Unofficial - CEL/SL/Idle Issue List for FR-S/BRZ Owners

[M3power326]

so on 10/23, Newbold ordered me a new ECU. later that day they called to tell me they didn't need a new ECU, just a reflash. thennnn a couple days later, they called and said they DO need a new ECU and said they hadn't cancelled the existing order for one. tonight, 11/1, I get an email saying the ECU is in!

that's only about 1 week to get the ECU. hopefully it's the right one (manual) and fixes my weird idle/CEL/SL.

that sucks that others are waiting 3-4 weeks (and even longer) for their new ECU!

Originally Posted by M3power326

Add me to the list as well.

m3power326, 2013 FR-S, 3208 miles, 7084xx, still driving until my appt Tues when they will reflash ECU, O'Fallon IL.

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I picked up my FR-S from Newbold BMW in O'Fallon, IL on 9/7/12. CEL and TC lights came on at 3208 miles. Code pulled was p0019. All that seemed to be wrong was a weird idle with occasionally dipping down from 600-700rpms to 400ish rpms. At 3499 miles, it violently idled at a stoplight for a couple seconds almost dying out. Clutch and brake were both pushed in at the time.


10/18 (Thurs) - stopped into Scion; told them what was wrong; they said to keep driving it until the appointment

10/23 (Tues) - scheduled appt day; I was in the dealership for 2 hours; they pulled code; they said they were going to order the new ECU; they said they would call me when it came in; they called me later in the day saying they didn't need a new ECU and that they just need to reflash; I don't have time to do the reflash until next Tues 10/30.


While I was in there, they said there was another FR-S that had been in their shop and it took a whole month to fix. It was when the TSB said to replace 6 (I think) items under the hood. They said Toyota cancelled that TSB, and released the current TSB which was to replace the ECU. However, reflashing the current ECU must be what they are trying first now.

[speed-wiz]

Originally Posted by jduffy

Keep right on waiting brother, you don't want to buy this car, this is not the car you're looking for.

I disagree. Even if it is the car he is looking for and he does want to buy it, why buy one when so many people are having very serious issues that in some cases cannot be resolved?

[OmarGC]

Originally Posted by M3power326

so on 10/23, Newbold ordered me a new ECU. later that day they called to tell me they didn't need a new ECU, just a reflash. thennnn a couple days later, they called and said they DO need a new ECU and said they hadn't cancelled the existing order for one. tonight, 11/1, I get an email saying the ECU is in!

that's only about 1 week to get the ECU. hopefully it's the right one (manual) and fixes my weird idle/CEL/SL.

that sucks that others are waiting 3-4 weeks (and even longer) for their new ECU!

What color is ur car? Also mine sat up there for almost a month...

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[enigmaaron]

Originally Posted by speed-wiz

I disagree. Even if it is the car he is looking for and he does want to buy it, why buy one when so many people are having very serious issues that in some cases cannot be resolved?

If you keep waiting for the perfect product you'll never have anything. It's 5% at best people. And eventually it will get worked out. If you really want the car just get it and stop worrying about it. If shit happens, shit happens, worst case you have a crappy loaner car for a while.

[Wcmarshall]

Originally Posted by soconfoozed

Fucking. Lit up. My dash. AGAIN.

Beyond words right now.

Edit: but, as an engineer, not beyond data. 4,868 on the ODO. So, I got roughly 1,300mi of service between new ECU (811) and CEL/SL again.

Call me an eternal optimist (which I am), but this doesn't surprise me. I assume they already knew that the 811 ECU was not the fix since they are now installing the 812 ECU's. Fingers crossed that somebody with a reflashed 812 ECU does not pop the dreaded CEL/SL again.

Meanwhile I sit and wait for my new ECU. Day 27

[soconfoozed]

Originally Posted by Wcmarshall

Call me an eternal optimist (which I am), but this doesn't surprise me. I assume they already knew that the 811 ECU was not the fix since they are now installing the 812 ECU's. Fingers crossed that somebody with a reflashed 812 ECU does not pop the dreaded CEL/SL again.

Meanwhile I sit and wait for my new ECU. Day 27

Trust me, I've been waiting for this moment since I heard there was an '812 ECU.

I had a phone conversation a while ago with SoA customer service where I challenged them on this point and told them directly: manage my expectations. Is what I have really the fix, or just your best guess? Tell me now, and I'll be way less upset if it ends up not working.

No, no, this is it, it's fixed for sure.

Yeah, for sure. Thanks, Subaru!

[jduffy]

If you think this car might be the car for you, if you're waffling over getting a Focus, a Camaro, a Mustang, a whatever, I then believe it is not the car for you.

If you can't think about any other car, if this car occupies your every thought and you've read every article and thread about it from all the forums, the good, the bad and the ugly, and you're willing to put up with a manufacturer's first generation creation, hey guess what, it has to be the car for you.

If you scour the internet looking for the right color, the right version, with the options you just have to have and that car is 1,200 miles away, you scrape together every penny you have to make the wire transfer, you pay to take a day off from work, fly to the city where the car is located and drive it back yourself all night because you don't trust the car carriers to ship it to you without dinging it, then hell to the yeah it's the car for you.

If you can deal with every ding dong, knucklehead, chucklehead rolling up to you and telling you, hey it's a Subaru of course it's got all wheel drive, what no turbo it must be slow as hell, are you sure it's not the new Nissan Z, oh there's no sunroof it's not a sports car, what are those back seats for they're useless, those can't be stock wheels, ah you bought it because you like drifting huh, what no rear wing, why didn't you just get a Porsche, oh the car is so low how do you get in and out of it, don't you think you're trying too hard, how much for that car that's it damn it's cheap, ah so that's the one with all the engine problems, can I take a picture of your car, can I take picture of your car, can I take a picture of your car, the Scion looks better, if I were you I would have gotten a Vette, I'll buy the car from you right now, come on let me drive your BRZ, baby take me for a ride I love your car, so I saw your car in the parking lot and thought what a-hole bought my dream car, so you like driving fast huh, just so you know you have the hottest car in the lot no joke you have the hottest car.

Don't buy it go somewhere else.

Buy it and know what it is.

[Space Boy Matt]

Originally Posted by Space Boy Matt

Space Boy Matt, BRZ, 2050 miles, 6033xx, [status: dealer could do nothing, SOA has pulled the first TSB for this issue since it seems like it's not working, dealer could not get a hold of Subaru HQ in NJ since it is being hit by huricane Sandy atm. Dealer told me it's safe to drive with the CEL for now. {even though my engine power is now restricted due to the error} So I drove my BRZ off the lot and on my way. I will call Subaru HQ in NJ as soon as they are open again after the storm to hear what they have to say about the issue.], San Jose, Ca
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Update: (10/31/12 10am) Got a hold of Subaru HQ in NJ. They then contacted my dealer. Then Subaru HQ called me back saying that the dealership techs and the HQ techs are going to work together to form a plan for a fix. I should expect a call from someone this Friday. (???) I figure this means I've been put on the back burner since Subaru HQ is still recovering from the storm???? Idk

Update: 11/02/12 800am

Called Subaru HQ to see what the plan is for fixing my car. Rep on the phone said the “senior rep” is still on the case. According to my case file the “senior rep” has called the “upper” people in my region (a West Coast Subaru Parts Rep, a West Coast Subaru Rep, etc….) about this issue. I didn’t get to talk my “senior rep”, nor did I leave voicemail for her since I already left her a voicemail yesterday and she never called me back. I asked the rep on the phone if I should drop off my car at the dealership, he said no, the car is driveable even with the CEL.

I get the feeling Subaru HQ doesn’t want me dropping off my BRZ to the dealer because as soon as I drop it off, the clock is ticking for Subaru. If they can’t fix it within the Cali Lemon Law (30 days), Subaru has a legal problem.

I then asked the rep on the phone, since there is no answer yet should I call on Monday then to check my case’s status? He said no, my “senior rep” should give me a call when she has an answer for my issue. But if I don’t hear from her I should call back next Tuesday or Wednesday.

WTF! >_< Grrrrr……

[soconfoozed]

Originally Posted by Space Boy Matt

Update: 11/02/12 800am

Called Subaru HQ to see what the plan is for fixing my car. Rep on the phone said the “senior rep” is still on the case. According to my case file the “senior rep” has called the “upper” people in my region (a West Coast Subaru Parts Rep, a West Coast Subaru Rep, etc….) about this issue. I didn’t get to talk my “senior rep”, nor did I leave voicemail for her since I already left her a voicemail yesterday and she never called me back. I asked the rep on the phone if I should drop off my car at the dealership, he said no, the car is driveable even with the CEL.

I get the feeling Subaru HQ doesn’t want me dropping off my BRZ to the dealer because as soon as I drop it off, the clock is ticking for Subaru. If they can’t fix it within the Cali Lemon Law (30 days), Subaru has a legal problem.

I then asked the rep on the phone, since there is no answer yet should I call on Monday then to check my case’s status? He said no, my “senior rep” should give me a call when she has an answer for my issue. But if I don’t hear from her I should call back next Tuesday or Wednesday.

WTF! >_< Grrrrr……

I have a feeling I know who your reps are. It's par for the course that they not get back to you when they say they will.

[TeamSweet86]

Originally Posted by soconfoozed

Trust me, I've been waiting for this moment since I heard there was an '812 ECU.

I had a phone conversation a while ago with SoA customer service where I challenged them on this point and told them directly: manage my expectations. Is what I have really the fix, or just your best guess? Tell me now, and I'll be way less upset if it ends up not working.

No, no, this is it, it's fixed for sure.

Yeah, for sure. Thanks, Subaru!

My ecu is currently being replaced (my third one). My question was, why are we just replacing the ecu again since the last two have failed. It seems like the issue is elsewhere.

Dealer said they did not know. They are receiving their repair parts and instructions from higher up and just couldn't answer that question for me. At least they were honest, but I plan to pursue further answers whenever I get my car back.

[dawnst3ar]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

Has your state switched to winter blend gasoline yet?

...that can cause a loss in mpg.

I don't think we have winter blend here in TX. but I could be wrong. My driving habits haven't changed a bit, I CAN promise that much though...

[soconfoozed]

Call from SoA today. They got the nastigram I sent.

Will get a call on Monday to schedule their field service engineer on Wednesdsay. They're preparing repair/replacement/refund options to be delivered to me by Friday. End of my rope. They called me without even calling the dealer to pull/confirm codes. To me, this is just fundamentally fucking backwards problem solving. You're flying blind without the codes! Why call when it takes minutes to have the dealer pull out the scan tool first?

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by soconfoozed

Call from SoA today. They got the nastigram I sent.

Will get a call on Monday to schedule their field service engineer on Wednesdsay. They're preparing repair/replacement/refund options to be delivered to me by Friday. End of my rope. They called me without even calling the dealer to pull/confirm codes. To me, this is just fundamentally fucking backwards problem solving. You're flying blind without the codes! Why call when it takes minutes to have the dealer pull out the scan tool first?

Slightly off topic:

I got one slightly better when my previous car was having issues. General Motors could not even get in contact with the Service Department manager where my car was dropped off for a few days and ended up calling me back to tell me they had no luck getting in contact with him

Pathetic, isn't it with some of these companies?

[Space Boy Matt]

Originally Posted by Space Boy Matt

Update: 11/02/12 800am

Called Subaru HQ to see what the plan is for fixing my car. Rep on the phone said the “senior rep” is still on the case. According to my case file the “senior rep” has called the “upper” people in my region (a West Coast Subaru Parts Rep, a West Coast Subaru Rep, etc….) about this issue. I didn’t get to talk my “senior rep”, nor did I leave voicemail for her since I already left her a voicemail yesterday and she never called me back. I asked the rep on the phone if I should drop off my car at the dealership, he said no, the car is driveable even with the CEL.

I get the feeling Subaru HQ doesn’t want me dropping off my BRZ to the dealer because as soon as I drop it off, the clock is ticking for Subaru. If they can’t fix it within the Cali Lemon Law (30 days), Subaru has a legal problem.

I then asked the rep on the phone, since there is no answer yet should I call on Monday then to check my case’s status? He said no, my “senior rep” should give me a call when she has an answer for my issue. But if I don’t hear from her I should call back next Tuesday or Wednesday.

WTF! >_< Grrrrr……

Update: 11/02/12 300pm

Yes! Got a call from the dealer asking me to bring my car in on Tuesday morning. A regional Subaru Field Engineer is coming to look at my car. Also Subaru HQ said to the dealer their local techs are not to touch the car. Crossing my fingers that the "healing" process is beginning.