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Subaru Outback VDC

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Hey, that's great news, glad to hear it.

    carioca - are you from Brazil? I am from Recife. Vai Brasil!

    -juice
  • swbo101swbo101 Member Posts: 13
    So, jcarioca, how many kilometers had your car when you bought it? I bought mine exactly one year ago at 78 000km and drove more than 40k kms since then! The only problem is those two VDC and ABS lights that intermittently come up together. Stangely, it will be now more than two weeks and they didn't light up since then! No dealer ever saw that problem. They must contact Subaru of Canada in order to know what to do, what tests to apply. Very frustating. By the way, how much is an ABS sensor, garandman?
  • jcariocajcarioca Member Posts: 5
    Bought it with 150 000. Read so many good things about this year and model...Sold! Since the fuel pump issue it has been smooth and reliable. I am very happy with the feel and versitility of this car. I would recommend it even with high Km. The leather and 3.0 are well worth the upgrade cost difference (when buying used) and odds are, the previous owners took extra care with the car seeing that it feels like a car that is geared to a mature crowd. Unlike the WRX, the outback would not be tuned to be a race car. I feel great about owning this car! :)
  • msuvetmsuvet Member Posts: 54
    The only problem is those two VDC and ABS lights that intermittently come up together

    I also have a 2001 VDC, and this happens to me, too. I've never had it checked out, because when it happens, I just turn off the car & restart it, and it goes away. It seems to happen more when it's cold out (i.e. when I'm more likely to need them!). It hasn't happened since last winter or spring that I can remember.

    Christina
  • jcariocajcarioca Member Posts: 5
    Hi,
    Just wanted to mention that I have not had the trademark "warning light" problem... I have noticed some jolting in the transmission when gears change and when put in reverse. The brakes do make a grunting sound when the car is still cold, but I heard that is just the fluid warming up. Outside of that, i seem to be having a clunking sound coming from the passenger rear tire area... thinking it is a bearing (going to get serviced this week)
    I guess for a car with well over 150 k on it you have to expect things to come up. Still very happy with the car overall. Just wondering if anyone has seen this problem with their 2001 VDC? Is it a bearing? Also, has anyone had the "jolting tranmission" issue looked in to? It seems that it may be dangerous, especialy in parking lots when driving slow.... sometimes it accelerates like I am giving it heavy gas when I am not even pressing the pedal. Any info would be great.
    Thanks as always,
    John
  • swbo101swbo101 Member Posts: 13
    Hello,
    The intermittent ABS and VDC lights do come on about once every two weeks now. I do like the other members who have the same problem: I patiently wait to arrive where I want to go and when I leave I'm sure those two lights won't be coming on again! If I am to travel a long distance, I park on the curbside and shut off the motor and restart it immediately. Apart from that, I hear a noise from one of the front two tires (I think one must have become unbalanced) and I hear some screech when I turn up the volume on the radio (I then shut the radio off and rapidly turn the knob both directions a couple of times and the screech goes away for the rest of the day!) Is there a product I can spray on the knob; can the button be easily pry off? Oh yeah, the front suspension is squeaking a little when you push on the front bumper. What is the average life of the shocks in kms?
  • arcodyarcody Member Posts: 1
    jcarioca:

    I don't have an answer to your problem but, have you tried:

    http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/

    there is a host of mechanically minded subaruites that can answer a miriad of questions.

    THIS is a great forum but, ultimatesubaru is a great forum also and has really helped me and my mechanic with my '96 Legacy wagon problems.

    good luck
    russell
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    Hi juice and crew,

    Haven't been here since last May when I bought front Frozen Rotors/ceramic pads for my LLBean H6. I always said I would check back in to report on the Beaner... as payback for all I learned about Subbies from you guys...

    Just passed 100K! It continues to be a flawless performer [knock on plastic wood] - definitely the most reliable car I ever bought. The Frozen Rotors from TireRack fixed the front rotor problem. I'm convinced Subaru underdesigned the front brakes... they underestimated the weight of the new (at the time) H6 and how fast some folks drive in the US... and thus brake coming off of exit ramps...

    Except for the rotors and the front gosset(sp?) wind noise, this baby is still as solid as the day I brought it home from the dealer. And it still rides like day 1 - especially when I punch it to the floor. The engine still has the same power/sound as day 1... like a jet plane kicking in. I love blowing other expensive cars off the road "that's a Subaru?"... lol Also, still gets that same Subbie smell in the rain / snow after cruising on the highway. Reassures me everything is OK and reminds me of when it was a baby...

    At the rate it is aging, I'd say it is in its 20s - destined for over 300K...

    Take care and keep up the great work!!

    Ralph
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Nice to hear from you, Ralph.

    100k is a life time for many rotors anyway, so don't sweat it.

    Brakes got bigger the year after they launched the H6, didn't they? And then again when the new models came out. Subaru at least addressed it in subsequent model years.

    -juice
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    Yes... they upped the front rotor size in 2002. Subaru seems to quickly address design issues - more so than their big brothers Toyota and Honda.

    I've had the crypto Frozen Rotors for about 15K and they seem to be holding up fine with the ceramic pads. It was worth the investment to solve the problem...

    Ralph
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Hi Ralph,

    My very early production '02 Outback (4 cyl) has the earlier, smaller '01 brakes. I thought I was buying into the upgrade, but got jipped on this item. I went Cryo slotted Frozen Rotors from Tire Rack also, but in combo with the Hawk HPS (iron-carbon) pads last Spring (about 7k miles ago for me...).

    Oddly enough, I am thinking I might go thru the 'bedding' process again. My rotors look squeeky clean again, and stopping distances / pedal effort is on the rise. As though I have somehow stripped off all the transfered material layer that makes brakes work. Very odd...

    Steve
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Strange...must've been a running change they made when they ran out of supply of the old ones.

    Then again, the PCs we buy from Dell are stranger - you never know when some of the components change. Seems like no two are exactly alike!

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    It was pretty annoying. Ordered parts for an '02, and what arrived didn't fit. Product specialist figured it out from dimensions and physical description that they matched the '01 parts.
  • kolachampagnekolachampagne Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know what the most recent year is for the outbacks with the mcintosh stereos? Thanks
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I want to say 2004, just prior to the re-design. Can anyone confirm?
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    Was on the 04 VDC. Not on 05 or later. I believe it still is available in other markets, such as Japan.
  • njjulianonjjuliano Member Posts: 83
    Hmm.. I seem to recall looking at the then new 03s and being disappointed that the 6 cd changer was not McIntosh, or was a rebadged one. And from then on, I thought they stopped that relationship. :confuse:
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    My wife's 04 VDC is McIntosh, at least thats what it says on the faceplate, and thats what the Subaru brochure for that year said.
  • mountainwalkermountainwalker Member Posts: 40
    So are brakes on 01 VDC Outbacks not as good as the brakes on 02-on? Can the 01 brakes be replaced with the larger better brakes and at what cost in parts and labor?

    I'm in the market for an 01-04 VDC edition Subaru Outback, so the question is very timely for me. Mostly looking at 01-03 years.
  • mountainwalkermountainwalker Member Posts: 40
    I'm in the market right now for an 01-04 VDC Outback - will post some of the vehicles I found with brief notes and really looking forward to your feedback - in the meantime, wanted to ask in general, would you stay away from 01, 02, 03 or 04 model years for any reason?

    I read above the 01 had smaller brakes and wondering how much this affects safety performance, and whether these can be replaced with later larger brakes and at what cost in parts and labor.

    I prefer the 6 cylinder Outback and prefer the VDC edition. Second preference would be the LL Bean H6.
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    01 are smaller diameter discs than 02. Not sure if it made a real-life difference. Don't know if you can upgrade - probably not - you'd have to upgrade all the brake components?

    All I do know is I went to Power Slot Frozen [Cryo] Rotors and ceramic pads and never looked back. It solved my problem of warped rotors - a common problem on many heavy cars...
  • otis123otis123 Member Posts: 439
    My Black LLBean has 118K - born Jan. 01, delivered Feb. 01. It has been a very reliable car and is still as tight as the day I bought it... Will probably keep it a few more years...
  • snowbeltersnowbelter Member Posts: 288
    Warped rotors were an annoyance and an expense on my wife's 00 and my 02, but the brakes on both cars worked fine. My wife's 00 had a problem with "frozen" sliders, and I recall there was a design change to deal with that the following year. That problem could be avoided with remembering to have the sliders lubricated a couple of times a year. The brakes on my wife's 04 have caused fewer problems.
  • mountainwalkermountainwalker Member Posts: 40
    Power Slot Frozen [Cryo] Rotors and ceramic pads - what do they do? How much are these to add in parts and labor?
  • mountainwalkermountainwalker Member Posts: 40
    Hi All,

    Thanks to this forum’s help, I’ve narrowed our Outback search to an H6 VDC edition, roughly 01-05 model years, and would appreciate your feedback on the following VDC vehicles we’re evaluating. I’d like to send the best 1-2 options for a thorough garage inspection right away. Which are the best 1-2 values to send for inspection? Which would you be cautious about/stay away from?

    All are supposed to be in good cosmetic condition, but can’t be sure about the mechanics until an inspection, and the cost of inspections can start to add up.

    Arranged in order of year and asking price, includes mileage and KBB and Edmunds estimates based on temporary assumption of car’s condition based on seller description (before I have inspected).

    A) 2001, Miles 130,000, Asking $8,000, Dealer seller. KBB $10,875, Edmunds $10,528, assuming good condition. Cosmetic condition looks good. Concerned the big delta between the asking price and KBB and Edmunds could mean something is seriously wrong.

    B) 2001, Miles 82,740, Asking $12,000, Individual seller. KBB $12,755, Edmunds $13,168, assuming excellent condition. Cosmetic condition looks good. Seller claims that car was always dealer serviced.

    C) 2001, Miles 60,680, Asking $12,400, Individual seller. KBB is $14,170 Edmunds $13,958 assuming excellent condition. Cosmetic condition looks good. Seller says he bought from previous owner (a son who inherited from father and didn’t need the car). Seller says he buys a few cars/year, cleans them up for resale to make a few bucks. Condition notes - small ding on driver’s side door, tiny paint scratch over rear bumper that was painted over, a little scuffing on outside of driver’s seat.

    D) 2003, Miles 74,800, Asking $14,000, Dealer seller. KBB $14,505, Edmunds $16,176, assuming good condition. Cosmetic condition looks good.

    E) 2003, Miles 65,000, Asking $15,000, Dealer seller. KBB $15,730, Edmunds $16,188, assuming good condition. Cosmetic condition looks good.

    F) 2001, Miles 61,500, Asking $16,000. Dealer Seller. KBB $14,110 and Edmunds $13,849, assuming excellent condition. Cosmetic condition looks good. Looks WAY overpriced.

    G) 2003, 46,000 miles, $17,000, Dealer seller. KBB $19,315 and Edmunds $18,186, assuming excellent condition. Cosmetic condition looks good. Has OnStar system (though could care less about OnStar).
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Get the 03+ because they're beyond the head gasket issues.

    To be honest those prices seem high to me, though.

    Only the 2003 with 46k miles would have a warranty remaining.
  • mountainwalkermountainwalker Member Posts: 40
    Thanks. I thought there was only a head gasket issue with the 4 cylinder - the VDC in those years was only available with 6 cylinder.

    You think ALL those prices are high? The 46,000 mi 2003 is $2000 below KBB, and there are several others below KBB, though I'd agree the asking prices should be lower.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Of course, I stand corrected.

    Sorry, I skipped the first part and missed that.

    No wonder the prices are higher. The VDC model was way upscale, with the fancy stereo, the H6, stability and traction control, etc.
  • fraseronlyfraseronly Member Posts: 1
    Folks, I am interested in a VDC 2002 OB Wagon, can someone confirm what the towing capacity is for that H6 is it 2000 2400 or 3000 ? when does the H6 go up in capacity, I am looking at a 1650lb camping trailer and want to know what my buffer should be. I am considering a trannie fluid cooler too. Anything else I should think about with that much towing. The current one I am looking at has 129k miles on it. When do folks usually change out the chain on the VDC ? thanks for the comments.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let's see if Bob, our resident towing expert, can chime in on what year the ratings went up. I'm sure he'll remind you that with over 1000 lbs you're supposed to have trailer brakes.

    I don't think the timing chain has a replacement interval. It should last the life of the engine. Even the belts last 105,000 miles.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Check the owner's manual, as it will be stated in there. My guess is 2000 pounds for a 2002 Outback, and yes, that's if the trailer has brakes.

    2005 and later Outback H6s can tow 3000 (H4 2700), but again with that trailer brake restriction.

    Bob
  • chengatchengat Member Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I am looking for a shop or person that could help me resolve problems with VDC on 2001 Outback Legacy VDC car.

    The symptom of the problem is the VDC and ABS light comes on. When the diagnostic code is read, it is steer wheel sensor error...

    Attempts to replace steering wheel sensor, and calibration of sensor was not successfull.

    Also, the other symptom, is that the VDC turns on when it should not turn on.
  • stoked_seekerstoked_seeker Member Posts: 1
    When I try to pull the lever, the Windshield Washer/Mist is not working. However, the washer button at end of the lever is working fine. Anybody got ideas on how to fix this and/or what the cause of the issue may be?
This discussion has been closed.