mine doesn't do that.

 

I have never seen it say it's off other than perhaps at initial startup while everything is booting up. There must be something unique that is happening while you are driving that is causing this, any ideas of what that might be? Or perhaps if there is an intermittent connection somewhere, is this happening on a particular bumpy stretch of road?

 

I just took It out for a short drive and it didn’t do that. Before the drive I noticed that my tire pressures were 40-41 so I brought them down to the correct 35 front and 33 rear. Could incorrect tire pressures have caused it? The vehicle is only a couple weeks old so the dealer didn’t verify that tire pressures were correct.

 

The Subaru Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) is a form of electronic stability control. This advanced active safety system utilizes a network of sensors to monitor wheel speed, steering wheel position, yaw rate and lateral acceleration. More info here:
VDC

 

You can turn off vdc in the infotainment but it appears your not doing that. I believe the main sensor vdc uses is the abs sensors along with the gyroscopes. It should not normally turn off, keep an eye on it, video it if it turns off and bring it to the dealer. A code might be stored that the Subaru scan tool can read

 

The only documented issue that causes VDC to spontaneously turn off is this one:

ECU Reprogramning Recall

Anyone seen anything on this? Or has anyone like Carl mentioned anything? Recall Notice: ECU Reprogramming C1424: In some vehicles, the current software may cause the sub learning value control to operate improperly during the wake-up mode of the ECM. This could cause repeated erroneous...

www.subaruoutback.org

In some vehicles, the current software may cause the sub learning value control to operate improperly during the wake-up mode of the ECM. This could cause repeated erroneous learning of the accelerator position which can result in the disabling of the VDC function. When the VDC function is disabled, EyeSight, Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB), and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) auto release functions are disabled by the VDC fail signal causing the VDC, EyeSight, RAB and EPB warning lamps to illuminate.

Is it only the VDC light illuminating, or the others as well?

In any case, document this problem (video your dash if possible to do safely - maybe a passenger?) and take it to the dealer. If VDC is intermittently turning itself off it's a potential safety problem.

 

The VDC is “on“ in the infotainment screen. In the manual it says “if the warning light illuminates during driving, but turns off immediately and remains off, the VDC system may be considered normal.” During driving i occasionally get the “off” message once in a while but it goes away quickly. I’ll talk to the dealer. Thanks for all the reply’s though.

 

It’s only the VDC illuminating.

 

I would still raise it to the dealer this way they document it happening. I have 176k on my 2015 legacy and now 2k on my 2020 outback and have never had the vdc randomly turn off

 

I’ll definitely check with the dealer.

 

VDC off its only if there is some problem, maybe your brake pads are gone or they almost gone, check those. or some other problem. overheating puts VDC off too. i had that experience so i know.

 

Vehicle only has 220 miles on it.

 

it cant be off normally , its on when something slippery is there, but not off light. Are you sure its shows OFF ? can you show how it looks ? take pic with phone and post it here or something

 

 

I am getting this same error light on my 2020 Outback Limited. The light appears in the Center Information Display between the two cluster gauges. It is white color and shows for about 2 secs white the two yellow indicator lights in the windshield display light up and a chime bing sound. It has been to my dealer two times to diagnose and they can not determine the issue. It is frustrating that it continues to do this and doesn't matter if it is on highway or winding road. I even took the service technician on a ride and it failed three times with him in the car. The service tech says that having the Steering response control on and the Vehicle Dynamic Control is on at same time is causing the issue. He recommended that I turn off VDC function in the car settings each time. That is not solution for me, because it will turn back on at each start up. I don't want to do this because Subaru should not have made this vehicle with the functions if they can not be used at same time. I continue to complain to my service advisor to no avail. The next thing they want to try is to re-calibrate the eyesight camera system.

Has the original poster of this issue had it taken care of ?

 

I just see that for a second occasionally, then it goes away.

 

It could be something like a wheel speed sensor giving an error or some other condition that affects the ability of VDC to do what it's supposed to do.

 

Basic question. I have seen VDC/Traction control come on on my car when for example one of the wheels was on gravel and slips while the other three wheels are on harder surfaces. This happens with me when taking a turn and cutting the corner. Can you correlate any such changes in terrain with when the light comes on?

 

No correlation that I can think of. As I mentioned earlier the tires were all overinflated from the dealer, 40-41. Could that have caused it. On my short drive today I didn’t get the off message.

 

I’ll let you know if inflating to the proper psi fixes it. I’ve just been taking short drives to the high school track for a little exercise.

 

thinking of that last statement I would disconnect a battery terminal for 2 minutes or so. Then put back and see if it happens again. Better than a dealer trip and know one needs to know.

 

There are two warning lights related to VDC. One is the VDC light itself, and the other, separate indicator is the VDC OFF light.

It sounds like it is the VDC OFF light that is coming on occasionally for the OP, but that wasn't totally clear. The VDC OFF light should only light up temporarily when the car is started, OR, if VDC has been intentionally turned off. Other times it lights are indications of some issue, which may or may not be due to a temporary condition.

The main VDC light is designed to flash if the VDC system is engaging (i.e., providing traction control or other functions), such as in a skid, or if accelerating on loose surfaces, etc. Of course, if it lights up when nothing should be happening, that can indicate a problem of some kind, as well.... The owner's manual does say that the VDC light may take a little while to turn off, after a start-up, if it is cold outside. Also, other issues, such as an ABS problem, will also cause the VDC light to come on permanently. CEL's can also cause the VDC light to come on (and stay on).

In any case, my main point was that it is important to distinguish between the VDC light, and the VDC OFF light.

 

I’m sorry but I disagree as my experience is the vehicle dethrottles....not suggesting it has anything to do with staying planted, controllable or the AWD.

 

Not all VDC is the same. Subaru's VDC deals very well with slippery conditions like deep snow, as well as dry pavement.

Subaru VDC in snow:

Subaru VDC in dry:

 

Depending on the situation, yes, the ECM will change timing and fuel, the TCM may unlock the TCC, it may keep it locked and the ABS will activate at the wheel losing traction. All this is done in conjunction and results are dependent on the operator; the braking, steering and panic state.

With my VDC and the Outback R, I know I can run through water that's on the road, maybe one side of the lane, or all across the lane, at 80 mph, and the VDCCM will react because of the hydroplaning wheel(s). I won't lose speed. I won't lose forward direction. I feel it when it does it, but it doesn't shut the car down.

With all the Subarus I have now, VDC, Outback R, Impreza and a Forester, last one is getting an engine in it today, if I make an abrupt lane change, like running a slalum course, wet or dry, the car maintains the direction I am aiming it. Both H6 cars really keep to the road. The Impreza is so nimble, I don't think anything could make it lose control. It's like driving a go-kart. I have slid it sideways once, though, doing a lane change coming on an on ramp at 60 mph and the nut in front of me decided he/she needed to brake all the sudden. I didn't get off the fuel though; I kept it hammered once I started the maneuver.

Your results may vary. (ref. panic state)

 

not talking about a slalom or serpentine maneuvers depicted in the video.... my experience is it de-throttles during a hard evasive turn or change in direction..... not challenging handling or maneuverability whatsoever. if it didn't do it , I wouldn't have made mention.

 

my experience is it de-throttles during a hard evasive turn or change in direction

 

I thought hypermilers like you drove like grannies? Surprised Eyesight is intervening - or have you completely gone over to the dark side?

 

Hyper milers brake late and wait till the last second to save on accelerating again in case the car in front moves again

 

Step 4 Spacer?!?

Yeah OB is a cruiser for sure and thats perfectly fine. For me, its there to lug my snow and camping gear when we get away from the city, thats all.

The ole WRX days were fun and I had a ball with my buddys car but don't envy him waiting a minute each and every time for his turbo to cool down before he can switch off the engine. Those were the days. From the YT reviews I have seen it looks like Subaru has really toned down the Imprezza WRX a lot. I did talk to my CFO about the WRX many years ago but it's just impractical for us and shes scared of the tickets...

 

My Mom's new 2022 does exactly this same thing as described 2 posts above. "I am getting this same error light on my 2020 Outback Limited. The light appears in the Center Information Display between the two cluster gauges. It is white color and shows for about 2 secs white the two yellow indicator lights in the windshield display light up and a chime bing sound." Just wondering if there has been any follow up since the last posts 2 months ago. Thanks!

 

No follow up because Subaru can not fix the issue. My dealer continues to diagnose but it is frustrating because they dont know what they are doing and keep guessing on what the problem is because they have not seen this before. Each time they keep the vehicle for a full day and will say can't recreate or no trouble codes showing. yet if I take the service advisor or I have taken a tech out for a drive and had them see the issue occur. they say they are stumped. I have just ended up ignoring it and can only pray that it will not cause me an accident. My car is 2020 Outback Limited and only has 3,600 miles on it.

 

Thanks PDAY5713,

I think we're in the unlucky club with you. My Mom's car has under 1000 miles on it. I notice this tends to happen in the same places we drive frequently where there is a slight bump in the road, or a slight depression in the pavement that only one side of the car is going through. I haven't noticed any performance related issues- if the ding wasn't happening I wouldn't know anything was different. So I'm not worried about a mishap, but I sure wish we didn't have to get used to years of dinging... Thanks again for your quick reply.

 

Reached out to SOA. They will coordinate with the local dealership once I bring the car in. It's my Mother's car and she's too old to bring it in, so it will have to wait until my next visit in September or October. I will update here once the dealership checks out the car. I don't have any real hope of my experience being different than PDAY5713 had as far as the dealership being able to figure this problem out, because it's rare and likely hard to diagnose, but with SOA involved maybe a solution will be found. In any event, I hope the moderators keep this thread going because I'll definitely add to it once I get a chance to have the car checked out at my mother's local dealership.