2001 Subaru Forester

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

• 12/31/2003· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER A SNOW STORM I NOTICED MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER WOULD NOT DRIVE ON SLIPPERY SURFACES. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR, THE WHEELS SPUN AND NOT MUCH ELSE HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/19/03 AND THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS NUTS TO COMPLAIN THAT A CAR DIDN'T DRIVE PROPERLY ON PACKED SNOW AND ICE. THE ORIGINAL THOUGHT WAS THAT IT MUST BE POOR TIRES (BOUGHT NEW ALL SEASONS ON 10/02) OR THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE SNOW TIRES (FOR AN AWD?). AFTER PUSHING THE ISSUE, THE SERVICE MANAGER BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE, PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND HAD SOMEONE GUN THE ENGINE. THE FRONT WHEELS SPUN FAST (AS THEY SHOULD) AND THE BACK WHEELS WENT VERY SLOWLY. THEY SCRATCHED THEIR HEADS AND CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA FOR SOME HELP ON THE ISSUE. TURNS OUT THE VALVE THAT SUPPLIES FLUID TO THE REAR WHEELS MALFUNCTIONED/BURNT OUT/NO LONGER WORKED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO SUCH LIGHT TO INDICATE A MALFUNCTION IN THE AWD SYSTEM HAS EVER EXISTED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CROSSED THEIR FINGERS THAT THE ONLY REPAIR I WOULD NEED WAS THE VALVE ($460 PARTS AND LABOR) AND WARNED ME THAT IF THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE I COULD BE IN FOR SOME MORE SERIOUS REPAIRS. I WAS ALLOWED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME BECAUSE I COULD DO NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR (WAS TOLD IT SHUT DOWN). BROUGHT IT IN 12/31/03 FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE VALVE AND THEY DISCOVERED THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY BURNT. THE COST IS NOW ($1500). THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER TO FIX IF THERE HAD BEEN A WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. A VALVE FOR THE AWD SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER MALFUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOT OLD ENOUGH (3 YEARS 60K MILES) TO HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS!

• 12/30/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. IT APPEARS, AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND OTHER SOURCES, THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL PHASE 2 2.5 L ENGINES MADE BY SUBARU BETWEEN 1999 & 2002. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INTERNET WEB PAGES WITH COMPLAINTS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WHY HASN'T SUBARU BEEN ORDERED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES, THEY'RE ADANGER TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC! *AK

• 12/27/2010· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2001 STANDARD TRANSMISSION SUBARU FORRESTER FAILED TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN BRAKE WAS USED. I HAD DIFFICULTY, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON THE SHOULDER. AFTERWARD, BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK FINE. *TR

• 12/26/2005· SEATS

  SEVERAL TIMES, DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES ALL THE WAY BACK UNEXPECTEDLY. WITH A CAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER, THE CAR SEAT RECLINES DIRECTLY INTO THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *NM

• 12/26/2001· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATES THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARINGSFAILED. *JG

• 12/24/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE RPM'S WERE ACTING ERRATIC. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE COST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH *JB

• 12/21/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHENEVER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE CAR. WHEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE HOSE CLAMPS ON THE FUEL LINES WERE LOOSE. THEY WERE THEN TIGHTENED BUT EVERY TIME THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS, IT HAPPENS AGAIN. IT HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OUTSIDE OR IN A GARAGE.

• 12/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THEN IT GETS CLOSED IN THE DOOR BECAUSE IT HANGS LOOSE. IN THE BACK SEAT, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT HAS THE WRONG PART SO IT CANNOT BE LATCHED. BECAUSE OF THIS, I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT.

• 12/21/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN TURNING THE TURN SIGNALS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, SUDDENLY PLUNGING YOU INTO DARKNESS. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE MADE OF INFERIOR PLASTIC THAT CLOUDS OVER WITH AGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED BECAUSE IT LOOKED AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN THEY WERE.

• 12/21/2015· WHEELS

  IN DECEMBER, LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR USED, WHILE DRIVING I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM A SERVICE STATION SO DROVE TO IT, BUT DRIVING THAT SHORT DISTANCE RUINED THE TIRE. I HAD JUST PUT AIR IN THE TIRES, BUT DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM RIMS. OFTEN, AFTER PUTTING AIR IN THE TIRES, THEY WOULD BE FLAT BY THE TIME I GOT HOME (JUST A FEW MILES). THIS HAPPENED IN 2003. I HAVE HAD TO HAD THE RIMS TAKEN OFF, GROUND/SMOOTHED OFF, THEN RESEALED EVERY YEAR OR TWO. ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES/WHEELS IS THAT WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SNOW, THE SNOW PACKS ITSELF AROUND THE TIRES COMPLETELY FILLING THE SPACE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BETWEEN THE TIRES AND THE WHEEL WELLS. IF I DON'T MANUALLY REMOVE THE IMPACTED SNOW, IT GETS TO THE POINT WHERE THE WHEELS CANNOT BE TURNED. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS, THE RIMS CORRODING BREAKING THE SEAL AND THE SNOW FILLING THE WHEEL WELLS, ARE SAFETY HAZARDS.

• 12/21/2005· POWER TRAIN

  AROUND 100K MILES MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) EXPERIENCED SEVERE HESITATION AND MISSING (BUCKING) IN ALL GEARS, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF POWER. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AND MECHANIC ASSURED ME EVERYTHING WITH THE TIMING BELT AND CLUTCH WAS OK. WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME SEVERE JOLTING AS BEFORE. IN LOWER GEARS CAR ACCELERATES EXTREMELY SLOWLY, AND OFTEN STALLS AFTER THE SEVERE SHAKING. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM; WHILE TAKING A LEFT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALLED, AND I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *NM

• 12/18/2014· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR CROSS MEMBER BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

• 12/18/2007· SUSPENSION

  LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW. DEALER SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE BEARING REPLACED. *TR

• 12/16/2007· SUSPENSION

  01 FORESTER WAS BOUGHT FROM VAN BORTEL SUBARU ON 4/24/04 COMING OFF A LEASE WITH 29,000 MILES. I HAD TO NEGOTIATE THAT DEALER TO CHECK CAR FOR SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALLS AND ASKED FOR THE 30K MAINTENANCE TO BE COMPLETED. MINIMAL WORK WAS COMPLETED AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS SUCH AS HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE HAD TO BE DONE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER AND COMPLAINTS OF ROAD NOISE HAD BEEN SHARED WITH DEALER. TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE IN RESPONSE. HEAD GASKET COST WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT ONE REAR WHEEL BEARING ($400) WAS NOT COVERED AND PAID BY OWNER. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS SINCE 2002 AND NEITHER SUBARU NOR VAN BORTEL INFORMED OWNERS OF PROBLEMS. AS A RESULT THEY PLACED OWNERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS MECHANICAL FAILURE AND INCREASED COST OF REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE REAR AXEL AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS ACCIDENT/INJURY. *TR

• 12/13/2001· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE TACK THAT IS IN PLACE TO HOLD THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT IN PLACE DOES NOT WORK. THE MAT CONTINUOUSLY FALLS OFF THE TACK. I FIRST MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING TO FIX. WE LOOKED AT OTHER SUBARUS AND THEY ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I RECENTLY COMMUNICATED THIS TO SUBARU VIA THEIR WEB SITE WITH LITTLE INTEREST ON THEIR PART. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE MAT SLIPS OFF THE TACK IT RUNS UP INTO THE PEDALS. THIS MEANS THE FLOATING TACK COULD ACTUALLY CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS THEN NOT HAVING ONE THERE AT ALL. OUR OTHER CAR (HONDA) HAD A TACK THAT IS FIRMLY PLACED IN THE FLOORBOARD NOT TACKED TO THE CARPET ONLY AND AS A RESULT IT DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/11/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND CAR THROTTLED FORWARD OVER EMBANKMENT ACROSS STREET IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. *YD

• 12/08/2008· SUSPENSION

  2001 SUBARU FORESTER 87500 MILES ON IT. 12/2007 HAD REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT INDEPENDENT SHOP. NOW IT IS 12/2008 WITH ONLY 92K MILES ON IT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING IS HOWLING LIKE A BANSHEE. PASSENGER REAR WHEEL BEARING GETTING LOUDER BUT NOT AS BAD. MIGHT HAVE DEALER REPLACE THEM THIS TIME AND CHECK HUB ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE ETC. *TR

• 11/30/2003· POWER TRAIN

  I OWN A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER L. MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND IT NOW HAS 41000 MILES. IT HAS EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURES OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AT (RIGHT REAR) 16000, (LEFT REAR) 25000. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS SYMPTOMS OF A THIRD FAILURE AT 41000 MI. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A DEALER FOR EACH COMPLAINT. I HAVE ESTIMATED DATE OF FIRST FAILURE AS I DO NOT EXACTLY REMEMBER..*AK

• 11/30/2003· POWER TRAIN

  UPON PICKING UP MY SUBARU FORESTER IN 2001, I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY. WAS TOLD CAR WAS FINE. BROKE DOWN 1 DAY LATER. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH. GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST CAR SHUDDERS. TOLD CAR IS FUNCTIOING AS DESIGNED. ON 11/4/03 BROUGHT CAR INTO NETWORK MAZDA SUBARU WITH COMPLAINT ABOUT CLUTCH TOLD IT WAS FINE AND FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED.. BROKE DOWN ON 11/9/03, CLUTCH PLATE BROKEN. NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A THING IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED CAR AT NEIL SUBARU, WENT TO GREGORIS SUBARU, NO SATISFACTION, WENT TO DEALERSHIP STATED ABOVE. SERVICE MANAGER RUDE AND TALKED DOWN TO ME, I FELT BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN. MANUAL TRANS. NOT WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE DAY I PICKED IT UP AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN. GREGORIS REPLACED CLUTCH AND SAID SOMETHING WAS BROKEN. NO SATISFACTION FROM SUBARU OR THE 3 DEALERS I HAVE WORKED WITH SO FAR. NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.*AK

• 11/29/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FOOT TOUCHING BOTH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT AS STATED IN SERVICE BULLETIN 6-29-00 OPERATION #A543-008, HOWEVER CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS INADEQUATE AND THEY SHOULD BE SEPARATED APART. *MJS

• 11/26/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE TOO CLOUDED OVER TO USE SAFELY. REGULAR EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE (WASHING, WAXING WHERE INDICATED) HAS NEVER MADE A DIFFERENCE MATERIALS USED WERE SUB-STANDARD & DID NOT EVEN OUTLIVE OUTLIVE THE ORIGINAL MFR. WARRANTY. *TR

• 11/09/2000· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD SCRATCHES TOO EASILY. THIS IS A GREAT DISTRACTION TO DRIVER, ESPECIALLY FROM THE REFLECTION OF SUN. *AK THE PLASTIC PART OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSES THE SCRATCHES. *YH

• 11/06/2003· SUSPENSION

  A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING MUST BE REPLACED. *AK

• 11/04/2004· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATED REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THIS PART WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. *AK

• 11/01/2004· POWER TRAIN

  BEGAN AS INTERMITTENT CLUTCH SLIPPING (JUDDER) WHEN COLD OR DAMP. IT IS NOW OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING. THEY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, KNEW ALL ABOUT IT AND THE TSB THAT SUBARU HAD ISSUED AND ADVISED THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. WHEN I CAME HOME FROM WORK, I HAD A MESSAGE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER BASIC WARRANTY (36000 MILES) AND SINCE MINE WAS 48,000, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME SINCE SOA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SVC MGR, HAS REMEDIED IT ON NEW MODELS, THIS IS A DEFECT. I LIVE ON A STATE ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC AROUND A CURVE. WHEN I ACCELERATE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I EXPECT THAT THE CAR WOULD SAFELY AND QUICKLY MOVE ME INTO TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY SOA. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET IF ANYONE WAS LOOKING FOR THIS. AND EVEN THOSE WHO HAD REPAIRS MADE WITHIN THE WTY PERIOD COMPLAINED OF CONTINUING FAILURES.*AK

• 10/29/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, CRACKED SHORT BLOCK, AND O2 SENSORS ALL REPLACED AT AROUND 100,000 MILES. O2 SENSORS REPLACED TWICE. UNKNOWN WHEN PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AND WHICH WAS CAUSE AND WHICH EFFECT. HEAD GASKETS SHOULD BE COVERED BY PROGRAM WWP-99, BUT SUBARU WILL NOT CONSIDER NOR DISCUSS ANY ACCOMMODATION. *NM

• 10/26/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS ON A SIDE STREET AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES ALREADY.*AK

• 10/25/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BLOWN HEAD GASKET @ 75,000 MILES (OIL LEAKS). NOT COVERED BY SERVICE PROGRAM WWP-99. *NM

• 10/10/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING DEPRESSED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE FIFTEEN FEET AWAY AND ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,000. UPDATED 1/7/14*CN

• 10/10/2001· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR MOVED FORWARD. ENGAGING THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP CAR AND IT WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. IN PREVIOUS YEARS SUBARUS WERE RECALLED FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS.ALSO FOR PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK

• 10/06/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE BECAME VERY WARM WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99000.

• 10/04/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  UNUSUAL HEAT IN THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL WHEN THE RHEOSTAT CONTROLLED LIGHTS WERE ON HIGH, IMPOSSIBLE TO USE TAPE DECK BECAUSE OF THE HEAT GENERATED, OVERHEATING RHEOSTAT CONTROL FOR THE DASHBOARD LIGHT, EITHER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE IN THE RHEOSTAT OR THE INCORRECT WATTAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEGREES.

• 09/27/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES FROM THE BRAKES. DEALER AND SUBURU MANUFACTORY WERE NOTIFIED. *MR

• 09/26/2002· WHEELS

  SCREECHING SHOUND COMING FROM WHEELS. MR

• 09/25/2003· POWER TRAIN

  SEVERE CLUTCH SHUDDER ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. DEALER WON'T FIX. SAYS IT'S A GAS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT

• 09/21/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED FOR 10+ MINUTES, THE CAR SPEED BEGINS TO DRAG AND SURGE (SUDDENLY SLOWS, THEN RESUMES SET SPEED). THE CAR SEEMS TO BE ACTIVELY PULLING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE IF I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE CRUISE SETTING, THE DRAGGING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE STILL OCCURS. IF THE CRUISE IS LEFT ENGAGED, THE LURCHING WORSENS, AND WHEN I EXIT THE FREEWAY THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WANT TO DOWN SHIFT. IT RESISTS UNTIL THERE'S A LOUD NOISE, THE REAR OF THE CAR BUCKS, AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR. THIS HAPPENS THROUGH EVERY GEAR, AND THEN AGAIN UPSHIFTING FROM A STOP: THE RPMS WIND UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL, THE CAR RESISTS SHIFTING, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNTIL I STOP AND TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE, WHICH APPARENTLY RESETS IT. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR IN WEATHER UNDER 70 DEGREES. THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE PER RECALL #WWF89, AND HAS ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE IGNITION RELAY, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S WINDING UP TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT VIOLENTLY BUCKS INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE UNPREDICTABLE. MOST RECENTLY, I WAS TESTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR IN RAINY WEATHER. WHEN IT BEGAN SURGING, I IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED IT, BUT THE DRAG-BACK ON THE THROTTLE CONTINUED ANYWAY (THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT IN WHICH THE LURCHING CONTINUED AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL). I AM CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED AT ALL, AND ALSO THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO SEIZE UP WITHOUT WARNING. (NOTE: THE "INCIDENT DATE" ON THIS FORM IS THE DATE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED HAPPENING IN APRIL, 2003. THE "NUMBER OF FAILURES" IS AN ESTIMATE -- IT HAPPENS AS OFTEN AS I TEST IT.)*JB

• 09/17/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE BACKING INTO DRIVEWAY ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT A PAKRED CAR, CONSUMER STATED ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK IN THE PAST BUT ONLY WHILE IN REVERSE.*SLC

• 09/17/2000· TIRES

  THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE TO SHOW THE ENTIRE DOT NUMBER WHICH IS DOT EL YT CHB 1000. THIS TIRE FAILED AT 55 DEGREES TEMPERATURE, AT 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE ODOMETER HAD ONLY 1563 MILES ON IT. I HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND THAT ALARMED ME, SO I GOT INTO THE SLOW LANE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CLUNKING SOUND STOPPED. A MINUTE OR SO LATER, THE TIRE FAILED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF NAILS OR OTHER ROAD HAZARD, BUT THE TIRE DID HAVE A LOT OF TIRE DUST INSIDE IT. I DID NOT GO IN TO WORK THAT DAY, SO I COULD REPLACE ALL MY TIRES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I REPLACED 4 TIRES WITH MICHELINS AT A COST OF $408.29, AND I INTEND TO REPLACE THE 5TH TIRE AS SOON AS COSTCO GETS A NEW SHIPMENT IN. I HAVE RETAINED ALL THE TIRES I REPLACED. I HESITATED TO TAKE THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE FOR EVALUATION, BECAUSE I DID NOT THINK THEY WOULD BE IMPARTIAL.( DOT NUMBER: ELYTCHB100 TIRE SIZE: P205/70R15 )

• 09/13/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE CONTACT'S FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

• 09/12/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER RAN HEAD-ON INTO A POLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 09/12/2000· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY BECAUSE OF FAULTY HEADLIGHTS.*AK NO LEFT OR RIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR HEAD LIGHTS AND NOT ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. ALSO HEAD LIGHTS ARE TO HIGH ON BRIGHT TO LOW ON DIM. *YH

• 09/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER BEING TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR SUBARU CLUTCHES TO HAVE CLUTCH JUDDER, AND NOW OUT OF MY 60,000 WARRANTY, I FIND THAT SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB TO FIX THE CLUTCH JUDDER PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AND I SHOULD GET A WARRANTIED REPAIR OF MY CLUTCH AS SHOULD OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WITH THIS MAUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK

• 09/03/2005· SUSPENSION

  I OWN THREE SUBARU VEHICLES ONE OF WHICH IS A 2001 FORESTER-L. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE R/R WHEEL BEARING ON MY FORESTER TWICE @ 28017 MILES AND AT 75375 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. I WAS REIMBURSED BY SUBARU FOR HALF THE COST FOR SECOND INCIDENT. IN DISCUSSION WITH OTHER FORESTER OWNERS AND LOCAL MECHANICS THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM (PLEASE SEE VQ 7510621 AND VQ 7510621). I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 1998 LEGACY L WAGON, BUT IN FAIRNESS THIS WAS AT 112, 000 MI. MY FEAR HERE IS THAT I WILL ALSO INCUR THIS REPAIR ON MY 2002 IMPREZA. *JB

• 08/31/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION, HIGHWAY, STREET. *AK

• 08/27/2001· STRUCTURE

  THERE IS A LEAK/SEVERE CONDENSATION PROBLEM FOLLOWING RAINSTORMS/HIGH HUMIDITY. WATER LEAKS FROM EITHER MOON ROOF OR TOP OF WINSHIELD AND DRIPS IN FROM ROOF WETTING CLOTH OVER MIDDLE OF DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD VISOR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM BUT IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR IN WEATHER CONDITIONS CITED. TEN TO TWELVE DROPS OF WATER ACCUMULATE ON EITHER DRIVER, DASH OR STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS OCCURS USUALLY WHEN STARTING CAR AND PROCEEDING TO DRIVE IN THE MORNING. THIS IS STARTLING WHEN IT OCCURS, APPROXIMATELY ON SIX OCCASIONS TO DATE, AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK

• 08/26/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  UPON EXITING DOORWAY OF DRIVE-THU CARWASH, TOOK CAR OUT OF NEUTRAL AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL INTO TRAFFIC CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.APPLYING ANTILOCK BRAKES DID NOT SLOW/STOP ACCELERATION,AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF DESPITE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. *AK

• 08/24/2001· SUSPENSION

  I ALREADY HAD TO CHANGE BROKEN BEARINGS IN BOTH REAR WHEELS OF MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. I AM TRAINED TO MONITOR NOISE AND VIBRATION AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH THE PROBLEM IN-TIME. THE REPLACEMENT WAS MADE BY A SUBARU DEALER WITH NO COST TO ME. I THINK THAT MOST DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CATCH THE PROBLEM AND THE SITUATION MAY BE LIFE THREATENING IF THE BEARING FINALY COMPLETELY BREAKS AT HIGH SPEED AND FREEZE THE WHEEL. I SENT ACOMPLAIN TO SUBARU COMPANY. THE COMPANY RESPONSE (CASE # 332444): "THE PARTS THAT YOU HAD REPLACED ARE MECHANICAL. AS YOU KNOW, MECHANICAL PARTS CAN FAIL." I DO NOT THINK THAT IT IS NORMAL IF WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL IN A NEW CAR IN THE FIRST YEAR.*AK

• 08/23/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2001 SUBARU FORESTER REPEATEDLY DECELERATES AND/OR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATES AT ALL SPEEDS, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS. POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHE. ALREADY SOME NEAR MISSES.*AK

• 08/21/2015· SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED, WHICH PREVENTED THE BRAKES FROM STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN, WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FAILED TO INDICATE IF ANY INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,503.

• 08/18/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  AS SOON AS THE CAR AGED TO 75,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALER IS 51 MILES AWAY FROM MY CURRENT LOCATION. NOT EASY TO GET TO. MY IN TOWN MECHANIC HAS ONLY BEEN TRYING TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS. I'VE HAD THERMOSTAT, HEATER CORE, VALVE COVERS, SPARK PLUG WIRES REPLACED, HOSES REPLACED, AND STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO A SUBARU DEALER THIS MORNING, STILL OVERHEATING, AND HE SAYS I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE VALVE COVERS, WIRES, OBVIOUSLY THE HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A FEW OTHER PARTS. LABOR ALONE IS A 1000 DOLLARS. SUBARU SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AS I AM NOTICING THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS AND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED OWNING A SUBARU UP UNTIL NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE. *JB