hannes_williams65
Subaru Traviq Fuel Door Lock Malfunction and Fix Guide
4 comment(s)
hannes_williams65 (Author)
Really appreciate the detailed feedback. The symptoms you described with your Legacy match perfectly with what my Traviq is experiencing, especially the fuel filler issues and those spreading electrical problems. Do you remember roughly what the repair cost came to? Just trying to get a ballpark figure before I take it in. Also curious if youve had any related issues pop up since getting it fixed? The electric actuator problems seem like they could return if theres an underlying issue.
idalehmann1
Had my Legacy serviced last week and happy to report no recurring problems since the repair. The fuel flap opens perfectly now, turns out the main culprit was indeed a faulty linkage connected to the electric actuator. The cable release system was also showing wear but didnt need replacement. The total repair came to 210€ which covered diagnostic testing, parts, and labor. Keep in mind prices vary between shops but this seems reasonable for resolving both the electrical and mechanical components of the fuel filler system. My key fob and other electrical functions are all working normally again. Would definitely recommend getting yours checked soon since these issues tend to worsen and can affect more systems over time. The repair has proven reliable so far, no sign of the problems returning after several months of regular use.
hannes_williams65 (Author)
Finally took my Traviq to a certified shop last week after getting tired of manually opening the fuel door. The mechanic confirmed it was exactly what you described, corroded wiring affecting the fuel flap actuator and spreading to other systems. Really glad I got it checked when I did. Total bill came to 280€, bit more than your Legacy but included some extra electrical work they found necessary. The whole fuel door mechanism works perfectly now and all those weird electrical glitches are gone. Shop showed me the old parts, the wiring was in much worse shape than I expected. Definitely worth the investment compared to my last mechanic who wanted to replace way more parts without even doing proper diagnostics. Thanks for helping me understand what I was dealing with before heading to the shop. Saved me from getting overcharged again.
Join the discussion now:
idalehmann1
Had a similar problem with my 2000 Subaru Legacy GT. The fuel filler release mechanism completely failed, leaving me unable to open the fuel door. Initially thought it was just the cable release, but diagnostic testing revealed an electrical fault affecting multiple systems. The root cause turned out to be a corroded wiring harness connecting to the fuel door actuator. The corrosion spread to nearby circuits, which started affecting the central locking and key fob functions. These symptoms match what you describe with your Traviq. The repair required: Replacing the complete fuel door actuator assembly, Installing new wiring harness sections, Reprogramming the body control module This was definitely a serious repair job since the electrical issues could have led to more widespread system failures if left unaddressed. The damaged wiring had started affecting other components in the central locking system. Given your symptoms, particularly the stored error codes and multiple affected functions, you likely have a similar wiring/actuator issue rather than just a mechanical problem. Would strongly recommend having a certified shop perform a full diagnostic before proceeding with repairs.