Subaru Forester Complaints (2004)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10611113July 16, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE RUNNING THE BLOWER MOTOR ON HIGH, THE CABIN BEGAN TO FILL WITH TOXIC SMOKE. THE BLOWER'S HOT WIRE CONNECTION HAD OVERHEATED, CHARRED/MELTED THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE TERMINAL, CHARRED/MELTED THE WIRES INSULATION AT THIS CONNECTION, AND MELTED THE COPPER UNTIL IT FELL LOOSE. THE BLOWER RESIDES EXPOSED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. NO EASILY COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS WERE LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE BLOWER AT THAT TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609094July 8, 2014
AIR BAGS
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT HAS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. IT STAYS ON EVERY TIME I START THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER IN ROCHESTER, MN (CLEMENTS). THEY SAY IT WILL COST $3000 TO INSTALL A BRAND NEW AIR BAG SYSTEM. I DISAGREE. THIS IS AN INHERENT , SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW IN THE CAR. IN MY OPINION, SUBARU SHOULD FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SAFETY ADVISORY FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA. YOUR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592747May 20, 2014
ENGINE
2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT HAD CATASTROPHIC ENGINE AND TURBO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. IT IS CLEAR THAT MY VEHICLE SUFFERED FROM SUBARU SERVICE CENTER NEGLIGENCE AND A DESIGN FLAW OF A BANJO BOLT THAT FILTERS OIL TO THE TURBO BUT EASILY GETS CLOGGED, SHUTTING OFF OIL TO THE TURBO, CAUSING OIL DEPRIVATION TO THE TURBO, BURNING OUT THE TURBO, AND CAUSING FRAGMENTS TO GET INTO THE ENGINE, BLOWING OUT THE ENGINE AS WELL. WHILE I WAS SPARED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY, IT WAS A CLOSE CALL AS WHILE I WAS DRIVING I SUDDENLY HAD A FAILURE TO ACCELERATE, AND VERY NEARLY WAS PLOWED IN FROM BEHIND BY A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK. MY CAR NOW REQUIRES A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE AND TURBO, COSTING IN EXCESS OF $7,000. I HAVE DECIDED TO SELL THE VEHICLE RATHER THAN BEARING THE HUGE EXPENSE REQUIRED TO REPAIR. THE ISSUE WITH THIS BANJO BOLT AND SUBARU TURBO / ENGINES OF THIS ERA ARE WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET AUTOMOBILE FORUMS AND IN SOCIAL MEDIA. SUBARU SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR DEVALUING THEIR CARS, AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL BEFORE MORE DRIVERS ARE HARMED OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587373May 9, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN. I HAVE 2 KIDS THAT I TAKE TO SCHOOL, AND IN THE MORNING I HAVE TO START MY CAR 20 MIN BEFORE WE LEAVE AND OPEN THE WINDOWS TO AIR IT OUT. THE GAS SMELL IS TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE A DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES SERIOUS RISK, AS IT IS BOTH A HEALTH AND A FIRE HAZARD. IT SEEMS JUST ABOUT EVERY FORESTER OWNER HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS WELL. SUBARU NEEDS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING IMPREZA / WRX RECALLS TO THE FORESTER, AS THE RELEVANT PARTS ARE THE SAME AND THE ISSUE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. PLEASE FIX THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574493March 24, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN IN COLD WEATHER. I DRIVE MY SMALL DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE EVERY DAY IN THAT CAR. THE GAS SMELL IS HORRIFIC, TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE CAUSE OF THAT GAS SMELL IS THE GAS LEAKAGE FROM THE RUBBER HOSE OF THE FUEL LINE ONTO HOT COMPONENST IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES SERIOUS RISK, AS IT IS BOTH A HEALTH AND A FIRE HAZARD. SUBARU NEEDS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING IMPREZA / WRX RECALLS TO FORESTER, AS THE RELEVANT PARTS ARE THE SAME AND THE ISSUE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573630March 19, 2014
AIR BAGS
MY CAR WAS PARKED. WHEN I GOT IN CAR AND TURNED KEY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAR WAS NOT HIT OR IN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10569029March 13, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN WEATHER GOT COLDER THIS FALL AND WINTER SUDDENLY INTENSE SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, TIGHTENED WHATEVER FUEL CLAMPS I COULD REACH BUT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. EVERY DAY BELOW 40DEGREES POWERFUL SMELL OF RAW FUEL THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. THEN HAD TO TAKE TRIP INTO NEIGHBORING CITY, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC EVEN WITH WINDOWS FULL OPEN IN 15 DEGREE WEATHER FUMES GOT SO OVERWHELMING I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PARKING LOT, ESCAPE THE CAR AND VOMIT. BACK HOME CALLED DEALER, THEY SAID THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LEAKY FUEL HOSES AND CLAMPS UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND QUOTED OVER $800 TO FIX AS THEY TOLD ME OTHER MODELS WERE COVERED BY RECALL BUT FORESTERS HAD "DODGED THE RECALL PROCESS" SO FAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565825February 25, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
LEAKING FUEL WHEN COLD OUTSIDE, I CAN SEE FUEL DRIPPING FROM A FUEL LINE UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD EVERY TIME I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD IN THE COLD WEATHER IN WINTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564606February 16, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THIS BEGAN WINTER OF 2013, WHICH I HAD REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE OF $700+, THOUGH MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME SUBARU WAS RECALLING THIS AND REPAIRING FOR FREE ON OTHER MODELS. I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RECURRING NOW WINTER OF 2014, IN A VEHICLE WHICH I DRIVE MY SMALL CHILDREN IN. THE GAS SMELL IS HORRIFIC, TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564172February 13, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I'VE OWNED MY 2004 FORESTER FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS WINTER SEEMINGLY HAVING LONGER COLD SPELLS SEEMED TO INDUCE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I TURN ON THE HEAT, WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WINTER. I'VE READ A LITTLE ABOUT IT AND IT SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564186February 13, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A PRONOUNCED, UNMISTAKABLE SMELL OF UNCOMBUSTED GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED ON COOL OR COLD MORNINGS. THE FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE HEADACHES AND REQUIRE LOWERING THE WINDOWS UNTIL IT DISSIPATES MINUTES LATER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN, WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. GASOLINE IS LEAKING ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563688February 10, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LINES CRACK IN COLD WEATHER (APPROX UNDER 25 AND UNDER). STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE PASSENGERS ILL, CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. FUEL WAS POOLING IN THE ENGINE BAY NEAR THE HOT TURBO AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AS SOON AS I TOLD HIM MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR - SAID IT'S VERY COMMON. FOUND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA SITE AND HUNDREDS IN FORUMS. SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2003 GENERATION WRX VEHICLES, BUT NOT THE FORESTERS. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS. SUBARU'S ARE PURCHASED AS IDEAL SNOW VEHICLE, AND REPAIRS COST UPWARD OF $600. THIS IS A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10563462February 8, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
UPON START UP IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW FREEZING), THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN. AT TIMES IT IS UNBEARABLE NECESSITATING ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS, EVEN IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT LOOKS LIKE FUEL IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY. IT HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND I WORRY THE FUMES ARE DANGEROUS FOR NOT ONLY PASSENGERS' HEALTH, BUT ALSO IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562821February 4, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
UPON STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER (APPROX. 25 DEGREES F OR COLDER), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. CANNOT TURN HEAT ON AS FUEL SMELL FILLS CABIN AND MAKES PASSENGERS NAUSEOUS. HEADACHES HAVE ALSO OCCURRED. WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE AFTER DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, FUMES ACCUMULATE IN GARBAGE AND LEAK INTO HOUSE AS WELL. APPARENTLY FUEL LINES SHRINK IN COLD AND LEAK FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO ENGINE. THIS IS BOTH HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562421January 31, 2014
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAR WITH HEATER ON SO STRONG HAVE TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN. HAPPENS 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK ON COLD DAYS. STRONGEST WHEN ITS A COLD START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562155January 30, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 20 DEGREES OR SO) THE FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COME LOOSE AND LEAK RAW GASOLINE ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF AN ENGINE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN SEVERAL FORUMS, THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS FOR THE WRX (SAME ENGINE, SAME PART NUMBERS), AND MOST DEALERS (IN COLD STATES) KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562177January 30, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
IN VERY COLD WEATHER (LESS THAN 10 F) THE RUBBER GAS LINES LEAK VERY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GAS ONTO THE ENGINE AND VERYNEAR THE HOT TURBOCHARGER. ANOTHER SUBARU JUST CAUGHT FIRE IN THE O'NEILL TUNNEL. HTTP://BOSTON.CBSLOCAL.COM/2014/01/27/CAR-FIRE-CAUSES-BACKUP-IN-ONEILL-TUNNEL/ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561865January 28, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, ENGINE
ON VERY COLD DAYS WHILE CAR IS WARMING UP, A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IS COMING FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS A SMALL FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL SUPPLY LINES NEAR THE TURBO. A SUBARU IMPREZA ENTHUSIAST FORUM HAS A "RAW FUEL SMELL" LOG OF MORE THAN 131 PAGES AND 3,000 POSTS (HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755). SUBARU ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR CERTAIN SUBARU IMPREZAS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT INITIATED ANY TSBS FOR ANY OTHER CARS ALL USING THE SAME OR SIMILAR ENGINES. SEE TSB 01-170-09. AS LEAKING FUEL ONTO YOUR ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUBARU INITIATE SOME KIND OF TSB OR RECALL FOR ALL ENGINES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND MANY SUBARU OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU AND NHTSA WITH NO RESULTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561335January 24, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561352January 24, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL AND EXHAUST LINE LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER. OVER THE INITIAL THREE DAY PERIOD - DAY ONE CHILDREN COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES, DAY TWO DRIVER EXPERIENCED SEVERE HEADACHE AND NAUSEA BUT DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS DUE TO FUEL LEAK. DAY THREE CABIN FILLED WITH OVERPOWERING FUMES COMING FROM HEATING VENT. HAD TO DRIVE WITH HEAT OFF AND ALL WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO BRING CAR IN FOR SERVICE. HAVE HAD TO BRING CAR IN TWICE THIS MONTH TO REPAIR ALL OF THE LEAKS AND RENT A CAR IN ORDER TO GET TO WORK APPOINTMENTS. CERTIFIED SUBARU SPECIALIST REPORTED THAT HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW INCIDENCES OF SAME ISSUE RECENTLY DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 2002-2003 IMPREZA RECALLED DEC 2009 FOR SAME ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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