2006 Subaru Outback review from North America

While on a 2,000 mile trip this summer (2009), the check engine light came on and the cruise control light started flashing. I had 70 miles on a new tank of gas and figured the check engine light was due to the gas cap no being tight enough.

I called the closest dealership and they said to redo the gas cap and everything should be fine in four cycles. A cycle is when the car is up to running temperature and then cools down to ambient temperature.

The next day I stopped to get gas, but had a hard time filling the tank. I had to dribble the gas into the car. It would only take about 1/3 of a gallon at a time. So I called the next closest dealership.

They told me the solenoid valve in the gas tank was bad and that it would need to be replaced. Essentially, the tank closed off and I could only get gas into the connection between the opening and the tank, then the gas would trickle into the tank.

My options were to go to a dealership and get the solenoid valve replaced or I could continue to drizzle gas into the tank and replace the solenoid when I returned home -- which is what I did.

The check engine light stayed on the whole trip because of the faulty solenoid valve, and I couldn't use the cruise control because it won't work if there is a detected problem, but the car worked fine and I had no problem otherwise.

This solenoid valve problem seems to be uncommon, but if it happens to you, don't panic. Just have patience at the gas pump!

This is my third Outback. I am not very happy with how Subaru handled the head gasket problem on the 1998-2002 2.5 engines, but not mad enough to go to another make of car.