Outback 2003 break valve issues

Has anyone ever heard of break valve issues on this car before? I bought a 2003 Outback H6 about 6 months ago - it has around 29k miles on it and the VDC/ABS lights have been coming on intermittently recently. Took to the dealership and they have told me it will be around $1300 in parts alone to fix the problem (break valves?). This is apparently not covered under the 5 year powertrain warranty because it is part of the break system.

The car has never been wrecked.

Any advice? This is my first Subaru and I don't want to have a bad taste in my mouth for a car that I love.

Reply to
Cathy
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I know quite a bit about cars in general, and I have never heard of the term "brake valve," unless the term "brake proportion valve," was what was meant. I did a Google search in your behalf for "Subaru brake valve." That term was not recognized by any of the part retailers.

Regardless, there does not exist any components in any car braking system that could cost $1300 in a car with only 29K miles on the odometer. Suggest you go to a good independent auto mechanic shop that has been in business for a number of years, and ask their opinion. Avoid the chain operated stores like Midas, Firestone, Goodyear, and the like. Those stores will really over charge you for things you don't need done. The dealers (sometimes called stealers) are pretty good at that too. A dealer quoting $1300 is coming across as a stealer.

Your intermittant warning light could be due to a loose wire or a bad sensor. Those are cheap to fix.

Reply to
fish6525

Doesn't sound too familiar. That doesn't mean it isn't the ABS system. Anything COULD fail. I THINK there have been some bad alternators that can cause brake and ABS lights to illuminate, though that symptom as well as bad ABS I seem to associate with models years well before '03.

If the car drives well, perhaps spending a little at another good mechanic's for a 'second opinion' would be a good idea.

Carl

Reply to
Carl 1 Lucky Texan
  • 1 for a second opinion from a knowledgeable mechanic.
Reply to
Edward Hayes

Any chance your still within the warranty period?

Reply to
Edward Hayes

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