Help! My 2009 Wagon Can't Drive in the Rain!

majorca

I realize this sounds unbelievable, but during the last three major downpours out here in Oregon when I just happened to be on a major highway, all of a sudden it would feel like I was hydroplaning. Even at at a very slow speed, the traction light would come on immediately and the wheel would start pulling side to side as if I might spin around and do a 360. In short, the most terrifying highway driving I've ever done, even in major snowstorms in the midwest with front wheel drive. The traction control right stayed red the entire time even when I left the expressway and this last time I tried to get into the dealer right away. Of course they wouldn't take me until 2 days later. By that time, the light was off. They ran the system through the computer and the codes showed nothing so they're telling me there's no problem. It's done this three times now. I'm at the end of my rope. It only has 16K miles on it. I feel like I've got a real lemon.

xwesx

Are the tires original equipment? The car did come with truly crappy tires (Bridgestone Potenza RE-92A), so it may very well be that the car is hydroplaning. I would try putting some decent tires on it to see if that will resolve the problem.

At least your car does have VDC. If the car is losing traction that badly, you could well have lost control of it in high speed situations without the electronic nanny.

saedave

The described behavior sounds to me more like an electronics failure than a tire problem. I hope he has notified Subaru formally in a registered letter. If the description is accurate, the car should not be on the road.