2016 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 414 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 40 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationOct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Campaign 19V701000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Campaign 19V149000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, turbo/superchargerMar 21, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Campaign 16V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
414 reports, newest first.
Engine, Dec 28, 2018
TODAY MARKS THE THIRD TIME WE ARE TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WHEN ACCELERATING.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 21, 2018
I HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR ISSUES TO THE GENTLEMAN WHOSE NHTSA # IS 11161972. ON THREE OCCASIONS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES AN HOUR AND USUALLY GOING UP AND INCLINE, MY ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND THE CAR WOULD DIE. ALL THREE TIMES MY CAR SCREEN SHOWED THAT I HAD BETWEEN 60 AND 80 MILES LEFT IN MY TANK AND MY FUEL GAUGE WHICH SHOW TWO CLICKS TO THE RIGHT OF EMPTY. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT COULD BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT I NEEDED GAS IN MY CAR . AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED AAA AND THEY BROUGHT ME 2 GALLONS OF GAS TO GET ME TO THE NEXT EXIT TO SO THAT I CAN FILL MY TANK. THE SECOND TIME I HAD MOVED OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AS MY CAR WAS DYING. I HAD WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES WHILE I WAS WAITING ON AAA AGAIN TO SHOW UP WHEN I DECIDED TO START MY CAR AND THE ENGINE STARTED. I WAS LITERALLY 2/10 OF A MILE FROM THE GAS STATION SO I HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION TO FILL MY TANK. THE THIRD TIME AS I WAS INCLINING ON A HILL IN THE FAST LANE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR. FORTUNATELY I THOUGHT FAST AND HIT THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AS I HAD A SEMI RIGHT BEHIND MY CAR. THIS TIME I MOVED OVER INTO THE LEFT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS SHOWING BETWEEN 60 AND 90 MILES OF GAS LEFT IN MY TANK AND ALWAYS WITH TWO CLICKS ON THE FULL GAGE. I AM NOT SURE AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS YET WE'RE UNABLE TO RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY TRIED TO DRIVE IT. AS SOMEONE WHO PUTS A LOT OF ROAD MILES ON THEIR CAR FOR WORK, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SCARY AS MY TRAVELS ARE ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT ALWAYS IN LARGE CITIES. ONE THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON NHTSA TICKET # 11161972 MATCHES MINE EXACTLY BASED ON WHAT IS SHOWN ON YOUR SITE. ALL HWY DRIVING.
Engine, Dec 17, 2018
2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF COMPLETE ENGINE POWER LOSS WHILE ON HIGHWAY AT CRUISING SPEEDS. BOTH IN INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH LOW FUEL ABOUT 1/8TH TANK (2-3 GALLONS) VERIFIED BASED ON AMOUNT REFILLED TO FULL. FUEL GAUGE WAS READING 2 BARS (1/8) AND LOW FUEL LIGHT ON BUT SHOWING 70 MILES OF FUEL REMAINING. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GOING UP VERY SLIGHT INCLINE. SUDDEN NON-RESPONSE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SUBSEQUENT DECELERATION AS CAR WAS DRIVEN TO SHOULDER. ENGINE SHIFT DOWN COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WHILE ON SIDE OF ROAD. IN FIRST INCIDENT ON INTERSTATE 78W IN PA, THE CAR COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED UNTIL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES AFTER TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER AND INSPECTED BUT NO ROOT CAUSE FOUND OR REPORTED. THE CAR WAS OPERATED FOR ANOTHER ~20,000 MILES UNTIL SECOND EVENT ON NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY SOUTH WHERE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR WAS COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO NEAREST GAS STATION AND FILLED UP, REQUIRING 14.1 GALLONS. THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON NOV 28TH, 2018. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS SECOND EVENT HAS NOT YET BEEN COMMUNICATED TO SUBARU YET WAS POSTED BY ME ON AN ONLINE FORUM IN RESPONSE TO OTHER USERS REPORTING SIMILAR ENGINE ISSUES AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH SIMILAR LOW FUEL CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THE ISSUE HERE BECAUSE IT SEEMS MY INCIDENTS ARE NOT UNIQUE AND PRESENT SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2018
BLUETOOTH EQUIPPED SIRIUS RADIO DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO HAVE TO TUNE THE RADIO MANUALLY, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER FROM CAREFUL OPERATION. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY THE SUBARU DEALER TO CORRECT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S CLAIM TO SELL SAFE VEHICLES!
Air bags, Dec 8, 2018
SRS MESSAGE AND WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. MESSAGE SRS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER I EXPLAINED THE ISSUES SHOWED THEM THREE PICTURES OF THE WARNING AND INDICATORS WHEN THE ISSUE OCCURS. WAS TOLD THAT THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG. NO ACTIVE CODES FOUND. UNABLE TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT IN CASE THE AIR BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED SUBARU HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE WARING AND INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGERS SEAT, WITH NO ONE IN THE SEAT AND WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE IDLING. THE VEHICLE COULD BE MOVING OR PARKED IDLING AND THE WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2018
THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT WILL OCCASIONALLY SET A WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, SAYING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT, BUT THEN YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE WARNING DISAPPEARS. THE 'CURE' IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ASSEMBLY! THE FOLLOWING TEXT FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINT PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MY SITUATION: "SUBARU IS KNOWINGLY BUILDING ITS CARS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WHICH WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF THE AIR BAG WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED UNDER NORMAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS IN THE 2016 AND 2017 OWNERS MANUAL THAT IF THERE IS A CELL PHONE OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR THEN THE AIR BAG SENSORS COULD MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO STATES THAT IF YOUR PASSENGER IS WEARING A JACKET OR SWEATER THIS COULD CAUSE THE SENSORS TO TURN THE LIFE SAVING AIR BAG OFF."
Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. PERIODICALLY, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO JIGGLE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN TWO YEARS AND WERE INADEQUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Air bags, Nov 11, 2018
PASSENGER DETECTION SYSTEM TO TURN ON AIRBAG HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING. WILL TURN OFF PASSENGER AIR BAG WITH AN ADULT PRESENT IN THE SEAT, OR NOT TURN IT ON INITIALLY. NOW IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS OFF AT SOME POINT IN A DRIVING EXPERIENCE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT CHECKED OUT WERE MADE BUT REQUIRED TOO LONG AND NO LOANER WAS AVAILABLE. AFTER GETTING A SECOND CAR, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED BE TESTED OCTOBER 2, 2018 AND PARTS WERE ORDERED. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND WHEN THE PART MAY COME IN AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS, NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE SYSTEM ACKNOWLEDGES THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER BECAUSE IT GIVES A WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT IT NEEDS SERVICE BUT IT LEAVES AIRBAG OFF ANYWAY. I BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG WAITING FOR PARTS FOR A SAFETY SYSTEM PROBLEM. THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS TO NHTSA AND ON SUBARU OWNER'S FORUMS.
Engine, Nov 9, 2018
I HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE WILL FLUTTER IN IDLE AND WILL ALMOST SKIP AS IF IT'S NOT GETTING ANY GAS. THE FLUTTER CAUSES THE CAR TO SHAKE, IT HAS EVEN CAUSED THE CAR TO STALL. WHEN IT STALLED I HAD STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, TAPPED THE GAS AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND SHUT OFF. I BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THEY COULDNT FIND ANY PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2018
MY VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY TOWARD THE END OF A DAY-LONG DRIVE, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, HILL ASSIST, EYESIGHT, AND OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM DISABLED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CLEAR WEATHER WHEN A DRIVER EXPECTS IT TO WORK. THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE WAS UNNERVING, LATE ON A THURSDAY NIGHT, ON A HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WHEN NOTHING WAS OPEN. TURNS OUT THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IT DESERVES A RECALL!
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 2, 2018
THIS USED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER AS A "GREAT BUY", WITH 74589 MILES ON MAY 23, 2018. LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, BELLS AND DINGS BEGAN SOUNDING WHILE DRIVING, LIGHT INDICATORS INDICATED THAT THE SRS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED; THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT ON SOMETIMES, OTHER TIMES IT WAS..INTERMITTENT. CAR IN MOTION BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND ON HIGHWAY. NO RECALLS WERE REPORTED AT THAT TIME, AND I NEVER KNEW WHILE DRIVING WHETHER EITHER SIDE SEATBELTS WERE ENGAGED WHEN I KNEW THEY WERE, NOR WHETHER AIRBAGS WERE VIABLE. DANGEROUS FOR DRIVER AND FOR PASSENGER. INDEPENDENT DEALER AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS WERE PERPLEXED, DEALERSHIPS HAD NO AVAILABLE PARTS.....HERE IT IS, OCT. 2, 2018, OVER 4 MONTHS LATER, AND NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO DEALERS OR AUTHORIZED REPAIR COMPANIES TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY REGULATIONS. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE; SUBARU NEEDS TO PROVIDE PARTS AT NO EXPENSE TO THIS CUSTOMER TO ASSURE SAFETY. AND, THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL OR FACE POTENTIAL LAWSUITS.... ## VIN PASSED ## SUBARU FORESTER 2016 ##
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2018
2016 SUBARU FORESTER XT WITH 57000 MILES. THE CEL CAME ON DURING A 5 MINUTE DRIVE AND STARTED TO STALL. AFTER STOPPING AND STARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY SPUTTERED. CEL CAME ON, STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED, TRACTION CONTROL DISABLED, CRUISE CONTROL DISABLED. TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DYING, DRIVER HAD TO REV ENGINE. DRIVER TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE (STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS). CEL WAS RESET AFTER DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE O2 SENSOR. CAR RAN FINE FOR 50 MILES. CEL CAME ON, STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE ALL DISABLED. CAR WOULD SKID ON WET SURFACES. CAR WOULD STALL. CAR WOULD LAG ON THE THROTTLE RESPONSE AND THEN ACCELERATE AT A VERY HIGH-RATE, RESULTING IN NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS. RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. BRAKE-LIGHT SENSOR WAS REPLACED FIRST AND CEL RESET. ISSUE APPEARED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWORDS AND ALL FUEL INJECTORS HAD TO REPLACED. DROVE CAR FROM DEALERSHIP AND 1 DAY LATER, SAME PROBLEM APPEARED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED EGR VALVE. DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS OF AUGUST 20, 2018, THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AND WITH THE DEALERSHIP UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTICS. ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DRIVING ON BOTH A HIGHWAY, CITY STREET, AND MAKING TURNS. THE FAULT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFULLY IDENTIFIED BUT ALL ATTEMPTS AT RESOLUTION HAVE BEEN ON THE FUEL, THROTTLE, AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2018
I COPIED THIS MESSAGE FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINT WHICH EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TRYING TO COMPLAINT. SUBARU IS KNOWINGLY BUILDING ITS CARS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WHICH WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF THE AIR BAG WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED UNDER NORMAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS IN THE 2016 AND 2017 OWNERS MANUAL THAT IF THERE IS A CELL PHONE OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR THEN THE AIR BAG SENSORS COULD MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO STATES THAT IF YOUR PASSENGER IS WEARING A JACKET OR SWEATER THIS COULD CAUSE THE SENSORS TO TURN THE LIFE SAVING AIR BAG OFF. MY 17 TEENAGER HAD NO ELECTRONICS BUT A SWEATER ON AND IT SHUT OFF AIR BAG WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. HOW IS THIS LEGAL TO KNOWINGLY SELL A CAR WITH FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THIS LINK TO SUBARU'S WEBSITE EXPLAINS HOW THEIR AIRBAG SENSOR WORKS HTTP://WWW.STANLEYSUBARU.COM/BLOG/2012/AUGUST/6/HOW-DOES-THE-OCCUPANT-DETECTION-SYSTEM-ODS-WORK-IN-MY-SUBARU.HTM
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2018
WATER IS ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CARPET IS STARTING TO SMELL OF MILDEW. I AM AFRAID OF THE REACTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WATER. I NOTIFIED MY DEALERSHIP AND AWAITING A RESPONSE. MEANWHILE, I TAKING MY CAR TO BE SERVICED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Sep 13, 2018
ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCURRENCES WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON AND WE WERE DRIVING AT AROUND 70 MILES AN HOUR ON AN INTERSTATE, OUR CAR WOULD ELECTRONICALLY PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL, THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER WOULD PHYSICALLY REMAIN IN DRIVE, THE RPM'S WOULD GO UP TO ABOUT 5500 RPMS, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. WE WOULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS. THREE OF THE FIVE TIMES, THE CAR WOULD START AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THE THIRD TIME THE BATTERY DIED AFTER TRYING TO START IT A FEW TIMES WHILE IT WAS COLD OUT. THE FIFTH TIME THE CAR LEFT US STRANDED ON THE INTERSTATE FOR TWO HOURS WHILE WE WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WE HAVE NOTIFIED SUBARU EVERY TIME THAT THE CAR WOULD DO THIS. ON THE THIRD TIME IT HAPPENED, SUBARU HAD US REMOVE THE REMOTE STARTER WE HAD PURCHASED AND INSTALLED AT BEST BUY. AFTER HAVING BEST BUY REMOVE THE REMOTE STARTED, I INSTALLED A DASHCAM BEHIND THE DRIVER TO RECORD THE DRIVER, DASHBOARD AND THE SHIFTER BECAUSE SUBARU COULD NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING. THE FOURTH AND FIFTH TIME HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE ON A FAMILY VACATION OUT OF STATE. THE CAR WAS LEFT AT A DEALERSHIP OUT OF STATE AND FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT THEY DETERMINED IT WAS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. I WAS TOLD ON THE PHONE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO TEST IF THE FUEL PUMP THEY REMOVED WAS IN FACT FAULTY. SUBARU TOLD ME THEY HAD A TECHNICIAN DRIVE IT FOR 500 MILES AND THEY DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. INCIDENTS WERE AT THE FOLLOWING MILEAGES - DATES: 31190 - MAY 27TH, 2017 34383 - AUGUST 27TH, 2017 APPROXIMATELY 42300 - FEBRUARY 2ND, 2018 51778 - AUGUST 9TH, 2018 52129 - AUGUST 14TH, 2018
Power train, Sep 12, 2018
SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING MANUAL TRANSMISSION COMING OUT OF GEAR WHILE ENGINE BRAKING.THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FLAT ROADS AND WHILE DESCENDING HILLS, AND WHILE IN FIRST OR SECONDS GEAR. ISSUE EASILY DUPLICATED WHEN IN FIRST GEAR AT LOW SPEED (BETWEEN 1,500 AND 3,000 RPM) GOING DOWNHILL WITH FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. AS THE VEHICLE DESCENDS THE HILL, THE GEAR LEVER BEGINS MOVING AND EVENTUALLY POPS INTO NEUTRAL. ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE. DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT 30,000 MILES, THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP AGAIN. WENT FOR A DRIVE WITH THE MASTER TECHNICIAN AND DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED SHIFT CABLES, BUSHINGS ON CABLES, CABLE ADJUSTMENT, ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND DEEMED THEM ALL IN GOOD CONDITION. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICES WHICH STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMING OUT OF GEAR IS THE CAR "OPERATING AS DESIGNED" AND THAT IT IS "NORMAL CONDITION FOR CABLE SHIFTED SPLIT CASE 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION". DEALERSHIP ALSO VERIFIED THAT THE ISSUE OCCURS ON ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND SHIFTER. NO REPAIR OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION WAS ADVISED.
Service brakes, Sep 9, 2018
ABS WARNING LIGHTS COMES ON THEN AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR IT DISAPPEARS. BOTHE TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS STOPPED THEN WHILE ACCELERATING THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE FIRST TIME I WAS PARKED THEN WHEN I BACKED UP LIGHTS CAME ON. THE SECOND TIME I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN I STARTED THE LIGHTS CAME ON. THEN FOLLOWING TIME AFTER THE LIGHTS WERE OFF , I WOULD RESTART CAR AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING
Air bags, Seats, Sep 5, 2018
SUBARU IS KNOWINGLY BUILDING ITS CARS WITH FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS WHICH WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF THE AIR BAG WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED UNDER NORMAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT IS IN THE 2016 AND 2017 OWNERS MANUAL THAT IF THERE IS A CELL PHONE OR ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR THEN THE AIR BAG SENSORS COULD MALFUNCTION. IT ALSO STATES THAT IF YOUR PASSENGER IS WEARING A JACKET OR SWEATER THIS COULD CAUSE THE SENSORS TO TURN THE LIFE SAVING AIR BAG OFF. MY 17 TEENAGER HAD NO ELECTRONICS BUT A SWEATER ON AND IT SHUT OFF AIR BAG WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. HOW IS THIS LEGAL TO KNOWINGLY SELL A CAR WITH FAULTY SAFETY EQUIPMENT . ATTACHED IS THE PAGES FROM THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS MANUAL.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 1, 2018
I DROVE FROM NJ TO ME (BOUGHT IN 2017). I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE/PASS CARS FROM THE LEFT LANE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. AFTER 5 HRS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY & MADE A RIGHT ONTO A MAIN ST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT IT PULL BACK & MY WHEELS LOCK UP. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING OR GOT A FLAT & WAS RIDING ON MY RIMS. FROM THE RIGHT LANE I MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER-IT JERKED ROUGHLY BUT REMAINED STUCK. I WALKED AROUND IT & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG ON THE OUTSIDE. I WAITED 2.5 HRS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME 6 MINS AWAY TO OUR HOTEL. I CALLED A FEW LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. NONE COULD SEE ME FOR A WEEK SO MY PLAN WAS TO BRING IT TO THE HOTEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID MY CALIPER WAS STICKING & RECOMMENDED I HAVE IT TOWED TO SUBARU SINCE NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE IT AT THE HOTEL. SUBARU CALLED/SAID SOMEONE PULLED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL PLUG & IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THEY BLAMED THE OIL CHANGE GUY, SAYING HE MADE AN ERROR (THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NEAR THE OIL DRAIN PLUG) & THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DIFF THEY MEANT WAS THE FRONT DIFF-THEY ARE CLOSE. THERE ARE 2 DIFFS & THE REAR DIFF IS WHERE MY ISSUE WAS-10 FT AWAY FROM OIL DRAIN. I'VE ONLY HAD OIL/BRAKE PAD CHANGES & NEITHER HAD A REASON TO TOUCH ANY DIFF. THAT WORK IS RECOMMENDED BETWEEN 30-50K MILES & I HAD 31K. I DROVE A RENTAL TO NJ WHILE MY CAR WAITS IN NH. I TALKED TO CORPORATE/SERVICE ALL WEEK BUT THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME EVEN THOUGH I MAKE A VALID POINT. THEY ASKED WHO DID THOSE ROUTINE SERVICES. I SHARED THE INFO & ASKED WHY IT WAS RELEVANT. HE "HINTED" THAT IT COULD VOID THE WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THAT WAS WHY MY CLAIM WAS DENIED BUT HE SAID HE DIDN'T SAY THAT WAS THE REASON. IT'S ILLEGAL TO TELL CUSTOMERS ONLY SUBARU CAN SERVICE THEIR CARS. EXPERIENCED MECHANICS SAY IF ANYONE PULLED THE DIFF PLUG IN NJ I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT TO ME-5 HRS AWAY.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THEN TO SUBARU OF ENGLEWOOD (135 SOUTH DEAN STREET, ENGLEWOOD, NJ 07631, (201) 816-6000). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND LEARNED OF MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES, WHICH WERE DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EVENT DATA RECORDER THAT THE DEALERS DID NOT HAVE AND THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE MATTER. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT IF THEY DECIDE TO SEND THE EQUIPMENT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TO INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING DAMAGE.*JS
Engine, Aug 22, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY GOING UP A BRIDGE OVER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS CAME ON AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL AND I HAD TO SWITCH FROM THE LEFT-HAND LANE TO THE RIGHT -HAND LANE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION.MY CAR SPEED AND WENT TO 65 MPH TO ABOUT 0 MPH IN THE MATTER OF A MINUTE. I DO YOU SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME TYPE OF INCIDENT HAPPENING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY SUBARU.MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON MY EMISSIONS CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON IN MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER WHILE 65 MPH CARS WERE ZOOMING PAST ME. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AND MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION FOR THE ISSUE THAT I AM SEEING. UNFORTUNATELY IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE INTERNET ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES AND THEY ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE ON OCTOBER 24, 2017. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ON JULY 18, 2018, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN AND CRASHED INTO A SECURITY POLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2018, crash
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING 2 ACCIDENTS. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK & I WAS ROLLING TO A STOP WHEN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED.
Tires, Wheels, Aug 8, 2018
I HAVE A 2016 FORESTER WITH YOKOHAMA G91F TIRES AND JUST HAD INSPECTION THEY SAID TIRE TREAD WAS GOOD EXCEPT THE SIDE ARE WORN DOWN SO I REQUIRED NEW TIRE TO PASS. I FOUND MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THIS TIRE ONLINE. THE TIRE IS FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES BUT SAYS IT CAN BE USED ON CROSSOVER AND SUV BUT TALKED WITH SEVERAL TIRE SHOPS THAT ALL RECOMMEND USING SUV SPECIFIC TIRES AS THEY SEE THE SAME ISSUE OVER AND OVER WITH CERTAIN MULTI CATEGORY TIRES LIKE THIS WHERE BECAUSE OF RIDE HEIGHT, VEHICLE WEIGHT AND CENTER OF GRAVITY WHEN ROUNDING CORNERS THESE TIRES GET WORN DOWN REALLY QUICKLY BECAUSE OF IT BEING MORE PASSENGER VEHICLE CENTRIC BECAUSE THE EDGES ARE MORE ROUNDED WHERE AS SUV SPECIFIC TIRES HAVE MORE OF A FLAT BOTTOM AND SQUARE EDGES SO THEY DON'T SLIP. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS WHY A LOT OF COMPLAINTS TALK ABOUT POOR PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER AS THE SLIP IN CORNERS. THESE ARE STANDARD ON FORESTER AND YOKOHAMA WON'T COVER OEM TIRES AT ALL. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATED ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY JUST STARTED SELLING THEIR NEW ASCENT 3 ROW SUV NOT SURE IF IT HAS SAME TIRES. IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT ME MY EMAIL IS [XXX] I WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP RESEARCH AND SEND PROOF FROM USER REVIEWS AND TIRE DEALERS PLUS CAN TAKE PHOTOS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2018, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT SPOT AT IDLE SPEED, I LIGHTLY DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD COLLIDING WITH THE VEH PARKED TO MY LEFT. MY VEH JUMPED THE CURB WITH THE FRONT END COMING TO REST ON THE SIDEWALK. I HAVE HAD CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THIS SUDDEN SURGING ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE TO ENTER MY GARAGE OR STARTING FROM A STOP. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTON OF SUBARU & TOOK IT TO THEM FOR DIAGNOSIS ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM & FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN IT'S OPERATION. APPARENTLY I AM NOT ALONE IN MY COMPLAINT AS I HAVE READ IN THE DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE OF MOTOR TREND MAGAZINE THAT THEY TOO MENTION THE "JUMPY THROTTLE RESPONSE". I HAVE ALSO READ OF SIMILAR RAPID ACCELERATION COMPLAINTS IN YOUR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS SECTION WHICH PARALLEL MINE. I HAVE TOLD SUBARU THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS COLLISION & THAT I FEAR THAT COULD HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH THIS COLLISION & RESULTIG DAMAGE WAS MINOR, I AM THANKFUL THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK THAT COULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEH NOW & DON'T KNOW WHAT MY NEXT STEP WILL BE. W.A LOVOLD MANHATTAN BEACH, CA