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  Subaru brand vehicles have been driven in America since the 1970s. The all-wheel-drive drive train and the boxer engines used in Subaru vehicles offer owners plenty of power and handling on and off the beaten path. As with any vehicle, at some point the "check engine" light will come on and you'll need to make repairs. There are common causes that trigger this not-so-friendly reminder.
  
  

Engine Control Module

• The engine control module is an electronic device that senses engine emissions that are being produced by the Subaru vehicle. If there's too much emission coming out of the catalytic converter, then the catalytic converter is probably in need of replacement. It should be noted that the vehicle will function without the catalytic converter; however, the emissions produced will be substantially greater.
  
  

Bad Cruise Control

• The cruise control, particularly on the 2005 Subaru Outback, tends to fail prematurely, causing the "check engine" light to go on and the "cruise control" light to flash, according to customer complaints in the Edmunds Town Hall forums.
  
  

Timing Belt Has Broke

• Subaru engines are one of the few engines in the automobile world that if the timing belt breaks, the engine won't be ruined. However, the "check engine" light will come on, and the car will die within a few seconds of this happening. Cold weather and old belts are the main culprit of this occurrence.