ernieb

Sadly a story familiar to many car owner of many different brands. Cars are design for manufacture rather than maintenance. Hope you manage to get it sorted maybe someone has a magic formula than can offer you?

I can not really answer your questions directly but I can offer a couple of my own observations. The parts supply issue is as you've indicated due to the low sales volumes in the UK. Little point is sourcing alternatives when you'r unlikely to be able to sell them. I've had a few Subarus in the past but my current XV is the only one with a CVT. I did my own research into the Subaru CVT before I bought my 2018 XV what I found was that earlier models were not so good, with a variety of issues, leaks, stuttering, poor pickup etc., however, more recent models have been pretty good. Some of the reviews I read at the time of purchase even commented on the improved CVT performance and improvements. I think with the CVT you either hate them or live with them. I find my car more than acceptable though not a good as the dual clutch auto (DSG) in my previous Skoda which was as smooth as silk. Subaru do sell a lot of cars in the USA and I'm sure if there were major issues you'd be able to pick up a sense of it in reviews over there. There has been an earlier post on one owner who is experiencing acceleration lag. You don't say if the XV would be a new model, obviously with a new car you'd have the 3 years warranty. I have to say, as I've done elsewhere on this forum, it is a lovely car to drive. I spend a lot of time in Derbyshire, many weeks of the year under normal circumstances and it is very comfortable and secure footed, try the Leek to Buxton road but look out for the cameras. I hope you get the information you require to help with your decision.

Agree about the need for the smooth driving style. I'm a more defensive driver than aggressive so have always been and have found over the years particularly with any automatic style of gear box that gradual acceleration will get you there just as quickly as a full floor with the right foot. It also saves a great deal of fuel. I rarely use a full throttle acceleration in the XV but have found that once it gets over the initial 'thought process' it's pretty good. As you've said the car overall is a pleasure to drive holding the road really well and the Eyesight system is a joy especially on motorways.

I don't get a stutter so much as very slight lag between power demand and power delivery which I've always characterised as the CVT design. It's very much better in this car than others I've driven with an CVT. My car is not a hybrid but I did a very long test drive, best part of an hour, as part of the UK pre launch. I found the hybrid even better than my current car, the battery boost giving a noticeable boost over the pure petrol only engine. The thing that always gets to me is the high engine revs to get the maximum acceleration. One of the problems with this type of issue is one mans hesitation is normal to someone else and I do think it does depend on previous car driving experience. I do hope you manage to get a resolution to the problem your experiencing it's a great car as you've already indicated. Good luck.

Sounds like a good job done. I did a drive around the local roads on Boxing Day to put some charge into the battery and give the car a bit of a breather.

Hi Everyone, Just like to wish everyone on the Subaru Forum a peaceful and safe Christmas and look forward to a much better, happier and normal 2021. Best Wishes, Ernie

Sorry to hear that, but I guess right now in the UK it's a perfect storm, Covide around the world on an increase, containers and trucks stuck in the wrong places and Brexit. It's going to be a rough few months ahead but hopefully we'll come through all this and a better 2021.

Mine was only in for SRT 284, your's was in for the two other recalls I think you said and those need parts. Do you have a date or is it the long wait for when the parts get delivered?

Quick update, completed the check today and everything was OK, no parts needed but flashed the software. I was told they keep the computer outside the drivers door and connect via the OBD port. So minimal access to the car, car returned nice and clean.

Sorry missed the last part of your question, I use Bosch replacement wipers, whatever you go for make sure you look in the correct manufacturing year range.

I don't have a diesel version of the XV but have had plenty of diesel powered cars over the years, my advice for what it's worth is leave the glowplugs alone. I don't know for sure but believe they are a pain to change anyway. I've never experienced a failure or extended warm up and can not see how they will contribute to the fuel efficiency in the same way as spark plugs might do. The diesel is fired by the engines compression and the glowplugs just to start the cars engine. If the glow plug light on the dash goes out in a reasonable time every thing should be OK. I'm sure you'll get some better expert advice.

I drove a XV hybrid last year. It's only a mild hybrid so your not able to select a hybrid mode as the battery is very small. That said it was nice to drive and the battery does add to the smoothness and improve the feel of the car, on a car that is already good. I like some of the features, nearside door mirror mounted front facing camera which unfortunately did not make into the UK spec, shame. When I looked at the UK spec/price at the dealers it did not seem to be good value, also the boot space gets very much smaller. I'd really like a hybrid with a larger battery and Toyota are releasing a number of cars which will also be available with a 4x4 option although the prices get steep very quickly. It would be good if Subaru offered something with a bigger battery but maintained the boot size.

Mine was delivered to UK May 2018. The dealer did say that there might be another letter with another recall notice, in fact that is what they thought I'd called about as the opening remark was "you got another letter"

So I rang the dealer again to see if my XV should have the other two items checked/fixed. The dealer checked (Adams Aylesbury) and they said it was not flagged on the system, as yet? They added that they could pop up and that I might get another letter but that they would check on the day it goes in to see what applies. From what they have said they have a lot of work currently be undertaken to apply various recalls.

Wow, so some of the things being done on your XV are more extensive than mine is scheduled for, interesting. Thanks.

I've not use the CrossClimates on an XV in the snow but I have with a Skoda Yeti. This was in Derbyshire and some of the drifts on a narrow lanes were 12" (30cm) deep. there was plenty of packed snow in places. The tyres performed perfectly, I was very impressed with the feel and confidence that the tyres gave. Just as importantly for me is the performance in wet weather, typically heavy rain on motorways.

@GGMan, That certainly looks like the same issue and it seems likely if a car has the fault it cause a lot of damage to the ignition coil. Interestingly the recall notice does not mention the possibility of the crankcase breather valve problem and mine XV is a 2018 model? Maybe only affects the US model?

The wording is that the problem relates to certain Forrester, Impreza and XV models. "It has been found that due to a possible engine control module error the engine may stall or cut out and fail to restart" Potentially a dangerous situation if the engine cuts out and you are in the fast lane of a motorway. I can speak from experience as I was using a Vauxhall Carlton many years ago which had a faulty safety fuel relay which cut out when I was in the fast lane of the M1! It was a very scary moment for me and my three passengers but I managed to get the car to the hard shoulder. Unfortunately none of us had a change of trousers 🙂

I'm just not sue what the noise is. it's a low frequency rumble is the best way I can describe it. I just thought it was a good opportunity to get it checked out.

Just received a recall notice. It states that there is a potential problem that might effect the starting of the car and needs to be booked in for checks. These involve the reprogramming of the Engine Management Module and the possible replacement of the ignition coils if found to be defective. I've managed to get it booked in on 16th December and been told it might take about an hour. I was also told that the problem is effecting about 1% of XV cars but I'm not sure what the range of manufacturing years that are covered by the recall, mine is 2018. I've also asked them to run the car around the block as I can hear a low rumble when coasting which seems to come from the front right (offside) wheel.

Glad you got it fixed

sorry can not help

Mines a 2018 car/head unit, no issues at all and never seem to loose good quality signal.

I can add that the OEM sensors are very expensive having had one damaged when I had the new tyres fitted. The fitters had a variety of sensors none of which was compatible so I ordered one from my dealer and the fitters paid for it. It cost £125. Soooooo very expensive.

I'm not sure it's possible to permanently cancel the TPMS warnings. I do wonder if it has a separate fuse if you could remove it to turn off the system??