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

[@Art_Mighty]

Originally Posted by eurospeed

I commend you for holding out that long. I went straight to anger after the second week. Then again, the repugnant behavior of my local dealer certainly didn't help the matter.

I am actually pretty happy with the dealer. Everyone from the GM on down has been pretty good to me. Still after three weeks looking down the barrel at another 10 days at least I'm pretty livid about this. I'm not waiting quietly for 10 days for 4 O-Rings. In a world where I can spend $70.00 to overnight something from Chicago to Tokyo 10 days isn't going cut it.

They say that only the squeaky wheels get the grease. The squeaking will commence @ 9:00am sharp tomorrow morning.

[STEVEOSTI]

STEVEOSTi, BRZ, 602725, picked up Aug 17, 24hrs later after one tank of premium and 500km CEL triggered P0019. Car still not fixed and waiting on Subaru of Canada and dealership for "part". No current ETA or discription on what part is on order. Have been told car is drivable but have left it parked waiting for a fix. Not comfortable driving a brand new car with check engine light on and traction control light on constantly. No one can tell me what the issue is and I'm not confident they know what if any long term damage is happening. Not happy...

[CMOS]

1. if they do not fix the car, something is interfering in the engine and it later fails out of warranty, you just ate $5000

2. if your CEL is on, something fails, there is no CEL2

what really worries me is
1.5 if they trick the computer to ignore the code and it comes back to point 1...

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by CMOS

1. if they do not fix the car, something is interfering in the engine and it later fails out of warranty, you just ate $5000

2. if your CEL is on, something fails, there is no CEL2

what really worries me is
1.5 if they trick the computer to ignore the code and it comes back to point 1...

Why would they do that? Have you forgotten all the bully talk on this forum before the release of the car? How Toyota was coming back to sports cars in a big way and was aiming to restore their reputation with a "halo car" after all the recalls and bad p.r.? What about the years and f*cking years of r & d that went into this car that got everyone here so hot and bothered? Now, you're saying they're out to screw you over? Are they going to take the easy way out on an engine that they hope to use in other applications as well?

I like paranoia as much as the next guy, but you got nothing here. I don't object to your posts, but you got nothing.

:happy0180:

[CMOS]

Originally Posted by Marrk

Why would they do that? Have you forgotten all the bully talk on this forum before the release of the car? How Toyota was coming back to sports cars in a big way and was aiming to restore their reputation with a "halo car" after all the recalls and bad p.r.? What about the years and f*cking years of r & d that went into this car that got everyone here so hot and bothered? Now, you're saying they're out to screw you over? Are they going to take the easy way out on an engine that they hope to use in other applications as well?

I like paranoia as much as the next guy, but you got nothing here. I don't object to your posts, but you got nothing.

:happy0180:

ALL of this is speculation. I'm just cautioning you not to underestimate the self serving nature of large corporations in damage control mode. If this product has a pinto moment they have nothing more to offer and on the next try any quality issues will leave them empty. This fire didn't even start yet, consider what will happen when a big news outlet reports that 1-10% of these cars are sitting in the shop for a month or more, days or weeks after purchase (you know fine investigative journalism ...I'm kidding, shocking headline story that will sell tabloids under the tag "Toyota makes a clunker!" or "#1 name in quality vehicles makes #1 quality vehicles 90% of the time"). Do you think their priority at the moment is to make a fan belt that will last a thousand years or to get these in and out in under an hour with a complimentary oil change and a hot beverage?

[ddarko68]

ddarko68, FR-S, 175, (just picked back up from dealer AFTER they replaced my entire computer, 7072XX, 1st repair 3 weeks, now SL and CEL came on over the weekend, VA

Originally Posted by eurospeed

Folks, my goal is to document the number of owners, their mileage, status of their cars along with other pertinent info. I was planning on doing this privately in Excel, but would rather keep a running list in this thread. I feel it would be a good snapshot to help understand the severity and broad reach of this problem.

POSTING RULES
While this idle issue may manifest itself as an initial dip, please only add your name if you have experienced a combination of the check engine light (CEL) and slip light (SL) in addition to the RPM hunting at idle (often severe shaking and stalling). The code your ECU should have stored is P0019 (also optional P0017, P0018 or related cam codes).

Please post the following:
username, FR-S or BRZ, mileage of occurrence, last six of VIN (use XX for last two), duration of repair [3 weeks, in shop, etc.], location [state, country, etc.], other comments [repeat occurrence, items replaced, etc.]

Thanks everyone.

Magazines reporting the issue:
Automobile Magazine (October 2012 issue)

Forums from around the world and other related threads:
ft86club is filtering some web addresses
(please use modified address by removing spaces noted next to link)
Idle Issues in UK
Idle Issues in Australia (www. 86 forums.com.au)
FR-S on Fire in USA (possible correlation to idle issue)
BRZ CEL Idle Video (www. subarubrz forum.com) (this is how it starts and progresses)
Early FR-S Issue and Failure
Idle Issues Thread
CEL Thread #1
CEL Thread #2
CEL Thread #3
CEL Thread #4
RPM Fluctuation Thread

--------------------------

1. eurospeed, FR-S, 140 mi, 7075XX, 2 weeks - repaired, CT
2. TeamSweet86, BRZ, 20 mi, 6027XX, 3 weeks - repaired, CA
3. danthedirt, FR-S, 2000 mi, 1 week - repaired, CA
4. Hammer, BRZ, 6026XX, CA
5. LaserMon, FR-S, 22 km, Canada
6. Vracer111, FR-S, 1100 mi, CEL cleared at 1100 mi, TX
7. benzaholic, FR-S, 700 mi, 7067XX, 3 weeks - repaired, TX
8. Mr.Roboto, FR-S, 30 mi, 4 weeks - repaired, CA
9. Yruyur, FR-S, 5700 mi, repaired, AZ
10. alrashwa, FR-S, 300 mi, 7073XX, 4 weeks - repaired, WA
11. tintumz22, FR-S, 10 mi, repaired, CA
12. Scooby_South, BRZ, WI
13. soconfoozed, BRZ, 3500 mi, 601XXX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, CA
14. oxygen, FR-S, 2700 mi, 7008XX, NE
15. siXXtoes, FR-S, 7066XX, 1 week - repaired, SD
16. Shizzaw, FR-S, 200 mi, in shop, CA
17. QFry, FR-S, 230 mi, CEL cleared at 1130 mi, CO
18. amox, FR-S, 240 mi, CA
19. Vonsamhain, FR-S, 250 mi, 7053XX, repaired, CA
20. 01s0uljah, BRZ, 40 km, Canada
21. STEVEOSTI, BRZ, Canada
22. ShadowSeraph, FR-S, 1000 mi, WI
23. whiteout_fr-s, FR-S, 25 mi, catastrophic engine failure, MA
24. ubersoph, BRZ, WI
25. Stu_L_Tissimus, BRZ, NY
26. mark7s4, FR-S, FL
27. Tricky1980, FR-S, 76 mi, 7077XX, 3 weeks - repaired, IA
28. Z06tofrs, FR-S, 400 mi, 7067XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, FL
29. number1Tango, FR-S, 63 mi, 7075XX, CA
30. egraphic, FR-S, 520 mi, 7077XX, car replaced - not repaired, CA
31. whtchocla7e, FR-S, 8 mi, in shop, CT
32. bazi, FR-S, 25 mi, 7077XX, 3.5 weeks - repaired, NC
33. choi0706, BRZ, 200 mi, 6027XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, TX
34. TurnOne, FR-S, 335 mi, 7079XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, OH
35. thejevans, FR-S, in shop, MD
36. DarkSunrise, FR-S, 120 mi, VA
37. White13frs, FR-S, 1100 mi, in shop, TX
38. iheartartoo, FR-S, 110 mi, 7071XX, in shop, USA
39. Christina_Marie, FR-S, 40 mi, 7073XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, MA
40. 2000blk, FR-S, 100 mi, 7079XX, in shop, MI
41. gdi2290, BRZ, 717 mi, 6027XX, in shop, CA
42. FLASCH, FR-S, 400 mi, 7078XX, in shop, CA
43. ninetysixzee, FR-S, 2000 mi, 7026XX, CA
44. governor, FR-S, 2069 km, in shop, Canada
45. speedy_racer, FR-S, 335 mi, in shop, NC
46. SubieNate, FR-S, 100 mi, in shop, CA
47. FBaxteR-S, FR-S, 30 km, Canada
48. elchupanebre, BRZ, 470 mi, 6025XX, in shop, UT
49. griffunitt, FR-S, 150 mi, 7088XX, 3 weeks - repaired, WI
50. TemeCal, FR-S, 425 mi, 7088XX, 2nd CEL after new ECU replacement, CA
51. twinturba, FR-S, 1510 miles, 7059XX, CA
52. OmarGC, FR-S, 420mi, 7079XX, 3.5 weeks - repaired, MO
53. regal, FR-S, 20 mi, 7074XX, PA
54. pituala, FR-S, 900 mi, 7073XX, 3.5 weeks - repaired, FL
55. KingRohan, BRZ, 800 km, 6026XX, in shop, Canada
56. CharlieChaos, FR-S, 1843 mi, 3 weeks - repaired, RI
57. Ahz, FR-S, 2100 km, 7076XX, Canada
58. 714FR-s_guy, FR-S, 1500 mi, 2 weeks - repaired, CA
59. michaelshull, FR-S, 4500 mi, 7037XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, CA
60. Darweeezy, FR-S, 1200 mi, 7077XX, 3 weeks - repaired, CA
61. Ridenslide, FR-S, 10 mi, not purchased, NM
62. 86'ing, FR-S, 865 mi, in shop, LA
63. invaliduser, FR-S, 9 mi, 1.5 weeks - repaired, LA
64. Jar, FR-S. 2400 mi, 1 week - repaired, AZ
65. @Art_Mighty, FR-S, 1600 mi, 7087XX, in shop, IL
66. jesperswe, GT86, 2 weeks - repaired, Sweden
67. Chinadian, FR-S, 120 km, in shop, Canada
68. FRSjeff, FR-S, 1900 mi, 7077XX, 1.5 weeks - repaired, CA
69. pixel67, FR-S, 17 mi, 7084XX, not purchased, GA
70. RedRydr, FR-S, 900 mi, 7079XX, 2 weeks - repaired, WA
71. Books, FR-S, 1400 mi, in shop, MA
72. FT86Raven13, FR-S, 107 mi, in shop, CT
73. Eri***rummin, FR-S, 2950 mi, 2 weeks - repaired, NV
74. UbSaMrC, FR-S, 2008 mi, in shop, HI
75. NeenaChrry, FR-S, 170 mi, 7079XX, in shop, VA
76. ddarko68, FR-S, 115 mi, 7072XX, in shop, VA
77. [not on forum], GT86, 1400 km, in shop, Sweden
78. JtoshiroW, BRZ, 2400 mi, 6029XX, in shop, HI
79. Teknian_Culprate13, FR-S, 2000 mi, in shop, CA
80. phat_86, FR-S, 350 mi, 7076XX, 2.5 weeks - repaired, IL
81. ftc~brz, BRZ, 70 mi, 6032xx, in shop, MD
82. Hawaiian, FR-S, 6325 mi, IL
83. illmatic2349, FR-S, CA
84. Alienate, FR-S, 530 mi, 7092XX, in shop, NV
85. rapidcars, BRZ, 850 mi, 6029XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, NY
86. _F-R-S_, FR-S, 2700 mi, MD
87. BORGSRT, FR-S, 500 mi, vehicle caught on fire, TN
88. Sargy, FR-S, 2700 mi, 707XXX, in shop, VA
89. xomp, FR-S, 2602 mi, 7065XX, in shop, CA
90. samfrs, FR-S, 42 miles, 7076XX, in shop - multiple repair attempts, NJ
91. FRS-ti, FR-S, in shop, OH
92. TheZombi, BRZ, 500 km, in shop, Canada
93. mlrsguy1982, BRZ, 1300 mi, 3 weeks - repaired, CA
94. nutzy, BRZ, 1700 mi, in shop, MN
95. slideways, FR-S, 1250 miles, 7081XX, in shop, CA
96. miss_paula, FR-S, 1000 mi, in shop, CA
97. HATED1, FR-S, 2545 mi, in shop - multiple repair attempts, WA
98. Econn80, FR-S, 2 weeks - repaired, TX
99. schmickle, BRZ, car replaced - not repaired, CA
100. Goodguy889, FR-S, 2500 mi, 7085XX, in shop, OR
101. Tengu, FR-S, 6479 mi, 7024XX, in shop, CA
102. Dezoris, FR-S, 1076 mi, 7053XX, IL
103. Wcmarshall, FR-S, 1800 mi, 7078XX, in shop, TX
104. DrewZ926, FR-S, 1800 mi, 7074XX, TN
105. Mrc@ptuning, FR-S, 460 mi, in shop, VA
106. Aesthetics, FR-S, 3044 km, in shop, Canada
107. kreisinger87, FR-S, 1100 mi, in shop, NV
108. dawnst3ar, FR-S, 2940 mi, 7080XX, in shop, TX
109. AceNiNe, FR-S, 1500 mi, 7079XX, 2 weeks - repaired, NY
110. Oski, BRZ, 1025 mi, 6026XX, in shop, CA
111. Those_Meddling_Kids, BRZ, 2025 mi, in shop, CO
112. asloned, FR-S, 1988 mi, in shop, AZ
113. timotale, BRZ, in shop, CA
114. boonFRS, FR-S, 2600 mi, CA
115. eyebone, FR-S, 4012 mi, 7069XX, in shop, CA
116. Rob_g, FR-S, 4500 km, Canada
117. Gavin_Albright, FR-S, in shop, NC
118.
119.
120.

[Chinadian]

Got mine back on Sept 29. Drove for 100KM. So far so good.

[Sargy]

CMOS You remind me of this one person from Hondatech for some reason. Its a good thing

[KingRohan]

To OP, to update list.

Car has been repaired and back in my possesion. Received ECU and hard parts(phaser), don't have work order with exact details yet.

Subaru Canada tech had to come out to update my ECU.

[Marrk]

Originally Posted by CMOS

ALL of this is speculation. I'm just cautioning you not to underestimate the self serving nature of large corporations in damage control mode. If this product has a pinto moment they have nothing more to offer and on the next try any quality issues will leave them empty. This fire didn't even start yet, consider what will happen when a big news outlet reports that 1-10% of these cars are sitting in the shop for a month or more, days or weeks after purchase (you know fine investigative journalism ...I'm kidding, shocking headline story that will sell tabloids under the tag "Toyota makes a clunker!" or "#1 name in quality vehicles makes #1 quality vehicles 90% of the time"). Do you think their priority at the moment is to make a fan belt that will last a thousand years or to get these in and out in under an hour with a complimentary oil change and a hot beverage?

I get your point, and I have a similar fear. But there is an (equally speculative) argument to be made, the one that I made above, for them going the other way on this. We will have to see.

It wouldn't hurt if we had something other than speculation to go on. It's impossible to see anything clearly through the distortion and emotion of forums.

[jesperswe]

Found this on BRZ forum from a guy who works at Subaru.

28 of September:
I was just informed this morning by subaru that a ecm reprogram file will be available next week relating to the AVCS dtc's. That will now be the first step in the diagnostic procedure, then the replacing of corresponding/faulted sprockets and ocv's will be replaced if the dtc's continue after the reprogram. I asked for the success rate of the reprogram to repair these dtc's and they said the honestly don't know yet. :S It's still a bit of a waiting game, at least next week you will be able to approach your dealer and make something happen rather than just waiting for backordered parts.

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by jesperswe

Found this on BRZ forum from a guy who works at Subaru.

28 of September:
I was just informed this morning by subaru that a ecm reprogram file will be available next week relating to the AVCS dtc's. That will now be the first step in the diagnostic procedure, then the replacing of corresponding/faulted sprockets and ocv's will be replaced if the dtc's continue after the reprogram. I asked for the success rate of the reprogram to repair these dtc's and they said the honestly don't know yet. :S It's still a bit of a waiting game, at least next week you will be able to approach your dealer and make something happen rather than just waiting for backordered parts.

Linkage?

[whtchocla7e]

OP, please update my entry to repaired status.

They replaced the gear/sprocket and the ECU as well.
Over 800 miles on the clock now and no problems.

[Yruyur]

I have sent an email to the editors at the following publications pointing them to this thread and asking for their help in get some answers from Toyota:

Car and Driver
Consumer Reports
Edmunds
Automobilemag
The Auto Channel
topspeed
Oncars
Autonews.com
Autoblog.com
thedetroitbureau.com