2020 Subaru Outback: multiple warning lights

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Engine · 19,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that on various occasions upon bringing the vehicle to a stop or upon acceleration the vehicle had experienced a total loss of automotive power, and all of the warning lights would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it diagnosed and the contact was advised that the battery, and thermal valve were faulty and needed to be replaced. The battery had been replaced five times however the contact noted that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · AL

The Thermal control valve went out in May while I was traveling though Texas, I took it to a dealership right away to see what the issue was and was told once again it was the thermal control valve. When it goes out you have the check engine light come on, the eyesite, and cameras all stop working along with all The warning lights staying on. They replaced it and I was told I should most likely get a refund for when I had the part first replace in July 2021. Which at that time my car was only 7 months old. I was told I would get a reimbursement for that part. However ever since Subaru warranty sent me an approval for reimbursement of this service ( letter dated May 21, 2024 for $1071. 00 that should happen in 30 -45 days, they are now stalling and stating it will be 90 days for checks to be mailed out. This is a faulty part they knew it 3 years ago and failed to handle, now more and more vehicle owners are having the issue, so they will replace the part ONLY if you have any issues. This is fraud on the part of Subaru to their customers.

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 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 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The problems I have had or currently have with my vehicle are as follows: 1. On or about November 17, 2022, multiple dash lights, including the check engine light, came on while idling in a parking lot. I turned the engine off for a few minutes and when I restarted the car the lights didn't come back on. I took no further action at that time 2. On November 17, 2022, when starting the engine for the first time that day, numerous lights came on on the dash. The engine was idling and there appeared to be some braking/stuttering not initiated by the driver of the car when it was being driven. The car was returned to our home garage after being driven approximately 1/10 of a mile and another vehicle was driven that day. The Subaru dealer advised to drive the vehicle to his shop in Miami. We took it to Subaru on November 20 and they fixed it that day. The technician said that “The technician completely placed the sensor and told us that the car was fixed. 3. On November 29, 2022, many dash lights, including the check engine light, came on when starting the vehicle for the first time during the day. The engine was more or less idling. The car was driven and the lights eventually went out on their own while running errands. We took the interior to the Subaru dealer. They said the battery would need to be replaced and adjustments made and we returned the Outback to the Subaru dealer on November 29, 2022 for maintenance. They changed the battery and the star/stop and returned the car 3 days later 4. You were driving on the interstate when you started to brake accidentally. This occurred on southbound I-95 just north of boca raton with 2 children in the car as passengers. All the dash lights came on including the check engine light. Less than 10 seconds later, the car began to brake against the driver's will. The interior slowed to 20 mph in less than 100 yards. The vehicle continued to resist my attempts to accelerate.

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

the car brake, with the foot on the gas all the lights came on and it stopped on the street (traffic being stuck) it's a car safety problem it can cause a serious accident if I end up on I-95, if something happens to me they will be responsible for it I have everything the records and photos of everything that happened to the car Check . what happens to that car with the same failures over and over again in 2 months 3 time on the dealer with the same problem I buy this car on October 2022 and over and over again the same problem

Filed Oct 15, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · TX

I was stopped at a light in a 3 Lane St. It was approximately 930 at night. The auto start stop feature had turned off the engine and when I removed my foot from the brake to begin moving forward the entire electrical system shut off. I tried switching into park and restarting the car but the car locked the steering wheel at this point and killed all of the lights inside and outside of the vehicle. This meant that I was in a car in the middle lane of traffic with no lights and I was not able to turn on the flashers either. I had to use the emergency neutral setting in order to unlock the steering wheel and roll the car to safety. While we were rolling the car I attempted to turn on the vehicle again and it began running. This is the second time that the car shut off when i released my foot from the brake. The first time I was able to shift into park and restart the car.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Electrical · CA

I purchased an Subaru Outback touring edition, with a turbo 4 cylinder engine, on February 8, 2020. My battery failed in 3/20, on 4/15/20 Diablo Subaru of Walnut Creek replaced the dead battery. In March of 2022 my battery died again. I was told the rear cargo light had been left on and that drained the battery. They recharged the battery and said the battery was good. After this event I bought a small battery operated jump starter to keep in my car. We went on vacation for 2 weeks, August 24, through September 7, 2022. The first time I tried to start my car it would not start. I turned of the climate control the radio and the infotainment screen and verified that none of the interior lights were on before turning the engine off. When I returned to the car it started reluctantly. Before exiting my car at home I again made sure that the climate control, radio, and infotainment screen and all lights were off, before turning the engine off. The next day it didn't start. I jumped it again then ran one errand and it reluctantly started, at home I left the car running before my next appt.. I returned to the car after the appt. and the car would not start. I jumped it again and drove home. I left it running for one hour at home, and went through my routine insuring everything was off. The next day it didn't start. Other electrical problems happen intermittently since buying the car. Periodically the infotainment system touchscreen will not respond to touch. or the screen goes blank and unresponsive. It may come back on in a few minutes, or I may need to leave the car off for one or more hours for the screen to come on. I complained to the dealer in 2/21. The dealer reprogrammed the "CPI". This didn't resolve the problem. I took it back 5/11/21 with no resolution. Since 3/16/22 there have been random electrical problems; warnings that ABS is off; Airbags are off; warning to watch the road that won't turn off while driving; seatbelt bell on, with belts fastened.

Filed Apr 10, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CA · fire

3 weeks ago the all of the warning lights came on. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Could not find out what was wrong. Saw there was a lot of carbon build up which was unusual since there is only 26,000 miles on vehicle. After a week a dealership a cleaning took it home. Went back the next day. They inspected and stated it was the spark plugs and needed new fuel injectors. Had replaced. Everything still covered. Picked vehicle up finally after 17 days of it being there. When picking it up the paper work stated the vehicle had cylinder 1 misfires 30-45 times in a 3 hour period. But was assured the vehicle was repaired and fully inspected and 100% safe. Within 24hrs of driving the vehicle. The next morning we drove to school and with after the second light we smelled smoothing rolled windows down and but was sure if it was us. Then had slowed down to turn at the next light to turn to pull over but didn’t get that opportunity before a boom and smoke and flame came and i rushed out of the car and took immediate action and got my 4 year old out of her car seat. Before the whole car was up in flames. I have heard that similar vehicles had similar issues but have had other repairs to deal with it.There was no lights that came on in the vehicle to warn us that something was wrong so thought the smell was from outside. Insurance and the auto maker are inspecting but i had to alert the automaker the dealership wasn’t going to. They stated that the insurance and automaker will just compare notes.

Filed Dec 18, 2021 · Engine · GA

My car stalled at a stop light when I attempted to go when the light turned green. The car was in auto shut off mode so the engine was not running at the time. When I took my foot off the brake to go, the car didn’t restart and started shaking and all the lights on the dash came on. There was also a piercing warning sound and the infotainment screen showed that the “eyesight “ and all other driver assistance program were off but my audiobook continued to play. I tried restarting the car but it would not restart. I put the car in park and tried to get it to turn off but it wouldn’t. Since I was at a light and cars were behind me, I put on my hazards and waited a few minutes and got the car to restart and to get that noise to stop, sounded like a siren. My fuel warning had just come on but it indicated that I had 50 miles so not sure if it has anything to do with it?

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Engine · 23,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while enter a freeway the speed suddenly reduced to approximately 15 MPH. The vehicle failed to exceed 15 MPH. Additionally, the vehicle lurched forward and would not immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal. During the failure several warning lights had illuminated including the check engine, brakes, and stability control. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who reprogrammed the computer however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2021 · Body, Engine · 7,500 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 65 mph when multiple warning lights were illuminated and a "Stop Driving the Vehicle" message was displayed. The contact stated he was able to drive to a nearby gas station. The contact stated while inspecting under the hood, he noticed the drive belt was shredded. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the drive belt to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated in February of 2021, the tailgate failed to open with the key fob or manually. The contact stated after opening the tailgate, it failed to latch and close properly. The contact stated the tailgate ajar warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was called and made aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact to disconnected the battery. The contact followed the instructions and stated the tailgate was functioning properly but in May of 2021, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to Royal Moore Subaru (1326 SE Enterprise Cir, Hillsboro, OR 97123: (503) 640-5660) where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,500.