Subaru Forester Complaints (2004)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10496924February 8, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS IS IN A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT (TURBO). STRONG SMELL OF UNBURNED FUEL COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FILLING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UPON STARTUP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494984January 28, 2013
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR (2004 SUBARU FORESTER XS) THAT HAPPENED IN COLD WEATHER DURING JANUARY 2012. IT HAPPENED AGAIN JUST RECENTLY IN JANUARY 2013. IT WAS SO STRONG IT MADE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE A HEADACHE AND BECOME NAUSEOUS. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE VERY SAME THING AND HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING SUBARU TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE WRX MODEL, BUT NOT FOR THE FORESTER. THIS IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495001January 28, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS OIL LEAK FROM MY 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XS. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE MAIN SEAL BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND IT WILL COST ME $1,000 TO FIX BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REMOVED. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ABOUT SIMILAR OIL LEAKS IN THIS MODEL YEAR. SUBARU SHOULD INVESTIGATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494766January 25, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL LEAKS IN COLD TEMPERATURES IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AS EVIDENCE BY: SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN SUBARU FORUMS. SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN RELATED MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495381January 22, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AFTER COMING HOME AND PARKING MY CAR IN THE GARAGE MY WIFE CAME IN FROM THE GARAGE AND SAID IT SMELLED LIKE GAS. I FOUND THE SOURCE TO BE MY 2004 SUBARU. I DROVE IT THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THE COLD, AS IT WAS BELOW 20 DEGREE'S, PULLED AWAY FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO RAW GAS WAS POOLING ON THE MANIFOLD. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK SAYING IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AND REPLACED ALL THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS FOR $850. THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST LEAKS THEY HAVE SEEN. I HAVE NOW READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTICED THE 2003 WRX, SAME ENGINE, WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I GUESS I AM LUCKY AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME, MY HOUSE OR WHO KNOWS WHAT ON FIRE IF IT HAS SPARKED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493559January 20, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN COLD TEMPERATURES, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN AND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL IS LEAKING BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE IT WHEN BROUGHT IN ON A WARMER DAY. FUEL LEAKS IN COLD TEMPERATURES IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AS EVIDENCE BY: SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN SUBARU FORUMS. SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN RELATED MODELS (SUBARU WRX) THIS IS A DANGER TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493062January 15, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489347December 20, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN DEVELOPED WHEN OPERATING ON COLD MORNINGS; FUEL ODOR TYPICALLY WENT AWAY WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. INSPECTION OF FUEL LINES, FILTER, ETC. REVEALED NO OBVIOUS LEAKS ABOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REMOVE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND INSPECT. I HAVE HAD TWO INDEPENDENT SHOPS ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS; THE MOST RECENT (2011) REMOVED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REPLACED ALL RUBBER FUEL LINES UNDER THE MANIFOLD, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED THIS FALL AND WINTER AND AT INCREASINGLY WARM TEMPERATURES. NOW, THERE IS A VISIBLE AND OBVIOUS LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE JUST AS IT GOES UNDER THE MANIFOLD--INACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVING THE MANIFOLD. CLEARLY, THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE METAL FUEL RAIL TO RUBBER LINE INTERFACE, SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORESTER XTS ACROSS SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. SUBARU OF AMERICA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE WRX, BUT SO FAR HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM FOR THE FORESTER OR FORESTER XT. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE: THE LEAKING FUEL DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS AND IN SOME CASES (ON PASSENGER-SIDE FUEL LINE LEAKS) IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TURBOCHARGER--REPRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENGINE FIRE. THE FUEL FUMES IN THE CABIN ARE ALSO A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK WHICH SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY SUBARU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489370December 20, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10481571October 23, 2012
ENGINE
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND SEIZED WHILE ON A FREEWAY WITHOUT A SINGLE WARNING LIGHT REGARDING HIGH TEMP OR CHECK ENGINE. NO COOLANT WAS VISIBLE IN THE RADIATOR DURING INSPECTION AFTER THE INCIDENT. SHOULDN'T A 21ST CENTURY DRIVER/OWNER BE NOTIFIED BY SOME INDICATOR THAT THEY ARE ON THE VERGE OF HEATING AN ENGINE TO THE POINT OF FAILURE? AND WHERE DID THE COOLANT GO? DOES THIS VEHICLE HAVE A HISTORY OF BAD THERMOSTATS I'M NOT AWARE OF? IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT SAFER IF THERE WERE SOME WARNING LIGHT FOR HIGH TEMP SO WE CAN PULL OVER TO ALLOW THE CAR TO COOL DOWN IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT AND SAVE THE ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10479330October 9, 2012
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT LEAK OF OIL COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT WAS DRIPPING INTO THE CATYLITIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AFTER LEARNING OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V473000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10470657August 14, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457633May 7, 2012
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. UPDATED 06/25/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456954April 30, 2012
WHEELS
DRIVER WAS PULLING ONTO ROUTE 66 WHEN HER RIGHT REAR WHEEL ALMOST CAME OFF. TURNS OUT THE WHEEL BEARING FAILED, WHICH APPARENTLY CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GO OUT. THE CAR WENT OFF THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ON RAMP, THEN SKIDDED TO THE LEFT COMPLETELY ACROSS ROUTE 66, AND ENDED UP ALMOST AT THE JERSEY WALL IN THE MEDIAN, FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS ABLE TO STOP. BY THIS TIME THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY TILTING OUT AT THE TOP, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK ACROSS ROUTE 66 AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. A YOUNG MAN WHO SAW THE MISHAP STOPPED AND HELPED HER JACK THE CAR UP AND TAKE THE WHEEL OFF. CAR WAS TOWED AWAY. NEXT DAY SHE FOUND A CAR PART ABOUT FIVE FEET AWAY FROM WHERE HER CAR HAD BEEN PARKED. SHOWED SUBARU SERVICE PEOPLE THE PART -- IT WAS THE END OF THE RIGHT REAR AXLE, WHICH HAD SHEARED OFF, AND APPARENTLY FLEW OFF THE CAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE WHEEL BEARING HAD FAILED, AND THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR HAD SNAPPED OFF THE END OF THE AXLE, BEFORE SHE DROVE OFF. THE WHEEL EVENTUALLY STARTED TO COME OFF, AND FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WITHOUT FATAL CONSEQUENCES. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453684April 1, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS CAR HAS AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN YOUR RECALL NUMBER 04V-473 OF SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. BECAUSE THIS FORESTER, AN XS MODEL, IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL 04V-473, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE OIL LEAK. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THE RECALL FOR THE XT MODEL FORESTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448207February 16, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2004 FORESTER XT (TURBO) DEVELOPED A SLOW GASOLINE LEAK, WITH GAS SEEPING FROM HOSES/CLAMPS LOCATED UNDERNEATH MANIFOLD. GAS FUMES WERE ENTERING THE CAB OF VEHICLE, ESPECAILLY WHEN OUT-SIDE TEMPERATURES BELOW 40 DEGREES F. THIS IS A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS OUTLINED IN RECALL OF SUBARU IMPREZA WRX TURBO (RECALL #WVK-21), BUT TO DATE THERE ARE NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE FOR FORESTERS. I REENTLY HAD THIS FIXED AT A COST > $500, COST WAS PRIMARILY TO TAKE MANIFOLD OFF IN ORDER TO GET TO HOSES & CLAMPS WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447674February 12, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG GAS/FUEL SMELL INSIDE CABIN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING VEHICLE WARM UP IN DRIVEWAY WHEN TEMP WAS IN LOW 20'S. UNABLE TO LOCATE LEAKING FUEL BUT SMELL IS NOTICEABLY STRONGER ON PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE BAY. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO DEALER IN THE MORNING AS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. GAS VAPORS ARE EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE/EXPLOSIVE. I HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS. THIS SUGGESTS THERE MAY BE AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW SINCE THESE VEHICLES ARE MARKETED TO OWNERS IN COLD WEATHER LOCALES. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA VIA E-MAIL ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. TODAY IS SUNDAY AND NOTHING IS OPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445870January 30, 2012
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM) AND MADE AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 03/14/12 *BF THE DEALER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ON 02/22/12. UPDATED 03/19/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441270December 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF CAR DURING COLD START/COLD WEATHER. IT APPEARS THAT THE FUEL LINES SHRINK IN COLD WEATHER AND PULL AWAY FROM THE METAL FUEL LINES CAUSING VAPOR LEAK AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FUEL LINES ARE LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO TIGHTEN UNLESS THE MANIFOLD IS REMOVED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436756November 22, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON THE FIRST GENUINE COLD DAY OF THE YEAR (BELOW 40 DEGREES F) I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM MY AIR VENTS WHILE DRIVING. AS IT'S NOW MID NOVEMBER AND AVERAGES BELOW 40 DEGREES F I GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL AT EVERY COLD START UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP TO TOP OPERATING TEMPERATURE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SYMPTOM, I DISCOVERED THAT IT'S VERY COMMON FOR THE FUEL CLAMPS UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO LEAK WHEN COLD ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XTS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, AND IS POOLING FUEL ON THE ENGINE UNTIL WARM. AVERAGE ESTIMATE FROM DEALER IS $500. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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