2011 Subaru Outback: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Sep 24, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · IN

Transmission failure at 55mph my couldn't shift and the motor revved up all the way to the redline mark and wouldn't stop when I tried to stop it the reaction control lights came on the cruise control light was flashing the emergency break light was flashing every light on my dash was flashing there was a terrible vibration in the steering wheel the Transmission was humming really loud and just got worse the car just kept going and not stopping I could have hit someone another person a car I could have hit anything instead I choose the ditch and cornfield the car has been looked at by a repair shop and everything has been duplicated by them the problem hasn't gone away or changed all the codes were cleared and as soon as it starts up they all came back signaling the transmission and torque converter the sounds are still there also upon start up the engine starts fine but the car can't be driven can't get above 15 mph without vibration and loud noises and the motor revving up without notice this is very dangerous you can't control the car

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IN

My car just dies on it's own while driving and it has trouble starting back up or somedays it just won't start up but after it dies while going down the road but after cranking it a few times it finally starts the check engine light comes on the traction control light starts flashing the brake light starts flashing and the cruise control light starts flashing I took it to a dealer and no codes were thrown in my car and after a few days of all the lights on and flashing they suddenly go away on their own this is extremely dangerous I can't control when or where this happens on the road I've almost been hit several times from this happening it does the exact same thing when I'm sitting still in park trying to start my car I get all the lights on the dashboard lit up and blinking on and off just like when it dies going down the road but nobody can find a cause or a reason why they say it's a manufacturer issue and subaru can't even figure it out

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Brakes · PA

When the check engine light is illuminated for any reason, it could be as simple as the gas cap isn't tight. It is designed to disable the cruise control, disable the traction control and what I feel is a safety factor, it disables the electronic hill holder. Being this is a manual transmission vehicle it has an electric parking brake. When the hill holder is activated, if you stop on a steep grade for traffic or traffic light, the electronic parking brake engages until you start to release the clutch. This would not be an issue on an automatic transmission, but on a manual transmission gravity will make the car start to roll backwards. I don't know how the design engineers figured this was a good idea to disable this when the check engine light illuminates. Also the fact that the parking brake is strictly a parking brake, it is not an emergency brake as it cannot be activated while the vehicle is moving. If you lose the service brakes for any reason, it's impossible to bring the car to a stop using the emergency brake as it will only beep because the car is in motion. I do believe that the braking system should in no way be interrupted due to a check engine light, supposedly this is done to get the driver's attention, but it seems a compromises the safety of the driver and passengers as well as any vehicle that could pull up close behind not knowing that it's a manual transmission and could roll backwards on startup. I just feel this is a flaw In the design of the electric parking brake and hill holder assist used on these vehicles with manual transmissions. This is not an isolated issue, this will happen anytime that the service engine light or check engine light if you will becomes illuminated. No specific date, just anytime that the check engine light becomes illuminated while driving.

Filed Nov 2, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · TX

Vehicle is failing to shift correctly causing low acceleration and road safety issues. Cruise control and manual shift paddles not working, multiple warning lights on.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · ID

When driving the check engine light/traction control light came on and stayed on while the cruise control and the parking break light began flashing. Lately I've noted the vehicle shuttering when slowing and almost stalling out. This is at stop lights/stop signs or driving out of the driveway. After taking it to the dealer they confirmed the valve body needed replacement...and that this is a known issue with over 1.5 million subarus affected. Could also be a torque converted issues, however, my dealer didn't mention this. I've contacted subaru as there was an extended warranty to 100k miles however, my car has just slightly more than that. It sounds like this is a known issue and creates anxiety to drive in traffic not knowing if your car will simply stall out and have someone hit you. This issue has been happening for a little bit of time (maybe 6 months?) with no lights showing issues. The car has been maintained consistently and on time since I bought it new.

Filed Mar 14, 2019 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. When the vehicle was started, the brake and cruise control warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Brakes, Transmission · 150,000 miles · AK

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, excessive force had to be applied to the brake pedal, in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred. The cruise control, overheat, brake and check engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when at a stop sign if the brake pedal was not steadily being depressed the brake would disengage and the vehicle would accelerate independently. The contact also stated that the electronic emergency brake failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called continental subaru dealer (907) 562-2722, 4900 old seward hwy, anchorage, ak 99503) where it was recommended to replace the transmission and to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Oct 22, 2018 · 132,356 miles · TX

I observe everytime my car is coming to stop it will shrud like the engine goin to die or stalled. Then out of nowhere the engine icon, ABS lit-up and cruise control flashing

Filed Oct 9, 2017 · OH

Pretty much since I purchased the vehicle the anti-skid lights, cruise control, parking brake & check engine lights will flash and will not go off. I was told to make sure the gas cap was tight and was also told to check the battery. Once when it was on I tried to press the parking brake to release and could not get it off at a traffic light and was nearly rear ended. It will randomly come on and sometimes stay on for weeks then go off and stay off for a few days. It comes on when car is started and does not usually go off.

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 61,986 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, brakes, traction control, check engine, and cruise control indicators remained illuminated. The contact drove home and contacted an independent mechanic who performed a function test of the ABS pump/module and was able to clear all the codes. The failure recurred after one year. The contact called the independent mechanic and was advised to bring the vehicle back. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 61,986.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Fuel system · 77,143 miles · VT

When I turned the car in the afternoon the cruise control was flashing, check engine light on and e-brake on. I looked online subaru forums and their is a lot of chatter for the gas cap having issues. I checked my gas cap and noticed the rubber gasket was broken. I purchased a new one from the dealership, drove the car and the lights are now off and working normal..we'll see when I take a 6hr trip in a few days..

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 57,000 miles · TX

I was driving on the freeway when my check engine light, ABS brake light, traction control (all wheel drive) light and cruise control lights began flashing all at once. I called the dealership immediately and was told that all the lights flash because most drivers ignore just the check engine light. At the dealer the next day I was told the same thing with the addition of the facts that the ABS brake system and the traction control systems were actually disabled during this incident. During the conversation it was said that to correct the problem, a "reflash " of the computer system was needed and that this was a known problem on some outbacks. I asked why there was no recall if the problem was known and was told they just fixed the problem when it happened. This seems to me to be a significant safety problem since if the problem occurred while the driver was on ice or snow or wet road , vehicle stability would be compromised. I think subaru should at least be made to recall the suspected vehicles and fix the problem even though it is something that may not happen to all vehicles.