2007 Subaru Outback: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Acceleration, Airbags · 158,000 miles · NJ

As I'm driving my airbag light comes on and all the lights on the dash starts flashing and cruise control gets disconnected one day it will happen next day it won't

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Acceleration · 186,000 miles · OR

Driving at 55 miles per hour on hwy 213, check engine light came on, lost power(limp mode), cruise control flashing. Pulled over to side of road on hill(barely able to make safe spot). Turned out vehicle. Restarted(lights still warning), back up and forward to assure power. Decided to try to get to nearby community/auto shop. Was able to do so. Diagnosis: p2138. They performed diagnostic procedure, results inconclusive. Cycled the accelerator through numerous positions and raters with variations on position/pressure applied to pedal, and monitor lab scope. Sensor signals were precise and without errors. Owner researched online and found numerous cased of same-without resolution for many people-reoccurring with costly repairs to attempt repair. Suggested calling subaru.com which I did. No reassurance as to problem being fixed, just said take it to a dealer. Concerned with safety as I drive my granddaughter in car, as well as safety for myself and others. Will take it to dealer but not optimistic about a permanent fix and safety of future driving.

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru outback. While driving approximately 75 MPH, the check engine and cruise control deactivation sensors illuminated before the speed suddenly decelerated to approximately 20 MPH. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. After the vehicle was turned off and on, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 79,000 miles · TX

This is my second complaint to be filed. This has been an ongoing problem since 2013. My 2007 subaru outback loses vehicle power as the accelerator stops responding. The cruise control, traction, and check engine lights all become illuminated or flashing. This is especially common upon restarting the car after a short drive, coming to a stop, or after 5-10 minutes from a cold start. Restarting the vehicle until the vehicle will not restart and then restarting once more resets the issue for approximately 24 hours. Cleaning the connector plug to the accelerator temporarily resolves the issue anywhere form 6 months to one week. Subaru has been contacted and issued a generic response mostly dealing with air bag safety concerns. This is a very hazardous default in the vehicle which is being ignored.

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 249,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 subaru outback. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The cruise control and traction lights illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after a couple of minutes. The contact drove home and called an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred several times. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 249,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Body · 68,000 miles · ID · crash

I was on cruise control driving the speed limit and a full sized pregnant deer jumped right in front of me. I hit the deer full speed. It did over $8000. In damage to the car, but the air bag didn't deploy. It was like an explosion, and the front of the car was mashed up and head lights knocked out, etc. The deer was cut in 1/2 and flew around the car, but it did not hit the windshield. The air bags did not go off, I repeat, and I'm kind of concerned that it wouldn't work in a collision.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · MN

Problem p2138 throttle ceases to control car engine speed. In neutral it settles at ?4000 RPM. Stopping and restarting the car stops the problem, but the check engine light remains on and cruise control light flashes for 1-2 days. Cruise control is not functional while in this state. This can happen at any speed, but typically at 55-60. Happens intermittently, now 3 times in the past month. Had the throttle sensor replaced one year ago, and we had no problem for 11 months until the past month.

Filed Apr 3, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 55,600 miles · TX

Vehicle stopped at a red light during rush hour. Tried to accelerate for right turn, however there was no acceleration when the gas pedal was depressed. Checked the displace for indicator lights and check engine light and traction control lights were on steadily while cruise control was blinking. Immediately turned off heater, seat heater, and radio, and proceeded to coast down a hill at idle. Gas pedal was unresponsive, but I was able to safely pull off the road after 0.3 miles. Restarted the car twice and the warning lights were still on and gas pedal still did not work. A third attempt to restart resulted in the engine turning over but no ignition. After several more restarts the gas pedal was responsive but indicators lights were still present. Drove to auto repair shop with normal speed control where the indicator lights promptly turned off. Sensor history indicated p2138 code for throttle position sensor.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Acceleration · FL

2007 subaru outback. Consumer writes in regards to no response from gas pedal. *smd the consumer stated he stopped for a red light and began to turn right after the light turned green. The vehicle then accelerated to around 20 MPH and would not go any faster. He was able to pull into a parking lot and stop, as there was a scratching sound coming from the vehicle. He noticed the engine was turning about 2,000 RPM and was responding to the air condition cycling. With the transmission in neutral, the idle speed went up to around 2,400 RPM. Also, a flag was set for the check engine light the entire time, which he was informed it would cause the cruise control light to blink at a very slow rate.

Filed Mar 11, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 66,270 miles · FL

While driving our 2007 subaru outback sw on a 6 lane divided highway at 65 MPH, the car suddenly decelerated and lost all gas pedal response. My wife was able to move the car to the side of the road although she almost caused an accident due to surrounding traffic. The car started flashing the cruise control, traction control, and check engine dash lights. After allowing the car to sit for a few minutes, my wife was able to start the car again and get home. I checked the error codes and got a p02138. I did some research and found numerous other people experiencing the same issue on the subaru blogs. All of the other reports pointed to the same source(s) the gas pedal position sensor or throttle position sensor. Most reported subaru service departments claiming no knowledge of the issue ever happening before. Both my wife and I have had the same thing happen several times since in both local and highway traffic. I have cleaned the terminals on both sensors and this seems to help, but the problem always returns. I read where several other drivers had the gas pedal assembly changed and the issue seemed to be resolved. This seems to be a severe safety issue. Having a car suddenly become dead on the road in the middle of traffic is dangerous to anyone around. *tr

Filed Jan 14, 2008 · Transmission · 6,000 miles · CA

On 2 lane hwy, had to brake sharply ( 60 to 10) for deer. Semi behind me, not close. Deer crossed. Floored accelerator, engine sat at redline 3 sec before transmission engaged. Semi jacknifed behind us, but did not hit us. This action is repeatable. I suspect it's related to the cruise control downhill failure (un-coupling the torque converter???).

Filed Aug 23, 2007 · 3,500 miles · UT

I purchased the car in february. Up until late may, the air conditioning system was working flawlessly. It then started blowing cold for about ten seconds and then warm for five. This problem causes the cruise control to behave erratic, the transmission to shift erratically and the engine to surge because the compressor is engaging and disengaging. I have had the car in for service for this issue four times. The first three diagnosed the problem as overcharging of the AC system. The last one I was told this was normal operation (but why just all of a sudden start at 4000 miles?)