2005 Subaru Forester

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

• 12/30/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CAR HAS RAW FUEL/GAS SMELL ON COLD STARTS WHEN IDLING. FUMES CAN BE NOTICED BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUMES DISAPPEAR ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FUEL LINE LEAK(S) ARE OCCURRING UNDER THE MANIFOLD WHERE THE SCREWS TO TIGHTEN CAN NOT BE REACHED. SUBARU DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE COST TO REPAIR FOR PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE $750 AS THE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIR. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS TO 180K AND 155K IN THE SAME GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT AND HAVE NEVER HAD A FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED LIKE THEY DID ON THE 02-03 WRX!!! THIS IS A MAJOR LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. I'M GOING TO SUBARU NORTH AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY WILL PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. *TR

• 12/30/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 30F. NO SMELL WHEN ENGINE RICHES NORMAL WORKING TEMPERATURE. NO SMELL IN THE WARM WEATHER. POSSIBLE ISSUE RUBBER FUEL LINES. CAR IS NOT TO OLD TO HAVE RUBBER PARTS DEFECTED. *TR

• 12/27/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS IN THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL LINES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,260.

• 12/23/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS PRIOR. CHECKED FLUID AND WAS A BIT LOW. I HADN'T NOTICED AND FLUIDS UNDER CAR SO DID NOT GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT. I WAS DRIVING ON SUNDAY AND HAD LOSS OF PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NURSED IT HOME. I ADDED FLUID AND PUMPED PEDAL IN DRIVEWAY. THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I PULLED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SOME SUBARU VEHICLES SAME AGE HAD BRAKE LINE ISSUES THAT WERE INVOLVED IN A RECALL. I TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD ME IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND THAT AS A GOODWILL GESTURE THAT THEY WOULD CREDIT $500 TOWARD THE $1850 BILL WHICH I THOUGHT WAS GRACIOUS. THE DEALER SAID THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE BRAKE LINES, BUT IT DID. I DON'T WANT TO JEOPARDIZE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR ME, BUT COULD OF BEEN A SCARY EVENT. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN MICHIGAN AND TOOK IT TO NORTH CAROLINA. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO YOUR BRAKE LINE RECALL AND SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO PREVIOUS YEARS. THANKS *TR

• 12/23/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IN HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY AT THE CONTACT EXPENSE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THIS PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,029. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10

• 12/16/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  IN COLD WEATHER, AROUND 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW, I AM EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED BY CONTRACTED FUEL LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 03-05 FORESTERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH TURBOS. SUBARU SHOULD BE HELP ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS, AS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT WAS RECALLED ON SIMILAR VEHICLES AROUND THE SAME MODEL YEAR.

• 12/15/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD DAYS IN CABIN, LEAKING FUEL

• 12/08/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL INDICATORS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND EACH TIME, THE DEALER WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD RETURN HIS CALL WITHIN 24 HOURS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 11/30/2017· SUSPENSION

  FRONT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND AXLE BROKE WITH NO WARNING WHILE IN MOTION. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW FROM THE SHOWROOM FLOOR AND RETURNED IT IN 2011 FOR A RECALL "WVX34" NHTSA CAMPAIGN 11V464000 FOR 03-08 FORESTER FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM RECALL-FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE BOWSER SUBARU GARAGE FAILED TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATION CAUSE THEY FAILED TO REPLACE THE RUSTED OUT PARTS AND THEY ARGUED IT WAS FINE AFTER THEY DID A SPRING TENSION TEST BY HITTING ONLY ONE AREA- THE THICKEST PART OF THE METAL AND THEY REFUSED TO CHECK ANY OTHER SPOT. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER, WHO HAS EXPERIENCE IN AUTO MECHANICS AFTER HAVING BEEN A MECHANIC IN THE SERVICE, KNEW THIS BOWSER SUBARU WAS WRONG SO HE WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO FIRESTONE, OBTAINED EVIDENCE/PROOF WITH DOCUMENTATION FROM FIRESTONE AFTER THEY CHECKED THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THEY NOTED "BOTH" LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARMS NEEDED REPLACED BUT "AGAIN" EVEN WITH THIS PROOF, THIS BOWSER SUBARU GARAGE IGNORED THIS "SAFETY" RECALL ISSUE AND THEY SAID THEY WANTED $2,000 TO FIX IT WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER THIS RECALL IN 2011. SUBARU HEADQUARTERS CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE IN 2011 AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS CAR STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL PARTS THAT SUBARU NEVER CORRECTED AND FORTUNATELY IT LASTED THIS LONG HOWEVER, THEY FINALLY BROKE FROM THE RUST. FORTUNATELY, WE GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SAFELY-ONLY 2 MILES AWAY AND ALSO MADE IT TO THE BOTTOM OF A STEEP HILL SAFELY BEFORE HAVING IT TOWED. SUBARU NEVER FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATION AND DENIED THIS RECALL BY COVERING IT UP THAT THEY COMPLETED THE WORK WHEN THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING. I WILL SUBMIT ANY DOCUMENTATION THAT YOU REQUEST.

• 11/30/2016· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  I NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS I WAS PARKING AT MY HOME. FLAMES DRIPPED DOWN ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE AXLE. AS I RETURNED QUICKLY WITH NO WATER THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I RAN A MILE TO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE AND CALLED 911. WE THEN HEARD THE BOOM OF THE EXPLODING FUEL TANK. WE RETURNED TO THE SCENE WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF THE INCIDENT AND THE CAR WAS ABLAZE. NOTHING SURVIVED THE FIRE. THE HEAT MELTED THROUGH THE MOTOR STRAIGHT THROUGH THE TOP OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MOTOR OIL WAS BOILING. LOST ALL VALUABLES AND VEHICLE. THE MOTOR SWAP WAS DONE TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO WITH A FACTORY MOTOR FROM MANUFACTURER. THIS MOTOR HAS A ACTIVE RECAL. SUBARU IS BURING ME IN PAPERWORK AND SO FAR OFFERED NO COMPENSATION OR HELP SINCE THE FIRE ON 11/26/16. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND UNBURNED. SHAME ON SUBARU NOT OFFERING ANY ASSISTANCE.

• 11/29/2016· SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN HIGHWAY SPEED, A BURNING RUBBER ODOR EMITTED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUCKET SUSPENSION PLATE UNDER THE SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED, WHICH IMPACTED THE SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND CAUSED THE STRUT TO FRACTURE ON THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRUTS, SHOCK ASSEMBLIES, AND BOTH REAR TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 02/03/17*LJ UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR

• 11/14/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO COLD WEATHER THE SAME THING THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE WRX ONCE ALREADY.S WHEN IT GETS COLD THE LINES CONSTRICT AND THE CONNECTIONS AREN'T RIGHT ENOUGH ALLOWING LIQUID GASOLINE TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON THING. SUBARU NEEDS TO OWN UP FOR THIS ONE LIKE THEY DID THE WRX. *TR

• 11/13/2020· ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I'VE EXPERIENCED THE LEAKING FUEL LINE WHEN TEMPERATURES DROPPED BELOW 20 DEGREES AND GET TERRIBLE GAS FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN ESPECIALLY DURING COLD AND DAMP WEATHER. IT IS MORE PROMINENT WITH THE HEAT ON. THIS SMELL/LEAK CAN BE NOTICED WHILE PARKED, DRIVING, ANYTIME WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WITH FUEL PRESSURE.

• 11/03/2020· ENGINE

  MY CAR IS BURNING UP OIL. I JUST DID AN OIL CHANGE 400MILES AGO, AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE AND DRIVING REAL FUNNY YESTERDAY. I TOOK THE OIL WHEN I GOT HOME AND THERE WASN'T ANY THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S HAPPENED. THERE'S NO LEAK THERE'S NO OIL IN THE WATER NO OIL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PERIOD WHAT IS GOING ON

• 10/30/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I CAN SEE GAS RUNNING DOWN MY ENGINE BLOCK. THE LEAK IS ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF MY EJ255. SMELLS OF GAS VERY STRONGLY. I AM WORRIED A FIRE MIGHT START BECAUSE IT IS VERY NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. BOTH ON A CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY. AND ALSO WHEN TURNING

• 10/30/2017· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR EXPERIENCED: -LOSS IN POWER (STUTTERED A COUPLE TIMES), THEN COMPLETELY STALLED -WE HAD TO COAST IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD -A FEW HOURS LATER WE TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN AND IT RAN FINE -IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE PROBLEM, THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR ~15 MINUTES WITH NO ISSUES, THERE WAS NO RAIN, IT WAS A DRY DAY, NO OTHER POTENTIAL CAUSES TO BE NOTICED -THIS EXACT ISSUE OCCURRED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, IT HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE EVER SINCE, EXCEPT IN THE WINTER THE IDLE WILL SOMETIMES FLUCTUATE (UNSURE IF THIS IS RELATED) THIS STALL CONDITION COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY, AT AN INTERSECTION, ETC. IT PRODUCED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CODE P2138 WHEN READ WITH A OBDII SCANNER. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE REPEATED. THE FACTORY TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PEDAL SENSOR, THE HARNESS, OR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. ALL PASSED THE TESTS. SO WE ARE LEFT WITH A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT CAN'T BE VERIFIED TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT CAN'T BE RECREATED.

• 10/24/2005· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND RADIO WILL NOT OPERATE AFTER TURNING ON THE ENGINE. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SOMETIMES THEY WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. PROBLEM DOES NOT RESOLVE ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET WIPERS TO WORK AT ALL FOR AN ENTIRE DAY. PROBLEM DEVELOPED IN THE SPRING TIME IN THE LAKE TAHOE AND SACRAMENTO REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM OVER THE DRY SUMMER IN THE MOUNTAINS. SUBARU HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND DOESN'T KNOW IF THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE IT IS DIFFICULT TO CREATE. *JB

• 10/14/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE ABS STUCK ON THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL SLOWLY AND HAD TO STOP TO WAIT ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TOOK A WHILE, SHE PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE MOVED THE CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE, THEN PUT VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR, AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN STARTING TO GO DOWN HILL AND TRYING TO USE THE BRAKE IT WOULD NOT WORK. IT WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST SAFELY TO A PARKING LOT. SHE HAD TURNED THE ENGINE OFF FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT WORKED FINE. THE TRANSMISSION IS MANUAL. THE VEHICLE HAS A HILL HOLD. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED, THE CONSUMER HASN'T BEEN IN THE SAME SITUATION SINCE THE DAY OF THE INITIAL INCIDENT. *NM

• 10/13/2022· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at approximately 25 MPH, the front passenger's side subframe emitted an abnormally loud sound, and the front passenger's side tire detached from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road where he noticed that the front passenger's side lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer where it remained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.

• 09/28/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE BROKE DOWN DURING HURRICANE EVACUATION THEREBY ENDANGERING ME AND MY FAMILY FOR 32 HOURS. 2005 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A BUILT-IN DEFECT WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS DOWN DURING ENGINE IDLE, SO ONLY THE BATTERY RUNS UNTIL OUT OF POWER, THEREBY LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS STRANDED ON ROADWAY. *JB

• 09/17/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAD LODGED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

• 09/14/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON ANY ROAD CONDITION, WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

• 09/13/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE PURCHASED A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A SUBARU DEALER IN AUGUST 2008 AT 60,000 MILES. SINCE AUGUST 2008, WE HAD FOUR EPISODES OF ENGINE STALLING WITH CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. WE HAD TO HAVE OUR CAR TOWED FOUR TIMES TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST AND THIRD TOWING RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF IGNITION COIL. THE SECOND TOWING RESULTED IN NO REPAIR SINCE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. BEFORE THE FOURTH TOWING, WE JUST GOT ON A FREEWAY AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER SO WE QUICKLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND MANAGED TO PARK FORESTER IN AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT START SO WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FORESTER NOW NEEDS AN ENGINE REBUILD SINCE LOWER ENGINE MAIN BEARING HAD FAILED, CAUSING RESIDUAL SCORING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER BLOCK AND BOTH CYLINDER HEADS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ASKED FOR $7000 IN REBUILDING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAD 72000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN AND IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD WE BEEN DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT INSTEAD OF SLOWLY ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP. *TR

• 09/10/2015· STEERING

  LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE IN 2 EXACTLY AS PREDICTED BY THE RECALL NOTICE. SUBARU SAID THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED, MEANING THEY SPREAD SOME RUST INHIBITOR ON IT AT SOME POINT IN THE PAST. THEIR FINAL RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS TOO 'OLD' TO OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 80K MILES AND NOTHING ELSE ON THE VEHICLE HAS BROKE IN HALF.

• 08/23/2013· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE OF ROAD SALTS THAT WERE NO WASHED OFF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME BEGAN TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 08/17/2020· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT PRODUCED CONDENSATION THAT CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO RUST THROUGH ALONG WITH ROAD SALT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. THE DAMAGE WAS ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE CONTROL ARM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) IN 2012 AS A ONE-TIME FREE REPAIR. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH AN UPPER LEVEL MANAGER WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,709.*BF*JB

• 08/14/2019· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THERE'S A KNOWN UNDERCARRIAGE RECALL ISSUE ON THE 2005 FORESTER FOR WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. UPON DISCOVERY OF THE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE WHICH INCLUDED EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND THE SUPPORTING FRAME (SEE PHOTO). I CONTACTED A NEARBY SUBARU DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT MOST OF THE NEEDED REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THIS SITUATION PUT MY FAMILY AND ME AT GREAT RISK AS WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND WITHOUT KNOWING. WE FEEL THAT SUBARU SHOULD HAVE GONE TO GREATER LENGTHS TO MAKE SURE I GOT THE NOTICE REGARDING THIS STRUCTURAL DEFECT. SUBARU SHOULD COVER THIS REPAIR IN FULL. I WANTED TO ALERT OTHERS TO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.

• 08/12/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  DT: CONSUMER GOT INTO CAR ACCIDENT AND THE SIDE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT 40 MPH/. *TT *JB

• 08/05/2005· SUSPENSION

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2006 SUBARU WAS NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY. VEHICLE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD, IT DID NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT AND IT WENT TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. IT WAS MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN GOING FAST. IT WAS DOING THIS ALL THE TIME. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER INSISTED VEHICLE DID HAVE ENOUGH CASTER. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT ALL OF THE SUBARU DID THAT AND COULD NOT FIX THE CAR, THE CONSUMER DID NOT WANT THE CAR. HE PAID CASH FOR VEHICLE, AND WAS UPSET. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT CALLED SUBARU, BUT PLANNED DOING SO. THE CONSUMER OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS. THE FIRST 800 MILES THE CAR DID NOT DO THIS. IT WAS A 2006 MODEL. THE CONSUMER INSISTED THAT IT WAS A SUSPENSION FAILURE. *AK

• 07/31/2014· STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  ON JULY 28, 2014 I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT MY CONDO.THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP THE CAR AND THE ENGINE SEEMED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE PASSENGER WITH ME LOOKED DOWN AND SAID THE GAS PEDAL LOOKED TO BE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED, AND I AM STILL AWAITING FOR THE DAMAGE ESTIMATE FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

• 07/17/2021· SUSPENSIONCrash

  I was driving down the highway when my front drivers side control arm broke causing me to completely lose control of my vehicle. I was thrown down an embankment and into a cornfield where my vehicle came to a stop. I narrowly missed a telephone pole and culvert. I am extremely fortunate that my car went into a field rather than into oncoming traffic as this happened during rush hour traffic on a Thursday night around 5-530pm. I’m glad that I was able to walk away from this and wasn’t killed. I had no warning lights, no laxity in steering, no warning at all-absolutely NOTHING that would’ve allowed me time to avoid this. The part failure has been recalled previously, and when I called Subaru I was told that the recall had been “taken care of” which concerns me that this part was “fixed” and still put my life in danger. Police were called to the scene and a report was written. My car was towed to a local shop to be evaluated and was considered a total loss due to the extent of the damage. I am still waiting to hear back from Subaru if there is anything they are willing or wanting to do. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I take amazing care of my vehicles, and haven’t even owned this car for a year. Now I am stuck in a completely unfair situation and having to carry the financial burden for something I was not responsible for. The vehicle is still available to be looked at as well, and I am more than happy to have someone look at the damage. I don’t want anyone to lose their life over this part malfunction, and I hope you are able to help me do something about this to keep everyone on the road safe.

• 07/07/2015· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A DITCH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,400.

• 07/06/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE. ONE SEVERAL MODEL OF SUBARU, BRAKES LINES WERE REPLACED FOR CORROSION DUE TO A RECALL. WHEN ORDERING THE REPLACEMENT PART I NOTICED IT APPLIED TO SOME OF THE CARS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND SOME THAT WERE NOT. IT SEEMS TO MY THAT MY FORRESTER HAD PRECISELY THE SAME LINES THAT WERE RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN YOU ORIGINAL SETTLEMENT WITH SUBARU. WE HAVE MANY OLDER CARS IN THE FAMILY AND NOT ONE OF THEM HAS EVER EXPERIENCED A BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SUBARU IS NEGLIGENT IN SUPPLYING CARS WITH BRAKE LINES THAT CORRODE MORE EASILY FROM THE OUTSIDE THAT AUDI, TOYOTA, LEXUS AND HONDA - JUST FROM OUR EXPERIENCE.

• 07/02/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT RELEASED PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE ONTO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND PARKED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

• 06/29/2017· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR GENERAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARMS SHOWED CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 06/29/2015· STEERING,SUSPENSIONCrash

  AFTER A SCRATCHY, METALLIC NOISE THAT APPEARED SUDDENLY IN THE LOWER FRONT, WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION,STEERING WAS CEASED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DECLARED AS A TOTAL LOSS.

• 06/26/2017· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALLEY WEST SIDE IMPORTS TO GET THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) COMPLETED AND THE TECHNICIAN PUT ANTI-CORROSIVE ADHESIVE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED FIVE YEARS LATER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED AT 60 MPH, THEY FELT AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE WHITE WHEEL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

• 06/11/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  COIL PACKED WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED 05.2006 AND THE PLUGS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS YEAR THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED AND THE PLUGS AGAIN. *AK

• 06/10/2009· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS HEARD WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,500.

• 06/07/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE DECELERATION LEVER, WHICH SUBARU LABELS "COAST" WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO THE DESIRED RATE OF TRAVEL AND THE LEVER WAS RELEASED. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN THE SAME SPEED AS WHEN RELEASED, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED APPARENTLY BACK TO THE PREVIOUS SET POINT. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA BY E-MAIL AND THEY STATED THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM AFTER PERFORMING THEIR ELECTRONIC TESTS. I ASKED THEM TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF THEY HAD RELEASED ANY BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THE PERSON CONTACTED AT SUBARU (JODY) STATED TO KENT MELCHIOR OF ED REILY SUBARU IN CONCORD, NH THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO HIS REPORT TO ME ON 6/7/2006. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE NHTSA COMPLAINT WEBSITE, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AGAINST SUBARU FOR THIS TYPE OF AN INTERMITTENT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THEREFORE, SUBARU OF AMERICA IS EITHER INCOMPETENT OR LYING. *NM

• 06/04/2019· SUSPENSION

  THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 14 YEARS OLD AND I'VE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. I HAD IT TAKEN TO MY FAMILY MECHANIC FOR MINOR ISSUES AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SUSPENSION IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE OR HAD HIT A LARGE HOLE, HE SAID THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED.

• 05/31/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN AFTER MY CAR CRASHED ANOTHER CAR AND THE INSURANCE DECLARED MY CART TOTAL LOSS. BOTH MYSELF AND THE PERSON IN THE OTHER CAR WERE LUCKILY NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED (JUST NECK WHIPLASH), BUT I HIT THE CARE VERY HARD, I EVEN HURT MY KNEES WITH THE IMPACT AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT WORK. *TR

• 05/28/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A PARKING LOT AN UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS AN INTERSECTION AND JUMPED A SIDE WALK BEFORE IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *TR

• 05/23/2013· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE - SHOP EVALUATION SHOWS MASTER CYLINDER FAILING - ORIGINAL MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED WITH NEW PART AT 31858 MILES DUE TO FAILURE (BRAKE FLUID BLEEDING BACK INTO RESERVOIR). WILL HAVE TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER AGAIN. [NOTE : VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER]

• 05/19/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  THIS IS A 1 OWNER CAR WITH ONLY 65400 MILES ON IT. I DROVE DOWN A 30MPH ROAD AND THERE WAS SUCH A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND . NO LIGHT CAME ON, I WENT TO STOP THERE WAS LOUD GRINDING . AND 0 BRAKES OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I WENT THREW THE STOP SIGN AND INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE GRINDING TO A STOP..THIS CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED REGULAR. I TOOK IT RIGHT AWAY TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP.. THEY SAID THE BRAKES ARE CARRODED AND FROZEN. REQUIRING CALIPERS ,ROTORS,PADS ON EACH FRONT WHEEL. JUST FOR THE FRONT THE COST WAS OVER $950.00 . I DID SHOW A RECALL FOR THIS BUT BEFORE I GO TO THE SABARU DEALER I NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS COVERED. I AM A DISABLED WIDOW I DRIVE VERY FEW MILES . I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY VEHICLE REQUIRE ANY THING OTHER THAN PADS.RHIS IS A REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM. STILL THE BRAKES LIGHT HAS NOT EVEN COME ON.

• 05/12/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

• 05/05/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OUR COMPANY USES TEN SUBARU FORESTERS AS FLEET VEHICLES FOR UTILITY FIELD WORK. OF THE TEN VEHICLES FIVE ARE 2005 FORESTERS AND OUT OF THE FIVE, THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AT THE COMPANY'S EXPENSE. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS A 2006 MODEL AND HAD ITS CATALYTIC CONVERTER CHANGED AT NO COST DUE TO WARRANTY. THE FOUR VEHICLE VIN NUMBERS AND MILES AT WHICH THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED ARE: MILEAGE 94,742, MILEAGE AT 82,491, MILEAGE 90,732 AND MILEAGE 64,059(2006 WARRANTY). WE FIND THIS FAILURE RATE TO BE ABNORMALLY HIGH AND QUESTION THE PARTS FAILURE RATE. *TR

• 05/04/2023· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond to the steering wheel turning. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle decelerated but the front passenger's side of the vehicle was sliding. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side control arm had fractured, and the axle was damaged. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension), which he related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could assist because of the age of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

• 05/04/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  A RED LIGHT RUNNER IMPACTED MY VEHICLE IN AN INTERSECTION. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THE RED LIGHT RUNNER WAS IN A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500 AND I ESTIMATE THE SPEED BETWEEN 50 TO 60 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT DROVE MY VEHICLE INTO A CAR TO MY LEFT THAT WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSECTION. THE STATIONARY VEHICLE WAS A 2004 FORD BRONCO. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN INTO THE LEFT FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE AND TOTALLED. THERE WERE TWO RAPID LATERAL IMPACTS TO MY VEHICLE YET THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SEAT RESTRAINTS WERE ON. *TR

• 05/04/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  MY 2005 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL, THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGED AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION SUBSIDED AFTER I PLACED THE CAR IN FIRST GEAR AND SLIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL MOVING THE CAR FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT. THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED OVER A DOZEN TIMES IN THE COURSE OF 24HRS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER WHERE SEVERAL TEST RUNS WERE PERFORMED AS WELL AS A MONITOR TEST. NO CODES SHOWED UP SO I TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST RUN WITH ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISORS AND THE CAR ACCELERATED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN 10-15MIN. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A SECOND TEST RUN WITH A MECHANIC WHO BELIEVED THE THROTTLE WAS IMPROPERLY OPENING. THE MECHANIC THEN INSPECTED AND CLEANED THE PIN CONNECTORS AT TPS AND MAP SENSORS. HE THEN ROAD TESTED IT SEVERAL TIMES TO DETERMINE IF THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED AND FOUND NO MORE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM MOST LIKELY WAS A STICKY THROTTLE.THE CAR NOW RUNS WELL.