2020 Subaru Outback: check engine light

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA · fire

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Car fire, originating under the hood. Unknown if vehicle is available for inspection. Last reported by Insurance company to be at IAA; [XXX]; PH#: [XXX]. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Car fire began while in the car after moving through an intersection with a stop light. Four of us in the car, ages raging from [XXX] old. Fire quickly spread; however, we were able to exit the car without injury. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - NO, car was totaled and Subaru, NA Consumer Advocacy agent assigned claims that the vehicle is no longer available for inspection. Both insurance company (Travelers Auto) and Subaru, N.A. consumer advocacy group made aware of our concern as to why the vehicle caught fire. One or both demonstrated nonchalance of this concern. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - YES - Just prior to the start of the fire, the vehicle stalled and cut-off with CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. Also, we smelled an unusual exhaust at the time prior to, and at the time of the cut-off. This occurred at the intersection of where the car caught fire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 9, 2026 · Transmission · PA

My transmission has started to fail. The check engine light came on the error code read p0867, transmission fluid pressure. Other lights came on as well because it tripped the rest of the sensors because of the CVT failure. This seems to be a common problem in Subarus

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Transmission · WI

I was reversing out of a residential driveway onto a county highway when the I had a complete loss of movement. Shortly after the total loss of power, the CEL illuminated. If I had been on the highway, the driveway is near a blind curve, I would've been sitting in the road with no way to move putting me in a dangerous situation. The transmission failed at right at the end of the driveway so I was able to put it in neutral and move the vehicle by hand. There were no symptoms or warning lights prior to the failure. I had it towed to the nearest dealership where they diagnosed a complete transmission failure and recommend a complete transmission replacement.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical · 37,168 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact was alerted by the message “Eyesight Technology Failure”, before the battery shut down, causing the steering wheel to seize, forcing the contact to come to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. The check engine, air bags, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that several other unknown warning lights and alerts were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was jump-started, and the contact was escorted by a tow truck operator to the nearest dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,168. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Aug 21, 2024 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the thermo-control valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

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 Jul 17, 2024 · Driver assistance, Transmission · MI

On [XXX], I was driving east on [XXX] on the North side of Toledo Ohio close to the intersection with [XXX] . The "Check Engine" warning came on, all the vehicle "Eyesight" functions were automatically turned off, and Pre collision braking and Pre collision throttle control features were activated. There was no danger of a collision at this time, but all of this left me stranded in the middle of this busy four lane highway. I was able to literally crawl to the shoulder of the road. I was not hit, but it was just good fortune that prevented that. This is where my safety was at greatest risk. After about 10 minutes during which I started and stopped the car numerous times, the pre collision braking and throttle were deactivated and I was able to drive the car. I located the nearest Subaru dealer (Yark Subaru Toledo, Ohio) and drove there. The cause of the Check Engine light was diagnosed as a failure of the Thermal Control Valve. I had received a letter from Subaru dated May 1, 2024 stating that this part might fail and extending the warranty for this part. That letter specifically stated that nothing needed to be done until the part failed. There was no mention of the fact that the car would be disabled when it happened. Part was eventually replace on July 1, 2024 two days later. Since then I have spoken to 3 people at Subaru of America seeking to understand why a Check Engine situation caused the vehicle to be disabled. I also asked the Service Advisor at Yark Subaru to explain. They have all been friendly and attentive, but they cannot or will not give an explanation. My main concern is that a Check Engine situation may cause this Pre Collision shut down to happen again. Based on the danger I was in when this happed, I think that there should have been a recall and the Thermal Control Valve replaced before failure. To be clear, the repairs were completed under warranty and Subaru has sent me a $350.00 coupon for future service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · NJ

Hi: When I was driving yesterday, the engine warning light and brake warning light both turned on. The car was like frozen on the road cannot be moved no matter how to press the gas pedal. The police helped to call tow and move my car out of the road. The tow driver left my car at a flat parking lot. On the lot, when I tried to restart my car, the car started to shake side to side and up and down. I can feel some part is dislocated and one piece of heavy thing was swaying in the car. The engine warning light was on for two times during the last two years. First time when I sent the car to the dealership, they performed the check and fixed it by free. The customer service person told me the problem is the sensor failing and the fixing was free. So, I guess it is the system defect and the manufacture already knew it. So the repairing was free. However, with one year, the situation happened again. The second time I sent the car for fixing, the service person told me it was the same problem of sensor failing but they charged me around two hundreds dollar for the second time fixing. Yesterday, the same situation happened again with the brake warning light on at the same time. It is almost another one year after the second time I sent car for repairing. My most concern is the car completely suddenly stopped during the driving. If I was on the highway, serious collision may happen and I am already passed away.

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 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 31, 2023 · Engine · NC

Check engine light came on with error code p26a5 which seems to be known issue with the Thermo Control Valve.