Table 1 shows one common electronic stability control related problems of the 2014 Subaru Outback.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control problems |
I am unable to remove my vehicle key from the ignition after placing my 2014 Subaru Outback into the park position while the vehicle is stationary and I want to get out of it. This is also happening to my father's 2016 Subaru Outback. I don't want to leave the key in the ignition when it is parked on a street. I can't lock the vehicle with the key in the ignition because I wouldn't be able to get back into it unless I carried a second key. Please post this for other users. It seems a vehicle defect at least with a Subaru Outback as another friend also had this happen to her. It cost over $300 to get repaired. Thank you.
On 3/22/15 while approaching a stop sign the electric parking brake locked on at 10 mph. After pulling off to the side of the road and releasing and applying the parking brake several times it finally released while the check engine and flashing brake light remained on. After shutting the vehicle off for 10 minutes the system reset to normal. The system remained normal until arriving at a Subaru dealer on 3/24/15 when the same problem occurred. The dealer took control, identified and replaced a relay and several sensors. The car performed normal until 4/1/15 when the same problem occurred while traveling 25 mph. After stopping and releasing and applying the parking brake several times the system reset but the check engine, brake and cruise control lights remained steady or flashing. After letting the vehicle set for a period of time the system reset itself. Another appointment has been made at the dealer for 4/6/15. The concern is that if the parking brake locks at high speed or in heavy traffic it could cause a serious accident.
I was pulling up to park behind a Toyota prius on a road that was partially covered with snow & ice. The wheels on the right side of the vehicle were on snow & ice and the wheels on the driver's side of the car were on dry roadway. I was driving slowly to park when the car suddenly accelerated into the rear bumper of the Toyota prius. The engine was racing wildly and my attempt to brake were ineffective. There was damage to the rear trunk & bumper of the prius and damage to the front of the Subaru. I suspect that the Subaru traction/speed/stability/electronic throttle controls had malfunctioned.
This is an update: dealer called us to have alice dickey drive the car with a service technician present ( tech named alex) car was driven aprox 5-6 miles without incident . . . System did not fault. Dealer told us they have been on the phone with Subaru tech center & completed all the test procedures but have not been able to duplicate any of the brake-check/ engine faults experienced 3 on 5/22 or 1 on 5/23/2014. Scott spath service coordinator is not certain what else can be done at the dealership. We asked if the vehicle was safe once the system faulted & the electronic stabilization & traction control system are shut down ( as a result of the fault). I asked them not to guess when they answered this question. Dealership has decided to keep the car an additional day for additional testing. They are trying to get the system to fault while under test procedure. The dealership appears to have exhausted all the standard procedures to determine root cause. It seems Subaru factory must get involved with this vehicle beyond the dealership telephone calls. Our concern is a vehicle will be returned to us in an condition which may prove to be unsafe. . . Since they have done all they can on the telephone.
This is the second incident where the electric parking brake light indicates the brake has been set & not released. The car was towed into dealership yesterday (5/22/2014) for same reason. Dealer stated they spoke with Subaru & were unable to find any reason for the fault. They stated computer indicated the brakes were not engaged but that this same system does disable the electronic stability control when this fault occurs. We are very concerned the vehicle is safe to drive despite the assurances of the service manager ( alex) that the vehicle is safe (no worries). The instrument light on the panel also flashes "check engine light at the same time light flashes indicating parking brake has been set & not released.