Subaru Forester Complaints (2007)

74 consumer complaints on file.

#10496547February 5, 2013
AIR BAGS
APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHICH WAS TURNING YELLOW AT A T-JUNCTION, I TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKES. PERHAPS I HIT THE ACCELERATOR WITH THE FORCE I INTENDED TO USE ON THE BRAKES, BUT WHEN I THOUGHT I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, I LURCHED FORWARD RAPIDLY. I COULD NOT CORRECT IN TIME AND HIT 2 POLES AND A WALL. I DON'T KNOW MY MPH. THE 25 MPH LISTED ABOVE IS A GUESS, BUT THE FRONT END COLLISION WAS SO SUBSTANTIAL THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS, HOWEVER, DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE, TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND WITNESSES COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT GONE OFF. I WAS LUCKY; AT THE HOSPITAL MY INJURIES WERE DETERMINED TO BE MUSCULAR RATHER BONE RELATED, BUT I HAD A SORE NECK, CHEST & LOWER BACK. SUBARU RESPONDED TO NOTIFICATION OF THIS EVENT : "IT IS DIFFICULT TO DISCERN WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITHOUT KNOWING THE EXTENT OF THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE FORESTER OWNER'S MANUAL, THE AIRBAGS ARE DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION. IT IS BASICALLY NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN LESSER FRONTAL IMPACTS BECAUSE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION CAN BE ACHIEVED BY THE SEATBELT ALONE. ALSO, THEY ARE BASICALLY NOT DESIGNED TO DEPLOY IN SIDE OR REAR IMPACTS OR IN ROLL-OVER ACCIDENTS BECAUSE DEPLOYMENT OF ONLY THE DRIVER'S SRS FRONTAL AIRBAG OR BOTH DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER'S SRS FRONTAL AIRBAGS WOULD NOT HELP THE OCCUPANT IN THOSE SITUATIONS. SRS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DEPENDS ON THE LEVEL OF FORCE EXPERIENCED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING A COLLISION. THAT LEVEL DIFFERS FROM ONE TYPE OF COLLISION TO ANOTHER, AND IT MAY HAVE NO BEARING ON THE VISIBLE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE ITSELF... IF THE VEHICLE STRIKES AN OBJECT SUCH AS A TELEPHONE POLE OR SIGN POLE, OR IF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINS AN OBLIQUE OFFSET FRONTAL IMPACT. THE AIRBAGS ALSO WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A LOW-SPEED FRONTAL COLLISION." *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10493034January 15, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EVAP CODE TESTED BY DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVE. THIS IS EMISSION RELATED AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY 8 YEAR 80K MILE WARRANTY. THEY SAY ITS NOT AND WANT $600 TO REPLACE THE VALVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480860October 17, 2012
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED ON BOTH SIDES WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE ONTO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRACKET WAS WELDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10480933October 17, 2012
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND "BUCKS" AT LOW SPEEDS, TURNING CORNERS, ACCELERATING/DECELERATING, CHANGING LANES, GOING UP A GRADE OR HILL AND DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY. SHIFTING GEARS SEEMS TO TAKE LONGER THAN EXPECTED AND THE TACH REGISTERS HIGH AND THEN ERRATICALLY JUMPS DOWN (OR UP) TO A MUCH LOWER LEVEL ON THE TACH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY OR TO SEEMINGLY GET STUCK IN A GEAR. ALSO, THE VEHICLE MAY TRY TO SHIFT WHILE NOT ACCELERATING, SOMETIMES WHEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WHERE I HAVE HAD IT EXCLUSIVELY SERVICED CANNOT SEEM TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE CHANGED WIRES AND REPLACED AN AIR FUEL SENSOR, ONLY TO SAY THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM THAT MIGHT BE RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THIS SITUATION BEFORE MY 3 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT EVEN BACK THEN, THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THE DATE I INITIALLY NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND HAVE REPEATEDLY INFORMED THEM OF THIS ISSUE, BUT THE CONDITION HAS CONTINUED TO GET MORE SEVERE OVER TIME. I TRULY FEEL UNSAFE IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT AT ANY POINT IN TIME, WHILE ON A HIGHWAY OR REGULAR ROAD, THAT THE VEHICLE COULD FAIL AND THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR RESULT IN A CRASH OF SOME KIND. I HAVE NOW DRIVEN THREE SUBARU LOANERS FROM THE DEALER AND I FIND THAT EACH VEHICLE EXHIBITS SIGNS OF THE SAME SITUATION I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY VEHICLE. I WONDER IF SUBARU MAY NOT BE TELLING ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS POTENTIAL DEFECT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR IF SUBARU JUST DOES NOT HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND/OR SKILL IN ITS MANUFACTURING PROCEDURES (ESPECIALLY RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION) TO PROPERLY ASSEMBLE ITS VEHICLES FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478232October 1, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE RECALL ITEMS (CAMPAIGN WVU-31 AND CAMPAIGN WVL-22). DURING ONE WAY FUEL VALVE REMOVAL, STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTED COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA. EVAPORATIVE LEAK WAS NOTED DUE TO CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVES. COST OF REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT CRACKED FUEL VALVES WAS $693.59.THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY NICE AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE OF THE REPAIR (I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH HIS APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM). THIS MATTER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY SUBARU AS A RECALL (CAMPAIGN) MATTER AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUBARU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449433February 27, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. NO OTHER ENGINE SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THE FRONT CONVERTER IS DAMAGED IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SENSOR BEING BAD. ENDED UP HAVING THEM ALL REPLACED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST OF APPROX. $2,000.00. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH DONE IN A SUBARU FORESTERS OWNERS FORUM SHOWS THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING COSTLY AND UNNECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY O2 SENSORS, NOT BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. ANY EXPENSES CURRENT OWNERS HAVE HAD TO INCUR SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY SUBARU TO THOSE OWNERS, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO OTHER OWNERS TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY AND COSTLY REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441435December 28, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436462November 19, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $900 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423182September 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SUBARU FORESTER 2007 FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $700 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND I BELIEVE IT MAY BECOME MORE COMMON AS THESE MODELS AGE FURTHER. THERE WAS ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEB SITE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398844May 3, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORRESTER X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPECIFICATION OF THE ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE WAS CAUSING HIS TIRES TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HIM OF THE SAME SPECIFICATIONS AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES APART. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370191December 8, 2010
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE PURCHASED OUR 2007 SUBURU IN MARCH 2007 AS A NEW CAR FROM A SUBURU DEALER IN CALIFORNIA. MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN GETTING CAR SICK AND HAS HAD CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUES SINCE 9/11/2007. WE NOTICE THE AIR INSIDE THE CAR IS RANCID. PLEASE TEST THE INSIDE AIR QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE FOR FUMES, PARTICULARLY UNSAFE LEVELS OF BENZENE. I BELIEVE THIS CAR IS MAKING MY FAMILY SICK AND DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT (BUT HAVE TO) OR SELL IT AND EXPOSE OTHER POTENTIAL VICTIMS TO THE TOXINS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT COMPONENT THIS IS, BUT CAN DESCRIBE IT AS THE INSIDE AIR QUALITY OF WHICH OCCUPANTS ARE BREATHING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10364350November 7, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM BULBS 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE IN 11 MONTHS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE DAY I BOUGHT IT A BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE I EVEN DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. THEY ALWAYS BURN OUT WITH DAYS OF EACH OTHER. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT MY VEHICLE MAY CATCH FIRE OR THEY WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363759November 2, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND VALVE FAILURE. SUBARU ADMITS THESE ARE NOT PART OF POWER TRAIN, BUT DENIES THESE ARE COVERED BY EMISSIONS SYSTEM WARRANTY THOUGH PURPOSE OF PUMP AND VALVES IS TO INCREASE AIRFLOW AND THEREBY DILUTE EMISSIONS AT TAILPIPE. TOTAL REPAIRS APPROX. $2000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351583August 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN PARK WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MECHANIC CUT THE WIRES AND RECONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART. ON A LATER DATE, THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE WIRES HAD OVERHEATED AND FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REAPPLY THE WIRES BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339850June 24, 2010
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT SEPARATED FROM THE BASE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WELD CONNECTING THE SEAT FRAME TO ITS BASE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. WITHIN TWO YEARS, THE SEAT BEGAN TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PRE WELDED SEAT BRACKET TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S CASE WAS ESCALATED TO CORPORATE WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVED A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331741May 27, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
2007 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS A RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA INC. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS A PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL VALVE RECALL WHICH COULD LEAD TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BEING TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER EMISSION CONTROL VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED. SUBARU DENIED THE CONSUMER'S REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM STATING THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE UNRELATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325791April 15, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SMELL LIKE RAW GASOLINE. HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 6 MONTHS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. CURRENTLY, STILL REPLACING VALVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317114March 5, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
IN 2007 I BOUGHT A NEW SUBARU FORESTER. THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS & SNAPS WHILE CHANGING GEARS. SOMETIMES THE WHOLE CAR IS JOLTED BY THE TRANSMISSION SNAPPING INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, BUT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING & CHANGING SPEEDS. IT OFTEN TAKES TOO LONG FOR MY VEHICLE TO CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT TWO DIFFERENT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS. THEY CLAIM THEY CHECKED MY TRANSMISSION & FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. I FEAR MY TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL AT A CRUCIAL TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303383January 30, 2010
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
DEFECTIVE FLOOR MATS ON A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER, THE RUBBER SPIKES ON THE BOTTOM BROKE OFF UNDER GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS AND THEN DOWN THE CENTER OF THE MAT. THE MAT CAME OFF THE SAFETY HOOK AND ENTANGLE THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS. THE PEDAL DID FUNCTION, I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY FIX THE MAT WHILE DRIVING. I ALSO OWN A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER; IT WAS STORED AND USED BY SAME OWNER IN SIMILAR WAYS AND NO PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301942January 22, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JULY 2007 AND IN AUGUST OF 2009 SHE SMELLED FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL CUT ROLL VALVE SINCE IT WAS CRACKED, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTED PART; THEREFORE SHE COULD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AGAIN. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED HER $2,500 AS A DOWN PAYMENT TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. SHE DECLINED THE OFFER AND WANTS THE DEALER TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 1300 MILES ON IT SHE HAD THE FRONT AXLES REPLACED. SHE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 09/28/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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