2000 Subaru Forester

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/17/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash

  THE FUEL FILLER DESIGN IS SUCH THAT IT IS TO COMPLICATED FOR GAS STATION ATTENDANTS TO CORRECTLY PUT ON. IT WILL CROSSTHREAD EASIER THAN IT WILL GO ON CORRECTLY. WITH OUT PROPER PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, LIKE MANY CARS IT WILL STALL ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN NEW JERSEY IT IS ILLEGAL TO PUMP YOUR OWN GAS, OR EVEN GET OUT OF YOUR CAR TO CHECK THAT THE CAP IS PROPERLY INSTALLED. SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEALER WARRANTY CLAIMS FOR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED FUEL FILL CAPS, OR THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. THE DEALER WILL JUST RESET THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND CONSIDER IT A LOSS. *AK

• 12/15/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-55 MPH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 1/14/10 *CN UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB

• 12/05/2006· POWER TRAIN

  2000 SUBARU FORESTER WITH A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN DRIVE, I DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND GO NOWHERE. JUST HEAR A SHRIEKING. ITS BEEN COMING ON FOR A MONTH NOW AND NOW HAS GOTTEN SO BAD I DARE NOT DRIVE IT. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND WILL BE BETWEEN 1500-2500 TO FIX. THEIR ESTIMATE IS THAT THERE IS A LOSS OF PRESSURE SOMEWHERE. THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER 2000 FORESTER IN THE SHOP WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM, SIMILAR MILES ETC. UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 80K MILES. AND VERY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE ON A SLOPE AND GO TO GO AND FIND YOURSELF ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? THERE SEEMS TO BE REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!! *NM

• 11/26/2002· SUSPENSION

  WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUMER NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND EMITTING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY DEALER TECHNICIAN WHO NOTICE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY. TS *JG

• 11/24/2004· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  1.) MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY MOTHER TOOK THE CAR TO SUBARU DEALER (DULLES MOTORCARS IN LEESBURG, VIRGINIA) THREE TIMES AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM AT ALL. 2.)ON MAY 21, 2004, WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING IT, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT ON HIGHWAY; OTHERWISE, IT COULD BE FATAL. 3.)MY MOTHER CALLED POLICE AND DULLES MOTORCARS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DULLES MOTORCARS AND MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY SUBARU MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. DULLES MOTORCARS INC LEESBURG, VA 71326 SALES/SERVICE/REPAIR 05/21/04 SALES/SERVICE/REPAIR ROC NUMBER 0000000019

• 11/19/2004· SUSPENSION

  REAR LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILURES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN 60,000 MILES. NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH SUBARU HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE OR FIX THIS ONGOING PROBLEM.*AK

• 10/28/2022· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2000 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and suddenly veered into the left lane into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle had stopped in the middle of the road. The contact was unaware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had to be pushed off the roadway. The contact stated that the passenger’s side front tire was at a 90-degree angle to the wheel well. The contact stated that he could see that the control arm had snapped. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the control arms, the inner power steering rack, and front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

• 10/27/2004· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER HAS PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE AT 70,000 MILES. *AK

• 09/26/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2010, OUR 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER WENT INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE CAUSING THE CAR TO BE TOTALED, DAMAGE TO A FORD F350 TRUCK AND INJURY TO THE OWNER OF THE TRUCK. SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2008 WHEN GOING FORWARD AND COMING TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. CAR ACCELERATED AND HAD TO PRESS BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE UNTIL THE BRAKE MET THE FLOOR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, WHO EXAMINED IT AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE ADVISED TAKING IT TO A SUBARU DEALER WHICH WE DID. THEY HAD THE CAR FROM FEBRUARY 11 TO MARCH 10, 2008 BUT FAILED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. BEFORE THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 INCIDENT, THE CAR WOULD SOMETIMES HESITATE AFTER A STOP AND THEN LURCH FORWARD, BUT WOULD NOT GO OUT OF CONTROL AS IT DID TWO WEEKS AGO. THE CAR WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND INSPECTED DURING THE 10 YEARS WE HAD IT. *TR

• 09/25/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 65 MPH THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET CRACKED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

• 09/25/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2000 SUBARU FORESTER WITH FUEL PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALER SAID THE RUST WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER ALSO TOLD HIM THAT RUST IS A COMMON PROBLEM. HE WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED AND BELIEVES SUBARU NEEDS TO PUT OUT A RECALL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT FIRST ACTIVATED DUE TO A VACUUM/PRESSURE PROBLEM WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE GAS CAP WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. A FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE GAS FILLER PIPE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LINES HAD ALSO BEEN SUBJECTED TO SEVERE CORROSION CAUSING THE RUBBER TUBING TO PULL AWAY FROM THE GAS FILLER PIPE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PIPE ASSEMBLY HAD A LARGE DEPOSIT OF SAND AND SALT COVERING THE RUST. THE AREA WAS COVERED BY A PLASTIC SHROUD. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A MORE CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED, POSSIBLY MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL. *JB

• 09/21/2003· SUSPENSION

  2000 SUBARU FORESTER S REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT 19K UNDER WARRANTY THEN, AT 67K, 70K, 80K AND IT NEEDS REPLACEMENT NOW AGAIN!*JB

• 09/13/2000· TIRES

  FRONT, LEFT TIRE IS BALD AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE VERY WORN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

• 09/12/2001· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS INTERMITTENTLY WON'T CLOSE. DOORS HAVE APPROXIMATELY A BIG GAP OPENING. CONSUMER HAS THIS PROBLEM NEARLY ONCE A WEEK. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.*AK

• 09/07/2005· TIRES

  THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORT TIRES. I PURCHASED THESE TIRES FOR MY 2000 FORESTER ON MAY 5, 2005. SINCE THAT TIME ONE TIRE HAS DEVELOPED A LUMP ON THE SIDEWALL. THIS TIRE WAS REPLACED, AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE BLEW OUT 500 MILES LATER WHILE TRAVELING ON I-25 AT 55 MILES PER HOUR. *NM

• 09/04/2003· SEATS

  THE CONSUMER STATED, THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME WORE OUT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE CUSHION ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE CONSUMER REACHED FOR SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT THAT HE NOTICED THE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY WHICH WAS MOUNTED TO STILL HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME AND MOVED 5 TO 6 TIMES MORE THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST UP TO ONE HUNDRED FOR REPAIRS. *JB *SCC

• 08/23/2005· POWER TRAIN

  THE 2000 SUBARU FORESTER, WHEN SHIFTED TO "D", "3", "2, OR "1" WILL NOT GO FORWARD. IT WILL ALWAYS GO WHEN IN REVERSE! WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL DEALERS THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED (AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 70K MILES AND WAS 5+ YEARS OLD - JUST OUT OF WARRANTY). THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WELL KNOWN TO SUBARU DEALERS. TO MITIGATE THIS PROBLEM, I MUST TAP THE ACCELERATOR, AND WAIT AND WAIT 1 SECOND TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WILL ENGAGE. A YEAR AGO, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DRAINED, FLUSHED AND THE FILTER REPLACED, THAT HELPED A LITTLE. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF WARRANTY A SHOULD BE REPLACED, HE ALSO SAID THE WARRANTY SPECIFIED THAT BEFORE 40K MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE DRAINED, FLUSHED, AND THE FILTER REPLACED. AFTER READING THE 2000 WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE BOOKLET (MSA5M0001W, ISSUED JUNE 1999), PAGE 42 (2000 MY FEDERAL SPECIFICATION VEHICLES) AND PAGE 43 (NOTES) I FOUND OUT THAT HE WAS IN ERROR. ITEM 10 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID IS AN "INSPECTION (I)" ITEM ONLY AT 30K, 60K, 90K, AND 120K MILES. PAGE 43 "NOTES 4 AND 9" ARE SPECIFIC, REPEAT SPECIFIC, TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ITEM 10). NOTE 4 DESCRIBES "SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS", BUT ONLY TWO OF THEM "APPEAR (NOT SPECIFIC TO ITEM 10)" TO PERTAIN TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, "C. DRIVING IN DUSTY CONDITIONS" AND "G. TOWING A TRAILER" - I AND MOST OTHER OWNERS DO NEITHER. AND AS FOR NOTE 9, THE NOTES STOP AT 8, - 9 IS MISSING -, THE CALIFORNIA SCHEDULE OF INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND NOTES (PAGES 44 AND 45) ALSO HAVE NOTE 9 MISSING! INTERNET CITATIONS ATTRIBUTE THIS HESITATION PROBLEM TO A SOFTWARE PROBLEM (THIS YEAR WAS AMONG THE FIRST YEARS TO HAVE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL - THEY MENTION) A PERVASIVE AND CONTINUING PROBLEM THAT SUBARU IS ATTEMPTING TO AVOID. THE APRIL 2005 CONSUMER REPORTS (PAGE 92 RELIABILITY SCORES) ALSO DOCUMENTS THE HIGHER INCIDENCE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE 1999 AND 2000 FORESTER.

• 08/22/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EVAPORATION LEAK IN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THE PIPE AND THE VALVE WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $315. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,792.

• 08/21/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  200 SUBARU FORESTER BLOWS HEAD GASKET FOR THIRD TIME. FIXED TWICE UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THIRD TIME, SUBARU REPORTS THEY WILL ASSIST WITH HALF OF PAYMENT BECAUSE RECALL WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2008. "REPAIR" COMPLETED UNDER RECALL, BUT WASN'T REALLY REPAIRED. THIS CONSUMER FEELS THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THIS. REPAIR NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND STAY REPAIR AT MANUFACTURER'S COST. *TR

• 08/14/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS ATTEMTING TO PARK BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS A SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND I COULD DO NOTHING BUT RUN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE SECOND OCCASION WAS SIMILAR, BUT, THIS TIME I WAS TRYING TO COME TO A STOP AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED, THERE WAS A SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND I HAD TO FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO AVOID STRIKING AN ONCOMING CAR. *AK

• 08/13/2003· SUSPENSION

  DEALER HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. *AK

• 08/07/2002· SUSPENSION

  BOTH REAR TIRES ARE WEARING ONLY ON OUTER EDGE. DEALER HAS DONE ALIGNMENT, BUT IT HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 08/06/2001· SUSPENSION

  REAPEADED WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *AK

• 07/31/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM CAR WAS OVERHEATING AT 117000 MILES. THERMOSTAT REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT FOUR WEEKS LATER, SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. PROBLEM IS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, WHICH ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. LOOKED ON INTERNET, AND FOUND ALL SORTS OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS, SAYING THEY'D HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUBARU'S ALSO. "CONDITIONER' WAS APPARENTLY PUT INTO THE ENGINE IN 2004, BY DEALER, BECAUSE OF KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKETS ON SUBARU. IT SEEMS THIS CONDITIONER JUST HELD THE PROBLEM OFF LONG ENOUGH THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND NOW I HAVE A MULTIPLE THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR ON MY HANDS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE GASKET DESIGN IS THE PROBLEM. THEY NOW USE A MUCH STRONGER GASKET. THAT DOESN'T REALLY HELP ME, SINCE I HAVE TO PAY ALL THAT MONEY TO HAVE THE FAULTY GASKET REPLACED. INSTEAD OF USING THE 'CONDITIONER' CHEAP FIX IN 2004, THE POORLY DESIGNED GASKET SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS A RECALL. *JB

• 07/30/2004· POWER TRAIN

  ON A COLD START, GENERALLY THE VEHICLE WILL GO FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING IT INTO DRIVE, BUT AFTER IT IS WARMED UP IF YOU STOP THE ENGINE AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN, IT WON'T ENGAGE IN DRIVE BUT IT WILL GO IN REVERSE. I SEE ON SUBARU'S SERVICE BULLETINS, ON THE WEB, SHOW THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF THE SAME HAPPENINGS. IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT THE INTERIOR SEALS OF THE TRANSMISSION ARE ALLOWING FLUID TO LEAK BY DECREASING FLUID PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION PREVENTING IT FROM OPERATING PROPERLY, SOMETIMES LEAVING US STRANDED. THE VEHICLE IS A SUBARU FORESTER 2000, OTHER VEHICLES WERE SAME MODELS AND WERE ALSO INCLUDED 1999 MODELS. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING IN CARS JUST FOUR YEARS OLD?*AK

• 07/29/2004· SUSPENSION

  I BOUGHT MY SUBARU FORESTER 2000 NEW. UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. A FORTH TIME AFTER WARRENTY AND NOW FOR A FIFTH TIME.. FOUR OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN ON THE SAME WHEEL; THE BACK RIGHT. YOUAR COMPONENT SELECTION DOES NOT HAVE SUSPENSION REAR; WHEEL BEARINGS SO I PUT IN SUSPENSION FRONT; WHEEL BEARINGS. SUGGEST YOU ADD THIS COMPONENT.*AK

• 07/27/2005· POWER TRAIN

  THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR INTO DRIVE. THIS WAS ABOUT A 1 SECOND DELAY, AFTER WHICH THE CAR WOULD ENGAGE INTO DRIVE, AND THEN RUN AND SHIFT FINE. BUT THEN, THE DELAY GOT WORSE. ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WAS 2 SECONDS, THEN THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO DRIVE AT ALL. AFTER EVALUATION, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE 5 OF THE 7 SOLENOIDS REPLACED IN THE SUBARU. THIS WAS ON A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS 5 YEARS OLD, WITH ONLY 80000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THE INCIDENT, AND THEY SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT ME THINKING THAT 80K ON A TRANSMISSION BEFORE REPLACEMENT WAS ODD, IT WAS JUST MY OPINION. I INFORMED THE LADY ON THE PHONE THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE COMPLAINTS, THEY WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE ONLINE. SAME THING, OVER AND OVER, ONE PERSON HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AROUND 70K! I GOT NO RESPONSE FROM SUBARU ABOUT THE ISSUE, I WAS TREATED RUDELY, AND THEY BASICALLY HUNG UP ON ME. I DID INFORM THE ATTENDANT THAT FOR MY RECORDS I WAS RECORDING THE PHONE CALL, AND SHE THREATENED ME, SAYING THAT TO DO SO WAS ILLEGAL. I LOOKED UP THE LAW IN NEW JERSEY ABOUT RECORDING PHONE CALLS, AND AS LONG AS ONE PARTY CONSENTS TO THE CALL (ME BEING THE PARTY), THE PHONE CALL COULD BE RECORDED. HERE'S THE STATUTE: "IN ADDITION, AN INTERCEPTION IS LEGAL IF THE INTERCEPTOR IS A PARTY TO THE COMMUNICATION, OR ONE OF THE PARTIES HAS GIVEN PRIOR CONSENT, SO LONG AS NO CRIMINAL OR TORTIOUS INTENT IS PRESENT." I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL SOLENOIDS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO HAVE A WRITTEN REPORT ON THE FINDINGS BY THE MECHANIC ON WHAT THEY FOUND. THE REPAIR COST AROUND $2200. HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE OTHER THAN SUBARU WILL LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM.

• 07/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  IN EARLY 2008 MY SUBARU BEGAN POPPING OUT OF FIFTH GEAR. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND UNSAFE AS IT CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. ON A FREEWAY GRADE FOR EXAMPLE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN RAMMED FROM BEHIND BY VEHICLES FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE RIGHT LANE. UPON INVESTIGATION I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THIS MODEL OF SUBARU AND IS COVERED BY TECHNICAL BULLETIN 17 01/01/2002. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION AND TIGHTENED THE LOOSE MAINSHAFT NUT AT A COST OF $417. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE BUT A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE CAR ROUTINELY POPS OUT OF FIFTH GEAR TO THE POINT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THAT GEAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I EMAILED SUBARU ABOUT THIS BUT THEY SAY IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING FLAW WHICH IS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD WHICH SHOULD BE MADE RIGHT BY SUBARU. *TR

• 07/16/2002· POWER TRAIN

  BEGAN NOTICING AND COMPLAINING OF CLUTCH CHATTER AT 20,000 MILES. MENTIONED AT EVERY SERVICE VISIT AND TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT WAS NORMAL OR THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE CLUTCH. CAR WOULD BE FINE FOR A MONTH AND THEN CHATTER WOULD RETURN. PARTICULARLY OCCURS WHEN COLD AND TRYING TO ENGAGE IN FIRST GEAR. TOLD AT 44,000 MILES THAT THE CLUTCH WAS WORN AND NEEDED REPLACING. WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CHATTER THEY NEVER RESOLVED, THEY KEPT SAYING THAT WAS NORMAL AND THE EARLY WEAR MUST BE DUE TO MY DRIVING. REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND ONCE AGAIN, A FEW MONTHS LATER CHATTER RETURNED. ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL AS WELL SINCE 99% OF CLUTCH CHATTER IS CAUSED BY THE FLYWHEEL SURFACE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID THE CHATTER WAS NORMAL AND WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR STILL JERKS WHEN I SHIFT INTO FIRST WHEN IT IS COLD, MAKING IT VERY UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER TO DRIVE. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****764329

• 07/14/2001· TIRESCrash

  FOUR OF THE 5 ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE HAD SIDEWALL BLOWOUTS, ALTHOUGH I CAREFULLY MAINTAIN TIRE PRESSURE. IN THIS LAST EVENT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODED AS THE CAR WAS EXITING RTE9 IN NJ TO THE SERVICE ROAD [A MILD S EXIT RAMP AT ABOUT 38 MPH]. THE CAR LOST STEERING CONTROL AND BOUNCED OVER THE CURB. THE REAR TIRE ALSO EXPLODED WHEN IT FOLLOWED OVER THE CURB. IN PREVIOUS EVENTS BOTH RIGHT SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT IN TWO SEPARATE TIMES WHILE MY SON WAS RETURNING FROM COLLEGE ON THE TACONIC PARKWAY IN NEW YORK. 4 OUT OF FIVE IS A GREAT BASEBALL AVERAGE BUT A LOUSY TIRE SCORE FOR FAILURES DUE TO BLOWOUTS. I SUSPECT A BAD BATCH THAT MAY BE ON A LIMITED NUMBER OF FORESTERS.*AK (DOT NUMBER: ELYTCHB349 TIRESIZE: 205/70R/15)

• 07/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  CLUTCH SHUTTER, THROUGH ALL FOUR GEARS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICILE IS COLD. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BROUGHT IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STANDARD TRANSMISIONS FOR 40 YEARS AND NEVER HAVE I EXPEREINCED THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE SUBRAU HAS A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH AND FOR SOME REASON REFUSES TO CORRECT THE SITUATION .*AK

• 06/27/2001· TIRES

  THE VEHICLES TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF BALDING AT ONLY 23000 MILES AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY LAST ANOTHER 7000 MILES, BEFORE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTIMG REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE NEW TIRES INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. NLM

• 06/23/2004· SUSPENSION

  RUMBLING UNDER CAR WAS INDICATION THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED. 1ST INCIDENT THANKSGIVING WEEKEND 2003. FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS FALIED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET CAR IN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING AND NOBODY WAS OPEN. I FINALLY GOT CAR TO HUNTER IN NC FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. PARTS PERSON TOLD ME THEY NEVER REPLACE FORESTER BEARINGS WITH ORIGINAL PARTS. THEY USE OUTBACK OR SOME OTHER MODEL INSTEAD. THEY DID NOT REPLACE AXLE BUT I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO NORMAL FIX. SOME COMPONENTS HAD FROZE AND THEY HAD TO GO IN BACKWARDS TO FIX. I THINK THE BEARINGS ARE VERY HEAVY DUTY AND WILL DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME DAMAGED AND SO CRASH IS UNLIKELY. I DROVE 800 MILES WITH RUMBLING. 2ND INCIDENT JUN 21 2004 - BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND REAR RIGHT AXLE WAS FROZE AND ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME I BROUGHT CAR IN TO SUBARU OF BEECHMONT VERY NEAR TO START OF RUMBLING. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS TRYING TO SAY THAT MY VEHICLE SHOWS SIGNS OF HEAVY TRAILERING AS EXCUSE TO NOT REIMBURSE ME. I USE MY HITCH SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR AND MY REAR BRAKES ARE BEING REPLACED AT 82,000 MILES WHICH WOULD NOT BE TRUE IF I TRAILERED AS THEY CLAIM. THEY SAID THAT MY HITCH BALL SHOWED HEAVY WEAR AND IT HAS PROBABLY ONLY BEEN USED LESS THAN 2 DOZEN TIMES IN IT'S ENTIRE LIFE. IT LOOKS NEW. THEY ARE TRYING TO DIVERT ATTENTION AND I AM WONDERING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THEY ARE DOING THIS WITH. WHEN I TALK PRIVATELY WITH DEALERSHIP PERSONELL THEY AGREE THAT FORESTERS AROUND 2000 HAVE REAL ISSUES WITH WHEEL BEARINGS. PERSONELL AGREE THAT BEARINGS AND AXLES SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR 3 BEARINGS TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. I THINK IT IS AN UNDER-REPORTED DESIGN FLAW. ACCIDENTS DON'T HAPPEN BECAUSE THEY ARE SO HEAVY DUTY THAT THEY GRIND DOWN LONG ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE USUALLY GET THEM IN FOR REPAIR BEFORE THE WHEEL FALLS OFF. THERE IS POTENTIAL HERE FOR DISASTER. *AK

• 06/13/2006· STEERING

  STEERING LOCKED UP TWICE WHILE DRIVING, BOTH TIMES SHORTLY AFTER MAKING SHARP RIGHT TURN OUT OF HOME DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST TIME, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL AFTER MAKING THE HARD RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THEN THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SECOND TIME, THE DRIVER MADE A HARD RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN STRAIGHTENED OUT AND PROCEED ABOUT TWENTY YARDS TO AN INTERSECTION AT WHICH POINT THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR A RIGHT TURN WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL SIMPLY WOULD NOT TURN. THEN AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS THE STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. *NM

• 06/11/2003· SUSPENSION

  RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACING AT 51,000. THESE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER AS THEY DO IN MY OTHER VEHICLES.*AK

• 06/04/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  COMPONENTS OF VEHICLE THAT RELY ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OPERATE ERRATICALLY AND WILL TURN ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD OF VEHICLE WILL COME ON AND STAY ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

• 06/02/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  ENGINE HAD A POROUS BLOCK. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. EXPERIENCED CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CAR CURRENTLY AT NEW MOTORS FOR REPAIR. MATTER HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AN ATTORNEY FOR POSSIBLE ACTION UNDER STATE LEMON LAWS.

• 05/30/2006· SUSPENSION

  LEFT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT MAY 2004. PAID APPROX. $1300 TO REPAIR IT AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP. RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT SEPT 2005. PAID APPROX $450 TO REPLACE IT AT A SUBARU CERTIFIED REPAIR SHOP. NOW MAY 2006, LEFT WHEEL BEARING HAS GONE OUT AGAIN, LESS THAN 2 YEARS AFTER IT WAS REPLACED. THE SUBARU DEALER NOW WANTS $500-800 TO REPLACE IT AGAIN AS THEY SAY REPAIRS ARE ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 12 MOS. I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $2,000 ON REPAIRS FOR SOMETHING THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND OBVIOUSLY CANNOT BE FIXED. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO SPEND ANOTHER $800 TO REPAIR IT AGAIN WHEN IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. MY VEHICLE HAS 94K ON IT. I DRIVE LESS THAN 10K PER YEAR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. SUBARU WON'T HELP ME. DEALER WON'T HELP ME. *NM

• 05/30/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *JG

• 05/29/2007· SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT

  10/19/04 RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER AT 56,886 MILES (PREVIOUS MAINT PERFORMED ON 3/2/04) AT A COST OF $324.40. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AGAIN ON 4/2/07 AT 88,569 MILES AT A COST OF $331.86 (PREVIOUS MAINT PERFORMED ON 6/20/06). REPLACING THE REAR WHEEL BEARING 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES? *TR

• 05/07/2003· SUSPENSION

  COMPLAINED TO SERVICING DEALER ABOUT EXCESSIVE NOISE. REPORT WAS AT 49,622 MILES, BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED. THIS COMPONENT IS NOT NORMALLY INSPECTED OR REPLACED IN THE ORDINARY SCHEDULE OF MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED CARE. MY WEB RESEARCH SHOWS QUITE A FEW REPORTS OF THIS SAME FAILURE, INDICATING INADEQUATE DESIGN OR FAULTY COMPONENTS. AVERAGE MILES TO FAILURE SEEM TO BE AROUND 50,000. INCREASINGLY, THESE CASES WILL BE SHOWING UP GIVEN THE AGE AND TYPICAL MILEAGE OF THESE CARS. ANYONE WHO IGNORES THE SOUND LEVEL INCREASE IS LIABLE TO EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE FAILURE ON THE ROAD WITH DEFINITE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE COMPILING STATISTICS ON THIS DEFECT, EXCEPT PERHAPS SUBARU. THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT SUBARU AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM'S FREQUENCY (A TSB ON IMPROVED REPLACEMENT METHOD), BUT THEY HAVE NOT REGULARLY AGREED TO COVER REPAIR COSTS OR ALERTED OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM'S EXISTENCE. IN MY CASE, REPAIR IS SCHEDULED SIX DAYS FROM NOW. MY COMPLAINT CALL TO SUBARU AMERICA RESULTED IN A PROMISE TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND CALL ME BACK WITH A RESPONSE ON WHAT ACTION THE COMPANY WOULD TAKE. IT IS NOW 2+ DAYS AWAITING RESPONSE. FORESTER (AND PERHAPS IMPRESA) OWNERS SHOULD BE ALERTED TO WHAT IS A VERY STEALTHY FLAW. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE SUPPLYING GOOD INFORMATION AND ADVICE, AS WELL AS SUPPORTING THEIR PRODUCT. *JB

• 05/02/2004· TIRES

  IN LATE MARCH OF 2004 I PURCHASED 4 BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L TIRES FOR MY 2000 SUBARU FORESTER. DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEK THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE BULDGE IN THE SIDE OF THE TIRE AND PULLED AWAY FROM THE RIM OF THE TIRE, LOSING ALL AIR IMEDIATELY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, ON MAY 1, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BEGAN TO BUDGE. *AK

• 04/29/2006· POWER TRAIN

  IF I PLACE MY 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER INTO DRIVE IT WILL NOT MOVE, IT WILL SIT THERE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL SUDDENLY IT JERKS FORWARD INTO GEAR. PLACE INTO REVERSE IT WORKS WELL, MOVES IN REVERSE. PLACE INTO DRIVE, LIGHTLY PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WILL JUMP FORWARD INTO GEAR! PLACE INTO DRIVE WAIT FOR IT TO MOVE: IF I AM ON AN INCLINE IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS DEPENDING ON THE SLOPE, OTHERWISE I CAN SIT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL JERK FORWARD. SUBARU STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE; LATER THEY STATE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. HOWEVER, VISIT SEVERAL REPUTABLE CAR REPAIR FORUMS ONLINE YOU WILL LITERALLY SEE HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THESE SAME PROBLEMS POSTING FROM 2004-PRESENT. ALL CUSTOMERS HAVE SUBARU FORRESTER'S OR OUTBACK'S. ALL CLAIM THIS HAZARD! SOME CUSTOMERS STATE A TEMPORARY FIX: REPLACE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOR A FEW WEEKS/MONTHS THESE PROBLEMS WILL DISAPPEAR. ALL MEMBERS OF THE FORUMS STATE THAT THEY WITHIN WEEKS/MONTHS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, MANY JUST GAVE UP ON THEIR CARS BY TRADING THEM IN. I FIND THIS HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE! WHO ELSE WILL THEN PURCHASE THESE SAFETY HAZARDS? GOOGLE ON: SUBARU, TRANSMISSION OR SUBARU JERKING FORWARD INTO GEAR MY AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF! THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AND MY AUTO HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN VERY DILIGENT IN DOING ALL THE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS MANUAL AS WELL. I SEE THAT 5 OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEMS ON YOUR SITE. PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO THESE ISSUES. IT'S A HAZARD TO HAVE A CAR BE PLACED INTO DRIVE AND THEN NOT MOVE FORWARD UNTIL YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR OR IT MOVES FORWARD AFTER 2 - 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME! PLEASE REVIEW THE POSTS ON SEVERAL FORUMS TO SEE THAT MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU CARS. IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE. OTHERWISE THESE CARS ARE WONDERFUL! *JB

• 04/28/2000· POWER TRAINCrash

  CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE ON A 5-DEGREE INCLINE, AND IN IN 1ST GEAR. 10-15 MINUTES LATER, CONSUMER HEARD CAR ALARM GOING OFF & SAW VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS, DOWN SLOPE INTO BUSHES. *AK

• 04/24/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 04/20/2001· SEAT BELTS

  DESIGN OF BELT, WHENEVER GETTING INTO VEHICLE CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT HE ALWAYS WAS SEATING ON TOP OF SEAT BELT BEFORE HE COULD FASTEN IT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK THE SEAT BELT WAS VERY HARD TO BUCKLE UP. *YH

• 04/20/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DRIVER HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE PROBLEM WAS ALSO REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *ML

• 04/19/2005· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE POPS OUT OF FIFTH GEAR, INTO NEUTRAL, ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS.*AK

• 04/17/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HAD 2000 SUBARU FORESTER (83,000 MI) AT DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED US THAT CAR FAILED DUE TO EXTERNAL HEAD GASKET LEAK. DEALER SAYS THERE IS OIL DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND IT IS A FIRE HAZARD SO UNLESS WE REPLACE HEAD GASKET THE CAR FAILS. SUBARU PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED A DEFECT WITH THIS 2.5L ENGINE AND HAD A CAMPAIGN WHERE THE "FIX" WAS ADDING A CONDITIONER TO THE COOLANT. OBVIOUSLY THE "FIX" DIDN'T DO THE JOB AND OTHERS OUT THERE ARE A RISK OF A CATASTROPHIC FIRE. *TR

• 04/13/2008· POWER TRAIN

  IF I PLACE MY 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER INTO DRIVE IT WILL NOT MOVE, IT WILL SIT THERE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL SUDDENLY IT JERKS FORWARD INTO GEAR. PLACE INTO REVERSE IT WORKS WELL, MOVES IN REVERSE. VISIT SEVERAL REPUTABLE CAR REPAIR FORUMS ONLINE YOU WILL LITERALLY SEE HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THESE SAME PROBLEMS POSTING FROM 2004-PRESENT. *TR