Subaru Forester Complaints (1999)

131 consumer complaints on file.

#897692October 12, 2001
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE, TIRES
CONSUMER HEARD A ROARING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, BEGINNING AT 4000 MILES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. AFTER THIRD VISIT DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM. CONSUMER REPLACED ALL TIRES, BUT NOISE KEPT GETTING LOUDER. ON FOURTH VISIT DEALER REPLACED ALL WHEEL BEARINGS, WHICH TOOK CARE OF NOISE, SEPTEMBER 25, 2001. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#785701October 2, 2001
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED ONCE. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#785703October 2, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL PUMP SEAL OIL LEAK, FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. STILL LOOSING OIL FOUND HEAD GASKET LEAK, WILL FIX UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SAID ENGINE STILL USING OIL, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AS THEY SAY 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES IS NORMAL. BUT DEALER WANT TO CHECK THE VEHICLE EVERY 2000 MILES. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751673September 4, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
AUGUST 2000. RIGHT REAR BEARINGS BROKE APART WHILE DRIVING OFF ROAD. SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND I WAS ON VACATION, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST PRIVATE GARAGE. I SUBMITTED THE BILL FOR THE REPAIRS AND RENTAL CAR TO SUBARU WHICH THEY PAID. AUGUST 13, 2001: RIGHT REAR BEARINGS WENT OUT AGAIN ON CITY STREETS NEAR HOME. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO STEVENS CREEK SUBARU. THEY TOLD ME WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR ON 8/15 THAT FORESTERS OF ALL YEARS HAVE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. FURTHER, ONCE A CAR HAS THE PROBLEM, IT WILL CONTINUE TO RECUR. THE WARRANTY COVERED ALL COSTS. LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, 8/20, THE BEARINGS WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS TIME WE WERE ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD GOING AROUND A LEFT BEND WHEN THEY BROKE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT STARTED TO SLIDE TOWARDS THE CLIFF, BUT MANAGED TO GET IT TO A SMALL TURNOUT SAFELY. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT 49ER SUBARU IN ANGELS CAMP, CA, TOLD ME THAT THE AXLE "EXPLODED" AS A RESULT OF THE BEARINGS GOING OUT, WHICH IS WHY THE CAR HAD STARTED TO SLIDE. THEY USED ALL FORESTER PARTS TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONES, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT THEY USED LEGACY BEARINGS INSTEAD OF FORESTER BEARINGS. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FACTORY APPROVED CHANGE, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A TSB OR ANYTHING IN WRITING STATING THAT THIS WAS AN APPROVED SUBSTITUTION. SUBARU PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS AND THE HOTEL, AND THEY EXTENDED MY WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS 100,000 MILES. DENE WITT, SUBARU CENTRAL REGION OFFICE, 15000 E. 39TH AVE, AURORA, CO 80011 WAS VERY HELPFUL AND KIND THROUGHOUT THIS ORDEAL AND WENT OUT OF HER WAY TO MAKE SURE WE GOT BACK ON THE ROAD QUICKLY (SHE HAD TO HAVE AN AXLE OVERNIGHTED FROM OUT OF STATE). CAN THIS COMPLAINT BE KEPT ANONYMOUS SINCE I STILL OWN THE FORESTER AND MAY HAVE TO DEAL WITH SUBARU IN THE FUTURE? THANKS, SHARON "EILEEN" CERVANTES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751141August 26, 2001
SEATS
FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE LETTER TO SUBARU SENT AUGUST 26, 2001: DEAR SUBARU CUSTOMER RESPONSE STAFFMEMBER:NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#893651August 7, 2001
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES IN ONE YEAR. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#893656August 7, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#893659August 7, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKING DISTANCE WAS NORMAL. BRAKE PEDAL STAYED ON FLOOR, HAD TO BE PULLED UP. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#749139July 25, 2001
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
THE FAILURE PROBABLY OCCURRED THOUSANDS OF MILES EARLIER SINCE I HEARD A NOISE THAT I THOUGH WAS TIRE NOISE BUT NO LONGER HEAR SINCE THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE NOISE KEPT GETTING WORSE SO I FINALLY REALIZED THAT IT MUST BE SOMETHING ELSE. THE DEALER TOOK MY CAR IMMEDIATELY AND FIXED THE PROBLEM THE SAME DAY. I WOULD NOT BE REPORTING THIS EXCEPT THAT ON THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT OFTEN REOCCURS INCLUDING MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE SAME CAR. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT NORMALLY HAPPEN ON LOW-MILEAGE CARS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890492June 15, 2001
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WAS WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REARENDED FORESTER. SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED TO RESTRAIN. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. SEAT BELT WAS STILL LOCKED. ER TREATMENT AND RELEASED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#746627June 10, 2001
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORS/ASSEMBLY ON 1999 SUBARU FORESTER DO NOT ALLOW FOR ACCEPTABLE SECURE INSTALLATION OF CHILD SEAT (HAVE TRIED APPROX 7 DIFFERENT MODELS/SEAT MAKES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE MAY 1999). RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF ELR/ALR CONTINUOUS LOOP LAP/SHOULDER BELT WITH SLIDING LATCH PLATE. SEAT BELT LOCKS (THE FEMALE PART) FOR RIGHT, LEFT AND EVEN CENTER (WHICH IS LAP ONLY) ARE ANCHORED FORWARD OF SEAT CREASE SO THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PROPERLY SECURE CHILD SEATS. THE CHILD SEAT MANUALS/INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST THAT VEHICLES WITH SUCH SEAT BELT PLACEMENT MIGHT NOT BE COMPATIBLE, ETC. THEY SUGGEST "MOVING THE CHILD SEAT TO A DIFFERENT POSITION." AGAIN, HOWEVER, IN 1999 FORESTER, NONE OF THE THREE REAR POSITIONS FUNCTION. SUBARU 1999 FORESTER OWNER'S MANUAL HAS SECTION ON CHILD SEAT INSTALLATION, OF COURSE. THEY SUGGEST/IMPLY SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND REAR SEATS ARE SAFE FOR USE WITH CHILD SEAT(S). THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE MANUAL, HOWEVER, ARE OF SEAT BELTS ANCHORED/PLACED AT SEAT CREASE, NOT AS ASSEMBLY ACTUALLY EXISTS ON 1999 FORESTER. WHAT CAN WE DO? WE ARE SCARED. POLICE OFFICER TRIED TO HELP INSTALL ONE OF TWO SEATS WE BOUGHT TODAY (NO. SIX OF SEVEN, SEVENTH PURCHASED AFTER FAILED INSTALL OF SIXTH). RE: BRAKES -- RIGHT REAR DISC BRAKES HAVE SQUEEKED SINCE PURCHASE IN 1999 (NEW) . DEALER MAINTENANCE IN AUGUST 2000 NOTED THE PROBLEM AND LUBED BRAKES BUT DID NOT CURE PROBLEM WHICH PERSISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746271June 1, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE IS LOSING APROXIMATELY ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE "BURNING" OIL NOR IS IT LEAKING. THIS AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS APPEARS HIGH TO ME. I CALLED SUBARU INTERNATIONAL IN NEW JERSEY AND THEY SAID THIS IS "NORMAL" FOR A SUBARU. I FIND THIS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE CAN LOSE 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. I ASKED THE DEALER (MARZOLF SUBARU) TO FIX IT, AND THEY SAID NO AS IT WAS NOT UN-NORMAL FOR A SUBARU TO LOSE THIS MUCH OIL. THANKYOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#744488April 24, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ALL WHEEL DRIVE REBULIT 2/00,AFTER COMPLAING TO SERVICE CENTER THE WHEELS FEEL AS IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING IN UNISON.YTHE CAR DOES THIS ON DRY ROAD (NOT A MUCH),ON WET ROADS MORE FREQUENTLY,IN SONW NOT AT ALL THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO CHANGE IN ROAD CONDITIONS AND DOES NOT STOP IN NORMAL TIME,EVEN AFTER APPLYING BRAKES HARD.THE CAR DOES INTERMITTEN STOPPING BEFOREE IT CAME TO A FULL STOP.THIS HAAPENED IN 1/00 AND AGAIN 2/01.THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN FOR REPAIRS,BUT I AM NOT CONFIDENT WITH THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. I MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY IF IT OCCURS AGAIN.WHEN I FIRST INQUIRED IF ANY ONE ELSE HAS REPORTED DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES RESPONDING 10/99 AND WAS TOLD NO.THEN WHEN THE CAR DID NOT REPOND TO STOPPING IN 1/00 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ANTILOCKING BRAKES WORKING BECAUE I WAS ON SNO,BUT WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED DOWN AND COULD NOT MAKE IT UP A SMALL INCLINE THEY TOLD " I FIND THAT HAD TO BELEIVE.THAT WAS WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN AND IT WAS FOUND THE VEHICLE HAD NO ALL WHEEL DIRVE.I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD THEY WORKED FINE ACCORDING TO THE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS VEHICLE.THIS CAR IS STATED TO HAVE ALL WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME THIS IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AS TO MY SAFETY WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY.I DID COMPLAIN AGAIN AND THEY CHECK THE CAR IN 3/01 AND TOLD ME THE TIRE PRESSURE IN THE REAR WAS LOW,BUT I TRIED TO EXPLAIN I HAVE MY TIRE ROTATED AND CHECK BY SEARS EVERY 6000 MILE AND I CHECK THE TIRES MYSELF BECAUSE I KNOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE RIDE & MILAGE.WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS TAKING THE CAR TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHANGED THE OIL TEMP LIGHT STARTED TO FALSH WHICH INDICATRES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION.THE DIAGNOSTIC READ CODE;38 TORQUE CONTROL SINGNAL; THE SERVICE TECH THEN PERFORMED TRAN SERVICE,PUT 4 QUARTS OF TRANMISSION FLUID IN THE CAR AND REPLACED THE GASKET(CHARGING ME FOR THIS). I CALLED THEM BACK TO INQUIRE WHY THIS WAS DONE WHEN I HAD THIS SAME SERVICE PERFORMED WHEN THEY DID THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#560396March 14, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY HAS FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS CAUSING A MILD ROARING SOUND, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB, AND HOUSING. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#883082March 14, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING TO FLOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, USED TOE OF SHOE TO LIFT PEDAL BACK UP BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THIS WAS A MOMENTARY INCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741601February 27, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
BEARINGS HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES. INCREASING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE AND VIBRATION PROCEEDED FAILURE EACH TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741340February 22, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE UNDER MANY CONDITIONS WILL TEND TO ACCELERATE, THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON A 2001 VERSION OF THE SABRU FORESTER S WE ALSO HAVE. THE DEALER HAS NO EXPLAINATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741054February 17, 2001
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
GAS NOZZLE THROWN FROM TANK AFRAID OF EXPLOSION DUE TO SPARK. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#877826January 10, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE QUICKLY IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS AND WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH HAS ALREADY CAUSED ONE CRASH. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#738290December 26, 2000
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
06/27/00 AT 39787 MILES, NOISE GRADUALLY GETTING LOUDER IN REAR, VIBRATION. RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND AXLE REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. 09/14/00 AT 46801 MILES, SAME WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AGAIN. 09/25/00 AT 47660 MILES, BEARING FAILED SUDDENLY WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH IN RAIN ON I-66, GRINDING AND SCREECHING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY AND EXIT FREEWAY. DEALER AGAIN REPLACED BEARING. 10/25/00 AT 49750, DEALER AGAIN REPLACES BEARING AND HOUSING ALSO THIS TIME. CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF VIBRATION ON TIRES, I ALSO ASK FOR AN ALIGNMENT. 12/19/00, PROBLEM RETURNS. CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR SERVICE 12/27/00. I TRAVEL ROUGHLY 500 MILES PER WEEK, MOSTLY ON VERY RURAL ROADS. I CHOSE SUBARU VERY CAREFULLY AND NEED TO KNOW I CAN RELY ON MY VEHICLE TO AVOID BEING STRANDED ALONE ON THE MOST DESERTED OF ROADS. THIS IS THE 2ND SUBARU I HAVE OWNED (NO PROBLEMS WITH THE FIRST ONE), PURCHASED BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE AWD SYSTEM; HOWEVER, I AM LOSING CONFIDENCE IN THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I LOVE THE FORESTER, AND WOULD BUY ANOTHER ONE! I AM SO DISAPPOINTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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