Subaru Forester Complaints (2006)

88 consumer complaints on file.

#10547476October 10, 2013
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE BUS HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL TO THE CORNER WHERE I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. (ABOUT 4 CAR LENGTHS FROM MY ORIGINAL PARKED SPOT) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING TO MY FOOT OR STEALING COMMANDS. I ROLLED ONTO THE FRONT LAWN OF THE CORNER PROPERTY. AS SOON AS WE CAM TO A STOP I SHUT THE ENGINE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I OPENED THE DOOR, TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEN TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS MAKING LIKE A REVING NOISE. I WHEN TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OFF THE LAWN (ALL THE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LURCH BACKWARDS WITH SUCH FORCE AND SPEED. I WAS ALMOST STANDING IN PLACE WITH THE FORCE I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND AND I CAME TO A FULL STOP AFTER CROSSING THE ROAD AND INTO ANOTHER FRONT LAWN AND CRASHING IN TO THE PORCH OF THAT PROPERTY. TOTALED VEHICLE !!! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532728July 30, 2013
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RADIATOR FAN. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515925June 9, 2013
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON 8/26/2012 AT 8:00 PM, PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO SLEEP. AT 2:00 AM I HEARD AN EXPLOSION, WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE TO VERIFY WHAT IT WAS AND FOUND MY FORESTER IN FIRE. WITH THE HELP OF MY NEIGHBORS WE CONTROL THE FIRE WITHIN AN HOUR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES CAME OUT OF THE FIRE; THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF THE FORESTER SUFFER A LOT OF DAMAGE, THE MOTOR OF THE GARAGE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE PAINT OF THE HOUSE, VERTICAL BLINDS AND OTHER BELONGINGS OF THE HOUSE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE. SUBARU/-FORESTER/2006 RECALL NO.WVC-13 RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE WAY THAT MY CAR GOT IN FIRE HAS TO BE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL.SHORT CIRCUIT, HAVING AS A RESULT THE FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR. THE VIN OF MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOUR AGENCY COULD DO AN INVESTIGATION THAT AS A RESULT HAVE THE VIN OF MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WVC-13. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490259December 27, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I WAS WAITING TO PULL INTO A SMALL PARKING LOT, AN AUTO WAS PULLING OUT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR HIM TO EXIT. AS SOON AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FULL SPEED TOWARDS THE EXITING CAR AND I TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A COLLISION BUT WENT FULL SPEED INTO A WALL (SIDE OF A HOUSE) THE EXITING CAR WAS GRAZED, THE HOUSE WAS DAMAGED AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE SOUND OF ACCELERATION AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE WAS AS IF I DEPRESSED FULLY THE GAS PEDAL WHICH I DID NOT DO. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10472384August 24, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS, SPARKS WERE EMITTED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL BURNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462745June 22, 2012
ENGINE
WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 90000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS SHOWN THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD GASKET. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU FORESTERS FROM THE LATE 1990S THRU 2009. APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN, WHICH SUBARU HAS NOT OWNED UP TO. MY ONLINE SEARCH LOCATED A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BY SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS ON THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454480April 9, 2012
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT WHEELS SEIZED AND BECAME TWISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442517January 5, 2012
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS APPOINTMENT WAS RESCHEDULED BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10438002December 1, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHER SUBARU OWNERS AND SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT THEY WON'T ADMIT ITS THEIR PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434294November 4, 2011
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER BRAND NEW FROM THE SUBARU DEALER IN CATONSVILLE, MD; RUSSELL SUBARU. THERE WERE NO MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. BOTH REAR BEARINGS WORE OUT ON MY CAR AT ALMOST THE SAME EXACT TIME. EVERY MECHANIC WITH WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. MY BEARINGS WORE OUT AT ABOUT 70K MILES. THE SUBARU DEALER CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REPLACE ONE OF THEM. THE OTHER COST ABOUT $600 AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS WON'T REPLACE THE BEARINGS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THE WORK SO YOU END UP REPLACING THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THAT IS WHY IT COST SO MUCH. WHEN IT WEARS OUT IT FIRST STARTS TO SQUEAL AND MAKE A NOISE THAT GETS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE TO MODERATE SPEED. MY CAR NOW HAS 140K MILES AND MY WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEGUN MAKING NOISE AGAIN. AT A COST OF ($600 - $800) X 2, THIS CLEARLY SEEMS LIKE A POOR DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR THE SAME PART IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. THE PART WORE OUT ALMOST PRECISELY AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WITH A SUBARU FORESTER HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS ON THE WEB FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. SUBARU SHOULD PAY THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS NOT TYPICAL OF WHAT A BUYER WOULD EXPECT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR A NEARLY $30K VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR WHEEL/HUB ASSEMBLY, I HAVE BASICALLY BEEN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY SUBARU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428463October 4, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL CONFIRMED BY DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2011. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10428330October 3, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED EVOQ 10/26/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343081July 13, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO PURSUANT TO A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING THE FUEL FILTER. AS A RESULT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE DAMAGED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE RECALL. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY OVERHEATED AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, WITHOUT ANY CHECK ENGINE SENSOR OR OTHER INDICATOR SIGNIFYING SUCH A PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336186June 14, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OWNER OF 2006 SUBARU FORESTER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHEN PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY CAR ACCELERATED BUT IT REDUCED SPEED WHEN PEDAL WAS PRESSED AGAIN. CAR MILEAGE IS 56,000. IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335107June 7, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBUARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH EXITING PARKING LOT. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT EXERTED FULL BODY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY AND THEN SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CONTINUED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314406February 25, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL AGAIN (5000MILES LATER) AFTER BEING REPAIRED BY SUBARU DEALER WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. CAN SMELL HOT OIL AFTER A LONG DRIVE ON FREEWAY AND HAVE SEEN WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD OIL FIRE IF LEAK GETS WORSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279078August 2, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, THE GAS PEDAL STUCK & I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS & TRYING TO FIRMLY APPLY MY BRAKES- I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING . MY BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR & EVEN IN NEUTRAL WITH MY BRAKES ON I CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE & I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK & TURN OFF ENGINE. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER AFTER I STOPPED. OF NOTE, IT WAS A RAINY DAY. I PLAN TO BRING IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. I DID READ SOME BLOGS TODAY WITH A FEW PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ONE PERSON COMMENTED THAT THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP & NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY & UNSAFE PROBLEM. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR SUBARU FORESTER RECALLS & COULD NOT FIND ONE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274035June 16, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. ON FEBRUARY 20, 2009, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT LESS THAN 6 MPH, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HER STERNUM WAS BROKEN AND SHE SUFFERED MAJOR LACERATIONS AND BRUISES TO HER KNEES AND LEGS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 25,400. UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10273692June 13, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT, FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED AIR PUMP (PART #14828AA030) AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULATOR. DEALER DISCOUNT 50% "GOODWILL." PART WAS 4,611 OUT OF WARRANTY. ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM RETURNED, DEALER STATES CAR NEEDS OXYGEN VALVES AND THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON PARTS. SUBARU IS OFFERING THE PARTS FOR FREE (INDICATING THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM) BUT WANTS TO CHARGE LABOR ~$500. PARTS MAY BE UNAVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. FIRST SERVICE FAILED TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252993December 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP CAUSED BY MY VEHICLE'S DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY. THIS HESITATION IS ONGOING DESPITE AN ECM REPROGRAMMING DONE BY THE DEALER ON 12/16/08. IT IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO GET INTO A COLLISION SOMETIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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