2004 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Fuel/propulsion system is the leading concern among 219 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 13 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armSep 6, 2011
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Campaign 11V464000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingOct 1, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE COVER BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE OIL CONTROL VALVE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED, ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK FROM AROUND THE COVER GASKET.
IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, A FIRE COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETIGHTEN THE OIL-FLOW CONTROL VALVE COVER BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 8, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 04V473000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
219 reports, newest first.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 3, 2011
GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2011
HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED ON 2004 FORESTER TURBO AS RECOMMENDED ON MAINTENANCE,SCHEDULE, NEXT DAY ON HIGHWAY, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSE OF POWER. STOPPED DRIVING TOWED TO MECHANIC. SAID IT WAS BLOWN TURBO. NEVER NOTIFIED OF BANJO BOLT ISSUE, SUBARU SHOULD RECALL OR REMEDY SITUATION AT THEIR COST. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 11, 2011
1ST ISSUE WITH 2004 FXT 4AT . COLD START EMITTING RAW FUEL SMELL BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. LOCAL SHOP DIAGNOSED AS WEAK CONNECTIONS ON FUEL FILTER. FILTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT IN 5,000 MILES, SO OPTED TO SWAP OUT TO A NEW OEM FILTER. NEXT DAY SMELL STILL PRESENT. TEMPS BELOW FREEZING FOR PAST 6 WEEKS (MICHIGAN), BUT PROBLEM ONLY STARTED 1 WEEK AGO. SINCE PROBLEM PERSISTS, DOING MORE RESEARCH, AND WILL CONTACT SOA AND LOCAL SUB DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE AND PLAN. NO OTHER FUEL COMPLAINTS (KNOCK, STALL, ROUGH IDLE, ECONOMY ISSUES). CURRENT MILEAGE 109,000. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 2, 2011, crash
WE OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER FOR 6 YEARS. 2 YEARS AGO I EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT WHERE STARTING OUT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT AN ADVANCED RATE OF SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY GAIN CONTROL AND BRAKE THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT IT WAS AN ABERRATION. RECENTLY ON STARTING OUT FROM A FERRY BOAT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN STUCK AT AN ADVANCED RATE OF SPEED. I AVOIDED PEOPLE AND MANY CARS BUT DID COLLIDE WITH A WALL AND 1 CAR, FINALLY STOPPING THE SUBARU BY DRIVING UP A HILL, OVER A CURB AND INTO A FENCE. I HAD MECHANICS CHECK THE ACCELERATOR SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM BUT THAT OTHER FACTORS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO "STICKING" SUCH AS FAULTY FLOOR MATS OR PLACEMENT OD BRAKE AND/OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. I AM NOT AN EXPERT BUT MY EXAMINATION INDICATES (1) THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FLOOR (2)THAT T HE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE QUITE CLOSE TOGETHER; AND THAT A FOOT COULD BECOME "HUNG UP" OR LODGED BECAUSE OF EITHER OR BOTH OF THESE THINGS. THIS POSSIBILITY COULD BE INCREASED BY LARGER FEET, ALTHOUGH I DO NOT CONSIDER MY SIZE 11 WIDTH EE SHOE SIZE TO BE OVERLY LARGE. MY NON-EXPERT OPINION IS THAT THESE PEDALS SHOULD BE RE-ENGINEERED SO THAT (1) THERE IS NO GAP OF THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR (2)THERE IS A CLEAR SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 1, 2011
STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER. REPLACED AND TIGHTENED FUEL CLAMPS, TO NO AVAIL. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME SYSTEM ON THE WRX, WHY NOT THE FORESTER? *LN
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 23, 2011
STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU FORESTER XT OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. *LN
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 13, 2011
2004 SUBARU FORESTER LEAKS FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO MANIFOLD IN CONDITIONS OF COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. RESEARCH REVEALS THE PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC TO VIRTUALLY ALL SUBARUS MODEL YEARS 2002 - 2004. IN 2009, SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2002 IMPREZA WRX MODELS SOLD IN CERTAIN STATES, BUT THE ENGINE IS THE SAME DESIGN FOR THE OTHER MODELS. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS SYMPTOMATIC. STRONG RISK OF FIRE. ODOR ABATES WHEN ENGINE AND/OR AMBIENT TEMPERATURES RISE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 5, 2011
1. NOTICED STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING CAR. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED GAS POOLED ON ENGINE TOP, PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. 2. APPEARS THAT FUEL LINE IS LEAKING. UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN EXACTLY WHERE, BECAUSE LEAK IS BEHIND INTAKE MANIFOLD. OCCURS DURING VERY COLD WEATHER. 3. REPAIRS FORTHCOMING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SUBARU FORSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE TURBO CHARGER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO A LACK OF OIL GOING TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE OIL INTAKE RESULTING IN THE TURBO CHARGER FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,968 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,500.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 28, 2010
STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN CAR IS STARTED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME. THE THIRD TIME THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,530.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 22, 2010
RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD START. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE SEES FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE UNDER PASSENGER INTAKE MANIFOLD. TO RESOLVE ISSUE HE WILL HAVE TO PULL THE INTAKE, REPLACE FUEL LINES AND USE BETTER CLAMPS. THE CLAMPS AND HOSE USED BY SUBARU IS FAULTY AS I SEE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THEY EVEN DID A RECALL ON THE WRX WHICH HAS THE SAME MOTOR AS THE FORESTER.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 22, 2010
CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW EXCLUSIVE DEALERSHIPS REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH HIS ENGINE DUE TO A BLOWN TURBO. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO SELL THE REPLACEMENT PART TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC DUE TO THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THE INSTALLATION PROCESS. SUBARU LATER RESPONDED IN WRITING DENYING ALL CLAIMS EVEN WHEN THE CONSUMER SUPPLIED THEM WITH VALID REASONS. THE CONSUMER LEARNED SUBARU WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM DATING BACK TO 2005 AND A TSB WAS ISSUED. THE TSB STATED THAT OIL STARVATION TO THE TURBO WAS THE MAIN CAUSE FOR THE TURBO FAILURE. THE OIL STARVATION HAPPENED WHEN THE OIL FEED FILTER BANGO BECAME CLOGGED. SUBARU REALIZED THE DESIGN FLAW IN THE TURBO SYSTEM AND LATER REDESIGNED THE TURBO TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 15, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE TEMPERATURE STARTED TO DROP HE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED THAT THE HARD FUEL LINE WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 8, 2010
I OWN AND DAILY DRIVE A 2004 FORESTER XT. IT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. LAST NIGHT, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, AT A RED LIGHT. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG, I FELT LIGHT HEADED AND HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 24 FAHRENHEIT. I FOUND THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON WRX MODELS WHICH PRODUCED THIS SYMPTOM. UPON INSPECTION OF MY ENGINE, I CAN BOTH SEE AND SMELL RAW FUEL SEEPING FROM ONE OR MORE OF THE FUEL LINES. I CONTINUED MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE COVERING MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE FORESTER AND THE LEGACY MODELS. DUE TO THE VOLATILITY OF GASOLINE AND THE INHERENT DANGERS TO HUMANS IN VAPOR FORM, I FEEL THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS AND NOTICED THE APPARENT LARGE POPULATION OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING. I AM CONTACTING SOA TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND TO REQUEST THEY COVER THE FAILURE UNDER GOODWILL. *TR
Structure, Dec 6, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURERS RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SUN-ROOF REPLACEMENT IN OCTOBER, 2010. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THE RECALL EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,102.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 1, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER HE WOULD SMELL GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED STATED THAT HE HAD A LEAK IN HIS FUEL LINE FROM THE HOSE ON THE FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN
Air bags, Sep 22, 2010
THE AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY GOES ON AND OFF FOR PERIODS OF DAYS AT A TIME. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY YEARS. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE SUBARU DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED IT DID NOT LIGHT UP FOR THEM DURING THEIR INSPECTION. IT THEN LIT UP FOR ME ON THE WAY HOME AND WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER FROM THE ROAD THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT AGAIN UNTIL I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT ASSURE THAT IT WILL BE ON FOR THEM WHEN THEY GET THE CAR. I LATER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM #17-07-04. THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST CHECKED TO SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FURTHER MY MECHANIC SAID THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *TR
Air bags, Sep 13, 2010
THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT FIRST CAME ON WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 82000 MILES AND AT FIRST IT WAS INTERMITTENT. AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS, IT HAS BECOME PERMANENTLY LIT WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. I HAVE NOTED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL. THE LIGHT DOES NOT BOTHER ME, BUT THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DOES CONCERN ME GREATLY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 9, 2010
ON AUGUST 3, 201 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2004 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT KEEP MY SPEED BELOW 80-90 MILES PER HOUR, EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES. I TRIED TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, IN CASE THAT WAS THE ISSUE. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE CLOSE TO MY HOME AND USUAL CAR REPAIR SERVICE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THERE BY CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE GEAR I WAS IN AND KEEPING THE BRAKE ENGAGED AT ALL TIMES. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN TRYING TO TURN INTO MY GARAGE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP, MY BRAKES WERE SMOKING. MY ABS UNIT ON THE CAR HAS SINCE FAILED. THE CAR'S ACCELERATOR UNIT WAS FOUND TO BE CAKED BY SOME SORT OF GUNK, AND THIS CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO BE STUCK OPEN. REPAIRS COST MORE THAN $1200.00. *TR
Air bags, Jul 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE AIR BAG PLUGS THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG WIRING WAS NOT CONTACTING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS POTENTIALLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10015705: AIR BAGS) BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,500.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 30, 2010, crash
ON 03/26/2010, CAR FAILED TO STOP IN SPITE OF HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS DID NOT CUT IN, THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKES, THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND: DRIVER SIDE, OUTSIDE PAD WORN TO BARE METAL SCORING ROTOR; INNER PAD FROZEN IN POSITION BY ACCUMULATED RUST UNDER THE INSERTS ON THE BRAKE CARRIER. RUST THICKNESS APPROX. 1 MM. MATERIAL REMAINING ON THE PAD APPROX. 4 MM. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BOTH PADS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE W/ APPROX. 5 MM OF MATERIAL REMAINING. RUST WAS REMOVED FROM THE BRAKE CARRIERS AND NEW OEM ROTORS AND PADS WERE INSTALLED. *TR
Air bags, Mar 13, 2010
THE AIR BAG LIGHT SEEMS TO INTERMITTENTLY COME ON WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD. THE LIGHT GOES OFF ON ITS OWN USUALLY WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED BACK BUT WE HAVE NOT DETECTED ANY PATTERNS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010, crash
WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN A MUSEUM PARKING AREA ON A SLOPE, I SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF DOWN A CROWDED PARKING LOT DRIVEWAY AT VERY HIGH SPEED. THE CAR WAS AT A STANDSTILL AT THE TIME OF THE GEAR SHIFTING. I COULD NOT SLOW OR STOP THE RAPIDLY ACCELERATING CAR BY BRAKING. I WAS FOCUSED ON NOT HITTING PEOPLE AND OTHER ENTERING CARS AND DIDN'T THINK TO TRY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING, DESPITE MY FOOT BEING HEAVILY ON THE BRAKE, AND I AIMED IT INTO A TREE RATHER THAN INTO AN ONCOMING CAR. THE CAR WAS "TOTALED". THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. I WAS VERY BADLY BRUISED WITH NO CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH OR BROKEN BONES. I WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM AND DISCHARGED AFTER A FEW HOURS. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY DEFORMED BY THE FORCE OF MY IMPACT INTO THEM. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED IN. I LATER CHECKED THE CAR AT THE IMPOUNDING SITE AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF THE DRIVER SEAT FLOOR MAT BEING OUT OF PLACE OR EVEN TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I AM THE SOLE DRIVER OF THIS CAR AND HAD NO PRIOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS COLD, SUNNY AND DRY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT HAS 2004 SUBURU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN JANUARY 2010 SHE WAS BACKING UP THE VEHICLE AT 5MPH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING IN REVERSE UP TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A BUILDINGS METAL GARAGE DOOR AND PART OF THE SOUTH WALL. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE ZOOMED ACROSS THE EMPTY GARAGE SPACE AND THEN CRASHED THROUGH AND INTERIOR METAL WALL AND INTO A LARGE OPEN WORK SPACE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN A LARGE HEAVY WORK TABLE AND ANOTHER OBJECT. THE WHOLE EPISODE TOOK ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THE VEHICLE CAUSED A LOT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT FEELS IT WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 69000.THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.