Error Messages and Warning Lights in Subaru Cars

Modern Subaru vehicles are pretty smart and will send you a message on the dash once something is wrong. But the messages and warnings are sometimes very misleading. And this may mean that the vehicle asks for help and we just don't understand where to look for the problem and who to ask for help.

In this article, I want to embrace all the error messages and warning lights I've reviewed in this blog and also give you links to full articles for further investigation. This will help you solve the problem on your own or, at least, spend less time and money on repairs. When you know what the problem can be, it's always easier to deal with it.

"RAB Disabled" message in Subaru

RAB stands for Reverse Automatic Braking and it's one of the safety features. It relies on several sensors that are very tender and cause a lot of issues. If you see the "RAB Disabled" message, it's very often the sensors losing calibration.

The most common reasons for this are rear-ended car, bumper hit issues, water intrusion under the rear bumper, radars getting blocked for a long time. Also, the radar themselves may actually be malfunctioning which is not a really rare thing in modern Subaru cars.

Adjusting the sensors or getting rid of the RAB problem in any other way isn't that easy. In most cases, you will need professional help with manual recalibration of the sensors.

RAB disabled message highlights:

• Common reasons:radars out of position, radars are broken, water damage, software issue
• How to fix:clean the radar area, disconnect the battery for some time, get professional help
• Possible consequences:several features won't work
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$100-$750

"Eyesight Disabled" message in Subaru

Another smart function you should know about is the Eyesight feature. This one relies on your camera and is all about your car "watching" the road ahead of the vehicle. This helps you get several important functions.

The lane-keeping assist, emergency automatic braking, collision prevention, adaptive cruise control, and other features totally rely on the camera and radar sensors. So, if the camera isn't working and you are getting the "Eyesight Disabled" message, the camera should be blocked or broken.

In most cases, this happens because of bad weather like thick fog, heavy rain, or snow. Also, if your windshield is fogged, you will see this message. The camera lens may also be fogged.

Eyesight disabled message highlights:

• Common reasons:camera blocked, bad weather, camera broken, software issues
• How to fix:clean the camera area, defog windows, wait for better weather, disconnect the battery for some time
• Possible consequences:a lot of smart functions won't work
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0-$450

"Access Key Disabled" message in Subaru

The "Access Key Disabled" message looks pretty complicated but actually, it only means that your Subaru can't "see" the proper key fob. In 90% of cases, this happens when the fob battery is dying and the signal is too weak.

Like in many Japanese cars, you may still start the Subaru by touching the engine start button with the key fob. If this doesn't work, there is a chance that the vehicle battery is dying or there are issues with the antenna that works for the keyless entry system.

Start with changing the key fob battery and then keep on with other options. Also, you may want to try the spare key fob if nothing helps.

Access key disabled message highlights:

• Common reasons:dead key fob battery, bad 12V battery, broken key fob, software issue
• How to fix:change the key fob battery, check the 12V battery, disconnect the 12V battery for some time
• Possible consequences:car will only start by touching the start button with the key
• Priority level:Medium
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$5-$300

"BSD/RCTA Disabled" message in Subaru

BSD is the Blind Spot Detection in Subaru cars. RCTA stands for Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Both systems rely on the radar sensors located behind the rear bumper. These are the faulty sensors a lot of Subarus had problems with.

They are mounted on thin metal brackets and those brackets change their shape when impacted by anything. Even if you slap your hand on the bumper, the system may get into trouble.

Unfortunately, there is no way you can adjust or calibrate these sensors on your own. So, if you see the "BSD/RCTA Disabled" error message, you may try disconnecting the battery to reset the system. If this doesn't help, head to the dealership for inspection.

BSD/RCTA disabled message highlights:

• Common reasons:misaligned radar sensors, 12V battery issues, software problems
• How to fix:disconnect the battery for some time, have the sensors' mounts replaced
• Possible consequences:several smart functions won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$1,200

"SRVD Disabled" message in Subaru

SRVD stands for "Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection". This is the system that uses rear radar sensors located behind the rear bumper and works to detect any possible threats to your car. It works with several functions such as collision prevention, adaptive cruise control, etc.

These are the same sensors that I've described before. And, most likely, your BSD and RCTA systems won't work either.

The repairs for the "SRVD Disabled" message are the same - you will need to check the rear radar sensors that are mounted on pretty thin and tender metal brackets and can easily get misaligned.

SRVD disabled message highlights:

• Common reasons:misaligned radar sensors, software problems
• How to fix:disconnect the battery for some time, have the sensors' mounts replaced
• Possible consequences:several smart functions won't work
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$150-$1,200

Lane Departure Warning in Subaru

If you see the Lane Departure Warning in your car but don't want to use this feature and it disturbs you, you may want to turn the feature off.

So, different generations and models of Subaru cars will have the lane-departure button in various places. In one case, it may be located on the steering wheel. In other cases, the button will be located near the interior lamp, on the headliner of your car.

By pressing this button, you will deactivate the Lane Departure Alert and your Subaru won't annoy you with the information that your car is changing lanes.

Lane departure warning highlights:

• Common reasons:lane departure alert is activated
• How to fix:turn off the system by pressing the button
• Possible consequences:the message may distract you from the road
• Priority level:Low
• Can you drive?Yes
• DIY repair:Possible
• Repair price range:$0

Check Engine Light flashing in Subaru

There are several possible things that the flashing check engine light may mean in your Subaru vehicle. First of all, this can be misfiring. In this case, the P0300 (or also P0301, P0302, etc.) code may be stored in the ECU.

But this may also be the problem with one of the engine sensors or timing system.

The best way to check this is to hook up a scanner to your car and see which codes the ECU stores. Even the cheapest ELM scanner for like $20 will assist you in this situation. If the flashing CEL problem can't be replicated, you need to take your car in as soon as possible.

Flashing check engine light highlights:

• Common reasons:error code stored in the ECU
• How to fix:scan for codes
• Possible consequences:engine may fail or stall
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Carefully
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$800