I had the TCV go out on my 2019 Forester back in late November 2023. I was bringing my daughter home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday. The college is about 100 miles from home. On the way back, the dash light up like Christmas, power was reduced significantly where the vehicle would not get over 10 MPH. All safety features were disabled. Luckily we had pulled off the interstate and were in a town with a Subaru dealer which was close to where we were. Had the vehicle towed and found out it was a failed TCV. My Forester was outside the warranty coverage period so I ended up shelling out over $1700 to get it fixed. Money I did not have. Thankfully the dealership put us in a loaner car for 10 days until it could get fixed. Today I got a letter from SOA indicating that the warranty on the TCV would be extended. Too little too late for me since I already paid to have it fixed. However, there is a process to get reimbursed for the repair cost which will take 30 days. Let's just hope I get every cent back on the repair and they don't nickel and dime me. I will seriously consider joining the class action suit if I am not financially whole from SOA!
subaru has extended my warranty but this does help - I am handicapped and if the valve fails in middle or AZ in summer - well you can imagine. Subaru needs to perform a recall and fix the problem, not wait for an accident happen.
I have a Forester 2020. The engine light two weeks ago was on and the dealer said it is valve's issue. They replaced it. Tonight, the light is on again. Exactly same symptom as last time. So disappointed by Subaru. From an owner whose family has 6 Subaru cars.
Ouch. It appears that assembly was underengineered, but apparently they improved it. Another reason I'm glad I bought a 2018 Forester. No stop/start tech, no pita special battery, no direct injection issues, no goofy taillights, and more.
The TCV on my 2020 Forester has been replaced under warranty. Your engine won't overheat unless if fails closed. My failed open and I was able to drive it 250 miles across the desert including pulling the grade from Kingman to Flagstaff to a Subaru dealer to get replaced. No overheating issue at all.
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained.
Mine was fixed free at the dealer due to the extended warranty for the defective part. Didn't pay for anything, even got a loaner from them hope they didn't use the same defective part to replace mine.
I'm having this issue with 2022 Subaru Impreza premium hatchback with 112k miles. my radiator hose upper radiator hose busted and i replaced the hose, thermostat and water pump still overheating hope its not blown head gasket which Subaru said it would be 9.5k to replace as most of it is all labor costs. what can i do since my extended warranty ended at 75k miles.
Have this issue with my car 2020 subaru legacy, brought the car to the dealer and explained to them my temp gauge goes up and down every time the vehicle rpm goes up, they flushed the coolant and test drove my car for over 3 miles which is very far and every technician couldnt point out that the gauge was going up and down in a span of 3 months total, mean while it takes me 2 seconds to replicate the issue, they just kept it pushing it aside and naming different parts. The rental the dealer gave me that was one year newer and only 2000 miles already had the same issue, now past 2 years my car sounds worst and the problem is worst and i still havent heard from nobody at subaru (manager & engineer) besides the FU extended warranty on this part
My 21 forester dash lit with multi lights and dealer told me to change spark plug and the lights are still coming on despite changing spark plug. Now I feel like its the overheating of the engine and TCV problem. I hope it won't destroy my engine before they replace it.
What's wrong with the tried-and-true mechanical thermostat that has worked fine for decades and is cheap/easy to repair? Another case of 'if it ain't broke, we'll break it anyway'. This is why we drive clean older Subarus. I can do anything on these older cars, dealer be damned. Overly-complex newer cars are clearly a case of diminishing returns from more complex technology.
@@mycarvoice We recently purchased a 2006 LL Bean Outback H-6 with 115K miles, no rust at all (one owner in N. GA,, garage/dealer kept). Seller had a hard time getting rid of it because of a big clunking noise in the front. I found the cause right away - wait for it ..... worn sway bar links. THE HORROR! i put a few hundred in it: those links, some other bushings, change all fluids, belt and tensioner..... SWEET! The deals are still out there if you pay attention and are patient.
At 77k miles (2 days ago), my 2019 forester has a P26A3. Actually, prior to this, I had filled my tank and forgot to put the gas cap back on. I was distracted. Anyway, I drove about 15 miles, and when I went to open the back, I noticed the cap off. I closed the gas cap and about a mile down the road, my check engine light came on. Reader show P26A3 code. Is it a coincidence that this happened?
The TCV on my 2019 Forester was just replace on Oct 23, 2024 under warranty but the Scarborough Subaru (in Toronto) insisted in charging me 30 min labour b/c they said the PCM needed to be re-programmed after the TCV is replaced. I took this issue up to Subaru Canada and it is being looked into. I know for a fact that people with TCV issue had it replaced free of charge and did not need to pay for this labour earlier.
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained
Why wouldn't Subaru do a recall and all of their car that has the same parts that cause this failure instead of extending the warranty and put drive and passenger at risk on the road.
I have a 2020 Subaru Forester. Check engine light went off at 39K recently and it was due to this specific issue. Luckily, my dealer told me it was covered under warranty. I live in a cold area, had no heat for a couple days. I would have been VERY upset had I had to pay for this repair. I bought the Forester specifically because Subaru is known for its reliability and I had just had 2 cars back to back that ended up on the Consumer Reports worst used cars list (2012 Hyundai Sonata and 2012 Kia Optima. ) And they lived up to that designation, believe me!
Actually for the most part it's the latest Subaru model years that have better reliability, and not all of them at that. One thing about Subarus is that they are alot easier to repair than many other cars, especially my Honda, which is difficult to replace even the headlight bulbs.
I unhooked the battery and the eyesight, check engine lights went off for a day then came back on the next day. Autozone shows P26A3 and C1921. I have a 2021 Subaru Forester Premium with 90k miles. I set up an appointment with the dealership and they said since the check engine light is not flashing, I can still drive it. The car seems to run fine since 5-18-24 when the light came on.
2021 certified preowned outback -I’ve had for 6 months. the battery had to be replaced twice in the first month- this is another major known issue! Currently less than 20k miles. Last week it absolutely and suddenly died in the middle of traffic in midtown Manhattan due to the thermo control valve - I got a Subaru for reliability and it’s the worst car I’ve ever had. Livid about being stuck with this lemon
Just got this replaced/repaired on my 2020 forester premium. Dealership took care of the maintenance and cost and relatively was a quick fix as I got my car back in like 2 -3 hours time.
Subaru Outbacks in Australia are manufactured in Japan. I called Subaru Australia today and they informed me that they are not aware of any TCV problems in Australia. Nonetheless, I will ask Subaru to check the TCV in my vehicle at the next service and have something in writing from them.
Pitiful. I used to be amazed how I could take my 2005 Outback XT and 2011 Forester XT through the deepest beach sand in July and August and never have a cooling problem like other trucks. I wish the brand would go back to those drive systems and design.
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained.
My 21 Forester has just displayed these errors today, unfortunately it is the weekend. I will need to see a Subaru dealership and get this fixed. Still under 27k so hopefully it is covered but a class action lawsuit should be initiated in Australia if this is a know problem and people's lives are being put at risk.
Going through this now. Third time Subaru owner but looking at what to trade in for. My Outback only has 21 k miles.Popped windshield for no reason, now this TCV nightmare. I will get rid of this one as fast as I can. Done with Subaru. They have really gone downhill. My first one lasted 16 years with no major repairs. What happened to Subaru??
I love my Subaru but i need a reliable car. I got to go back to Toyota. Shame on Subaru!! I called and asked if it was possible to get the part replaced before my Crosstrek have that issue and the Subaru lady told me in a very nonchalant manner that I had to wait until it goes bad. This issue should be a recall!! It sounds like is not an "if" but more like a "when" the tcv goes bad 🙄
I was about to buy a 12month old Outback but after dealership wouldn’t acknowledge any issues with this part I changed my mind. Sadly I won’t be buying a Subaru 😢
I was going to purchase a new Subaru...I'm now turned off...Will look for a different brand completely...disgusting design on what was a great car...Sad
👉Full lawsuit details here: mycarvoice.com/news/subaru-thermo-control-valve-lawsuit-key-facts-and-driver-impact/
I had the TCV go out on my 2019 Forester back in late November 2023. I was bringing my daughter home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday. The college is about 100 miles from home. On the way back, the dash light up like Christmas, power was reduced significantly where the vehicle would not get over 10 MPH. All safety features were disabled. Luckily we had pulled off the interstate and were in a town with a Subaru dealer which was close to where we were. Had the vehicle towed and found out it was a failed TCV. My Forester was outside the warranty coverage period so I ended up shelling out over $1700 to get it fixed. Money I did not have. Thankfully the dealership put us in a loaner car for 10 days until it could get fixed. Today I got a letter from SOA indicating that the warranty on the TCV would be extended. Too little too late for me since I already paid to have it fixed. However, there is a process to get reimbursed for the repair cost which will take 30 days. Let's just hope I get every cent back on the repair and they don't nickel and dime me. I will seriously consider joining the class action suit if I am not financially whole from SOA!
Glad to hear you were able to pull off the road safely. This is one of those defects that has the potential to leave you stranded.
50K 2020 Forster. Waiting for thermostat replacement under warranty as well.
subaru has extended my warranty but this does help - I am handicapped and if the valve fails in middle or AZ in summer - well you can imagine. Subaru needs to perform a recall and fix the problem, not wait for an accident happen.
No accident concern. But certainly a potential issue if being stranded. But most that fail are drivable just fine
I have a Forester 2020. The engine light two weeks ago was on and the dealer said it is valve's issue. They replaced it. Tonight, the light is on again. Exactly same symptom as last time. So disappointed by Subaru. From an owner whose family has 6 Subaru cars.
I have the 2020 Forester, did they end up fix it again?
@@buddha4957 the second time, the dealer says we didn't close gas cap properly although we are pretty sure we turned it tightly.
Ouch. It appears that assembly was underengineered, but apparently they improved it. Another reason I'm glad I bought a 2018 Forester. No stop/start tech, no pita special battery, no direct injection issues, no goofy taillights, and more.
The TCV on my 2020 Forester has been replaced under warranty. Your engine won't overheat unless if fails closed. My failed open and I was able to drive it 250 miles across the desert including pulling the grade from Kingman to Flagstaff to a Subaru dealer to get replaced. No overheating issue at all.
Gee, you are lucky.... I know that stretch of road....
Dealing with this now. I’m livid because of how much it’s going to cost for repair!
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained.
My 2021 Crosstrek has 82,000 KM and just had the TCV issue. It's being repaired under warranty and I didn't purchase any extended warranty.
@@a.m.creativhow are you not out of warranty?
@@laurenmcnulty8687 They are putting it under the 5 year/100 KM major component warranty
Mine was fixed free at the dealer due to the extended warranty for the defective part. Didn't pay for anything, even got a loaner from them hope they didn't use the same defective part to replace mine.
I had same problem 2019 Forester, around 80k miles, at 2023. dealer charged retail parts cost of around $700. this should been recalled item.
Contact Subaru they will refund the cost.
75K Forester Sport 2020 and I got the warning and lights. Vehicle will be towed tomorrow to the dealership, will see how it goes
I'm having this issue with 2022 Subaru Impreza premium hatchback with 112k miles. my radiator hose upper radiator hose busted and i replaced the hose, thermostat and water pump still overheating hope its not blown head gasket which Subaru said it would be 9.5k to replace as most of it is all labor costs. what can i do since my extended warranty ended at 75k miles.
Have this issue with my car 2020 subaru legacy, brought the car to the dealer and explained to them my temp gauge goes up and down every time the vehicle rpm goes up, they flushed the coolant and test drove my car for over 3 miles which is very far and every technician couldnt point out that the gauge was going up and down in a span of 3 months total, mean while it takes me 2 seconds to replicate the issue, they just kept it pushing it aside and naming different parts. The rental the dealer gave me that was one year newer and only 2000 miles already had the same issue, now past 2 years my car sounds worst and the problem is worst and i still havent heard from nobody at subaru (manager & engineer) besides the FU extended warranty on this part
Sorry to hear this, must be frustrating.
My 21 forester dash lit with multi lights and dealer told me to change spark plug and the lights are still coming on despite changing spark plug. Now I feel like its the overheating of the engine and TCV problem. I hope it won't destroy my engine before they replace it.
How many miles does the car have?
@@mycarvoice 60k
I am having this problem now on my 2020 forrester with 51 thousand miles...
Outback with 34,500 miles. In the shop right now
What's wrong with the tried-and-true mechanical thermostat that has worked fine for decades and is cheap/easy to repair? Another case of 'if it ain't broke, we'll break it anyway'.
This is why we drive clean older Subarus. I can do anything on these older cars, dealer be damned. Overly-complex newer cars are clearly a case of diminishing returns from more complex technology.
You hit that nail on the head.
It seems older Subaru’s are in high demand these days. Even with fender rust!
@@mycarvoice We recently purchased a 2006 LL Bean Outback H-6 with 115K miles, no rust at all (one owner in N. GA,, garage/dealer kept). Seller had a hard time getting rid of it because of a big clunking noise in the front. I found the cause right away - wait for it ..... worn sway bar links. THE HORROR!
i put a few hundred in it: those links, some other bushings, change all fluids, belt and tensioner..... SWEET!
The deals are still out there if you pay attention and are patient.
Fleece the people…thats why
The thermocontrol valve allows for rapid warmup and better cooling. It's better technology, just maybe not as reliable.
At 77k miles (2 days ago), my 2019 forester has a P26A3. Actually, prior to this, I had filled my tank and forgot to put the gas cap back on. I was distracted. Anyway, I drove about 15 miles, and when I went to open the back, I noticed the cap off. I closed the gas cap and about a mile down the road, my check engine light came on. Reader show P26A3 code. Is it a coincidence that this happened?
The TCV on my 2019 Forester was just replace on Oct 23, 2024 under warranty but the Scarborough Subaru (in Toronto) insisted in charging me 30 min labour b/c they said the PCM needed to be re-programmed after the TCV is replaced. I took this issue up to Subaru Canada and it is being looked into. I know for a fact that people with TCV issue had it replaced free of charge and did not need to pay for this labour earlier.
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained
Wanting to address this today - do you mind linking the video?
Why wouldn't Subaru do a recall and all of their car that has the same parts that cause this failure instead of extending the warranty and put drive and passenger at risk on the road.
You didn't have to replace Fuel Line PIPE AY-FUEL DLVY part 17540AA460 as TCB suggests?
I have a 2020 Subaru Forester. Check engine light went off at 39K recently and it was due to this specific issue. Luckily, my dealer told me it was covered under warranty. I live in a cold area, had no heat for a couple days. I would have been VERY upset had I had to pay for this repair. I bought the Forester specifically because Subaru is known for its reliability and I had just had 2 cars back to back that ended up on the Consumer Reports worst used cars list (2012 Hyundai Sonata and 2012 Kia Optima. ) And they lived up to that designation, believe me!
2020 Outback with 40k miles and it threw a check engine light. $1400 bucks 😵💫
Actually for the most part it's the latest Subaru model years that have better reliability, and not all of them at that. One thing about Subarus is that they are alot easier to repair than many other cars, especially my Honda, which is difficult to replace even the headlight bulbs.
@ozzierabbit587 This is true. The boxer engine is relatively easy to work on.
Is the Thermo Control Valve also called Coolant Bypass Valve?
Yes
No, engine coolant bypass valve is not the same, engine coolant bypass valve goes through the top head of engine
Look at a diagram, it will make more sense .
I unhooked the battery and the eyesight, check engine lights went off for a day then came back on the next day. Autozone shows P26A3 and C1921. I have a 2021 Subaru Forester Premium with 90k miles. I set up an appointment with the dealership and they said since the check engine light is not flashing, I can still drive it. The car seems to run fine since 5-18-24 when the light came on.
Has the fix that began in 2022 and after truly fixed the problem?
You say that only 2019-2021 models are effected. From my research I found out the TCM valves still come Subaru engines up to 2025.
Yes, but uses the redesigned TCV.
The 2023 Crosstrek Limited is not affected.
Just called my dealership and Subaru has extended the warranty to 150k for certain Vins.
what did you ask your dealership and what issues are you having with your Subaru and which model?
Really mine went and they said nothing and now something is wrong with the wiring since they fixed
2021 certified preowned outback -I’ve had for 6 months. the battery had to be replaced twice in the first month- this is another major known issue! Currently less than 20k miles. Last week it absolutely and suddenly died in the middle of traffic in midtown Manhattan due to the thermo control valve - I got a Subaru for reliability and it’s the worst car I’ve ever had. Livid about being stuck with this lemon
Most likely the battery drain problems is due to the issue outlined in this settlement: mycarvoice.com/news/subaru-battery-drain-settlement/
@@mycarvoice - No, that was only up to 2020; his is a 2021.
You are correct, thank you for the comment.
Only on 2.5??
Correct.
Just got this replaced/repaired on my 2020 forester premium. Dealership took care of the maintenance and cost and relatively was a quick fix as I got my car back in like 2 -3 hours time.
The description of affected vehicles is very misleading, it is only the 2.5 engine, and is much broader range than 2019-21.
Have mine replaced today because it went 2 weeks ago
Are you having the same issues after they replaced it?
@@buddha4957 so far no its been fine
Subaru Outbacks in Australia are manufactured in Japan. I called Subaru Australia today and they informed me that they are not aware of any TCV problems in Australia. Nonetheless, I will ask Subaru to check the TCV in my vehicle at the next service and have something in writing from them.
Pitiful. I used to be amazed how I could take my 2005 Outback XT and 2011 Forester XT through the deepest beach sand in July and August and never have a cooling problem like other trucks.
I wish the brand would go back to those drive systems and design.
Shouldnt they just do a mass recall?
I’m having this problem now 2020 outback 65k
I just DIY it myself. The valve, intake manifold gasket and a gallon of blue coolant are $350. No need to buy any other parts. Minimal tools needed, 12mm and 10mm wrench and sockets, flat head screwdriver, pliers and an adjustable wrench for the gas line. It’s a medium difficulty job but take your time and be patient. It’s doable. All codes go away when you start up the car. You do need a no spill funnel to top off coolant. There is a youtube video done by @chaosexplained.
I had two replaced under power tran warranty on my subaru Forester 2020
My 21 Forester has just displayed these errors today, unfortunately it is the weekend. I will need to see a Subaru dealership and get this fixed. Still under 27k so hopefully it is covered but a class action lawsuit should be initiated in Australia if this is a know problem and people's lives are being put at risk.
Best of luck, and keep us posted.
Is the redesigned TCV in 2025 model reliable? Too early to tell? Was set on grabbing a 2025 outback...
2025 should be good.
Does this apply to Ascent?
Currently, it does not.
The Outback 2019 has no TCV. The 2019MY was the last year of the 5th generation, so the 6th gen Outbacks are the ones with the defective component.
Going through this now. Third time Subaru owner but looking at what to trade in for. My Outback only has 21 k miles.Popped windshield for no reason, now this TCV nightmare. I will get rid of this one as fast as I can. Done with Subaru. They have really gone downhill. My first one lasted 16 years with no major repairs. What happened to Subaru??
It’s unfortunate to hear this, but understand your frustration.
Just traded in my Outback for a Lexus. No more Subarus for me.
Fighting this battle rn on my 2021 Suburu Crosstrk at 33K mi’s
Getting the control valve replaced on my 2019 forester right now 😢
Keep us posted on status.
Mine (19'forester ) just went on me right now at 77k
What about 2023 and 2024?
Just have this error - engine is too cool, valve stays open
Doesn’t apply to turbo models.
I have a 2022 crosstrek 2.0 6 speed manual, is my subject to this?
If you find out, let us know. Was wondering this myself.
No it is not, only 2.5.
Didn’t they update the part for 2025 models?
I love my Subaru but i need a reliable car. I got to go back to Toyota. Shame on Subaru!! I called and asked if it was possible to get the part replaced before my Crosstrek have that issue and the Subaru lady told me in a very nonchalant manner that I had to wait until it goes bad. This issue should be a recall!! It sounds like is not an "if" but more like a "when" the tcv goes bad 🙄
Is there something that can be done to mitigate this before failure
Not to our knowledge, no.
I was about to buy a 12month old Outback but after dealership wouldn’t acknowledge any issues with this part I changed my mind. Sadly I won’t be buying a Subaru 😢
This is why we create these videos, to protect consumers like yourself.
136k on my 2020 outback. just went out.
Yup @ 67k
Mine just wen my bad at 77k miles ):
should just use a standard thermostat
Subaru has to quit this gadget obsession. Sometimes the old simple ways are the best way,
Had a 2019 Outback, no issues at all. Now have a 2023 as I was so impressed with the last one.
OOPS! Glad my Crosstrek is a 2018 model. Awesome small car that is fun to drive.
I was going to purchase a new Subaru...I'm now turned off...Will look for a different brand completely...disgusting design on what was a great car...Sad
I’m having this problem now 2020 outback 90k