2011 Subaru Outback: check engine light

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · ME

Dashboard lights flashing, Brake lights Traction control Cruise Check engine

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 Apr 4, 2022 · Transmission · AZ

Vehicle has under 90k miles been regularly maintained and serviced. While driving engine light came on for engine overheating. Stopped driving vehicle. Called local Subaru dealer for diagnostic. Diagnostic revealed several unknown problems including transmission needs to be replaced. Since vehicle has under 100 k miles and is only 11 years old. I could not believe that this problem occurred ( note transmission replacement is over $8000). I took the vehicle in for a second opinion to local AAA shop. They informed me that Subaru issued a technical service bulletin for that year model Outback about the very problem I am having. After an online search of information about this problem I found several owners with the same problem and NO admission or assistance from Subaru. This is an expensive fix for a problem Subaru which Subaru is aware. This is a very dangerous problem because the vehicle will die on the road while in traffic that could cause high risk of an accident with injuries and possibly death. I have written to Subaru North America for assistance. So far no response. I believe this a possible recall because most of the complaints noted the problem occurs around 100K miles. And Subaru has done nothing to mitigate this problem.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Transmission · NY

Car started stalling when coming to a stop. No warning lights before or after. No check engine light or codes. Subaru dealership diagnosed it as torque converter without inspecting the car. Torque converter replaced by independent shop solved issue.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Electrical · MN

My son was driving the car when without warning the car shut down. I had the car in previously for a check engine light problem, which they diagnosed as a bad pin retention in connector in the bulkhead wiring harness. They replaced the harness but then found that the Unit EGI Con needed to be replaced probably due to the fault in the wiring harness (there words not mine). Previously I had the blower motor replaced, but it ended up being a bad connector. I asked to see the bulk head wiring harness, but the Subaru shop said they had already thrown it away. Previously I was told that wiring harness would be sent back to Subaru. I don't know if the wiring harness jacket/cover could have perhaps been damaged when it was installed when the car was assembled? There has not been any previous collision damage to car which I could see would lead to an issue with the wiring. I tried reaching out to Subaru about this problem, but they never responded.

Filed Aug 9, 2021 · Transmission · 146,000 miles · CO

I was driving at 65mph on highway in a like new 2011 Subaru Outback with 146,000 miles when the transmission valve body crapped out. This caused a severe shutter and loss of power like a missed gear, but thankfully I was able to coast off the highway without using the gas or without crashing. The drivetrain lost power unexpectedly again pulling into the parking lot off the highway. This action appears to be a major safety issue. I believe there is a manufacturing defect in one of the closed system parts that caused this perfectly maintained & repaired, vehicle in immaculate baby'd condition to fail. Vehicle is in perfect condition, and all maintenance in manual have been done as outlined by Subaru. My concern is the safety. Warning Lights were: Blinking Park Light Blinking AT Oil Temp Blinking Cruise Solid Check Engine Solid Traction Control The codes that were pulled were: P0700, P2764, C0057, C0054 Subaru of America has been notified of the issue.

Filed Apr 24, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 145,000 miles · WA

This is a recurring problem with my vehicle. I was driving on the highway, when suddenly my dashboard lights up. I'm going 70 MPH, and my emergency brake light is flashing for no reason. It's was not on when I started the car, just suddenly started flashing 5 minutes into my trip. The check engine light also came on. I pulled over as soon as I could and tried reset my e brake. It would not turn off no matter what I did. Once in park on the side of the road, my car would not move. That's when I had to call for roadside assistance to tow my car home. My mechanic used a scanner tool to diagnose the problem, and they described that it was an electrical issue. This has happened previously, about a year beforehand. I was almost home from work when my brake light came on at 50 MPH. Turns out the e brake had engaged without it being touched, and the light didn't come on until so much damage had been done. My breaks had completely blown out and had to be replaced. Not only was this a very unexpected and expensive fix, but also put me and others in an extremely dangerous situation. If my beaks suddenly lock on me or go out in the middle of traffic again, somebody could get seriously injured or even killed. Please, I really don't want to go through this again. I need my car to work.

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Brakes · 102,128 miles · CA

On multiple occasions, while driving on city streets and freeways, without any warning, I have no brakes. No brake light or check engine light (cel) on the dash. The brake pedal went all the way to the firewall. The car eventually stopped without incident; a very stressful and absolutely terrifying moment. Shortly thereafter, brakes are normal. Then, it happens again a couple of weeks later. In total, it has happened seven times. I contacted my local subaru dealer and explained my concerns. The service writer initially responded that he had never heard of such a problem and didn't know what to do (the condition cannot be recreated; it just happens unexpectedly and without warning). I asked if he would inquire with other service writers to see if they were aware of such an issue. Ironically, another customer's car was there at that very time, with the same complaint/problem being diagnosed. After diagnostics; it was recommended the master cylinder be replaced. I had them replace it with oem part 26401aj001 as well as doing a brake system flush and filling with new brake fluid. This was in november 2019. Since then, the problem has occurred three more times (most recently, two days ago). I recently discovered there was a recall on 2012 outback master cylinders due to the same problem as described above. Why isn't this recall broader and related to all cars with these identical (same part number) master cylinders? Do people have to die before bad brake systems are repaired? I've researched and collectively found numerous others that are having the same issue. I question the credibility of dealership service writers when they say they have never heard of this problem. I have loved my subaru; however, my vehicle needs to stop when my brakes are applied-every time; not with the fear of; is today going to be the day of failure yet again?

Filed Jun 6, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 94,467 miles · NY

I have been reporting problems with my transmission since 2012 to my regular dealership, star subaru when the car had just 23,472 miles on it. At this point, I believe that I have been wrongfully denied warranty coverage. Then again, in 2017, while still under warranty, I brought my outback to star subaru complaining that while driving slow, the car tends to 'jump' mid-drive, almost like someone rear ended you. The car at this point was at about 94,467 miles, under the 100,000 mile warranty limit. After numerous complaints I finally received a test drive with a subaru mechanic at star subaru in bayside, queens, ny. He concluded that it needed transmission parts, a torque converter/valve body. At that point I was set to have it replaced once the parts came in. Weeks went by and I heard nothing. I contacted subaru of america who was able to set me up with east hills subaru. The soa person was very helpful with the transition. They performed their own diagnostic, and the condition at the time would not replicate. Unfortunately, when this 'jump/slam' happens, it does spontaneously. We cannot make it happen, nor do we even know when it is going to happen. It was always very sporadic. Sometimes it would happen on the highway going 65, or sometimes less than 5mph. On a long trip back from vermont, there would be a large revving sound, and then it felt as if someone hit us from behind. Once again, I took the car to subaru, only to be told they simply couldn't 'replicate the problem', and therefore would not do anything to help us. On april 3rd 2019, I bring my car in again to east hill subaru. Check engine light on. They do recall. They also troubleshoot the check engine code, which now comes up clearly as p1710 torque converter turbine 2 speed signal circuit malfunction. Now it's not covered under warranty.the price tag is very high, almost $6,000!

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Fuel system · 132,300 miles · NC

P0420 code o2 sensors. I had this problem back in 2017. Cruise, skid control, brake light and check engine light come on. Subaru said it was the catalytic converter, 02 sensors and associated piping. Subaru replaced it for free in 2017. Not even 2 years later 8/2019, I am dealing with the same issue again. Same diagnoses. I have seen a multitude of complaints about this issue. Saw a report of a recall for the front 02 sensor on repairpal but it is not listed on subaru's website. Subaru wants to charge 1900 to fix and make me pay 500.00 for a repair that's should not need to happen in less than two years time!

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · VT

Car hesitated while driving, rpms soared. Lights came on dashboard-check engine light, brake lights, traction control system lights as well as other lights. Took to local mechanic who advised the code related to transmission issues, he reset code and asked us to drive for a few days to see if it would come on again. It did. Same code. Contacted subaru of america who advised it would need to go to a "authorized subaru dealer" for diagnosis before they could help us. Research indicates that subaru extended the warranty on these vehicles for this exact problem to 10 years, 100,000 miles. The person I spoke to at subaru, martina brown indicated that once it was diagnosed that they would be able to review the claim and help us out, so we drove the car to our local subaru dealer. Car was driving fine when it was dropped there. After diagnosis, it was confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced, but they refused to do it at no cost. In fact, they offered us 1k toward the purchase of a new subaru. What a joke, I can't even believe they would have the audacity to make an offer like that. We'd already been offered way more than that as a trade for a new vehicle elsewhere, but didn't take the offer because we were under the impression that subaru would do the right thing and fix it. The car is under the 10 years, but over the 100,000 miles. I feel that subaru should fix it at no cost since they knew this was an issue. There should have been a recall on this issue as it is a safety issue. They should be made to pay for these repairs. Please advise what options I can pursue to get this fixed at no cost to me, the original owner of the vehicle.