Subaru Forester Complaints (2004)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10936225December 19, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR LEAKS FUEL PROFUSELY FROM FUEL LINE NEAR ENGINE BLOCK WHEN RUNNING DURING COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10935600December 16, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FORESTERS HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM OF A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF THE FUEL LINE LEAKING. THE COLD CAUSES SHRINK TO THE FUEL LINES CAUSING A LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND FUEL VAPORS TO ENTER THE CABIN. THIS ISSUE OCCURS WHETHER IT'S STATIONARY OR IN MOTION AS WELL AS ALL OTHER CONCEIVABLE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE IN. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE WRX, THE SAME SHOULD OCCUR WITH THE FORESTER. THIS ISSUE OCCURS EVERY WINTER WHEN THE TEMP DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10933813December 8, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN ENTERING THE CABIN DURING STARTUP ON COLD MORNINGS. THIS IS CAUSED BY A FUEL LINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE LEAK CAN BE SEEN BUT IS INACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONCE THE VEHICLE HEATS UP AND THE LINE EXPANDS THE LEAK STOPS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE AND THE DANGER OF INHALING GASOLINE FLAMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10933713December 7, 2016
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,966.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926386November 16, 2016
POWER TRAIN
THE TURBOCHARGER BROKE TWICE IN THE 2D QUARTER 2015. SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT WAS FIXED, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE OVER THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT (WHILE BEING DRIVEN 9/18/15), UNDER THE HOOD. NEW SUBARUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON, BUT I THINK THE REPLACEMENT TURBOCHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SUBARU TURBO FP # WAS 14411AA5329L.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10916164October 14, 2016
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10892239August 1, 2016
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE POSITION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE LOT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND AXLE TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10889352July 28, 2016
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION; HOWEVER, THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT AS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10863770May 7, 2016
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10821242January 20, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LINES SEEP FUEL ONTO THE TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK AND NEAR TURBO INLET AREA WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW ~20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE SEEPAGE OCCURS AT THE CLAMPS BETWEEN THE METAL AND GAS LINES BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THESE CLAMPS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF MANY PARTS BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC. GAS FUMES FILL THE CABIN WHEN THIS OCCURS AS WELL. FUMES ARE NOT BAD WHEN MOVING BUT IF STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL SUBARUS (2002 - 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA & IMPREZA WRX) THAT HAVE A VERY SIMILAR ENGINE CONFIGURATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONCERNS I HAVE ARE 1) FIRE HAZARD OF GAS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK NEAR TURBO AND OTHER COMPONENTS 2) FUMES BUILDING UP IN THE PASSENGER CABIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820999January 19, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE HEAT IS ON AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 30F OR COLDER. THE ODOR OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819637January 12, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
LEAKING GAS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN IT IS COLD OUT, 90K MILES ON THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10818015January 5, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM THAT RESULTS FROM THE METAL FUEL LINE JOINING WITH A RUBBER/PLASTIC HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL AND RUBBER EXPAND/CONTRACT AT DIFFERENT RATES AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STATIONARY IDLING DURING COLD WEATHER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10817609January 4, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
APPROX. 90000 MILES - STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE PASSENGER CABIN. LEAKING SEAL AS DESCRIBED BY 1000'S OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS. WHY NO RECALL OR ADVISORY ON WHAT OWNER'S SHOULD LOOK FOR. BETWEEN GM FIRES, ETC, NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO ISSUE RECALL ORDER/NOTIFICATIONS. SAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808643December 6, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DANGEROUS!! I AM THE RECENT PROUD OWNER OF A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WE GOT OUR FIRST FREEZE. I WALK OUT TO START MY CAR AND IT'S NOT TURNING OVER AND A STRONG FUEL SMELL IS FILLING THE CABIN. I KEEP TRYING THINKING THAT IT MAY TURN OVER. WITH NO LUCK, AND FEARING SOMETHING IS WRONG (OR MAY POSSIBLY BLOW UP), I STOP AND GET OUT. TAKING A CLOSER LOOK HAVING PARKED IT SOME DIRT, I SEE THAT IT IS VISIBLY MOIST UNDER MY CAR. THE GROUND IS SATURATED WITH GAS. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T CONTACT ANY SPARK IN THE ENGINE OR I WASN'T SMOKING, BECAUSE I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY TO TELL THIS STORY. IT WAS A TON OF GAS. PLEASE FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808646December 6, 2015
SUSPENSION
HAVING RECENTLY BOUGHT MY 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT, IT RAN GREAT FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. THEN, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY, ALMOST LIKE AN EARTHQUAKE. HAVING TAKEN IT TO SUBARU A MONTH BEFORE, I MENTIONED THAT IT WAS DOING THIS A LITTLE, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT DID ON THE HIGHWAY. HE SAID IT WOULD BE $150 TO LOOK AT IT. TAKING IT IN TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. LOOKING TODAY ONLINE FOR RECALLS ON ANOTHER ISSUE I'M EXPERIENCING, I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS EXACT ISSUE, BUT ONLY FOR CARS SOLD IN CERTAIN STATES. THIS IS THE EXACT ISSUE THAT WAS WRONG WITH MY SUBARU, AND I BELIEVE THAT OWNERS IN OTHER STATES ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE AS WELL. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL LOOK AT THIS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THEY LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10806384November 23, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING WINTER MONTHS 2004 FORESTER XT EMITS NOXIOUS FUEL SMELL INTO CABIN. SOURCE IS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN AREA OF TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD AS DISCOVER FROM PUDDLE ON GARAGE FLOOR DURING WARM UP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10794377November 17, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL LINES UNDER THE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ARE LEAKING FUEL WHEN FIRST STARTING AND IT IS COLD OUTSIDE(BELOW 50F). THE FUMES AND FILLING THE CAB OF THE CAR WHEN THE HEATER IT ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10790448November 15, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL RAIL HOES CLAMPS/RUBBER LINE IS FAULTY, CAUSING POOLING OF GAS ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. MAJOR FIRE HAZARD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10722918June 2, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I STARTED THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE. I'M UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED AS I FEAR THEY MAY BE INHALING FUMES OR MAY SUFFER A HORRIBLE FIERY DEATH I RISK MY OWN LIFE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK AND NOTICE THE SMELL STARTS TO GO AWAY AFTER THE CAR WARMS UP EITHER THAT OR I'M JUST USED TO IT. MY 02 WRX HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS RECALLED. WHY HAVEN'T THE XT ISSUES BEEN RECALLED? HADDAD SUBARU IN PITTSFIELD MA TIGHTENED UP WHAT THEY COULD REACH BUT THE ISSUE LIES BENEATH THE INTAKE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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