2020 Subaru Outback

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

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.

[XXX] recall , Chain is slipping , Subaru Dealer In Boone NC Recommends [XXX] repair kit. Dealer, Hendrick of SouthPoint, Durham NC, won't cover expenses, because when they did the original procedure, [XXX] noted nothing was slipping at the time, and they updated the TCU and stamped completed. Now that the car is over 100k miles by just a few thousand they will not repair it. Cost to repair $12000.00. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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)

Car lurches when put into gear, Transmission make loud chirping noise when place into gear from park, transmission shudders when turning. Car has had all recalls updated. Symptoms have been reported to dealer numerous times. Currently vehicle is at Subaru Dealer in Temecula Calif. Dealer states a know transmission problem is being addressed thru a Subaru Engineer. Have been without the vehicle for approx 3 weeks.

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.

The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after parked in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated into their home. No air bags had deployed. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. The home had been damaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who was not able to identify the cause of the failure at that time, however, they were going to run more diagnostic tests and inspections. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,400.

Vehicle was taken to a dealer to perform warranty work related to Subaru MSB 16-136-22R on 7/6/2022, at mileage 18,317. Owner was experiencing vibrations and noise on turns during acceleration, first noticed a month earlier, which was steadily becoming worse, causing concern about the safety or possible failure of the vehicle. Dealer confirmed this problem existed in the multiple plate transfer (MPT) clutch and attempted temporary repairs, as per the service bulletin. Repairs were unsuccessful and vehicle status was then said by the dealer to be “off-road — not drivable”. The dealer indicated the front transmission had failed. Parts were ordered at that time from Subaru to do the repair. The vehicle has been in the dealer’s possession since 7/6, waiting for parts to arrive.