Subaru Forester Complaints (2002)

88 consumer complaints on file.

#10379552January 29, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT COMES ON REPEATEDLY. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RIGHT AND LEFT HAND FRONT SEAT AIR BAG HARNESS CONNECTOR KIT TWICE (IN 2006 AT 34,000 MILES AND AGAIN IN 2009 AT 63,000 MILES.) AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER. DEALER WILL NOT ADMIT TO ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPEATED FAILURE OF THE SAME PART. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378735January 26, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A U-TURN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND HIS FOOT GOT STUCK CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT NOR HIS PASSENGER WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE INVESTIGATION WAS PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NEITHER WAS THE DEALER CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 94,000. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360803October 16, 2010
SUSPENSION
SUBARU FORESTER 2002 REAR WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP FAILING AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10330473May 14, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS DUE TO EXTREME FRAME RUST AND CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PRIMARILY HOUSED IN PENNSYLVANIA, A SALT BELT STATE, THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10314018February 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
INTERMITTENT ENGINE SURGING AND/LOSS OF POWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312776February 22, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND HAD PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LURCHED FORWARD. I DAMAGED THE PARKED CAR AND MY OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE GOING FROM THE PARK POSITION. AM CONTACTING SUBARU TO SEE IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307800February 9, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HOUSE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A WOODEN FENCE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, HOWEVER THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THAT TYPE OF FAILURE IN HER MODEL VEHICLE. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT THE EXPENSE OF HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 25,000. UPDATED 3/16/10 *CN UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296100December 16, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE REMOVABLE FLOOR MAT TRAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE OF VEHICLE ACCELERATION. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294963December 8, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL COMES INTO THE CAB OF MY 2002 SUBARU FORESTER WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW 35. I RECENTLY MOVED TO MONTANA AND HADN'T NOTICED IT BEFORE BECAUSE PORTLAND DOESN'T GET THIS COLD. .AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, FOUND OUT SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SUBARU IS RECALLING WMX FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT FORESTERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279463August 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258045February 9, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER A PERIOD OF COLD WEATHER (BELOW FREEZING), I DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. AFTER EXITING THE CAR, I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR. DURING THE TRIP WHEN USING THE HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, I ALSO SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND EXHAUST AND SHUT OFF THE HEAT. (I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC.) AFTER LEAVING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE ALL DAY, I DROVE IT TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC TO SEE IF THERE MIGHT BE A FUEL LINE LEAK. THE NEXT DAY, HE ADVISED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBURU ABOUT COLD WEATHER AND FUEL SMELL. HE SAID THAT INDEED THE FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXHIBITED SIGNS OF GAS LEAKAGE. WHEN THE FUEL LEAKED, IT LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE AND MANIFOLD (WHICH I THINK IS NORMALLY GETS HOT). GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE, HE REPLACED ALL OF THE FUEL HOSES IN THE CAR WITH NEW HOSES AND THE FUEL FILTER. ON THE SAME DAY, ANOTHER SUBURU CUSTOMER HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH SMELLING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND HE HAD TO HAVE THE SAME REPAIRS DONE. I SHOULD ADD THAT ON THE DAY I FIRST SMELLED GASOLINE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND WHEN I HAD TURNED THE HEAT ON IN THE CAB, IT WAS ABOUT 22 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, WITH A WIND CHILL IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. THIS IS UNUSUALLY COLD FOR OUR AREA. I HAD JUST FILLED UP MY GAS TANK THE EVENING BEFORE. MY MILEAGE IS A LITTLE MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, AND THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215725January 22, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DURING A VERY COLD DAY I FELT VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL RIGHT AFTER START IN MY 2002 SUBARU FORESTER S. I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND I SAW GASOLINE O ONE OF THE RUBBER HOSES CONNECTING 2 FUEL LINES. THE SMELL DISAPPEARED AFTER THE ENGINE WARMED UP, BUT REAPPEARED AFTER THE CAR STAYED OUTSIDE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS. THE CAR DID THE SAME THING A FEW YEARS AGO DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES. AT THAT TIME, THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS HOLDING THE RUBBER HOSE. RUBBER HOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205790October 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
IN THE LAST WEEK, MY HEATER STARTED WORKING SPORADICALLY, PUTTING OUT COOL AIR AND HOT AIR INTERMITTENTLY. THEN MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED CLIMBING QUICKLY TO THE HOT END. I TURNED MY HEATER ON FULL-BLAST TO COOL DOWN THE ENGINE AND THIS WORKED FOR ABOUT A MILE, THEN THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP IN THE RED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, LET THE ENGINE COOL, AND ADDED COOLANT (IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, BUT NOT THAT LOW). THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON ALL THE WAY, SO WE LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SAW THERE WAS A LEAK. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN "EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET" JUST LIKE IN THE COURTESY RECALL OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED SUBARU, IT WAS FOR "PHASE 1" ENGINES ONLY, AND MINE WAS A "PHASE 2" ENGINE, THEREFORE MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAME RECALL. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICED EVERY 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER KEPT A LOG OF ALL THE WORK ON THE CAR IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND HE TOO, HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE FOR IT NOT TO BE A FAULTY PART, LIKE IN THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WITH THE PHASE 1 ENGINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER 2002 SUBARU FORRESTERS, WITH A PHASE 2 ENGINE, HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IF SO, WHAT SUBARU IS GOING TO DO TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM? MY CAR IS FIVE YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT, AND IT HAS BEEN SERVICED AT THE RECOMMENDED TIMES. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM THIS MAJOR ($2,500 TO FIX!) GIVEN THESE FACTS UNLESS IT WAS A FAULTY SYSTEM TO BEGIN WITH! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203091September 15, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK DUE TO FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS IN ENGINE ON A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 50,000 MILES. RESULTS IN COOLANT DRIPPING ONTO EXHAUST SYSTEM AND OTHER COMPONENTS RESULTING IN STRONG ODOR. ALSO CREATES POSSIBILITY OF LOW COOLANT CAUSING OVERHEATING, ENGINE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO SUBARU HOWEVER, THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION OFFERED IS TO ADD A SEALER TO THE RADIATOR COOLANT. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL MECHANICS I HAVE CONSULTED, THIS WILL RESULT IN CLOGGING OF THE RADIATOR AND HEATER CORE PASSAGES FURTHER CAUSING OVERHEATING PROBLEMS. THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM IS REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD GASKETS SOMETHING SUBARU REFUSES TO DO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196233July 12, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SOA IS NOT BEING FORTHCOMING ABOUT A MAJOR DEFECT AFFECTING MANY OF ITS VEHICLES. ON WEDNESDAY JULY 11, 2007 I SPOKE TO SOA AND EXPLAINED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHRONIC LEAKING HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS ON MANY OF YOUR VEHICLES. I OWN A 2002 SUBARU FORESTER WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAKING HEAD GASKET IN DECEMBER 2006 AND 68000 MILES BY A TEAPE SUBARU TECHNICIAN IN ARLINGTON TX. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST $1900.00. AS I HAD TO SAVE UP THE MONEY I DID NOT GET THE WORK DONE UNTIL 07/10/07 AT 75,000 MILES. I CONSIDERED THIS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. HAD SOA BROUGHT ME IN FOR A REPAIR I MIGHT HAVE AVOIDED THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY CAR COULD EASILY HAVE OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN AN INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THIS WAS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES THAT FREQUENTLY OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER BEING REPAIRED/REPLACED. SOA'S REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT NOT ONLY WAS MY VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR IT. HE DID, HOWEVER, GIVE ME A CASE #1017178. SUBARU NEEDED TO STEP UP AND HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. I AM ENCOURAGING YOU TO MAKE THEM DO THAT. THE FINAL COST FOR MY GASKET REPLACEMENT WORK WAS 1725.42. I AM MAILING SOA AN ITEMIZED LIST OF PARTS AND LABOR ALONG WITH MY PAID RECEIPT, AND I WANT A FULL REFUND FOR THIS WORK WHICH INCLUDED THE LABOR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184278March 5, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN PARKING VEHICLE IN GARAGE, ENGINE REVVED AND CAR DROVE FORWARD CAUSING DAMAGE TO CAR AND GARAGE EVEN THOUGH CAR HAD BEEN PLACED INTO PARK. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175222December 5, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN TRAVELING 60 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ACCELERATION, LIKE IT IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. AT FIRST, I COULD REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS, ALLOW THE CAR TO COAST AND SLOW, AND THEN RE-APPLY GAS, AND IT WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN. NOW WHEN IT OCCURS, I HAVE TO STOP, NORMALLY ON THE SIDE OF A RURAL HIGHWAY, PUT IT IN PARK, THEN BACK TO DRIVE FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE OUT IN THE 'STICKS.' THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 25K MILES, AND HAS HAD ITS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. ANY INFO?*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173913November 20, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 SUBARU FORESTER HESITATES AND LURCHES DANGEROUSLY AS IF FUEL IS NOT GETTING TO THE ENGINE. WHEN PULLING ON TO A STREET OR HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE WON'T PICK UP SPEED AND CREATES A SAFELY HAZARD AND POTENTIAL REAR END ACCIDENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171458October 20, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
METALLIC, GRINDING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL. WHEN PARKED FOR A WEEK, REFUSED TO MOVE - FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER MUCH ACCELERATION, THE CAR WAS ABLE TO MOVE. NOISE GREW AND GREW TO A SHRIEKING PITCH. TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153855March 27, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE PURCHASED THIS LOW-MILEAGE VEHICLE (~11K MILES) 2ND HAND FROM LOCAL SUBARU DEALER MID-FEB 2006, & NOTICED ONLY ROUGH SHIFTING WHEN ENGINE IS COLD- NO OTHER PROBLEMS. TODAY, WHILE TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEED, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, & SEEMED TO DO SO FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER BRAKING HARDER. I ASSUMED I HAD INADVERTENTLY STEPPED ON THE GAS & BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME, & RESOLVED TO BE MORE CAREFUL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF & RESTARTING, I TURNED RIGHT AT LOW SPEED. AS I ROUNDED THE CORNER (MAYBE AS THE WHEEL TURNED BACK TO THE LEFT??), THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATED, CONTINUING TO REV AS I STOOD ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR STOPPED AFTER STRIKING THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. LOW-SPEED IMPACT, NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, NO OBSERVABLE DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. BEFORE I MOVED MY FEET, I LOOKED DOWN: MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AS THE GAS PEDAL IS SOMEWHAT RECESSED, IT WOULD BE QUITE DIFFICULT TO HIT IT WHILE BRAKING. CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN ON EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT IS SUPPOSED TO SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, & SO SHOULD HAVE BEEN OFF DURING BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS. AFTERWARD, I DID NOT LOOK AT THE CRUISE CONTROL TO VERIFY THAT IT WAS OFF. THE DEALER WILL LOOK AT THIS IN 2 DAYS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Subaru Forester