Check Engine, AT Oil temp flashing, Cruise, ABS, traction, airbag, brake all came on within 5 minutes

70

Asked by Nocatee Mar 24, 2019 at 02:32 PM about the 2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

After not driving the car for about 2 weeks all of these lights came on about 5
minutes after I started driving today. At first the Battery light was also on and
it went off and was replaced by the AT oil temp light which was flashing.
Check Engine is not flashing. Any clues? I'm supposed to be leaving on a
1300 mile trip with this car in 6 days. Worried. It's Sunday so can't talk to
dealer yet.
BTW, after the battery light went off the airbag light went off but all the rest
stayed on.

8 Answers

70

Thanks, Ed92626. I plan to do that tomorrow assuming I can get into my Subaru dealer. The earliest appointment I could book online is Friday, the day before I'm supposed to leave. I was hoping this forum might have someone who recognizes this strange assortment of sudden trouble lights and could give me a hint of what might be the cause. I doubt there are multiple problems underlying these lights.

2 people found this helpful.
20

A code would be helpful - if you can grab a reader from AutoZone or something and get a code from the ECU, maybe someone can get in more detail. The problem is, this is a common mode, like a "limp home" mode caused by many issues. If you can shift the car out of park, it's not the brake switch - I can offer up that much the issues I'm looking into on mine right now that also cause this is low transmission oil (causing an overheat scenario) or a throttle position sensor. But like I said, lots of failures will cause this sequence of lights. I see you're in a 2012 - automatic? One thing to do would be check the transmission fluid. My '14 doesn't have a dipstick (it's the CVT) but if you've got the automatic, you may be able to check the level and color of the oil. Good luck!

1 people found this helpful.
70

Subaru dealer kept the car and gave me a rental loaner (free to me). Didn't tell me which codes showed up but referred to the extended warranty on the CVT powertrain. Waiting to hear more tomorrow.

2 people found this helpful.

My 2015 forester had this happen today. Part of my issue is definitely related to the recall but the AT oil temp light came on as well, which is unrelated. Waiting to hear what’s up. I spoke with a lemon law attorney today bc this is my 8th issue in 30k miles. I’ve had 4 Subaru’s and this is my first with any issue beyond normal maintenance. I truly believe the car is defective.

70

The first thing the dealer did was replace my battery. It was still under warranty. I drove the car home and all was fine. Left the car in my driveway and next morning went to drive again. In about a half-block the skid and ABS lights came on. The car kept trying to brake as I drove back to my driveway. Stopped the car and it wouldn't go into Park. Stuck in Neutral. I finally turned off the ignition and tried to restart. No luck. After a brief clicking sound all lights went out and car was dead. Turned it back off but couldn't get out of Neutral so couldn't remove key. Dealer sent a tow to tow it back to them. A day later dealer informed me the alternator was bad. Now I'm waiting for the new alternator to come in and be installed on Monday. A week after they first got the car for repair. Why this is so upsetting: Dealer knew since Monday that I needed to drive to NH from FL on 3/30. They did a shoddy job of troubleshooting and didn't even check the alternator before giving me back the car on Wednesday. Impact to me: rebooking 2 hotels and costing me more money for new dates, trying to rebook a doctor appointment that I waited 8 months for in NH (no luck so far), plus lack of confidence in my Outback for a long drive by myself. So mad at my dealer's service department.

1 people found this helpful.
10

Out of curiosity as I am in NH also with the same lights on. Did the alternator fix the problem and what dealer services you?

1 people found this helpful.
70

Yes, the alternator fixed the problem. In NH I use McGovern Subaru in Hampton. In FL it was Subaru of Jacksonville.

2 people found this helpful.

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