Subaru Forester Complaints (2004)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#11133427October 5, 2018
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANYTIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 60 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT THERE'S A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD I CAN SEE IT DRIPPING OUT OF SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SEVERE GAS LEAK. NAUSEOUS AND DANGEROUS FUMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11130207September 18, 2018
SUSPENSION
THE CONTROL ARM FELL OFF. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE OTHER ONE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE RECALL ON THIS PART ALLOWED THE DEALER TO USE THEIR DISCRETION TO EITHER REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS, OR SPRAY RUST PROOFING OVER CORROSION, WHICH THEY DID. THIS OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT STOP THE RUSTING, AND IT EVENTUALLY RUSTED THROUGH. I LUCKILY WAS NOT INJURED. I AM QUESTIONING THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING SAFETY RECALL. TO ALLOW THE DEALER TO DECIDE IF THE CORROSION IS LIGHT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY SPRAY RUST PROOFING OVER IT SEEMS LUDICROUS. RUST PROOFING DOES NOT STOP CORROSION FROM CONTINUING WHEN IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN. I CALLED SUBARU USA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS. THEY WOULD NOT, AND WOULD PROVIDE NO COMPENSATION, AS THEY FEEL THEIR RUSTPROOFING SATISFIED THE RECALL. THE SAFETY RECALL IS FOR THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE. IF THEIR RUSTPROOFING DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, WHICH IT OBVIOUSLY DID NOT, WHY SHOULDN'T THEY BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT CORRECTLY? CONTROL ARMS SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO RUST AWAY AND FALL OFF A CAR! HOW DANGEROUS! I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY VEHICLE OWNER WHOSE CONTROL ARMS EVENTUALLY ROTTED AWAY AFTER THE CORROSION WAS 'RUSTPROOFED' OVER BY SUBARU. SO DANGEROUS! I AM ASKING THAT SUBARU BE REQUIRED TO COVER THE COSTS OF THESE CONTROL ARMS! AND ALSO, I AM REQUESTING THE NHTSA TO AGREE AND ADVISE SUBARU THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION THAT DOES NOT ULTIMATELY FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED CLOSED/COMPLETED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11110092July 8, 2018
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STATE HIGHWAY(RTE. 195), I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT IN THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. I PULLED OVER TO A BREAKDOWN LANE AND GOT OUT TO VISUALLY INSPECT THE WHEEL AND SURROUNDING AREA FOR ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE AND DID NOT NOTICE ANY. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE DRIVING THE SAME HIGHWAY THE VIBRATION AGAIN OCCURRED BUT ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND DID MY BUSINESS. WHILE REVERSING AND TURNING THE VIBRATION HAPPENED AGAIN BUT MORE INTENSELY AT THIS TIME. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN A SMALLER STATE HIGHWAY(RTE. 6) WHERE I COULD GO A SLOWER SPEED AND FOUND THAT THE VIBRATION HAD GOTTEN EXTREME TO A POINT OF WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE, PARKED AND JACKED THE VEHICLE UP AND REMOVED THE WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD IN FACT ROTTED TO A POINT OF IT SNAPPING AT THE MIDPOINT AND THUS DISCOVERED THE MECHANICAL ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. A SAFETY RECALL WAS ISSUED BY SUBARU DEALERS OF AMERICA AND AS PER THE VIN MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTROL ARM NEITHER APPEARS RUSTPROOFED NOR REPLACED AS PER THE RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11091135May 1, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF FUEL AND A LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11080085March 18, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY FORESTER HAS BEGUN TO SMELL LIKE GAS WHEN IT IS TURNED ON WHILE IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. A FUEL LINE IS LEAKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL RAIL. THE FUEL IS LEAKING RIGHT NEXT TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE TURBO (SEE, REALLY HOT PARTS, SEE ALSO, DANGEROUS). THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT TO REQUIRE OWNERS TO PAY HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO KEEP THEIR CARS FROM BURSTING IN TO FLAMES. PLEASE SEE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE AND DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT AND REIMBURSE THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11079474March 14, 2018
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
FAILED RECALL ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY FORESTER RUSTED IN HALF. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A FLAT CONCRETE DRIVEWAY ONTO A CITY STREET, AS I BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL I HEARD/FELT A POP IN THE FRONT END. AS I BEGAN TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT FUNNY/LOOSE. BEFORE FOING ANY FURTHER I PULLED THE CAR STRAIT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS JACKING THE CAR UP I NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL APPEAR TO GO LIMP AND SLOPPY. AFTER CRAWLING UNDERNEATH TO CHECK I FOUND THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY BROKE/RUSTED IN HALF. A FEW WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES WERE QUITE RUSTED. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND THAT SUBARU HAD A RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARMS AND WOULD EITHER REPLACE THEN OR RE COAT THEM. I THEN CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL. AFTER RUNNING MY VIN THE TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THAT RECALL IN 2012 AND THAT MY CONTROL ARMS WERE UNDER COATED AND THEREFORE WERE NOT COVERED FOR REPLACEMENT. SO NOW AFTER MY CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY BROKEN I CONTACTED THE SAME DEALER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD TO TRY CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA BUT THAT THEY COULD DO NOTHING. I THEN CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND AFTER GIVING THEM ALL MY INFORMATION WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT MY VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THE RECALL AND WAS NOT COVERED, BUT IF I TOOK IT TO A DEALER THEY WOULD "LOOK AT IT". I THEN CONTACTED ANOTHER LOCAL DEALER AND I WAS ABLE TO TRAILER IT THERE MYSELF. I AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. HAD THE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOEN THE ROAD AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC OR EVEN FATAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11074775February 21, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT
CSPC: THE WELD THAT CONNECTS THE MAIN PART OF THE RACK TO THE PORTION THAT ENTERS THE HITCH CRACKED, RESULTING IN THE BIKES DRAGGING IN THE ROAD UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER. THE RACK THEN SNAPPED OFF COMPLETELY. AT THE TIME, WE HAD THREE BIKES WORTH ABOUT $2,500 EACH ON THE RACK, AND MORE SERIOUSLY, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT HAD THE RACK SNAPPED OFF WITH ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND US. *DT *JS *B F *CN *JS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11071717February 8, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LEAKING FUEL LINE UNDER MANIFOLD, FUEL SMELL VERY STRONG AND LEAKS INTO ENGINE BAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11058587January 4, 2018
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GOT UP TO AND STARTED MY CAR TO GET IT WARMED UP SINCE IT WAS 8 F OUTSIDE. 20 MINUTES LATER WHEN I GOT INTO THE CAR THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DRIPPING GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHERE IT WAS POOLING. WHILE SEARCHING ONLINE FOR INFO ON THIS, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH EARLY 2000'S SUBARUS, EVEN TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY RECALLED THE WRX MODELS FOR THIS EXACT REASON, BUT MADE NO MENTION OF THEIR OTHER MODELS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11057668December 30, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS SMELL COLD WEATHER CAR IDOLING
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11054095December 12, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
JUST LIKE 60 OR SO OTHER 03-05 FORESTER XT OWNERS, I'M EXPERIENCING THE FUEL LEAK FROM THE RUBBER FUEL LINE WHERE IT CLAMPS ON TO THE METAL LINE TO THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE INJECTOR. JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THE ISSUE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN TEMPERATURES DROPPED BELOW ABOUT 20F - UNCOINCIDENTALLY, IN MY OPINION, THIS WAS THE FIRST NEW ENGLAND WINTER THIS CAR HAD EVER SEEN. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR WRX WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE INVOLVING THE SAME EXACT HARDWARE. GET ON IT SUBARU, THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW. YOU'VE ALREADY FESSED UP TO THE ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES USING THE EJ255 NOW DON'T FORGET ABOUT US FOZZY OWNERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11048212November 24, 2017
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE OPERATING THE HEATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MID-HUDSON SUBARU (1715 U.S. 9, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590 (866) 678-2048) SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO LEAKS OR FAILURES WERE DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FINALLY DETECTED A FUEL ODOR AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A MALFUNCTION WITH TUBING OR PIPING WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *TT *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11025492September 25, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR HAS A STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAB WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS TO 20 DEGREES AND BELOW. OCCURING ON COLD START AND CONTINUING IN MOTION ON LOCAL AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. AFTER A FEW UNSUCCESSFUL FIXES BY AUTHORIZED SUBARU SERVICE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR THREE YEARS SOA NEEDS TO RECOGNISE THIS GAS LEAK FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR AS A RECALL AND PERMINENT FIX PLEASE HELP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11012786August 4, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN TEMPS DROP THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN, DOESN'T GO AWAY AND PEOPLE GET VERY SICK. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S IN MOTION, STOPPED, ANYWHERE, AND NOTHING CAUSES IT TO GO AWAY UNTIL WELL INTO SPRING TIME OR WARMER WEATHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11004381July 11, 2017
SUSPENSION
DRIVING APPR. 35MPH ON STATE HIGHWAY 6 IN EASTHAM, MA WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED OUT OF MY HANDS, CAR ABRUPTLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT AND INTO GRANITE CURB BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. UPON EXITING CAR I FOUND RIGHT FRONT TIRE TURNED TO THE RIGHT WHILE OTHER TIRES WERE FACING FORWARD. RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN CAUSING CV AXLE TO BREAK AT INNER JOINT. THIS WAS A CROWDED HIGHWAY ON A SUMMER WEEKEND IN A RESORT AREA. I AM EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR CAUSED INJURY TO OTHERS. REPAIRS TOTALED $929.95
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990817May 21, 2017
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVING HOME FROM GYM, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGING THE CLUTCH MAKING SHIFTING DIFFICULT. EVENTUALLY RETURNED HOME SAFELY AND UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED A LARGE FIREWALL CRACK NEAR THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THE LARGE FIREWALL CRACK COMPROMISED THE CLUTCH PEDAL FUNCTION. ALSO, FEAR OF POSSIBILITY OF BRAKE PEDAL FAILURE AND POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO ENGINE BAY FUMES. I SPOKE TO A SUBARU SERVICE ADVISOR AND SUGGESTED TO "BRING-IN" FOR INSPECTION. ENROUTE TO THE DEALER WAITING FOR THE GREEN LIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET, DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND FELT A SNAP THEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL PLAY IS NONE. LOOKED ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT FELL/DETACHED, AND IT LOOKED LIKE PART OF THE PEDAL BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. I EVENTUALLY TOWED MY CAR TO THE DEALER. ARE FIREWALL SUPPOSED TO CRACK?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10966013March 15, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A RAW GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN PARKED, OR STOPPED WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING IN COLD WEATHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10949258February 3, 2017
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LEAK IN LINES ABOVE ENGINE BUT BELOW INTAKE DURING COLDER WEATHER. FUEL FUMES PULLED INTO VEHICLE BY HEATING SYSTEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10937987December 28, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A TERRIBLE GAS SMELL DURING COLD WEATHER FROM SOME LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. OTHER SUBARU MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT THE FORESTER. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT HAS GIVEN ME HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE SMELL IS PARTICULARLY AWFUL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON, WHICH IS PROBLEMATIC SINCE ONE WANTS THE HEAT ON WHEN IT'S THAT COLD OUT. SMELL PERSISTS AROUND THE CAR EVEN WHEN IT ISN'T RUNNING AND IS SO BAD I CAN'T PARK IT INSIDE MY ATTACHED GARAGE BECAUSE IT COMES INTO THE HOUSE. SUBARU REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO CORRECT IT BY TIGHTENING FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS, WHICH HAS NOT SOLVED THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE OTHER MODELS BEING RECALLED, AND WHEN I RESEARCHED IT MYSELF I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS (AT LEAST) OF SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD. I DON'T THINK ANYONE SHOULD BE BREATHING THESE CONCENTRATED FUMES. SUBARU NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND REPLACE THESE FAULTY LINES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR AT LEAST THE PAST 2 YEARS/WINTERS. MY MOST RECENT VISIT TO THE MECHANIC (TO ADDRESS THE FUEL SMELL AGAIN) WAS DECEMBER 23, 2016.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10936221December 19, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN VERY COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR THAT REMAINS AS THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WELL BELOW FREEZING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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