Electric Seat Motor Dead? Fix Your Subaru's Controls

Having dealt with automotive seat issues before on my 2003 Subaru Legacy, I can share my experience with a similar electric seat problem. I have some hands-on experience with basic car maintenance and electrical troubleshooting. The symptoms were identical, complete failure of the seat adjustment system. After initial diagnostics, my workshop found that a heavily discharged battery had caused damage to the seat motor control module. The entire seat wiring system had to be checked, as voltage issues can affect multiple components in the seat adjustment mechanism. The repair involved: 1. Testing the seat motor and switch connections 2. Replacing the defective battery 3. Resetting the seat control module 4. Verifying all seat adjustment functions Total cost came to 290€, including parts and labor. Before suggesting specific solutions for your Traviq, it would help to know: Are there any other electrical issues in the car? Does the drivers seat adjustment still work? Can you hear any noise when pressing the seat switch? Have you noticed any battery problems recently? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the seat motor system.

Had my car serviced last month at 133801 KM and the mechanic confirmed the passenger seat adjustment system has common electrical problems with these models. The driver seat works fine and I do hear a faint clicking when using the controls. No other electrical issues present. The battery is relatively new, replaced about 6 months ago. Based on the seat wiring symptoms described and the diagnostic codes, it seems our issues might be different. In my case, the seat motor itself responded with clicking sounds, suggesting the motor unit might still be functional but possibly experiencing connection problems. This points more toward a wiring harness or switch issue rather than a complete motor failure. Have you checked if replacing the seat adjustment switch resolved your problem? This was a much cheaper fix than a full motor replacement or control module.

Thanks for sharing those details about your Traviq seat issue. Your symptoms actually match what I eventually discovered with my Legacy seat problem, hearing that clicking sound from the motor was the key clue. While my initial thought was the battery and control module, further investigation revealed the seat harness connections had deteriorated. The clicking meant the power seats were getting some voltage, but not enough for proper operation. The power seat wiring near the floor had chafed against the seat frame, causing intermittent connection issues. The repair ended up being much simpler than a full electric seat motor replacement: 1. Located damaged section of the seat harness 2. Repaired wiring connections 3. Added protective sleeve to prevent future wear 4. Tested passenger seat through full range of motion Final cost was only 85€ for parts and labor, significantly less than replacing the entire seat motor assembly. Would strongly suggest having your mechanic check the wiring harness connections before replacing more expensive components.

Just had the mechanic look at it today and you were absolutely right about the wiring harness being the culprit. The seat switch and motor tested fine, but the harness had worn through in two spots where it flexes near the seat frame. Also found some moisture damage in the connector. The power seats are working perfectly now after repairing the damaged wiring and installing new protective covering. Total repair cost was 95€, which beats replacing the entire electric seat assembly. Really glad I asked here first, saved me from unnecessarily replacing the seat motor or control module. Going to keep an eye on the seat adjustment mechanism and check the harness condition periodically. The clicking sound from the motor was definitely the key diagnostic clue pointing to a wiring issue rather than motor failure. For anyone else with similar seat control problems, make sure to have the wiring checked first before assuming more expensive parts need replacement. Getting that quick clicking response when using the controls but no movement is a good indicator of electrical connection issues.