Subaru Forester Complaints

513 consumer complaints on file.

#11615460September 19, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low visibility and dark (shadowy) spots on road surface when low beam LED lights are on, and you’re driving on a dark rural road. The cutoff of the visual field is uneven, with a shorter visual field and dark spots on driver side. Got the car on August 17th. I didn’t drive it at night until the morning of September 5th. That’s when I noticed the problem with the lights. Took car to Subaru dealer on September 10th. According to the dealer the lights are level and working as designed. On September 11th I called Subaru and reported the problem, and the dealer comments to them. The customer advocate told me that a specialist will contact me within a couple of days. On September 16th I called and I was told that the specialist was not in the office, and the next day when he would come in he would contact me. Today is September 19th and I still have not been contacted by the Subaru specialist. I live in a rural township that doesn’t have street lights or sidewalks. Due to the low visibility and dark spots I don’t feel comfortable driving the car at night.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615194September 18, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was driving down the road and a bottle was thrown out of a vehicle going the opposite direction as me. Upon impact my windshield shattered and sent shards of glass flying into the cabin of my vehicle. The shards of glass were thrown into my face and would have gone into my eyes had I not been wearing glasses. The glass broke into small shards and splinters that could have easily damaged my eyes or blinded me or a passenger. When I took it to the dealership the staff was shocked by how easily a plastic bottle punctured through the windshield and the amount of glass debris that was thrown into the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614696September 15, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When the daytime running lights are on in normal conditions, the instrument panel little green headlight indicator does not illuminate. But in low light conditions such as the thunderstorms we get here in Florida very often, or at dusk as the ambient light starts to lessen, the instrument panel headlight indicator will illuminate if the daytime running lights are on and only they are on. So, I have witnessed drivers many times past dusk, in nighttime conditions driving with no taillights, no side running lights, and no headlights, just low intensity daytime running lights apparently thinking their headlights were turned on. I dismissed it as forgetful drivers or "old age" until it happened to me! The scenario was my headlights were not on automatic setting, it was late in the afternoon but decent light so I did not turn on my headlights on manually. Then on the 20-30 minute drive home clouds rolled in and it darkened substantially. The headlight indicator illuminated because the daytime running lights were on, leading me to think I had turned my headlights on as well. I had not, and I had driven almost 20 minutes with no tail lights or running lights in full darkness. I have witnessed this happen to at least three other vehicles on my route home from my work and they were a variety of SUV newer models likely with the same headlight control system. The solution is easy, I think. The instrument panel headlight indicator should never illuminate based on daytime running lights regardless of conditions. I have not taken this to the dealer yet to check it out but I plan to, although I fear it will be difficult to reproduce for them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613390September 9, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield cracked after dust hit car while on road. Crack split aggressively in 1 day from 1 inch to 14 inches. This is the SECOND time it has happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613159September 6, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After two years, we had a rock hit our windshield and crack it. The car is not safe to drive and it is our only vehicle. We have learned that Subaru has used subpar glass on their windshields and they just had a class action lawsuit regarding that. Today, we were told that they have a National Backorder situation with our windshield OEM parts. Subaru is INSISTING that we only replace our windshield with OEM parts with a re-cllibration to follow for eyesight, etc. Our Insurance company has approved OEM parts, the calibration and the Repair company was ready to go today. After calling around all day with the help of multiple Subaru Dealerships, we found that we cannot get these parts for a long time (no actual date provided) and that many customers have been waiting for over a year (the vehicle is two years old). Subaru's corporate customer "advocacy" area would not assist us and treated us horribly. Subaru is threatening to not honor our warranties if we use OEM equivalent parts. There are laws against practices like this including The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. We need to get our car fixed immediately as we have no other mode of transportation right now. There is no reason for this situation as safety should be the number one priority! It seems that the entire Country is affected by this and Subaru just continues to not resolve the situation. In addition, a couple of Subaru employees mentioned that Subaru has totally stopped glass production for these vehicles. If that is the actual case, they have to announce a massive recall and provide new vehicles or settlement funds to the many who are affected by this situation. Nobody should be told to drive on the road with cracks or chips in their windshield. Nobody should be told that they are on their own. Nobody should be put in impossible situations like these ones. Shame on Subaru - hold them responsible and accountable!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612097September 2, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The head lights are seriously defective in low beam. In low beam the car is not road worthy. It is dangerous! It is available for inspection upon request. We did not drive the car after dark until a week after taking delivery. We were at risk as was any other vehicle on the road at that time. We have not driven the car after dark since. The dealer who sold the car to us has been made aware of the problem. No one has inspected the car. There were on warnings or symptoms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611294August 27, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I see black/gray spots on the headlights and sometimes I cannot detect if it is something in the road. Especially if it is raining. I called today for my maintenance and I am going to address this. Another issue that scared me to death. I was backing out of my garage, I was clear to continue backing but it kept beeping. Again I checked and nothing there, I began to continue and all of a sudden the car braked on its on hard. It was so alarming. I’m glad I was not in traffic. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue, I am feeling a hesitation when I accelerate, like it is not getting gas, then it starts going without hesitation. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue all of a sudden the eye sight crossed through came on. No reason for it to come on. I will address with the dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610406August 23, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a stop light, the brake pedal was released, but the vehicle failed to move. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact was able to drive to a parking lot. After shifting to drive, the vehicle unexpectedly reversed. While in reverse, the vehicle would shift to drive erroneously. The vehicle jolted forward. The vehicle was shaking, jerking, and skipping gear. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,426.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609615August 20, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608864August 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Check Engine, Eyesight Off, [S] flashing, Check Owners Manual came on meanwhile driving at normal speeds, 55mph, last dealership check and oil change was June 20, 2024. Finding same error has occurred to other Subaru Forester drivers: NHTSA ID # 11490232 NHTSA ID # 12479843 NHTSA ID # 11511658 NHTSA ID # 11490977 NHTSA ID # 11479843 NHTSA ID # 11499756 NHTSA ID # 11480952 NHTSA ID # 11491752 NHTSA ID # 11474804 found on [XXX] . Will take car to Advanced Autoparts in the morning to get a code read. Previously found to be an issue with Thermo Control Valve. I am two hours away from a Subaru dealership. HELP!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608800August 15, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving on the highway on 8/15/24, the rear driver's side door randomly opened. The warning/indicator light came on, as well as the overhead lights. I also immediately was able to hear extra road noise coming from that side and could clearly see through my side view mirror that the door was ajar (it was not wide open). I have not had the car inspected by anyone.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608744August 15, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windscreen cracked for no apparent reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608272August 13, 2024
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I checked on KBB.com and my car came up as having a recall for the drive shaft. The NHTSA Campaign ID - 23V754000 and when I called my dealership about it, I am being told that there is no recall. This is a serious issue and I am seriously concerned.,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608245August 13, 2024
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
See attached document for complaint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606932August 6, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield formed a crack for no apparent reason. The crack increased to about 10 inches in the course of 2 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605628July 31, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car was parked for several weeks in a friend's driveway. I was on a trip overseas. When I came back, I started the car and the rear window glass shattered and blew into the car. There was no evidence of anything striking the glass from outside.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603673July 22, 2024
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
I was driving the car, towards the end of about a 40-minute drive the car, I can best describe, lost its mind. Without any prior signs of symptoms, in about the span of 5-10 seconds, the check engine light came on, then eyesight warning came on, then traction system error appeared and I lost all power. It started braking on its own and completely acting on its own. I could still steer, but I had no other control over the vehicle! THANKFULLY I was in a 25 MPH zone, with no other vehicles or pedestrians anywhere near me. I was able to steer the piece of junk into a vacant loading dock and at least get it off the street. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if the car did this on the interstate that I had exited from not five minutes prior to this incident. The car was rendered undriveable. I had it towed to the dealership. I don't know what is wrong with it yet as the dealer is closed on Sunday. This was an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! If the car lost its mind a mere five minutes earlier than it did, I could have been killed! I am still shaking from this incident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602929July 17, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Windshield has spontaneously cracked 2 times within ~30 days in the lower passenger side. No preceding event or chips in the windshield before cracking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602395July 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I was driving down the main street of a small city. There is a decent amount of traffic, so I’m not sure what speed I was going but likely no more than 25 mph. All of a sudden, for no apparent reason, the pre-collision braking went into effect and slammed me to a total stop. I wasn’t too close to the vehicle in front of me, there were no pedestrians in the road, etc. thankfully the vehicle behind me was able to stop and did not hit me. I was able to move forward and pulled into the closet parking lot. I looked and could see anything directly on my vehicle. Subaru is saying that one of my tire’s pressure was low and that may have caused it or sunlight may have caused it. There was no low tire pressure light on my vehicle. The light had been on not too long before this and I had filled the tires. But no warning light on the day this happened. I was able to successfully drive further with no issues. Subaru does not seem to be taking this seriously. But, no matter the cause, if either of these things will cause a vehicle to come to an immediate stop, that is definitely a safety issue. And it is a safety concern that should be looked into.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600803July 10, 2024
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and the RPMs were significantly high. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was reversing, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly and hit a chained gate. The contact's wife depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle went into the woods, hit several small trees, and then the vehicle crashed into a big tree and bounced 30 ft. away from the tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's wife sustained a sore neck, but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision repair shop, awaiting for a damage estimate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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