The cruise control light and brake light are blinking at the same time the traction control light and check engine light stay lit. What is causing this issue?

Asked by 2013ramexpress Apr 15, 2018 at 02:55 PM about the 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

42 Answers

Have the trouble codes read to know what is going on.

11 people found this helpful.
825

Its a common suburu thing. Whenever cruise light and check engine light blink there is an issue. There is not enough info to make a diagnosis in your question. Pull the codes and fill us in on any issues or symptoms your having.

19 people found this helpful.
530

I too have this problem, plus the AT temp light comes on. Changed the transmission oil...no light and then it comes back on/off. Took it to a Subaru dealer, couldn't really find anything as the lights were not on, figures. Try changing the ABS speed sensor, one code that came up on my reader . Anyone else have this problem

14 people found this helpful.
160

This exact same scenario happened on my 2010 Outback yesterday. I took it to Advanced auto parts . Their scan showed a faulty catalytic converter code- apparently nothing to do with the four flashing lights. The associate suggested it could be the ball bearings. And that i should avoid driving the car. Im now totally freaked out. There are no other symptoms that i can sense. Help please

16 people found this helpful.
30

The at oil temp has to do with the transmission temp sensor unfortunately is intergrated into the valve body u can’t buy the sensor separate u have to get the whole valve body

3 people found this helpful.
180

For all except AT oil temp - which is a separate issue: Re-off/on the gas cap and check battery connectors for corrosion. Disconnect/ reconnect hot battery lead will reset the lights.

18 people found this helpful.
370

For me the AT temp light and the traction control light both turn off first, then the check engine and brake turn off after a few more uses releasing the cruise control. Removing and resealing the gas cap did the trick. Not sure that the AT temp light is a separate issue in my case. The temp light came on almost immediately after starting the engine on a 17 degree evening. The oil could not possibly have been too hot, the engine wasn't even warm enough to heat the car. If anyone knows more about the AT temp light, please share.

9 people found this helpful.
80

I am currently having the exact same issue as you are explaining. What ended up happening with yours?

8 people found this helpful.
360

I am currently having this same issues on my 2012 Legacy. Car is running perfectly fine. Will try the gas cap and battery.

10 people found this helpful.
360

I checked fuses non were blown. I checked battery connection, positive had some corrosion which I cleaned up. Re-connected battery and checked gas cap. Car started up on the 2 nd try and all the flashing icons disappeared. I have not driven the car yet but will give an updated report upon driving the car.

13 people found this helpful.
360

UPDATE: upon driving the car, within 1 minute the check engine, blinking cruise and brake icons came back on. I brought to O’rellys auto parts for diagnostic. Code came back as a bad ignition coil pack. The car does seem to be misfiring at low rpms.

13 people found this helpful.
140

This thread seemed to have died a few months ago, but for anyone running into the same problem that also has symptoms of stalling when at low speeds and slow acceleration, clean your mass air flow sensor. Super easy job to do at home.

14 people found this helpful.
60

My 2012 Subaru Outback is functioning the same way. When I took my vehicle into the shop, they ran a diagnostic. My gas knob wasn’t closed tight enough. Seems a bit odd.

6 people found this helpful.
90

Exact same situation on my 2013 outback... check engine + breaks+ AT oil temp + cruise control + traction control lights additionally manual mode is not accessible nor downshift/upshift paddles are operational... reconnecting the battery has no effect for me, lights are coming back blinking immediately upon starting the car ( rested overnight - so it was really cooled )

9 people found this helpful.
120

This happened to me yesterday n my 2011 Outback it reached 103,681 miles. Check engine, brake, traction control, AT Oil Temp, cruise control all lit up. Some flashed and some were solid. I got my car towed because I didn't feel safe driving it. Once I got it home, the check engine stayed lit, brake flashed on, cruise flashed on, traction control stayed lit. We then removed the battery connectors and cleaned them. Put them on and all lights cleared. Still concerned.

12 people found this helpful.
50

2 days ago my 2013 outback - 77K miles- started in with the same issues. check engine light, traction control, AT temp, and Brake lights, no manual shift mode. Car runs well. I also have a recent exhaust leak (rear muffler(?) (single ex), which I am bringing in for repair on thursday. I'm hoping that the lights are related to that. I'll let you know

5 people found this helpful.
415

I posted this comment onto the other Subaru Outback thread, but reposting here in case if it helps anyone else. ---- 2011 Subaru Outback, 103820 miles. Purchased used from a Hyundai dealership 2 weeks ago (1 previous owner). ---- While driving 55 on the I-495 Beltway in Maryland, the Check Engine Light (solid), traction light (solid), brake (flashing), and cruise (flashing) lights came on. ---- I pulled off the interstate and found this thread. Checked the gas cap by turning off the car, tightening the gas cap, and then restarting. Same flashing lights. ---- I have a 105k appointment with a Subaru dealership this upcoming Saturday. From what I can tell from the other thread, it shouldn't be a huge issue. I'll report back with the code and anything the dealership tells me about it then. I'll ask specifically about the gas cap and the catalytic converter while there.

15 people found this helpful.
415

Hi all, just wanted to provide an update. I took it into a certified Subaru shop, and they read that the OBD was throwing a P0420 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold, with no additional codes. They recommended a full replacement of the catalytic converter, which I'm a bit hesitant to do. I'm taking it to a different shop for another opinion, as I think it might be more likely that it's a bad O2 sensor, given the mileage of the vehicle.

13 people found this helpful.
40

So has anyone had any experience with what happened after replacing an O2 sensor or catalytic converter? I just developed the same problem with my 2010 outback.

4 people found this helpful.
120

Tried to start my 2011 Subaru Legacy after driving it about 30 miles. Finally fired up after about 15 tries and got it home with brake light and cruise flashing and check engine and traction light on. Replaced spark plugs and ignition coils and all seemed fine for 2 days, then it did the same thing again. Code came back as crank sensor. $30 part, replaced in 20 minutes and all seems well so far. It does have to cycle when you restart after replacing the part. It sounded horrible and idled high and low at first, but we let it do it's thing and it evened out after a bit.

9 people found this helpful.
10

had the same in december last year ,took it for diagnosis and my Mech said it was the O2 sensor which i bought a new one,the lights disappeared and the car ran smooth untill today ,Feb 2020 when the same issue cropped up .now i dont know what next

1 people found this helpful.
150

I just got same errors today on my 2011 Outback 3.6R Limited... Replaced faulty lightbulb, made sure there were no corrosion on battery wires, unplugged battery, checked all the fluids, nothing works. I only have Cruise flashing, emergency brake, Engine check and Traction control warning lights. No AT temperature for me. Tomorrow I'm going to clean Mass Air Flow Sensor since someone said that might be an issue.as well my servo fluid is on minimum so I will top that up.. I also ordered Delphi diagnostic because I'm not going to pay for diagnostic since machine is only 50 bucks,..I will let you guys know if I figure something out,

13 people found this helpful.
150

I forgot to mention above that I have changed gas cap as well but didn't work

2 people found this helpful.
30

I am looking at a 2010 a outback for a killer deal with the same issue. Guy selling it had diagnostics run: they recommend mass air flow sensor replacement as well as catalytic converter. His shop quoted him $2000 (he’s getting gouged), which he doesn’t have so he wants out. Should I stay away, or have you guys found a fix?

3 people found this helpful.
90

My engine and skid lights are on solid and cruise and brake flash. Happened third day after leaving dealership. Called. Dealership told me common problem with subarus. Told me to tighten the gas cap. I did...all went off within several miles. Now. three years later...all lights back on, tightened gas cap, bought new gas cap, on almost 8 months, mechanic threw it on diagnostics - came up oxogen censor. Had them replace it, all lights off, now two days later its back on. Im at the point, im tired of throwing money in to keep replacing censors and have no idea what is doing this. Just going to drive it "as is" and maybe subaru might step up as to why all of us - for many different reason???? have this same problem. Is it a defect? Please guide me. I don't have finances to keep trying sensor after sensor. It is becoming frustrating.

9 people found this helpful.
90

i have a 2011 Subaru Outback and these lights all came on after I had a flat tire and had to put the doughnut on. I was going for new tires and the lights came on. Made an appointment with Subaru dealer but kept thinking what everyone was telling me. The tester said it was transmission module....had had no trouble with the tranny. Someone said catalytic converter...have plenty of power and not loud or stalling. So I found this sight and tried the gas cap. Then I took the caps off the master cylinder and then the radiator. Put all back. Lights all out. I drove 10 miles to see if they came back on. They didn't. I am a 68 year old widow and now I don't know if I fixed it or just postponed problems.

9 people found this helpful.
10

Same thing happen with my Suberu Legacy 2011. Got it all fixed yesterday then today I put the car in Reverse and my brake light staring blinking the check engine light was steady on and the cruise was blinking and traction light came on

1 people found this helpful.
40

I have had this issue for a few years—my 2013 Outback now has 165k miles. Have replaced the O2 sensor, have disconnected and reconnected the battery cable. The issue comes and goes for me and occurs whether gas tank is full or close to empty, though I notice it occurs more when it’s above 90 F outside. I have been dragging my feet on replacing the catalytic converter. Is it time to bite the bullet? It’s annoying when I want to use the cruise control and can’t. Planning to keep the car for a few more years—she’s been awesome.

4 people found this helpful.
120

In my case, 2011 Subaru Legacy...my throttle position sensor was bad. Replaced that last winter, set it properly and have had no issues since.

3 people found this helpful.
30

Having the same issue. Tracking control light stays on, brake light flashing, but cruise control works. Checked the gas cap, took battery cables on and off and cleaned posts. Removed on and off the radiator cap. Lights are still on dash, after driving or restarting a few times. Not sure what else to do. Help.

3 people found this helpful.
110

Christmas Eve here 2020. Subaru Legacy 2011. Solid Traction and Engine lights. Blinking cruise and brake lights. Looks like I will spend xmas day trying a few of the above.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Have the same issue (solid engine and traction lights, flashing cruise and break). Started happening after I would get has now just happens randomly. It has been increasing in frequency and shooting P0353 which is a generic misfire code. The gas cap thing was working but has seemed to stop working. I will try the battery thing as it is a bit corroded.

1 people found this helpful.
110

I did the gas cap/oil cap thing, topped off the brake fluid which was low, cleaned battery post as best I could without taking it off. And the lights went away for a couple hours. Made appt with Dealer. They say there is a 'split' in the PCV hose that runs from bottom of engine to the top and we will replace that next week. It has to be ordered.That is causing this they say. So I got an oil change while I was there and when I go the car back there were no lights. So in chasing this down you might want to check that hose for it's condition. I'm going to ask for my old one back when I get the repair, so I can see it for myself. Maybe I will upload a photo of it.

8 people found this helpful.
30

Same issue, Check-engine and traction light on solid, brake and cruise flashing. the lights came on during a freezing cold morning commute (7f). car seems to be running fine. I will be checking suggestions above after work.

3 people found this helpful.
70

This may be helpful to some. I had the flashing brake light, flashing cruise control and steady check engine lights on my dash. This video really helped and solved my problem. Faulty brake light switch. https://youtu.be/-inca9xpY7I

7 people found this helpful.
50

I was a commissioning engineer for over 20 years at the local power company. We had complicated systems and thousands of schematics for them. I have had the same problem as outlined above on my 2010 Outback.....but try to find a fucking schematic from Subaru...or any car company for that matter. Good Luck!!! BTW...disconnecting the battery seemed to solve the problem. I guess it performed a reset and the problem was not permanent. Not the most elegant solution, but at least the trouble lights went out.....Yesh

5 people found this helpful.
20

I just had these same problems 2 days ago. Brake light, cruise control and ABS skid lights along with check engine light. All started flashing at same time approx 20 miles after filling of gasoline. Got on web today and asked for help. Just Followed others advice. Checked fuel cap for tighteness, removed battery cable, cleaned and reconnected. Old 200,000 mile 2010 Outback drove like a new car. I love my outback!!!!!!!!!

2 people found this helpful.
20

Had the same issue, cleaned the battery terminals and all of the lights went away. Thanks forum.

2 people found this helpful.
10

My 2012 Outback started having the same issues along with radiator fans not coming on, I changed the gas cap several times. I checked and saw the battery hadn't been replaced for 5 years I changed and cleaned the terminals good and all the issues went away.

1 people found this helpful.

The same problem recently occurred with my 2014 Outback. Replaced a taillight, tightened the gas cap, and disconnected the battery for an hour. Nothing changed. Very minor corrosion on the neg battery terminal. Cleaned it thoroughly, and all the warning lights went off. That was 2 days ago. Car is still running fine. I’ll update if there is any change.

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