2020 Subaru Outback: engine overheating

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Transmission, Wheels · WV

Vehicle had 45,000 miles on it when right rear wheel bearing failed. It was covered under 5 year/60,000 mile warranty and was repaired today by a certified Subaru dealer and I no longer have the bad part for inspection. Safety risks would be anything that occurs from a bad wheel bearing like wobble, seizing, overheating, and more damage to other drivetrain components. You could hear the wheel bearing noise at 20 mph constant while driving, only getting louder with increased speed. No warning lights were present on the dash. I feel like at 45,000 miles, a wheel bearing should not be failing.

Filed Apr 15, 2024 · Transmission · NY

Thermostat Replacement: THERMO CONTROL VALVE IS NOT OPERATING. FLUID IS LEAKING FROM ASSEMBLY. The thermostat is a valve that keeps coolant circulating in the engine until it reaches normal running temperature. When this happens, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow to the radiator. There were no warnings before this occurred and my car could have overheated. After talking to multiple subaru outback owners, this issue seems to be predominant and am surprised it is not covered by Subaru or that the NTSHA has been warned of this issue.

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

A well-known failure of the Thermal Control Valve (TCV) occurred, which disabled many or most of the safety features on the car in addition to crippling the heat output in the cabin. Additionally, depending on which way the valve sticks, it could overheat the car and ruin the engine, or worse. Car is under 4 years old and repair estimate is nearly $1900. There is a technical safety bulletin [XXX] that outlines a redesigned TCV. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · MA

11/10/21 first incident: vehicle stalled in middle of dangerous busy road intersection: would not start. After about 15-20 min, it restarted. Drove to Dealer who reported: "battery low, taking too many short trips running down the battery. Many codes found. all referring to low battery". 11/16/21 second incident in remote beach parking lot. After a 30-45 min walk, vehicle would not start. solenoids clicked, engine turned over a few times, but would not start. 15-20 min later, was able to start. Drove to dealer and left vehicle. Tech wondered if problem was maybe not the battery, possible loose wire, but none found immediately. Left car with them. 11/17/21: Dealer called: "bad fuel pump overheating and stopping. once cooled down would run again." Ordered a new part will be here in 2 days. I am not sure of their explanation since the car had a long time in the cold for fuel pump to cool down. If they are right, then the fuel pump must be defective from manufacturer.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Fuel system · 3,300 miles · IA

Driving on a busy road, made a stop at a light. When I got the green arrow to turn left, car just died in the middle of the intersection. Was fortunate, 4 good individuals jumped out of their vehicles to push us out of the intersection and avoid collision with oncoming traffic. Called subaru for a tow. During the 2 hour wait, tried to start a couple of times with no luck. When tow truck arrived, was to put it in neutral, so attempted to start again, which it did. Drove immediately to dealership. Stayed there for 2 and a half weeks. They replaced fuel pump, which in my mind, may not be at the root of the problem. My thoughts are that something overheated, possibly a circuit or software that caused the malfunction. It was a 95 degree day, the car had been idling for about 20 minutes in a store parking lot right before the shutdown. In talking with subaru, they will not give me root cause once they do further analysis on the problem. I feel at great risk this can happen at any time going forward, (ie on the interstate, at an intersection, etc). I'm hoping that logging this incident will help other outback owners know of the potential danger they may be in.