Subaru Forester Complaints (2001)

139 consumer complaints on file.

#10376491January 13, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING ALONE IN A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER AROUND 3PM ON A SUNNY AUGUST DAY IN 2010. HEADING SOUTH ON A 2 LANE ROAD IN TALLAHASSEE, FL, I APPROACHED A RED STOPLIGHT AHEAD WITH TWO VEHICLES STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. AS I STARTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED, I SWERVED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE TO AVOID THE STOPPED CARS IN MY LANE AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 40 MILES/HR. A VEHICLE HAD JUST MADE A TURN AT THE LIGHT INTERSECTION INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, SO I HAD TO STEER THE FORESTER TO THE LEFT, UP OVER A CURB ONTO AN EMBANKMENT TO GET AROUND THE ONCOMING CAR TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION, THEN STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD TO AVOID A TELEPHONE POLE. THE VEHICLE CAREENED BACK ACROSS INTO THE ORIGINAL LANE I STARTED IN WHILE THE TRAFFIC WAS STILL STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. I PASSED IN FRONT OF THE STOPPED CARS AND MISSED THEM . AT THAT POINT I SMACKED HARD AGAINST THE OTHER CURVE IN THE ORIGINAL SOUTHBOUND LANE I WAS TRAVELING IN AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST. THREE OF FOUR TIRES WERE DAMAGED FROM IMPACT WITH THE CURBS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OTHER THAN TO THE THREE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE AND THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ASSEMBLY. I HAD PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH 98,000 MILES ON IT, HAD EXTENSIVE REPAIRS DONE ON IT AND HAD DRIVEN IT ABOUT 6,000 MILES BEFORE THIS OCCURRENCE. I HAD NOTED NO INCIDENCE OF ABRUPT ACCELERATION WITH THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE, NOR IN THE ADDITIONAL 5,000 MILES I HAVE DRIVEN IT SINCE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHO SENT ME TO A BODY SHOP. I TOOK THE REPAIRED VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ACCELERATOR. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR LINKAGE SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372476December 27, 2010
POWER TRAIN
MY 2001 STANDARD TRANSMISSION SUBARU FORRESTER FAILED TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN BRAKE WAS USED. I HAD DIFFICULTY, BUT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ON THE SHOULDER. AFTERWARD, BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK FINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10344126July 19, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR ACCELERATING WHILE BRAKES ENGAGED AND FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL. HIT ANOTHER CAR AND BRICK WALL WHILE USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. ENGINE AFTERWARD REVVED UP SO FAST WHEN CAR TURNED ON SEVERAL TIMES. RETURNED TO NORMAL. DROVE CARE TO DEALER. NOTHING WRONG CAN BE FOUND. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336399June 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 14, 2010, WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR CENTER WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286535October 6, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE BECAME VERY WARM WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253966January 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THERE ARE TWO ORGANIC TUBES THAT CARRY FUEL, ABOVE THE ENGINE. IN COLD WEATHER, THEY LEAK WHERE CLAMPED TO METAL TUBES AND FITTINGS. THE FUEL LEAKS ONTO THE ENGINE. THE INDICATION IS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251058December 8, 2008
SUSPENSION:REAR
2001 SUBARU FORESTER 87500 MILES ON IT. 12/2007 HAD REAR WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED AT INDEPENDENT SHOP. NOW IT IS 12/2008 WITH ONLY 92K MILES ON IT, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING IS HOWLING LIKE A BANSHEE. PASSENGER REAR WHEEL BEARING GETTING LOUDER BUT NOT AS BAD. MIGHT HAVE DEALER REPLACE THEM THIS TIME AND CHECK HUB ASSEMBLY FOR DAMAGE ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232891July 1, 2008
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER WITH A DEFECTIVE MAGNA DONNELLY AUTO DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR. THIS MIRROR IS IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MAKES OF CARS, AND HAS BROADLY FAILED, IN SOME INSTANCES LEAKING (EVEN BURSTING) CAUSTIC CONTENTS THAT HAVE DISSOLVED PLASTIC COMPONENTS IN CARS. SOME CERTIFIED AUTO MANUFACTURERS MECHANICS HAVE STATED TO OWNERS OF FAILED MIRRORS THAT ONE CONSTITUENT OF THE PATENTED "A72 ELECTROLYTE" IN THE MIRROR IS A FORM OF MERCURY. THE MSDS THAT I REQUESTED FROM MAGNA DONNELLY LISTS 7 OF 8 CONSTITUENTS AS TRADE SECRETS, AND HENCE NO DETAIL. THE FACT REMAINS THAT THIS MIRROR FAILS WELL BEFORE THE AUTO HAS AGED. IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO SPEW CAUSTIC CONTENTS. IT IS A SAFETY DEVICE THAT FAILS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. A SIMPLE LOOK AT TWO ONLINE FORUMS DEALING WITH THIS DEVICE CAN BE FOUND AT: WWW.ACURAMDX.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?THREADID=25607 AND HTTP://WWW.ACURAMDX.ORG/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=19282&HIGHLIGHT=MIRROR+BLOB. MAGNA DONNELLY DID REPLACE THESE MIRRORS AT NO COST UP UNTIL LAST YEAR. THEY NO LONGER DO. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10219746February 29, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BOUGHT MY 2001 FORESTER USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 64,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER OWNING IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOTICED HESITANCY WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT. SLOWLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. CAR WOULD SIT FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 SECONDS AFTER BEING PUT INTO DRIVE BEFORE ENGAGING AND IF FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKE, HAS A HARSH ENGAGEMENT (WHIPLASH TYPE THING WHERE IT THROWS YOU FORWARD). SO, AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND FINDING OUT THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY 1000S OF OTHER FORESTER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA WHO OF COURSE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND IF THEY FOUND ANYTHING WRONG, SUBARU MIGHT GIVE ME SOME GOODWILL ASSISTANCE. WELL AS THEY FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FILTER WAS NOT A SUBARU BRAND AND NOR WAS THE FLUID, THEY WANTED TO CHANGE IT AND THEN RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, SAYING THAT MAYBE THAT OTHER FILTER CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I TRIED EXPLAINING THAT THE REASON WE CHANGED IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, NOT WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. WE CHANGED IT TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T. THEN, OF COURSE, SUBARU WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AS I DID NOT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO CHANGE THE FILTER AND FLUID ONLY TO CHARGE ME FOR THAT AND THEN TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I POINTED OUT ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS, BUT THEY INSIST IT IS NOT A DEFECT, WHEN APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212246December 18, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW. DEALER SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE BEARING REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212011December 16, 2007
SUSPENSION:REAR
01 FORESTER WAS BOUGHT FROM VAN BORTEL SUBARU ON 4/24/04 COMING OFF A LEASE WITH 29,000 MILES. I HAD TO NEGOTIATE THAT DEALER TO CHECK CAR FOR SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECALLS AND ASKED FOR THE 30K MAINTENANCE TO BE COMPLETED. MINIMAL WORK WAS COMPLETED AND SUBSEQUENTLY MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS SUCH AS HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND WHEEL BEARING FAILURE HAD TO BE DONE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT DEALER AND COMPLAINTS OF ROAD NOISE HAD BEEN SHARED WITH DEALER. TIRES WERE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE IN RESPONSE. HEAD GASKET COST WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT ONE REAR WHEEL BEARING ($400) WAS NOT COVERED AND PAID BY OWNER. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS SINCE 2002 AND NEITHER SUBARU NOR VAN BORTEL INFORMED OWNERS OF PROBLEMS. AS A RESULT THEY PLACED OWNERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS MECHANICAL FAILURE AND INCREASED COST OF REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE REAR AXEL AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS ACCIDENT/INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209981November 26, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE TOO CLOUDED OVER TO USE SAFELY. REGULAR EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE (WASHING, WAXING WHERE INDICATED) HAS NEVER MADE A DIFFERENCE MATERIALS USED WERE SUB-STANDARD & DID NOT EVEN OUTLIVE OUTLIVE THE ORIGINAL MFR. WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202883September 13, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH THE CONTACT'S FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10200005August 18, 2007
EQUIPMENT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AS SOON AS THE CAR AGED TO 75,000 MILES I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALER IS 51 MILES AWAY FROM MY CURRENT LOCATION. NOT EASY TO GET TO. MY IN TOWN MECHANIC HAS ONLY BEEN TRYING TO TREAT THE SYMPTOMS. I'VE HAD THERMOSTAT, HEATER CORE, VALVE COVERS, SPARK PLUG WIRES REPLACED, HOSES REPLACED, AND STILL HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO A SUBARU DEALER THIS MORNING, STILL OVERHEATING, AND HE SAYS I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE VALVE COVERS, WIRES, OBVIOUSLY THE HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLY A FEW OTHER PARTS. LABOR ALONE IS A 1000 DOLLARS. SUBARU SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AS I AM NOTICING THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS AND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I REALLY HAVE ENJOYED OWNING A SUBARU UP UNTIL NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188285April 18, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
PURCHASED USED "AS IS" 02/01/2007 FROM DEALER THAT LISTED 2001 FORESTER AT $9800.00, THEN WHEN I WENT TO BUY THEY REDUCED COST TO $5200.00 JUST TO MOVE THEIR USED VEHICLES OFF LOT. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PROBLEMS AND SAID FORESTER WENT THOROUGH VEHICLE INSPECTION AND VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION MECHANICALLY. (1) FAILURE OF EMISSION SYSTEM IE,OXYGEN SENSORS (2) FRONT AND REAR LOCATIONS. SECOND DAY AFTER PURCHASE. (2) FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT CV JOINTS (2) AND AXLE. THIRD DAY AFTER PURCHASE. (3) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD ONLY GO INTO REVERSE AND NOT ANY DRIVE OR FORWARD GEARS WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK ON "5TH" DAY OF OWNERSHIP AND THIS BEING THE "THIRD" TIME TO HAVE FORESTER TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. I CONTACTED THE MULTI-FRANCHISED (INCLUDING SUBARU) FOR HELP AND INFORMATION. THEY RESPONDED THE FORESTER WAS SOLD AS IS AND DIDN'T CARE EVEN IF THE VEHICLE FELL IN HALF ONCE IT LEAVES THEIR LOT. MY NEXT STEP IS I CONTACTED SUBARU AMERICA OF MY VEHICLE AND DEALER PROBLEMS BY EMAIL. I RECEIVED RETURNS FROM THEM WITH VAUGE AT BEST REASONS BUT NO RECALL OR TSB INFORMATION. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND WAITING FOR A PERSONAL REPLY VIA POSTAL MAIL OR TELEPHONE CALL. IN TOTAL I HAVE BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES, TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS AND CERTIFIED. MECHANICS. PAID $300. FOR FRONT AXLE, $429.00 FOR EMMISISON REPAIRS, $150 FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH,FILTERS (2 ONE INTERNAL ONE EXTERNAL SPIN-ON) AND SUBARU TRANSMISSION. CONDITONER. FINALLY AFTER ALL THAT I STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND RARELY USE IT BECAUSE I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH MY TWO BABIES I HAVE, I USE MY FATHERS CAR. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172101October 29, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, CRACKED SHORT BLOCK, AND O2 SENSORS ALL REPLACED AT AROUND 100,000 MILES. O2 SENSORS REPLACED TWICE. UNKNOWN WHEN PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AND WHICH WAS CAUSE AND WHICH EFFECT. HEAD GASKETS SHOULD BE COVERED BY PROGRAM WWP-99, BUT SUBARU WILL NOT CONSIDER NOR DISCUSS ANY ACCOMMODATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164509August 4, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
SUBARU 2001 FORESTER, 71,440 MILES, ONE OWNER, PURCHASED 04/2000. WHILE DRIVING, GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. TALKED WITH SUBARU AND TWO INDEPENDENT GARAGES, AND ALL WITH SAME CONCLUSION - DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. ALL STATED THIS WAS/IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE PART WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. SUBARU MECHANIC DIAGNOSED RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING IS PROBLEM AND IT WAS REPLACED. ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED REPLACED PART. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164048July 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN
1) GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING ESPECIALLY GOING UP HILL. 2) 4WD DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE 3) DIFFERENTIAL CAN ONLY BE REPLACED AS PART OF THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. 4) VEHICLE ONLY HAS 86300 MILES, SEEMS LIKE A TRANSMISSION/DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THAT. COST FOR REPLACEMENT OVER $3,700. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161301July 3, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE. MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I HAD NOT PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I COULD NOT MAKE THE CAR STOP WITH THE BRAKE ALTHOUGH I PRACTICALLY STOOD ON THE BRAKE. MY RIGHT LEG WAS INJURED BECAUSE THE LIGAMENT WERE STRAINED BY THE FORCE I USED TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR. THE CAR SMASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. SOMETHING SIMILAR HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER, 2005 WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND SMASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP. I ASSUMED THEN THAT I HAD MADE A MISTAKE, BUT NOW, WITH THIS SECOND INCIDENT, I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. I HAVE ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK THE ACCELERATOR. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10161598June 28, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER 2001 FORESTER ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Forester