2006 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 88 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 20th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 12 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 5 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
Air bags, frontalFeb 12, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.
THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIR BAG COULD BECOME DISABLED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. ALSO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED UNDER THE SEAT BRACKET. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPAIR ANY DAMAGED WIRING, REROUTE AND SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE CORRECT LOCATION, AND RE-CALIBRATE THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 07V043000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
88 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jul 11, 2016, crash
VEHICLE HAS 44,000 MILES ON MAY 20TH WHILE IN TRAFFIC, CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT, CAR THEN BOUNCED OFF AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AGAIN. ON MAY 25TH WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; I HAD TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL TO GET IT TO STOP. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BOTH TIMES THE SUBARU SERVICE COULD FIND NO CAUSE. NEITHER DID A REP FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP ON 5/10/2016.. IT HAD A NEW CAR SMELL WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT THAT SMELLED LIKE ARMOR ALL, SO BELIEVED THE SMELL WOULD SUBSIDE. HOWEVER, NOT ONLY DID IT NOT SUBSIDE IT HAS GROWN WORSE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL REACTIONS TO THIS SMELL. MY EYES HAVE BEEN BURNING, NOSE IRRITATION, SORE AND SWELLING THROAT AND THE WORST I'M HAVING ASTHMA ATTACKS EVER SINCE I'VE STARTED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME SO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING, HICH HAS LEAD ME TO THIS SITE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2016
PURCHASED IN AK IN 2006. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE.----- UPON ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE SOMETIMES LURCHES AND REVS TOO HIGH TOO FAST, AND THEN SETTLES INTO HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO FEEL AND SOUND. OTHER TIMES, IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER INSTEAD, LURCHING DOWN LIKE WE'VE TAKEN OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS (BUT WE HAVEN'T BECAUSE WE ARE ON A HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY!), VERY BRIEFLY AND THEN RECOVERS.ONE TIME, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT FELT LIKE I'D LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR WAS GOING TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY, BUT IT IMMEDIATELY RECOVERED AND THEN FELT NORMAL.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2016
PURCHASED IN AK IN 2006. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. --- IN COLD WEATHER, DESPITE BEING GARAGED, INTERMITTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN GARAGE AND UPON START-UP. SOMETIMES THE ODOR IS PRESENT BEFORE STARTUP. OTHER TIMES ODOR NOT PRESENT UNTIL ENGINE STARTS. GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARMS. USED TO BE IN ONLY VERY COLD WEATHER, THEN IN 2015 IT HAPPENED IN COLD BUT NOT AS COLD WEATHER. RECENTLY, IN 2016, IT HAPPENED IN GARAGE IN WARM WEATHER STATE, SO COLD WEATHER NO LONGER NECESSARY VARIABLE. AGAIN, IT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS ISSUE FIRST BECAME NOTICEABLE IN WINTER OF 2014.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, May 8, 2016
PURCHASED IN AK IN 2007. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE: DOORS' LOCKS ELECTRONIC-RESPONSES UNPREDICTABLY FAIL. SOMETIMES THEY WORK; OTHER TIMES LOCKS MUST BE OPENED MANUALLY. (SIDE NOTE: WINDOWS RATTLE DISTINCTLY WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS; WINDOWS AND DOORS HAVE ALWAYS FELT TOO LOOSE.) HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL-LIGHTS FAIL SOONER THAN NORMAL, INDICATING AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM CAUSING SHORTS.THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ONGOING FROM PURCHASE IN 2007 TO CURRENT 2016.
Structure, Feb 23, 2016
THE HOOD LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE ALL OF THE TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I'VE HAD MY SHOP REPAIR IT MORE THAN ONCE, BUT IT NEVER WORKS FOR LONG. I NEVER TRY TO DRIVE UNTIL I GET A SOLID LOCK.
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2016
THE HEADLIGHTS LEAK I HAD TO REPLACE ONE ABOUT $450.00 BECAUSE IT HAD WATER IN IT . THE PASSENGER SIDE NOW HAS WATER IN IT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT ALSO. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES I WOULD THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE YOU COULD MAKE A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT LEAK AND BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT IN DEC 2016
Steering, Suspension, May 23, 2015
THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER FAILED ON MAY 15, 2015. THERE WAS NO WARNING (NO SOUND, NO SHIMMYING, NO STEERING ISSUES) TO SUGGEST THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE MAIN SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IN 2012, SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR FORESTERS AND IMPREZAS, RUSTPROOFING THE CONTROL ARMS. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AT THAT TIME, AND HAVE THE PAPERWORK THAT INDICATES THAT THIS SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. I THEREFORE ASSUMED THE CAR WAS SAFE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER RECALL. MY CAR HAD 118,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I AM NOT AN AGGRESSIVE, POOR OR OFF-ROAD DRIVER. MY HUSBAND IS EXPERIENCED WITH CARS AND CAR REPAIRS, AND HE ALSO HEARD AND FELT NOTHING TO SUGGEST MY CAR MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN HE DROVE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS EXITING A ROTARY ONTO A HIGHWAY, SO HADN'T YET REACHED FULL SPEED. THE CAR GLIDED ACROSS ANOTHER LANE AS I HIT THE BRAKE, AND A RAISED DIVIDER KEPT THE CAR FROM CONTINUING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE WITH A SIMILAR CAR HISTORY. THAT PERSON COULD BE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED, AND MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I WAS IN BEING ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. A DEPUTY SHERIFF CALLED AAA FOR ME, AND I WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BARS, AND THE AXLE. SUBARU PAID FOR ALL THE REPAIRS, AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TOWING. IN 2014, THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED; I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING CORRECTLY. SUBARU DIDN'T COVER THAT EXPENSE, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I SHOULD HAVE INSISTED THAT THEY DO SO. THE EXPERIENCE SUGGESTED TO ME, HOWEVER, THAT I WOULD HAVE PLENTY OF WARNING SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THE OTHER CONTROL ARMS. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE IN MY SITUATION, AND OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE OF AWARE OF THE EXTREME DANGER THEY FACE.
Electrical system, Apr 8, 2015, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DETERMINED TO BE DESTROYED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT AND UNDER THE SPARE TIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2015
THE PASSENGER CABIN SMELLS LIKE GAS DUE A FUEL LEAK. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN VERY COLD WEATHER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 19, 2015
WHEN THE TEMP GETS INTO THE TEENS OR LOWER GAS LEAKS IN AND AROUND THE ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! I HAVE FOUND FUEL NEAR AREA THAT GET VERY HOT, AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY STARTING ON FIRE. SOA RECALLED A FEW YEARS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT ALL THAT ARE AFFECTED. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 20, 2015
IN FEBRUARY 2013 MY FORESTER DEVELOPED A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL. AFTER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE RUBBER FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL. I PAID $550 FOR REPAIR. NOW TODAY I HAVE ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO DEVELOP A FUEL ODOR AND ASSUMING WHEN I INVESTIGATE I WILL FIND ANOTHER LEAK. UPON RESEARCHING I SEE NUMEROUS POSTS IN FORUMS AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS SOME ON YOUR GUYS WEBSITE INDICATING SIMILAR ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2003 WRX FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (09V46800). THIS ISN'T A CAR SPECIFIC ISSUE, THIS IS AN ENGINE SPECIFIC ISSUE AND THE DESIGNS OF ALL OF THESE ENGINES ARE VERY SIMILAR, SO ALL ENGINES WITH RUBBER LINES LOCATED IN THIS AREA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND IS GOING TO COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE AND/OR CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN ONE OF THESE CARS BURSTS INTO FLAMES. SUBARU SHOULD BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE WITH THIS ISSUE AND FIX FUEL LINE LEAKS LIKE THIS AT NO COST AND IMMEDIATELY, THERE IS NO REASON A 7 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE FUEL LINE FAILURE. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER PAID FOR IT THE FIRST TIME AROUND AND I WON'T PAY FOR IT THIS TIME. *TR
Engine, Nov 24, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR IN BASED ON A RECALL SENT BY MY DEALERSHIP FOR MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER LL BEAN MODEL ORIGINAL OWNER. THEY COMPLETED TO SERVICE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE NONE OF WHICH ARE LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE.WVL22 AND WVU31. THE WVU31 WAS TO REPROGRAM MY ECM. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND MY CRUISE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I CALLED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY WHO ADVISED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SOLID AND NOT FLASHING WHICH IT WAS. HE DENIED IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE WVU31 REPROGRAM OF THE ECM BUT I ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS FINE NOT DUE FOR ANY SERVICE AND HAD NO ISSUES PRIOR TO BRINGING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPROGRAM. I NOW HAVE TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ONLY "IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS RELATED TO THE RECALL" WOULD THEY FIX IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY THE REPROGRAM OF THE ECM AND THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE REGARDING MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT WITHIN MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE WVU31 REPROGRAM FIX THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THEY WERE ALL TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO FIX SOMETHING OR REPAIR SOMETHING AT A COST. THIS IS UNCONCEIVABLE AS I NOW HAVE TO RETURN TO A DEALERSHIP THAT IS OUT OF MY WAY, MISS WORK AND RETURN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY HOPE THAT THEY DO NOT CLAIM IT IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. IF THEY DO THEN I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WVU 31 REPROGRAM IS DEFECTIVE AND IS CAUSING ISSUES THAT ARE LEADING TO ADDITIONAL AND UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. MY CAR WAS JUST FINE AND BELIEVE HAD I DONE NOTHING AS I AM PLANNING TO BUY A NEW CAR THIS YEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. BUT I TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE. I BELIEVE THIS IS TOTALLY ERROR PRONE. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 1, 2014
ON COLD MORNINGS, THE CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF FUEL. THE ODOR GOES AWAY AFTER WARMING UP, AND IS ONLY ON COLD MORNINGS. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Mar 27, 2014
2006 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE SOME UNUSUAL SOUNDS. SHE PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE TIRES, BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE. HOWEVER, EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL, SO SHE CONTINUED DRIVING. AS SHE DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND MADE A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT. SHE SLOWLY EASED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME BEARING WAS REPLACED ON APRIL 29, 2011. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 10, 2013, crash
THE BUS HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL TO THE CORNER WHERE I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. (ABOUT 4 CAR LENGTHS FROM MY ORIGINAL PARKED SPOT) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING TO MY FOOT OR STEALING COMMANDS. I ROLLED ONTO THE FRONT LAWN OF THE CORNER PROPERTY. AS SOON AS WE CAM TO A STOP I SHUT THE ENGINE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I OPENED THE DOOR, TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEN TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS MAKING LIKE A REVING NOISE. I WHEN TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OFF THE LAWN (ALL THE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LURCH BACKWARDS WITH SUCH FORCE AND SPEED. I WAS ALMOST STANDING IN PLACE WITH THE FORCE I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND AND I CAME TO A FULL STOP AFTER CROSSING THE ROAD AND INTO ANOTHER FRONT LAWN AND CRASHING IN TO THE PORCH OF THAT PROPERTY. TOTALED VEHICLE !!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2013, fire
FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RADIATOR FAN. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Jun 9, 2013, fire
I ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON 8/26/2012 AT 8:00 PM, PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO SLEEP. AT 2:00 AM I HEARD AN EXPLOSION, WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE TO VERIFY WHAT IT WAS AND FOUND MY FORESTER IN FIRE. WITH THE HELP OF MY NEIGHBORS WE CONTROL THE FIRE WITHIN AN HOUR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES CAME OUT OF THE FIRE; THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF THE FORESTER SUFFER A LOT OF DAMAGE, THE MOTOR OF THE GARAGE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE PAINT OF THE HOUSE, VERTICAL BLINDS AND OTHER BELONGINGS OF THE HOUSE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE. SUBARU/-FORESTER/2006 RECALL NO.WVC-13 RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE WAY THAT MY CAR GOT IN FIRE HAS TO BE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL.SHORT CIRCUIT, HAVING AS A RESULT THE FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR. THE VIN OF MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOUR AGENCY COULD DO AN INVESTIGATION THAT AS A RESULT HAVE THE VIN OF MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WVC-13. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2012, crash
AS I WAS WAITING TO PULL INTO A SMALL PARKING LOT, AN AUTO WAS PULLING OUT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR HIM TO EXIT. AS SOON AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FULL SPEED TOWARDS THE EXITING CAR AND I TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A COLLISION BUT WENT FULL SPEED INTO A WALL (SIDE OF A HOUSE) THE EXITING CAR WAS GRAZED, THE HOUSE WAS DAMAGED AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE SOUND OF ACCELERATION AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE WAS AS IF I DEPRESSED FULLY THE GAS PEDAL WHICH I DID NOT DO. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 24, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS, SPARKS WERE EMITTED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL BURNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Engine, Jun 22, 2012
WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 90000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS SHOWN THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD GASKET. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU FORESTERS FROM THE LATE 1990S THRU 2009. APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN, WHICH SUBARU HAS NOT OWNED UP TO. MY ONLINE SEARCH LOCATED A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BY SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS ON THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TT
Wheels, Apr 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT WHEELS SEIZED AND BECAME TWISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Suspension, Jan 5, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS APPOINTMENT WAS RESCHEDULED BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 1, 2011
THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHER SUBARU OWNERS AND SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT THEY WON'T ADMIT ITS THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Nov 4, 2011
I PURCHASED MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER BRAND NEW FROM THE SUBARU DEALER IN CATONSVILLE, MD; RUSSELL SUBARU. THERE WERE NO MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. BOTH REAR BEARINGS WORE OUT ON MY CAR AT ALMOST THE SAME EXACT TIME. EVERY MECHANIC WITH WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. MY BEARINGS WORE OUT AT ABOUT 70K MILES. THE SUBARU DEALER CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REPLACE ONE OF THEM. THE OTHER COST ABOUT $600 AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS WON'T REPLACE THE BEARINGS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THE WORK SO YOU END UP REPLACING THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THAT IS WHY IT COST SO MUCH. WHEN IT WEARS OUT IT FIRST STARTS TO SQUEAL AND MAKE A NOISE THAT GETS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE TO MODERATE SPEED. MY CAR NOW HAS 140K MILES AND MY WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEGUN MAKING NOISE AGAIN. AT A COST OF ($600 - $800) X 2, THIS CLEARLY SEEMS LIKE A POOR DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR THE SAME PART IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. THE PART WORE OUT ALMOST PRECISELY AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WITH A SUBARU FORESTER HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS ON THE WEB FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. SUBARU SHOULD PAY THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS NOT TYPICAL OF WHAT A BUYER WOULD EXPECT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR A NEARLY $30K VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR WHEEL/HUB ASSEMBLY, I HAVE BASICALLY BEEN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY SUBARU. *TR