2011 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 147 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 21 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat beltsNov 10, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
Campaign 22V838000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Campaign 20V003000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Campaign 20V002000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Campaign 20V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchApr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Campaign 19V297000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Campaign 19V009000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Campaign 19V008000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
Campaign 19V007000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
Campaign 18V012000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 10, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
Campaign 17V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemOct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Campaign 16V738000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 25, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
Campaign 16V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicDec 31, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Campaign 14V830000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Campaign 14V311000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingDec 26, 2012
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Campaign 12V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherMar 13, 2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN THE REAR CENTER SEATING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT MEET LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION. SPECIFICALLY, THE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERMIT PROPER INSTALLATION AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.
SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Campaign 12V099000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
147 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Mar 9, 2014, crash
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED FOR ME NUMEROUS TIMES AND I WILL NOW ONLY DRIVE MY SUBARU (DESPITE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, WHICH WORKS WELL) WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE GOOD. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING MID-DAY ON PLOWED BUT SNOWY ROAD; DOWNHILL; I WAS NOT TURNING, BUT WANTED TO GO MORE SLOWLY AND TAPPED BRAKES. ANTI LOCK BRAKES KICKED IN AND CAR BEGAN TO SKID; SKIDDED OFF ROAD AND INTO A MAILBOX; NEEDED TO BE TOWED OUT. AFTER BEING PULLED OUT, AND CONTINUING DOWN HILL, AT 10 MPH, CAR BEGAN TO SKID AGAIN. FRIEND FOLLOWING ME SAID IT APPEARED FRONT BRAKES WERE WORKING AND BACK BRAKES WERE NOT. HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT THE BRAKES (ONE I TRUST AND THE DEALER) AND BOTH TOLD ME THEY ARE FINE. DEALER SAID THE COMPUTER RECORD DIDN'T RECORD A PROBLEM BUT I THINK SOFTWARE THAT MANAGES THE ABS IS MALFUNCTIONING. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW NUMEROUS BLOG DISCUSSIONS ABOUT DISCONNECTING ABS ON SUBARUS IN WINTER SO I THINK OTHERS MUST BE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS - FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST AND THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS/PEDESTRIANS SO NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAVE DRIVEN A SUBARU FOR 13 YEARS IN ALL KINDS OF CONDITIONS SO I DON'T THINK IT IS ME NOT BEING ABLE TO HANDLE ABS. ABS PROBLEM OCCURS IN CONDITIONS WHEN I THINK AWD IS HELPFUL BUT I NEED TO SLOW DOWN -- HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH AWD WHEN I AM GOING UPHILL OR NOT BRAKING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2014, crash
MY HUSBAND PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER IN MAY OF 2011 FOR ME WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS. IT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT FOR US AND I HAD HOPED TO DRIVE MY NEW SUBARU FORESTER 2011 FOR SEVERAL YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THE BRAKES TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY FASHION OR QUICKLY ENOUGH. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ALL THE TIME, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO DRIVE MY CAR, ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT ITS BRAKES. I HAD MY VEHICLE REGULARLY SERVICED AS PER THE COMPANIES WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS AND AT ONLY AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICE & DEALERSHIP CENTERS. I RECENTLY TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT AT MY 30,000 MILE SERVICING ABOUT THE BRAKES ISSUES I HAD AGAIN, TO THEIR ATTENTION BUT THEY SAID THAT- 'THAT WAS THE WAY THE FORESTER'S BRAKES WERE AND THAT I HAD TO PUSH THE PEDAL HARD TO THE FLOOR(PUMP THE BRAKES) TO STOP IT QUICKLY ENOUGH" AND MY BRAKES WERE FINE ACCORDING 30,000 MILE SERVICING, AND I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR RESPONSE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD 25 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED IN FRONT OF ME TO STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I PUSHED THE BRAKES BUT MY VEHICLE JUST WOULD NOT STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH. I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TO DISCOVER THAT MY FRONT BUMPER NOW HAD A HUGE CRACK IN IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE WHOSE BRAKES ARE SO BAD THAT IT WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH AND NEEDS TO BE PUMPED TO STOP IT SOONER(WHICH MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE ONE ABOVE) , .AFTER THE CAR CAME OUT FROM THE BODY SHOP I HAD A RECENT OCCURENCE BUT THIS TIME IT WAS A RAINY DAY I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN PRESSING THE BRAKE TO TURN TO MY ROAD WHICH I HAD THE SAME ISSUE, INSTEAD OF STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN THE BRAKES ARE ACCELERATING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE BRAKES AT THE VERY LEAST TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS. I AM DETERMINED TO TRADE IN MY VEHICLE FOR SAFE CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 17, 2014, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, APPLIED MY BRAKES AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT MY 2011 SUBARU FORESTER INTO PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND DROVE INTO A STORE FRONT. THE CAR TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET BEFORE HITTING THE WALL AND PLATE GLASS WINDOW. MY DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 1, 2013
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 30K MAINTENANCE. WHEN I PICKED IT UP DEALER HAD CHANGED BRAKE FLUID (BRAKES HAD BEEN FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY PRIOR). WHEN LEAVING DEALER LOT BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND I WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY ONCOMING VEHICLE DODGED ME. I PUMPED PEDAL AND GOT BRAKES AND WENT BACK INTO DEALERSHIP. THEY BLED BRAKES AND SAID IT WAS READY. WHEN BACKING OUT OF SPACE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WENT TO FLOOR BUT VEHICLE STOPPED. I CALLED A SERVICE WRITER OVER AND SHOWED HIM PEDAL ON FLOOR. I LEFT CAR AND NEW MASTER CYLINDER WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED NEXT DAY. I WENT TO PICK UP VEHICLE AND AGAIN PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND I HAD ANOTHER SERVICE WRITER WITNESS IT. TOOK PIC WITH CELL PHONE. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR IF ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AND WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOLD HIM ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND BRAKE PEDAL SHOULD NEVER GO TO FLOOR IF ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. IF BOOSTER BLEEDS DOWN PEDAL MAY GO SOMEWHAT LOWER THAN NORMAL. PEDAL HAD NEVER WENT ANYWHERE NEAR FLOOR BEFORE. I REFUSED TO DRIVE CAR AS I DEEMED IT DANGEROUS. IF PEDAL WAS PUMPED IT WOULD COME TO NORMAL POSITION. HE FINALLY AGREED TO CONTACT SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE TO LOOK AT IT NEXT WEEK. IF I HAD NOT HAD MECHANICAL BACKGROUND AND HAD LISTENED TO HIM AND DROVE A CAR WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO FLOOR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS? AT NO TIME EVEN AFTER I MENTIONED IT WAS THE ABS SYSTEM CHECKED FOR AIR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NORMAL BLEEDING AT WHEELS WILL NOT REMOVE AIR FROM MASTER CYLINDER OR ABS SYSTEM. NOTE: BY "PEDAL GOING TO FLOOR" THE PEDAL ARM HITS FLOOR/CARPET AND PEDAL CAN GO NO LOWER. I AM WAITING FOR THE SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT CAR AT THIS POINT. I EMAILED SUBARU, BUT THEY DID NOT SEEMED TOO CONCERNED. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jul 9, 2013, crash
PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL TRAIN STATION. CAR WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. NOT SURE IF KEYS WERE IN IGNITION OR NOT. WHEN REACHING OVER TO GET HANDBAG AND TOTE I HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP VERY SUDDENLY AND LOUDLY, CAR JUMPED 6" CURB AND PROPELLED FORWARD ABOUT TWO FEET WHEN RIGHT FRONT BUMPER HIT TREE AND CAR STOPPED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS NOT INJURED. BEFORE I EVEN KNEW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE I TOLD THE ADJUSTER AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN. THE ONLY REACTION I GOT WAS STRANGE LOOKS. TOLD BY BODY SHOP THAT CAR WAS "TOTALLY FIXABLE" WITHIN TWO WEEKS. $7,000 IN BODY WORK 3 WEEKS LATER WAS TOLD ENGINE WAS "RUNNING ROUGH" AND IT WAS SENT TO SUBARU DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. TOLD THAT ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT - MACHINING HEAD; VALVE REPLACEMENT; NEW GASKETS ETC. FIVE WEEKS LATER SUBARU STILL HAS MY CAR. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO PRIOR TO KNOWING ABOUT THIS WEBSITE AND SEEING HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM I ORDERED A NEW SUBARU USING THIS ONE AS A TRADE IN. SUBARU WON'T GIVE ME A TRADE IN VALUE UNTIL CAR IS FIXED AND THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FIVE WEEKS AND STILL HAVEN'T FIXED IT. I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS AM 62 YEARS OLD AND I'VE BEEN TAKING TRAINS, BUSES, MY BIKE AND WALKING TO GET TO WORK AND TO DO EVERYDAY ERRANDS. NO OFFER OF A LOANER FROM SUBARU ALTHOUGH I'VE ASKED TWICE. CONTACTED CORPORATE SUBARU AND REPORTED WHAT I READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO PROVE. LAST WEEK CORPORATE SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW CAR IN THE WAY OF LOYALTY INCENTIVE. AS OF TODAY I HAVE NO CAR, NO IDEA WHEN OR IF THE OLD ONE WILL BE FIXED, HOW MUCH IT WILL BE WORTH AS A TRADE IN, A NEW CAR THAT I CAN'T HAVE AND THAT HAS NO DEFINITIVE PRICE, AND A LOT OF TALK BUT NO ACTION FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE SUBARU. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jul 2, 2013, crash
DRIVER (ADULT FEMALE) WAS BACKING UP TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER LIFTED FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND HIT THE BRAKE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN MORE. CRASHED INTO A GUY WIRE ON AN ELECTRIC POLE, SNAPPING OFF THE TOP OF THE POLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE SECOND DRIVER (ADULT MALE) WAS BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY TO TURN AROUND. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SECOND DRIVER NOW A BELIEVER. *TR
Engine, May 9, 2013
AFTER OWNING 3 OTHER SUBARUS, WE FIGURED IT WAS A GREAT IDEA TO BUY A 4TH. WELL, SUBARU HAS CHANGED THE ENGINE DESIGN ENOUGH WHERE AS THE OIL NEEDED IS A SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT SYNTHETIC 0W20. AFTER ABOUT 2000 MILES CONSISTENTLY, THE CAR WILL ALWAYS NEED OIL. WE HAVE 40,000 ON IT NOW AND AFTER MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES THE CAR STILL USES WAY TOO MUCH OIL. NOT A GREAT CHOICE OF A CAR IS WHAT I AM THINKING NOW. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IN FROM THE NHTSA AND DETERMINE WHY A NEW CAR WOULD BE LOSING OIL AS FAST AS THE SUBARU DOES. I HAVE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. MAYBE IT IS TIME TO START AN ONLINE PETITION TO HELP NUDGE NHTSA AND SUBARU. *TR
Engine, Mar 27, 2013
ON THE LAST TWO DATES THIS VEHICLE STARTED UP BY ITSELF WITHOUT INPUT FROM KEY OR REMOTE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED BY REMOTE WHICH IS THE MANUFACTURER REMOTE. THE DOOR WAS OPENED THEN THE "LOCK" BUTTON IN THE DOOR WAS PRESSED AND THE DOOR CLOSED. AFTER THE DOOR WAS SHUT THE ENGINE STARTED UP. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WOULD STILL KEEP RUNNING EVEN THOUGH THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS VEHICLE WAS FITTED WITH A REMOTE STARTER BY THE DEALER (NOT FACTORY). THE REMOTE START WAS CHANGED TWICE, I'M ON THE THIRD SET. THE DEALER ASKED ME TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AGAIN ON FRIDAY MARCH 29TH SO THAT THE REMOTE START INSTALLER CAN LOOK AT IT AGAIN. ORIGINALLY WHEN THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING I WOULD HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO STOP THE ENGINE AS EVERYTHING ELSE FAILED TO STOP IT. SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING IT WOULD ONLY BE SHUT OFF WITH THE REMOTE STARTER. THIS PROBLEM STILL KEEPS HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Feb 7, 2013, crash
PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT THE CVS DRUG STORE, PINE ISLAND RD AND DEL PRADO BLVD IN CAPE CORAL FL., PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS ON ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, HITTING A PARKED CAR HEAD ON. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND MY CAR HIT THE PARKED CAR SO HARD IT DROVE IT OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER OUT OF THE LOT. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR ALONE WAS $10,000. THE OTHER CAR WAS DESTROYED. I HAVE HAD SUBARU CARS FOR 33 YEARS. THIS FORESTER WAS MY 8TH SUBARU. WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED, I WAS THROWN BACK, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE OR GAS PEDAL. THE CAR KEPT RUNNING AFTER THE ACCIDENT UNTIL I TURNED IT OFF. STATE FARM INSURANCE SENT A SAFETY DIRECTOR OVER TO CHECK THE CAR (AFTER IT WAS FIXED), THE BODY SHOP ALSO HAD AN INSPECTOR CHECK THE CODES ON THE COMPUTER. I GOT RID OF THE CAR EVEN THOUGH IT HAD IT HAVE 11 MONTHS ON THE LEASE BECAUSE I DID NOT TRUST IT. *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Jan 26, 2013, crash
I HAD PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER IN AUGUST OF 2011 WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS. IT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT FOR ME AND I HAD HOPED TO DRIVE MY NEW SUBARU FORESTER 2011 FOR SEVERAL YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, I NOTICED THE BRAKES TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY FASHION OR QUICKLY ENOUGH. MY WIFE, WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO DRIVE MY CAR, ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT ITS BRAKES. I HAD MY VEHICLE REGULARLY SERVICED AS PER THE COMPANIES WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS AND AT ONLY AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICE & DEALERSHIP CENTERS. I BROUGHT THE DEFECTIVE BRAKES TO THEIR ATTENTION BUT THEY SAID THAT- 'THAT WAS THE WAY THE FORESTER'S BRAKES WERE AND THAT I HAD TO PUSH THE PEDAL HARD TO THE FLOOR(PUMP THE BRAKES) TO STOP IT QUICKLY ENOUGH.' I WAS GREATLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR RESPONSE TO MY CONCERNS AND AS A PRECAUTION I BEGAN TO KEEP AN EVEN GREATER DISTANCE FROM ALL OF THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. RECENTLY, I WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 10-15MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY APPEARED IN FRONT OF ME. I PUSHED THE BRAKES BUT MY VEHICLE JUST WOULD NOT STOP QUICKLY ENOUGH. IF I WOULD LET GO OF THE BRAKE AND THEN PUSH IT AGAIN HARDER AND FASTER TO THE FLOOR( PUMP THE BRAKE) AS THE SERVICE CENTRE HAD PREVIOUSLY ADVISED ME THEN I WOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SO I SWAYED MY CARS STEERING WHEEL AND AVOIDED MEETING WITH AN ACCIDENT BUT MY VEHICLE ONLY STOPPED WHEN IT TOUCHED THE RAILING AT ABOUT 5MPH ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT MY FRONT BUMPER NOW HAD A HUGE CRACK IN IT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE WHOSE BRAKES ARE SO BAD THAT IT WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENOUGH AND NEEDS TO BE PUMPED TO STOP IT SOONER(WHICH MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE ONE ABOVE) , HAS DEFECTIVE BUMPERS AND ALSO HAS A REAR CENTER CHILD SAFETY SEAT SEATBELT WITH A RECALL ON IT .PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE BRAKES AT THE VERY LEAST. *TR
Seat belts, Jan 9, 2013
MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND THE REAR SEATBELTS WERE REPLACED ON 1/5/2013. HOWEVER, THE NEW SEATBELT LATCHES ARE TOO FLUSH TO THE SEAT AND ARE DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE/UNBUCKLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE NEW MIDDLE SEATBELT LATCH AND STRAP INTERFERS AND BLOCKS BUCKLING THE SIDE SEATBELTS. *TR
Engine, Oct 11, 2012
PURCHASED CAR NEW 12/2010, DEALER TOLD ME IT USED SYN OIL AND ONLY NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 7500 MILES. 03/2011 THE CAR HAD 4300 MILES AND WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS NOT SHOWING ON THE DIPSTICK. DEALER DID NOT TELL ME THAT THE FORESTERS USE OIL. IT WAS OVER 2 QUARTS LOW. IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS NOW AND SUBARU HAS STILL DONE NOTHING FOR MY CAR. ALL THEY TOLD ME WAS IT'S IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL AND THEY USE A QT EVERY 1200 MILES. THIS IS CRAZY FOR A NEW CAR. 6 QTS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND 5 QTS IN BETWEEN. CAN'T DEPEND ON THIS CAR. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON LONG TRIPS. ENGINE IS VERY NOISY. SUBARU DECEIVED ME AT TIME OF PURCHASE, I WOULD NEVER BOUGHT A CAR THAT USES OIL LIKE THIS. *TR
Engine, Aug 12, 2012
I WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY HEARD A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND THEN STOPPED. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ONE OF THE CONNECTING RODS PUNCTURED THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO SHOOT THROUGH THE HOLE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, MELTING THE WIRING, AND CAUSING THE SMOKE. *TR
Engine, Jun 13, 2012, crash, fire
A VEHICLE 2 CARS IN FRONT OF ME DROPPED A LOAD OF FREIGHT ON THE FREEWAY--POSSIBLE ONE LANE OVER. THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES, AND ONE MAY HAVE SWERVED INTO MY LANE. I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND SLOW TO ABOUT 15-20 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WITHIN 20 SECONDS OF HITTING THAT CAR, FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR. WITHIN 2 MINUTES MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE PASSENGER CABIN WAS FULLY INVOLVED. THIS WAS AN ALMOST BRAND-NEW CAR WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS, AND LITTLE FRONT-END DAMAGE. IT SEEMS SUSPICIOUS THAT SUCH AN ACCIDENT WOULD CAUSE SUCH AN INTENSE AND FAST-SPREADING FIRE. HAD CHILDREN BEEN RESTRAINED IN SAFETY SEATS, I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE HAD TIME TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Child seat, Apr 18, 2012
LATCH SYSTEM IN A 2.5X BASE MODEL IS INAPPROPRIATELY PLACED FOR AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT COMMON CAR SEAT BASES. UNABLE TO USE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS WITH A GRACO SNUGRIDE 30 OR 35 BASE. IN ADDITION, THE SUBARU FORESTER DOG GUARD ACCESSORY WHICH INSTALLS BETWEEN THE CARGO AREA AND THE REAR SEAT INAPPROPRIATELY USES BOTH OUTSIDE UPPER LATCH ANCHORS. *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 6, 2012
I AM BEING TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES. I CHANGED THE OIL ON 7/6/11 AT 10,639 MILES. THE ENGINE THEN FAILED AT 22241 ON 2/1/12. THE ENGINE HOLDS 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL BUT PER THE MANUFACTURER HAD NONE IN IT AT THE ENGINE FAILURE. HOW DOES A NEW VEHICLE BURN 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN 11602 MILES? THERE WAS ALSO NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND TO TELL ME THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE OIL LEVEL HAD TO BE LOWER THAN 2 P.S.I FOR THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WARN ME AND AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE WOULD ALREADY BE DAMAGED. I GOT NO ADVANCE WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE OR THE OIL LEVEL. THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL IN EXCESS OF $9500.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER HAVE AN ENGINE THAT DOES NOT WARN THE CONSUMER THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM? I AM VERY PUZZLED BY THIS AND THE FACT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOIDED IS THE SAME DEALERSHIP CHARGING ME EXORBITANT RATES FOR A NEW MOTOR? PLEASE HELP OR GIVE ME A SUGGESTION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET BEYOND WHERE SHE INTENDED TO STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. DURING THE SECOND FAILURE, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VIN WE HAVE IS INCORRECT. HOWEVER, SHE SUPPLIED THE CORRECT VIN TWICE, BUT IN ONCE CASE, THERE ARE TOO MANY NUMBERS AND THE SECOND CASE, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH NUMBERS. UPDATED 02/06/12
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 15, 2011, crash
ON 5/24/11, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, MY FORESTER WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE IMPACT OF THE SPEEDING VEHICLE CAUSED THE FORESTER TO SPIN 360 DEGREES AND FLIP-OVER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I WAS LEFT TRAPPED INSIDE THE FORESTER AND WITNESSES POINTED OUT THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE FORESTER FLIPPED OVER. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION KILL SWITCH. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO INTERIOR RELEASE OF THE REAR HATCH. AS A RESULT I REMAINED TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND CONCERNED ABOUT A GASOLINE LEAK AND POSSIBLE EXPLOSION. I WAS EVENTUALLY REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE BY EMTS AND BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF SIMILAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A REMOTE AREA OR IF THE DRIVER WAS MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED, MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE RESULTED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 4, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN OCCURRENCE OF ABNORMAL ACCELERATION AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FOUNDATION OF A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 20, 2011
2011 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES FUEL FILLER NECK IS RUSTED AND THERE IS NO FLAPPER ON TOP OF THE NECK *TGW THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FUEL FILLER NECK REPLACED. IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED, THE REPLACEMENT NECK HAD THE SAME DEFECT AS THE OLD ONE. THE CONSUMER REPORTED THE DEFECT TO SUBARU AND THE REPRESENTATIVES INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE DISCLORATION ON THE NECK WAS NOT RUST AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. SUBARU REFUSED TO OFFER ANY KIND OF FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DESIGN FOR THE 2011 MODELS. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Exterior lighting, Sep 8, 2011
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 472 MILES. CALLED DEALER REPAIR, WHICH INSTATED THAT IT WAS JUST THE GAS CAP LOOSE, WHICH HE HAD US REMOVE AND RETIGHTEN. WE WERE ADVISED TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT. WE DROVE IT FOR A FEW MORE DAYS AND THEN HAD TWO DIFFERENT LOCAL MECHANICS SHOPS CHECK THE CODE ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. BOTH SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING, EITHER RANDOM MISFIRE, OR MISFIRE ON CYLINDERS 3 AND 4. WE CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN, WHO SAID THAT THE MECHANICS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND WERE WRONG, BUT THAT WE SHOULD BRING THE CAR IN NEXT WEEK. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN ON 8/30/11, WITH ABOUT 872 MILES NOW ON IT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THE SOME CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS WERE NOT SET PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ADD A SHIM KIT TO CORRECT THIS! (ON A NEW CAR!) THE NEXT DAY, CAR STILL DIDN'T WORK, THEY HAD TO CALLED SUBARU MANUFACTURER AND TRIED AT LEAST 5 OTHER PROCEDURES AND CAR STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD AS A NEW CAR. THEY HAVE HAD THE COVER OVER 10 DAYS NOW AND STILL NOT FIXED. WE JUST WANT A NEW CAR, AND GET OUT OF THAT ONE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 11, 2011, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400.