Quote:
Originally posted by b3lha
Is the 4WS really so unreliable? Ours has not failed - unless you count the time when a recovery truck driver ripped off the steering rod with his winch.
What normally goes wrong with it and why?
P&B.
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Early JDM VL models (those made in '91) had niggling problems with the various 4WS sensors. As this was Subaru's only vehicle ever to have electronic 4WS, many Japanese dealers were unable to diagnose and repair the problems quickly. This gave the model a reputation for being unreliable and sales suffered. Not exactly what Subaru wanted for its 'flagship' model which cost almost the same as a Lexus LS400.
Production of the VL stopped in'92 but Subaru still had unsold VL's in '95, by which time the JDM SVX had already been thru 2 model changes.
Japanese car owners rarely keep their vehicles longer than 7 years and this has meant that many second-hand VL models have been exported to various RHD countries. Again unfamiliarity of the 4WS system by local mechanics, when something does go wrong, has not helped with the 'unreliable' reputation.
Also steering parts for the VL are unique to that model and are quite expensive when compared to similar parts for other Subaru models.
Checking back thru old posts on the Japanese SVX club shows 4WS problems mainly relate to sensors failing and the ECU failing.
Hope this helps
