the time they recommended that I change the CVT fluid and that the issue would then go away. The issue did not go away. When I informed them that the car was unsafe and dangerous to drive because of the jerking and violent shuddering, they told me that I should trade the car in or pay for a new transmission. They did not tell me that the 2012 version of the car had a history of issues with its CVT, and that some of the repairs were covered under warranty.

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Engine · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the gas cap was replaced; however, the warning light returned. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for a diagnostic test and the contact was informed that the timing belt cover, cam carrier, and O2 sensors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to cover a partial cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 19, 2022 · Engine · PA

Took 2012 Subaru Impreza to dealer on 2/07/22 for oil change and PA state inspections (60,130 mi). Maintenance and inspections performed without issues. Started car and noticed slight change in sound and vibration from engine that I attributed to cold winter day start up. A block from leaving dealership, the check engine, oil warning and vehicle dynamic control lights all illuminated at once. In the 2-3 minutes to turn around to go back to the dealership, the engine noise/vibration/roughness increased until the engine stalled with a sound like an air compressor shutting down. I brought the service rep out for him to try restarting the car but it barely turned/wouldn't start (despite new battery and having started fine previously that day). A service tech was brought out with an ODBII scanner and found timing skip error codes and pushed the car in to a service stall to diagnose. I was then told that I need a new engine. The engine was replaced at no cost using Subaru part # SOA402F500R1 Remanufactured Short Block and associated internal component parts and returned to me on 2/19/22.

Filed Jun 20, 2021 · Transmission · 102,926 miles · MA

Two instances of CVT Transmission failure. First: Occurred at 102,926 miles, car only 8 years old. While driving, suddenly many warning lights came on and the car started shuddering. The lights were Check Engine, Oil Temp, Cruise Control, vehicle dynamics, and ABS. I drove my car to a transmission shop, who read the codes 2764 and and 0700. He replaced the TCC Solenoid and valve body on 11/18/2020. I drove the car for 6 more months to ~106,000 miles successfully, until... The Second Issue: On 6/6/21 while driving my car, it stopped accelerating. I couldn't go above 18 mph! This was a huge safety issue. I had to drive on major roads with a speed limit of 50mph going only 18mph, with my hazard lights on. I'm so fortunate it happened to be at 10pm on a Sunday night, or I could have gotten in an accident. Once I got home, I called AAA and had them tow my car back to my transmission mechanic (because I couldn't get to my mechanic without getting on the highway, which would obviously be unsafe at 18mph). My mechanic said it was an issue with the same solenoid again having shorted out, which means that it's actually a deeper issue with the CVT transmission burning through solenoids. The solenoid is just a symptom, not the root problem. Then, I finally googled Subaru solenoid issues, and I discovered this is a well documented problem, that has already been reported to your office, and yet Subaru has not yet issued a recall. Only an extended warranty, which only goes up to 100,000 miles so it doesn't help me!! My transmission wore out at 102,000 miles. Do you think it's a coincidence that Subaru made their warranty for 100,000? I'm lodging this complaint in hopes that your office sees the CVT transmissions are still a safety issue, and the warranty hasn't solved the problem. Please get Subaru to issue a recall! This is unacceptable behavior from a car manufacturer. Thank you.

Filed Dec 23, 2020 · Engine · 68,000 miles · NY

The check engine light, the traction light and oil warning light came up on the dashboard. Initially, the dealer recommended replacing the oil valve. I did but the the problem persist. Now the engine is hunting. The dealer informs me that engine is not pumping enough oil despite the fact that service has been done regularly at interval recommended by the subaru dealership. Now I am told that I need a new engine.

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 135,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While the vehicle was at a stop, it stalled, the engine shook, and the rpms went up and down. Also, the check engine and traction control indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2019 · Engine · 76,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 subaru impreza. While driving, the contact heard a rattling noise coming from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v772000 (engine and engine, cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called metrowest subaru at (508) 651-2000 (located at 948 worcester st, natick, ma 01760) and was informed that they could only perform two repairs per week. The contact had to schedule an appointment for september of 2019. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Apr 26, 2018 · Transmission · PA

Car won't shift into proper gear has a jerky feel CVT won't allow to manual shift all the lights on the gauge cluster is on including the check engine.

Filed Mar 22, 2018 · Airbags · 45,000 miles · ID

An airbag malfunction indicator was displayed on the instrument display when I set my cellphone on the empty passenger seat. It also activated when my daughters were riding in the passenger seat. I purchased this vehicle from a local subaru dealer on april 4, 2017.

Filed Dec 14, 2016 · Fuel system · 22,406 miles · NY

Driving home on 12/11/16, the check engine, vehicle dynamics control, and cruise control indicators came on simultaneously. Check engine and vdc indicators were steady, but cruise control was blinking. The next morning when I started the car, the problem was still there so I immediately went to subaru to have it checked out. They discovered code p1449: "evap system clugged check & found spider webs is evap drain & valve assy. Tech recommend replace evap drain & valve assy." they replaced evap drain & valve assembly and performed evap system clean reinstall which fixed the issue. Total cost 617.28 (416.50 for 3.5 hours labor, 41.16 for valve ay dra, 159.62 for valve ay elc). When I first got the car in dec 2011, I purchased an extended warranty (gold plus) which covers 6 years or 60,000 miles with $0 deductible. Before fixing the problem above, they estimated it would cost me $600-$700 out of pocket since they said this problem was not covered under warranty because it was caused by a spider and not a part defect. I called subaru's warranty department which said the same thing. I mentioned that mazda, suzuki, honda, and hyundai all had this problem a few years back and that mazda and suzuki had recalls, while honda and hyundai were covered under warranty. Subaru again stated that they do not cover it. After the fix, a service center advisor said he sees this problem a lot but unfortunately subaru does not cover it. I asked how to prevent it from happening again and he said to spray peppermint oil occasionally around the fuel tank area below the car since the smell deters pests. I paid the bill to get my car. However, I believe a recall of some sort should be issued by subaru to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again or at least have the problem be covered under warranty. I am filing a complaint to you and hope you can help me recover the cost.

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Electrical, Wheels · IL

Having trouble ignition turning over I have taken back to dealer several times always told my car was fine this car has recalls I wasn't aware I had to replace tire & sensor wasn't working was told it was climate related when I brought it in......this is my second subaru ..I'm very disappointed w this car.....now my ABS,check engine, an tire gauges are blinking when I was parking I just took it to dealer a week ago....I was told everything was fine.

Filed Jun 7, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 18,000 miles · NY

Driving about 30 - 35mph when all of a sudden the car lost power. The car did not stall, but engine went down to idle speed and my accelerator pedal had no throttle control. The "check engine " light came on as well as the "traction control" light. I drifted to the right shoulder of the road and turned engine off. After opening the hood to check engine - observed nothing unusual - I re-started the car. The car seemed back to normal, but the engine code lights stayed on. The warning lights eventually turned themselves off - 3 or 4 re-starts later. Subaru dealer reported a p2138 obd code, but he did not replace/repair anything. The same exact thing happened 9 months later (july 2, 2014), and subaru dealer reported a p2138 code once again. No repairs or replacements done!