2020 Subaru Outback: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Driver assistance, Engine · OH

Thermo Control Valve assembly has failed resulting in loss of use for the following: Rear Automatic Brake, Eye Sight lane keeping, loss of heat in cabin and failure of coolant to circulate within engine possibly leading to engine failure, loss of cruise control and check engine light coming on. Reference TSB [XXX] . Without cabin heat vehicle is not useable in current cold temperatures (Currently 22 degrees Fahrenheit in Ohio on December 14, 2023). Dealer has confirmed part failure. Issue must be addressed to continue operating vehicle so I paid $1185.87 out of pocket to repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Transmission · NY

Thermal control valve failed leading to temperature problems and loss of safety features such as automatic braking and adaptive cruise control otherwise known as “Eyesight”

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

While we were at a speed of about 55 mph on a state highway, I had just selected cruise control when all the lights went on in the dash--including the warning lights for the brake, the check engine light--and power shut down in the vehicle as if we'd run out of gas. We were able to keep a very slow speed of about 20-25mph, but had to activate the 4-way flashers to alert other drivers that we were losing speed. We managed to get over to the shoulder and call for a tow. We feel this was a catastrophic failure of the vehicle, which endangered both of us. At least we still had power steering. At the dealer, the techs advised us that the issue was likely due to a failure of the electronic thermostat control. The car was in the shop for a week, and was repaired at no cost to us. The thermo control valve and all related parts were replaced. If not under warranty, this would have cost over $2K. We had no warning that this component was failing.

Filed Jun 7, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · KY

While driving my Subaru Outback, I encounter a problem where the Starlink Multimedia system abruptly goes black. Shortly after, the driver information center also goes black. Although the car continues to run, the cruise control, if engaged, and the EyeSight safety system shuts off as well. Both systems then undergo a reboot.

Filed Jun 4, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

While driving on the NYS Thruway (I90), I started to pass a Tractor Trailer, I put my blinker on and began moving to the right to pass. There were 2/3 cars in back of me also passing. I was using cruise control and I began to put my foot on the accelerator to finish my passing and move over to the right hand lane to let the other vehicles pass me. However, upon accelerating, my car started to drop power, multiple lights displaying simultaneously indicating a potential problem. (Eyesight Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Brake & Engine Lights), the vehicle started jerking back and forth and I lost all but maybe 5 miles of power. My choice at that time was put my blinker on and try and move to the right - letting the Tractor Trailer pass me on the right and HOPE there was not another vehicle behind so I could move over safely at that crawling speed or go to the left into the gully. This could have been a multiple car collision and maybe fatalities due to the speed and loss of control of my vehicle. After towing to the nearest dealer, they determined it was the Thermo Control Valve. I see now that there is a "service bulletin" and design change of this component and that other Subaru drivers have been affected the same way. This is a very serious situation. I ask, why no recall from Subaru. I have been without my vehicle now for 4 days and may not have it back until next week. I am very fearful of driving that vehicle again.

Filed Jan 12, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · MN

•Driver’s window failing to properly and completing retract. This has been particularly troublesome in the bitter cold of Northern Minnesota. On each visit to Subaru I have requested that the window be repaired. All efforts have been unsuccessful. •Battery failure without cause or prior warning signs. On previous visits the Service Center failed to address and resolve the battery problem that I brought. In my most recent visit they referred me to a Legal Settlement action which prevents them from further addressing the battery issue. I brought the vehicle in twice for repair/replacement of the battery. Not resolved. •Eyesight Driver Assist malfunction. Upon presenting the issue, the Service Manager suggested that the cause was sunlight hitting the sensors and he did not work on the issue. Even when I noted that the problem happened in the evening as well as during the daytime, no response. •Check Engine Warning Indicator signifying any number of important malfunctions while also causing Cruise Control, Eyesight, RAB, and other critical, electronic systems to deactivate. More importantly, the Subaru Service Center informed me that there is a life-threatening risk associated with the underlying cause of this Check Engine light appearing, and, consequently, they would not permit me to drive the car from the Service Center until necessary repairs and part replacements were made. I have been waiting over two months for the automobile to be repaired and returned to me. I had previously brought the vehicle in specifically for this issue. At that time the Service Center failed to correct the problem and suggested it would disappear on its own (the warning light would turn off after a number of ignition starts). When I requested that they clearly understand the problem and fix the lighlight warning, the manager refused to continue to work on the vehicle.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · WY

Since we have owned the car since Feb 2020, we have had many dead batteries and the Subaru dealership 100+ miles away has replaced our battery at least 4 times. We live in rural Wyoming and need a reliable car for driving in the winter months when it can get below zero. We have jumped the battery numerous times but sometime the electronics don't work correctly like cruise control, dash warnings, windows, airbags, etc. We are always taking a chance driving it the 100+ miles from our residence to the nearest Subaru dealership in Ogden, UT. Even after driving it over 100 miles the battery will not charge up because it is damaged and we have to get a new battery from the Subaru dealership. We are averaging about 12,000 miles yearly travel; however, sometimes the car is not driven at all for a few days. If we don't drive the car at least every other day, we will have a dead battery. We are afraid one of the cars numerous safety systems won't work after jumping the battery and driving the car. The date 09/29/2021 was the last time we had the battery replaced. We disconnect the battery now so the car doesn't drain the battery. Other dates were 03/17/2021, 06/21/2021, 07/23/2021, and 09/29/2021.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Visibility · WA

The windshield on my 2020 Subaru Outback spontaneously cracked shortly after I started the car on a hot summer day (06/28/2021). Roughly a minute after starting the vehicle and turning on the air conditioning, I drove a distance of about 100 ft and heard a really loud snap, but initially didn't see the cause of the sound. About 2 seconds later, a crack quickly spread horizontally from the driver's side edge at mid height of the windshield until reaching the center of the windshield. After continuing to drive the vehicle, the crack began to spread vertically for about 6 inches, and then spread further horizontally to the right by another 6 inches, forming an S-shape. No damage or chips were known to have been previously inflicted on the windshield and the glass was visibly intact prior the cracking event. Because the crack was positioned almost exactly at eye level, visibility was noticeably distorted. If the crack and associated snapping sound had occurred while the car was being driven in actual traffic on a road or freeway, the startling nature of the event and loud volume of the snapping sound would likely put someone driving the vehicle at risk of reacting in a hazardous fashion and result in a crash. Furthermore, since the Subaru Outback's forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance all operate through a camera-based system that requires a clear view through the windshield, the crack posed a risk of malfunction of these systems. The windshield was inspected by a professional automotive glass installation shop and was determined to have been damaged beyond repair, requiring total replacement.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Visibility · WA

The windshield on my 2020 Subaru Outback spontaneously cracked while I was driving the vehicle on a cold morning (01/20/2021). This crack is the second such spontaneous crack that has occurred with this same vehicle. The first crack occurred in the original windshield in June 2021, after which the original windshield was replaced with an OEM windshield. This second cracking event occurred with the OEM replacement windshield. About 30 minutes into driving the vehicle at freeway speeds (65 mph), a crack with a total length of about 10 inches (5 inches vertical, 5 inches horizontal) formed spontaneously mid-length on the windshield beginning from the bottom edge of the glass. The formation of the crack occurred quickly and was associated with a loud snapping sound. The path of the crack traveled through the location of a small (2mm x 2mm) chip in the glass located approximately 2 inches from the bottom edge of the glass. This chip in the glass occurred at least 2 months prior to the cracking event and was the result of an impact from a small rock (about 1cm x 1cm). No additional damage or impact force had occurred on the chipped location between the creation of the chip and the cracking event. If the crack had been larger and the associated snapping sound louder, the startling nature of the event and loud volume of the snapping sound would likely put someone driving the vehicle at risk of reacting in a hazardous fashion and result in a crash. Furthermore, since the Subaru Outback's forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance all operate through a camera-based system that requires a clear view through the windshield, the crack posed a risk of impacting these systems.

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · VA

The TomTom navigation system quits unexpectedly while driving and if the Adaptive Cruise Control is on it will stop working and the car will begin to slow down. The computer screen will go black and then a message will come on saying the Navigation System is starting. The system will then reboot. This has been reported to Subaru and Subaru tried to replicate the problem at the dealership, but they were unsuccessful. Subaru Corporate has acknowledged the problem, but offers no solution. Safety was impacted because you suddenly start to slow down and any car following you may not know you are slowing down because the brake lights do not come on.

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · WA

My 2020 Outback Touring has had several issues including the infotainment system rebooting and turning off all safety features: ABS, Forward Collision Warning, EyeSight, Adaptive Cruise Control randomly turning off (not just adjusting speed), I lose control of ALL electronics including the digital speedometer. A new infotainment system had been installed and the problems STILL exist. The date below was the most serious as I was on the highway traveling at high speeds when the system decided to fail and the screens went black. Subaru of America has been informed of these issues but there is no resolution.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · Driver assistance · VA

While driving the car the car's computer/radio/navigation system will randomly shut down. This has been occurring since approx 6500 miles. When this occurs all of the safety systems/HVAC/Rear Camera/Radio/Navigation systems all will fail with the associated warning lights. The car now has approx 9000 miles, this appears to be random occurrences about every 200-250 miles. Dealer states that they are aware of the problem and was told to contact back late June/early July that SOA was going to release a software fix. Well time has passed and nothing has occurred. When driving this car and the failure occurs all of the safety systems are totally inoperable thus the computerized safety systems are not functional. So, far I have been able to maintain full control of the car. The time for the systems to comeback online is highly variable and sometimes I have to stop, and turn the car off for approximately 10 minutes to have the systems return to being functional. For example, the automated cruise control if in operation will fail to operate, the backup camera will be inoperable, the side space warning will fail, lane assist will fail, and so on for all of the safety systems that this particular car has will all fail. Fortunately, I have been able to safely find a safe place to stop, but what happens when this failure occurs and there is not a place to stop/pull over to rest the car/computer. I can't be the only owner/driver that is having this problem(s) they are all interrelated when the master computer shuts down all of the other systems then follow. It is only a matter of time that a potential crash with associated injury and or loss of life can potentially occur. Dealer is unable to replicate and therefore unable to repair/replace parts. Once this failure can be rectified/corrected this is a wonderful car. At this point, I am unable to determine the cause nor am I able to prevent these failures.