2013 Subaru Forester

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

• 12/28/2025· AIR BAGSCrash

  I had a family member driving an 2013 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a manual transition. The car had crash and rolled. The car at the most rolled twice and none of the air bags never deployed. I have photos of the accident and of the vehicle at the towed yard and its clear as day that the air bags are still rolled up.

• 12/27/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200...UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF UPDATED 2/4/2013 *JS

• 12/21/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT 6 TIMES. IN THIS SAME TIME PERIOD WE HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ONLY ONCE. THIS CONCERNS ME, AS IT MAKES ME THINK THERE IS A WIRING PROBLEM & A POSSIBILITY OF A MORE SEVERE PROBLEM

• 12/09/2022· SERVICE BRAKES

  My 2013 Subaru Forester had some noise (grinding) from the rear passenger side brake pad. I set up an appointment to have it inspected later that week. I then used my car to run an errand several days later. I was driving on the highway and found I had no brakes (brake pedal went to the floor). I was able to get to a parking lot and stop the car. When I exited the vehicle, I went to the right (passenger side) rear wheel and noticed brake fluid was on the pavement. This is concerning as the brake system should have redundancy (front brakes still work if the rear does not or vice versa). I had no brake pressure. I was told by the Subaru dealer that the brake pad had broken and fallen out, and in so doing the piston "went too far out" and brake fluid leaked as a result. This to me should not have eliminated all braking power for the vehicle. I was lucky to have been able to stop and get to a parking lot safely.

• 12/02/2018· SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES

  SQUEAKY BRAKES, SEATBELT RECOIL

• 11/20/2019· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS COME ON BY ITSELF AND IS FLASHING CONSTANTLY AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. IT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF OR ON WITH THE CONTROLS. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE UNEVEN TRACTION LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2014 MODELS. I OWN A 2013 MODEL AND IT DOING THE SAME THING. CONTACTED SUBARU MAIN BRANCH ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME IN MY VEHICLE AS 2014 RECALL.

• 11/19/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND I NEVER GOT THE NOTIFICATION THAT I COULD GET IT FIXED - IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR!

• 11/19/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN APRIL AND APPROVED, BUT BY OCTOBER OF THE SAME YEAR MY BRAKING SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND STUCK. MY MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE REAR PADS WERE INTO STEEL, ROTORS DEEPLY GROOVED, FRONT BRAKE PADS STUCK IN BRACKETS CAUSING BRAKE PRESSURE TO GO TO REAR BRAKES CAUSING QUICK WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE ALSO REPLACED, THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED AT A COST OF $791. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO SUBURU OF AMERICA, I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE REPAIR WOULD BE COMPLETELY REDONE AT NO COST TO ME. I AM STILL WITHOUT THE $791 AND WILL HAVE TO SPEND MORE WAITING TIME FOR A REPAIR OF THE REPAIR. HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED TO A NEW CAR WITH JUST 24,000 MILES? I HAVE DRIVEN A SUBARU SINCE THE LATE 70S AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES...NEVER! *TR

• 11/14/2019· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

  I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE A BUSTED RADIATOR HOSE REPAIRED. THEY FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT TANK, WATER IN THE OIL TANK, AKA FLUID CROSS-CONTAMINATION AND TOLD ME THAT I'D NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEN I GOT A SECOND MECHANIC TO CONCUR. THEN, I TOOK TO A SUBARU DEALER WHO SAID THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE IS OK BUT THE HEAD GASKETS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CAR HAS 107K MILES ON IT! SUBARU NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT! AS A NOTE, NO RELEVANT DASHBOARD LIGHTS EVER ILLUMINATED. (2013 FORESTER, 1 OWNER)

• 11/13/2022· ENGINE

  My car is consuming oil.

• 11/10/2018· ENGINE

  VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH A BAD MOTOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE FAILURE CORRELATES WITH THE ISSUES THAT SUBARU HAS WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO COME TO TERMS WITH SUBARU, I AM MOVING FORWARD WITH A LAWSUIT AND ALL OPTIONS AFFORDED TO ME TO ENSURE THAT SUBARU IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

• 11/09/2022· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the taillight light bulbs approximately 10 times. The headlight light bulbs were replaced 4 times. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.

• 11/07/2016· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE, PUT CAR IN PARK BUT LEFT IGNITION RUNNING AND HEADLIGHTS ON. I HAVE PARKED IN THIS SPACE SEVEN YEARS AND WAS NOT IN HABIT OF PULLING THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAD A VISITOR WHO NEEDED TO SEE DECK STEPS AS IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WE BOTH GOT OUT, WENT UP THE STEPS AND I RETURNED TO TURN OFF CAR. WHEN I LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION I KEEP DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR TO PREVENT UNWANTED LOCKING. I OPEN DOOR, LEAN IN TO TURN OFF KEY. BEFORE I CAN REACH THE KEY, THE CAR STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS. I THROW MYSELF SIDEWAYS TO AVOID CAR ROLLING OVER ME. BECAUSE OF INCLINE, CAR GATHERS SLIGHT SPEED AS IT ROLLS ABOUT 40-50 FEET DOWN DRIVEWAY (I LIVE ON A HILL AND DRIVEWAY INCLINE IS MORE PRONOUNCED FARTHER DOWN). IT VEERS SLIGHTLY TO LEFT AND I HEAR A "THUD." ENGINE STOPS, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, AS BEST I RECALL. CAR WAS STOPPED BY A SIX-INCH DIAMETER TREE. WHEN I GET BACK IN, I HAVE TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE IGNITION STARTED AND DRIVE CAR BACK TO PARKING SPOT. ODD THING IS THAT WHEN I GET IN THE CAR TO MOVE IT FROM TREE, THE GEAR IS IN "PARK." DAMAGE IS SUBSTANTIAL, NEARLY $10,000 BECAUSE OF WHERE IT HIT IN THE BACK AND INVOLVED THE EXPENSIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. I HAVE TRIED TO RECREATE THIS, PUTTING GEAR IN BOTH NEUTRAL AND REVERSE AT SAME PARKING SPOT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IF I HAD UNKNOWINGLY LEFT IT IN REVERSE, IT WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD; IF I'D LEFT IT IN NEUTRAL, THE WEIGHT SHIFT OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND SLAMMING CLOSED ONE OF THE DOORS WOULD HAVE STARTED IT ROLLING BACKWARD AT THAT TIME, NOT LATER. USSA TOLD ME SUBARU HAS NOT OWNED UP TO ANY ROLLBACK PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND ON A SLIGHT INCLINE BUT I FOUND A SIMILAR ROLLBACK IN A SUBARU FORUM FOR A CAR THAT WAS SAME YEAR, SAME MODEL AND LOW MILEAGE, AS MINE IS. I NOW USE PARKING BREAK ALL THE TIME, NO LONGER TRUSTING THE CAR.

• 10/31/2022· POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while coasting downhill into his carport to park his vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed his camper. The vehicle became wedged underneath the camper and all four legs of the camper to fold. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

• 10/23/2018· ENGINE

  FAILED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ,ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED .I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SECOND SUBARU FORESTER 2011 ITS ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. IN BOTH CARS I FOUND THE PROBLEMS ACCIDENTALLY WHEN I TOOK THE2011 TO HVE NEW TIERS I ASKED THEM TO CHECK OIL LEVEL FOUND NO OIL ON THE STICK FILLED IT WITH 3 BOTTELS OF OIL BEFORE I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL FORESTER ALSO I WAS NOT END A NOTICE THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOW THEY OFFER ME 1000$ TO APPLY FOR BUYING NEW SUBARU

• 10/09/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  MY FORESTER WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN WHEN I AM VERY CAREFUL TO PUT IT IN PARK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE A TSB 16-112-18R ABOUT IT. WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS A 2013 MODEL, EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. THEY INSTEAD PROVIDED A COUPON FOR $250 TOWARD THE REPAIR. I CLEARLY CANNOT GO ANYWHERE WITH THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION, AS IT REQUIRES LEAVING THE CAR UNLOCKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE LAST EVENING. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN A LOCATION WHERE I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR.

• 09/11/2014· ENGINE

  MY CAR HAS BEEN CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL SINCE I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IN APRIL OF 2014 BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. AT THAT OIL CHANGE I HAD ABOUT A QUART OF SYNTHETIC LEFT AFTER ONLY 4500 MILES. I TOOK IT IN EARLY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS RIDING ROUGH AND THAT WAS WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THE LOW OIL LEVEL. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SUBARU AMERICA OVER THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. I'M TOLD BY SUBARU THAT AFTER A COMPRESSION TEST THEY WILL CHANGE THE PISTON RINGS HOWEVER I'M TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE PISTON RINGS ARE DAMAGED BY LOW OIL AND DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS COMPLAINT IS PROMPTED AFTER I DISCOVERED THE HORDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING SUBARU'S OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT SUBARU IS PUTTING A BANDAID OVER THE PROBLEM AND SAFETY IS IN FACT AN ISSUE AS PEOPLE HAVE HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND OTHERS HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FIXING DAMAGE TO OTHER AREAS OF THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF LOW OIL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

• 09/11/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  I WAS DOING ROUGHLY 25/30 MILES AND MY CAR ACCELERATED TO A MUCH FASTER SPEED AND HIGHER RPM'S CAUSING ME TO JAM ON THE BRAKES. *TR

• 09/10/2018· ENGINE

  I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM MECHANIC AFTER TAKING IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE PAN, DIPSTICK CLEAN! I DO NOT HAVE A LEAK AS I PARK IN GARAGE AND WOULD SEE IT. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON DASH, WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN! LOOKING BACK SUBARU HAS HAD ISSUES WITH OIL BURNING UP QUICKLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

• 09/10/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAVE BEEN HEARING A SLIGHT SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE OTHER DAY IT WAS A HORRIFIC, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE! TOOK IT IN TO MECHANIC, MY CALIPER IS STUCK. THEY COULDN'T EVEN MANUALLY SPIN TIRE. BECAUSE OF THIS IT BURNED UP ROTORS AND PADS, SO NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THEM ALL AT A COST OF $900! HOW DOES A CALIPER JUST FREEZE UP??

• 09/01/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE BACKING INTO A GARAGE THERE WAS A UNCONTROLABLE ACCELERATION CAUSING DAMAGE THE THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND ITEMS STORED IN THE GARAGE. 8JS

• 08/31/2013· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURECrash

  I HAD A SIDE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT CRUSHED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS AND BLEW OUT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. THE IMPACT NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND AGAIN THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT THERE WERE SERIOUS INJURIES IN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. I AM CONCERNED THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE SENSOR SYSTEM. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS CRUSHED ALL THE WAY IN TO THE SEAT.

• 08/27/2021· AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 58 mph, another vehicle behind the contact rear-ended their vehicle which caused the vehicle to spun out of control and hit a concrete barrier between highways twice causing damages to the front and rear of the vehicle. The side air bags did deploy but the front driver side air bag did not deploy. The contact stated at the time of impact the contact was thrown backward in their seat which their seat belt did not hold the contact in place which caused the contact to move around in the vehicle in the midst of the crash. The contact sustain injuries such as a fractured right thumb, neck strain, lumps on the top and side of the head, bruises along their body where medical treatment was needed at a hospital via ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was later deemed as a total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 60,698.

• 08/24/2016· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  IN JUNE WHILE DRIVING TO LA FROM YOSEMITE, MY OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING, ENGINE HAD ABOUT 46K, THEN CAME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LA. SUBARU TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY OIL SWITCH. REPLACED WITH AUTOZONE PS309. DROVE FROM DENVER TO BISMARCK ND TO DRIVE MY COUSINS KID WITH A TUMOR ON HIS HEART AND SPINE TO MAYO CLINIC TO ROCHESTER, MN FOR CHEMO 2 TIMES TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF OF THE FAMILY. IN THE MIDDLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER. OIL LIGHT STILL ON, EVEN THOUGH TOTALLY FULL OF OIL, ENGINE IS STILL VERY HOT. DID NOT SLEEP ALL NIGHT, WORRIED ABOUT CAR. I WENT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TO SUBARU DEALER IN BISMARCK ND, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NEW OIL SENSOR, NO PROBLEMS, DRIVE ON, WOULD COST $175 TO CHANGE SENSOR (MY ENGINE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). MY MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 30 MPG TO 25.5 MPG AFTER DEALERSHIP VISIT ON WAY TO ROCHESTER, AND 27 MPG BACK TO BISMARCK. CALLED SUBARU DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING. CALLED SOA, BASICALLY WASTE OF TIME. CHANGED OIL AND FILTER AGAIN. DROVE TO ROCHESTER, SLIGHTLY BETTER GAS MILEAGE, LOW OIL LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE WAY BACK. ADDED 1/2 QT. CALLED SUBARU DEALER ABOUT GAS MILEAGE DROP TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS. DROVE FROM BISMARK TO MISSOURI TO DENVER ABOUT 1200 MILES. OIL LIGHT ON AFTER ABOUT 10 HOURS. SMELLED BURNT TAR SMELL NEAR ENGINE. CHECKED OIL IN DENVER. OIL AT LOW LEVEL OF STICK. ADDED ABOUT A QT. GOING TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

• 08/23/2024· STRUCTURE

  See attached document for complaint.

• 08/18/2019· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  AS I BEGAN TO BACK MY BOSSES CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I LOOKED OUT OF MY LEFT MIRROR TO FOLLOW THE CURVE OF THE DRIVEWAY IN ORDER TO DIRECT ME. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING BEHIND ME, SO I PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN I FELT A BUMP. THEN I SAW IN THE CAMERA THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A VAN IN THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE BACK DOORS OF THE VAN WERE OPEN. THEN I DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PARK MY CAR SO I COULD GET OUT AND MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, IT MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE AND LURCHED FORWARD. IT THEN PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE AND PICK UP SPEED IN THE DRIVEWAY. AS I BECAME PARALLEL WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE OWNERS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING WAS STILL PICKING UP SPEED SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUT ON THE BRAKES SO I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH WITHIN SECONDS I WAS CRASHING THROUGH THE BACK YARD FENCE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PICK UP SPEED. I WAS PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WAS NOT MAKING ANY DIFFERENCE. I THOUGHT OF SWERVING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, BUT I WAS AFRAID OF THERE BEING CHILDREN IN THE OTHER YARD SO I QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION TO HIT THE TREE SO I COULD SPARE ANY POSSIBLE LIVES AND STOP THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. AS SOON AS I REALIZED I CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE TREE, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT SO I COULD SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I KEPT REPEATING TO MYSELF 'WHY DIDN'T IT STOP?' I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND AFTER DOING EVERYTHING IN MY MIND TO STOP THE CAR, THAT NOTHING WAS SUCCESSFUL. I DID WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BEST DECISION AS MUCH AS I COULD WITHIN THOSE CHAOTIC MOMENTS. I JUST WANTED TO STOP THE CAR AND NOT HARM IN PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS. I HIT THE TREE AT WITH ENOUGH VELOCITY THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND I BROKE MY LEG IN 3 PLACES. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

• 08/18/2017· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

  MY VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO RECALLS FOR BRAKES. BOTH RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF BY THE LOCAL DEALER. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND I BELIEVE THE DEALER, OR MANUFACTURER, CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED, IS NOT TRUE. I NEED TO FIND OUT, FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE, IF MY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

• 08/18/2014· SERVICE BRAKES

  2013 SUBARU FORESTER. 07/25/14 CAR HAD DIFFICULTY TIME ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY.REPORTED TO THE DEALER THAT RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING AND GETTING VERY HOT. DEALER INSPECTED R/F WHEEL, ROTOR WAS BLUE AND HARD TO TURN. INSPECTED BRAKES AND FOUND PADS STUCK IN BRACKET. CLEANED AND LUBED PAD SLIDES, CHECKED CALIPER WHICH WAS OK. REPLACED R/F ROTOR DUE TO RUNOUT CAUSED BY HEAT, HAD .007 RUN ROADTEST OK.) THE CALIPER WAS NOT REPLACED ON 07/25/2014. ON 08/18/2014 THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED CAR HAD DIFFICULT TIME ACCELERATING. BOTH FRONT RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE WERE VERY HOT. GOT CAR TOWED TO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALER ON 8/18/2014 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. *TR

• 08/17/2019· ENGINE

  LACK OF POWER WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE FEEL DOES'T GO WHEN I PRESS THE GAS FROM GETTING OUT OF STOP FOR A 10 SECONDS.

• 08/05/2023· ENGINE

  On 7/31/23 I was driving on the highway when I started to hear a knocking sound. I got off the highway and my car stalled at the light off the exit. I was able to restart it after three tries and get it about 50 ft to the shoulder. At that point there was smoke coming from under the hood. I called AAA and had it towed to a nearby garage. They told me it had to go to the dealer because it likely needed a new engine. They said that the oil had mixed with the antifreeze. The dealer stated it needed a new engine. It was a catastrophic engine failure. I never had any warning (no panel lights ever illuminated) of any issue with the oil or engine issues. I feel very lucky that I did not have an accident due to this sudden failure. The cost of the repairs is estimated between $9,000 and $15,000 on a vehicle that is supposed to last 250K. It currently has 98K miles on it. My biggest complaint is there was never any warning of this. I feel that is a failure of the electronic system that should have alerted me of engine issues and a defective engine. I also filed a complaint with Subaru but have not heard from them yet.

• 07/31/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER HE DROVE THE VEHICLE DURING THE DAYTIME THERE WAS NO VISIBILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY PANEL. HOWEVER, AT NIGHT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY PANEL WOULD AUTO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EVERY TIME HE DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT-DISPLAY PANEL BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

• 07/29/2020· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  EXCESSIVE OIL COMSUMTION - STARTED BEFORE 100,000 AROUND 2016- HAS GOTTEN WORSE - BURN A QUART AND A HALF IN 1100 MILES.... HAD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BEFORE WARRENTY RAN OUT AND WAS TOLD ITS FINE. EXCELLENT MAINTAINANCE ON CAR - OIL CONSUMPTION RUINED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR BY 150,000 - HAD TO REPLACE/ KEEP CALLING SUBARU 800 NUMBER TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR WEAR AND TEAR ON CAR

• 07/24/2013· VISIBILITY

  THE MIRROR ON MY CAR FELL OFF WHEN I WENT TO ADJUST IT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED HOW TO REATTACH IT, THE SERVICE CENTER WAS EVASIVE, I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR IN. ONCE I ARRIVED I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT A RETRO FITTED BRACKET WOULD BE INSTALLED. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS IS A SERIOUS KNOWN PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. THE MIRROR IS ATTACHED BY A BRACKET THAT CONTAINS AN ELECTRICAL CORD FOR A LIGHT. THERE IS NO WAY TO DETACH THE MIRROR FROM THE ELECTRICAL CORD. ONCE THE BRACKET COMES OFF THE MIRROR SWINGS WILDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE 15 MILE DRIVE TO THE DEALER WAS HARROWING. THE MIRROR SWUNG WILDLY, AT ONE POINT HITTING THE DASHBOARD. I HAD TO LEAN WAY TO THE RIGHT IN MY SEAT TO AVOID BEING HIT IN THE HEAD. I GRABBED THE MIRROR AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY SO AS NOT TO BE HIT AND WAS IN A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT THAT SCARED ME. THE VERY NEXT WEEK THE IDENTICAL THING HAPPENED TO MY NEIGHBOR. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER. *TR

• 07/16/2018· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH OTHER UNKNOWN INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED METROWEST SUBARU AT (508) 651-2000 (LOCATED AT 948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760), BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT

• 07/11/2023· ENGINE

  While driving, the engine suddenly went dead with no warning. No lights came on no over heating signal, no warnings. Just gone. I could have been killed in other circumstances. Fortunately, I was going down hill in the slow lane and was able to get at least partially off the road. Subaru said the engine had no oil! This should not be possible with no warning and the good care and maintenance I have given the car. I just learned that Subaru settled a class action law suit for this exact problem. This is extremely dangerous and very common. Yet, Subaru did not let me know and will not do anything about it. How many others are in danger?

• 07/09/2015· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DID NOT SEE A UPS TRUCK PARKED ALONG SIDE OF. ROAD . REAR ENDED THE TRUCK HAD SEAT BELT ON AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HEAD STILL HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHY DIDN'T. THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT PREVENT THIS?

• 07/08/2013· VISIBILITY

  HI, DURING MY DRIVING TO OFFICE THIS MORNING, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. I DROVE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO AUSTIN SUBARU (200 W HUNTLAND DRIVE, AUSTIN TX 78752) AND AFTER THE INITIAL CHECKING, I WAS TOLD THAT LATER THAT THE PART FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM IS NOW ON BACK-LOG AND I HAVE TO WAIT FOR AROUND ONE WEEK BEFORE THE FIXING. I AM DEEPLY WORRIED THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR. *TR

• 06/28/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY MERGED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE WITHOUT STOPPING. TO AVOID A CRASH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE AND HAD SCRATCHES ON THE LEFT COLLAR BONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V012000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED ABOUT PART AVAILABILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 06/27/2023· ENGINE

  I was driving on the highway and the oil light came on as well as a ticking noise and vibration throughout the car. The engine shut off and now will not start. There is plenty of oil, gas, and the battery is charged. The engine turns when I turn the key but won't actually start and run. Makes a loud squeek as it trys.

• 06/16/2020· ENGINE

  OIL CONSUMPTION REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES BOUGHT CAR WITH JUST OVER 22,000 MILES AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES HEARD KNOCKING NOISE CHECKED DIP STICK NO OIL KNOW WARNING SIGNS WHAT SO EVER I.E. ENGINE RUNNING HOT ,NO OIL LIGHT NOTHING.EVER SINCE TAKES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES. *TR

• 05/28/2024· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while idled in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated in reverse on its own, colliding with a deck, after which the vehicle shifted into drive and continued to accelerate on its own, colliding with a brick wall, only then coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was not filed, and injuries were reported. The contact reported an injury to her left eye but did not seek treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and a technician was sent to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 66,000.

• 05/15/2019· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. *TR CONSUMER STATED MY SAFETY AND OF THOSE AROUND ME WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH ON LIKE MODELS FOR JUST THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE, BUT NOT MY VIN.*JB

• 04/28/2023· SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  When the clutch is depressed the engine kills without indication anything is happening. All the dash lights come on and the power steering goes out. It has been happening repeatedly since last June. More frequently over time. If it happens on an off ramp or at an intersection the engine will not start for up to 5 minutes creating a safety hazard.

• 04/27/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  GOES THROUGH INSANE AMOUNTS OF OIL. NEED TO CHECK AND ADD OIL ALMOST EVERY TIME I FILL WITH FUEL. CARE HAS ONLY ABOUT 50K MILES

• 04/23/2021· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT CLAIMS TO BE REPAIRED- THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AGO WHILE DRIVING 65+ ON THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE OF IT. ZERO POWER WHATSOEVER. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES AND RESTART IT. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL, TIRE PRESSURE, SEATBELT LIGHTS ARE ALL ON, CRUISE CONTROL IS FLASHING (I DON'T USE CRUISE). I DON'T KNOW HOW THE INCLUDED PICTURE HELPS. I FEEL LIKE THIS ISSUE WAS EITHER ABSOLUTELY NOT ADDRESSED, OR IF IT WAS, THE REPAIR HAS DEFINITELY FAILED. EITHER WAY, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, MY KIDS HAVE TO RIDE IN IT AND I CAN'T TRUST IT NOT TO KILL EVERYONE NOW.

• 04/12/2021· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  ON 4/3/21 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM, THE 2013 SUBARU FORRESTER WAS SLOWLY BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, GEAR WAS IN REVERSE, FOOT ON ACCELERATOR WITH SPEED OF <1 MPH; JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET CAR OUT OF GARAGE, DOWN DRIVEWAY AND ONTO THE STREET. WHILE STILL IN REVERSE, THE CAR WAS POSITIONED ONTO THE STREET TO DRIVE FORWARD IN AN EASTWARD DIRECTION. BEFORE THE GEARSHIFT COULD BE MOVED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE (FOOT WAS NOT ON ACCELERATOR AT THE TIME), THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED BACKWARDS ACROSS THE STREET WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT CUTTING INTO NEIGHBOR'S YARD AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN THE NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED. THE FLOORMAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE LAY FLUSH/FLAT AGAINST THE FLOOR, THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION BY THE FLOORMAT OR ANY OBJECT TO THE GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER HAD SEATBELT ON AND SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES (BUMP ON HEAD AND ELBOW, ABRASION FROM SEATBELT, AND BACK PAIN) DUE TO HITTING PARKED CAR. SUBARU HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TRUCK. IT LOOKED LIKE THE AXEL WAS BROKEN, RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND LEFT REAR TIRE WERE MISALIGNED, AND DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. SEE PHOTOS

• 04/04/2019· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). SUBARU OF MUSKEGON (LOCATED AT 1878 E STERNBERG RD, MUSKEGON, MI 49444, (231) 799-2886) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 03/31/2015· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY UP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORMAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WOULD CATCH ON THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 03/31/2014· BACK OVER PREVENTIONCrash

  IN MY VEHICLE, I HAVE A BACKUP CAMERA AND I'M THANKFUL FOR IT BUT ALSO I STRONGLY WISH THAT VEHICLE HAD THAT BACKUP SENSOR SYSTEM AS WELL WITH THE INCREASING BEEPING SOUND AS THE VEHICLE GETS CLOSER TO AN OBJECT. VEHICLES REALLY NEED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH BOTH THE CAMERA AND BACKUP SENSORS IN COMBINATION TO BE SAFE. I HAD A SMALL ACCIDENT BACKING UP EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAMERA BECAUSE MY EYES ARE MOVING BACK-AND-FORTH AS I'M A MANEUVERING THE CAR BACKWARDS SO THAT I AS WELL DO NOT HIT AN OBJECT ON THE SIDE. THANKS YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY REQUEST, FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I KNOW THAT IT WILL SAVE LIVES AND INJURIES. *TR

• 03/28/2019· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG