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Dash error lights on

boogeyman

New member
Joined
May 10, 2025
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4
I have this 2016 Forester 2.5 automatic and this morning when I started it cold the AT temp light, ABS light, and traction control light all came on. It wouldnt shift out of park unless I use the manual override button under the shifter and I had to do the same to get it back into park. It's got 95k miles on her and since I just bought it I dont know if the transmission fluid or filter has ever been changed.. The fluid is full, but its black and smells burnt. It drives and shifts fine once it's in gear. Just wondering if a transmission flush and filter replacement might fix this or if its a more serious issue.
 
@boogeyman you know, given the fluid condition, a transmission flush and filter change is definitely worth a shot as a first step. It might just be severely degraded fluid causing the issue
 
@boogeyman you know, given the fluid condition, a transmission flush and filter change is definitely worth a shot as a first step. It might just be severely degraded fluid causing the issue
Had a talk with the previous owner and he said the transmission fluid and filter has just been replaced recently. So Im still in awe.
 
You know, this brings to mind a friend of mine who got a second-hand Outback that supposedly had a freshly changed transmission. Just two weeks later, all the warning lights popped on, glowing like a Christmas tree! It turned out the garage had used totally the wrong type of fluid. It might be a good idea to double-check if the correct spec fluid was put in,Subarus can be a bit finicky about that.
 
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