Subaru Forester Complaints (2004)

219 consumer complaints on file.

#10435388November 13, 2011
SEAT BELTS
MY 2004 FORESTER 2.5XT SUSTAINED A SIGNIFICANT MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/25/11 DAMAGING THE FRONT & REAR END AT A REPAIR COST APPROACHING 9K. MY SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD ME IN PLACE -- NO OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. SUBARU CORP IN NJ, USA WAS NOTIFIED. I BELIEVE THE 'EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR' (ELR) FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED; MY CHEST SLAMMED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL TWICE WHEN I WAS HIT IN THE REAR AND WHEN I SUBSEQUENTLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THIS HAPPENED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND 10MPH WAS ESTIMATED WHEN TRAVELING FROM A STOPPED POSITION INTO THE VAN IN FRONT. I WAS INJURED WITH A BLACK & BLUE MARK ON MY CHEST WITH SOME DISCOMFORT FOR 2 WEEKS. MY BODY BENT AT THE WAIST AND MY NECK WAS NOT EFFECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CABIN AREA WHERE THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ARE LOCATED WERE NOT DAMAGED BY THE CRASH. WITHIN 1 WEEK SUBARU REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM ME AND RESOLVED THE CASE. I APPRECIATE THE COMPANY'S QUICK RESPONSE, BUT I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESOLUTION. I REQUESTED THAT THE SEAT BELTS BE EVALUATED BY SUBARU EXPERTS ALONG WITH OTHER ASSOCIATED SAFETY COMPONENTS, AND TO HAVE MY SEAT BELT (AT A MINIMUM) REPLACED BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT NO COST TO ME. MANUAL STATES TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT IF IN AN ACCIDENT. THE COMPANY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT SUBARU CORPORATION WILL NOT DO ANYTHING, WILL NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT PAY FOR NEW SEAT BELTS. THE COMPANY ALSO DID NOT REQUEST ANY PHOTOS FROM THE COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY TO VALIDATE THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PHYSICALLY ALTERED BY THE IMPACT. IT WAS THE CRASH THAT REVEALED THAT THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT OPERATE AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, TO HOLD ME BACK IN MY SEAT. BECAUSE I CONTACTED SUBARU CORP WITH NO VISUAL DAMAGE TO MY SEAT BELT, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. MY COST IS OVER $500. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10433133October 28, 2011
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
BACKING OUT OF DRIVE WAY, LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED, TEARING THE CV JOINT OUT. UPON INSPECTION THE CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED THROUGH AT IT'S JOINT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432955October 26, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. VERY STRONG ODOR. COULD NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425226September 13, 2011
SUSPENSION
RUSTING FAILURE OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM. NO INJURIES, IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE ITEM FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402505May 24, 2011
AIR BAGS
FOR THREE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYING ILLUMINATED. ACCORDING TO SUBARU SERVICE, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. ON THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE UNDER-SEAT CONNECTIONS FOR THE AIRBAGS WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. SINCE THESE CONNECTIONS ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THE OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT THEY SHOULD NOT CORRODE UNLESS THE EQUIPMENT IS DEFECTIVE. SINCE THIS DEFECT REPRESENTS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK, THERE SHOULD BE A CORRECTIVE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399059May 4, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL ODOR NOTED IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT STARTING 4/9/11, (137218 MI) 55 DEGREE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, VEHICLE RUNNING FOR 10+ MINUTES AND UP TO TEMPERATURE. AT STOP LIGHT WHEN ODOR BEGAN. CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE BECAME NAUSEATED AND BEGAN RETCHING. WINDOWS DOWN TO VENT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ODOR IDENTIFIED IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ENGINE BAY ONLY, NO RAW FUEL ODOR IN EXHAUST OR SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. 4/11/11, 52 DEGREES, 137463 MI 4/13/11, TIGHTENED ACCESSIBLE FUEL LINE CLAMPS IN ENGINE BAY 4/27/11, 40 DEGREES, 138113 MI 4/28/11, 53 DEGREES, 138215 MI 4/30/11, ISOLATED LEAK TO AREA IMMEDIATELY BELOW MANIFOLD, NEAR AIR FILTER ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) OF ENGINE; ABLE TO VISUALIZE FUEL LEAKING ONTO ENGINE AT RATE OF 5 DROPS/10 SECONDS. 5/1/11 45 DEGREES, 138511 MI CONCERNS OVER SAFETY OF EXPOSED FUEL IN ENGINE BAY (EXPLOSION HAZARD), AS WELL AS EFFECT OF FUMES ON ADULTS/CHILDREN (TOXICITY), AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH EPA STANDARDS. TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF AFFECTED PARTS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399045May 3, 2011
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR TOOK OFF AT HIGH RPM AND CONTINUED AT HIGH RPM EVEN IN PARK. FORTUNATELY, I NOTICED THAT LIFTING MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT SLOW THE CAR WHEN DRIVING IN LOW TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT LESS THAN 40 MPH AND WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME ACCELERATION WITH BRAKING WITH SUFFICIENT CONTROL TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. MOST DEFINITELY NOT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; THE MAT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE PEDAL. HAD AN OIL CHANGE TWO DAYS PRIOR, BOTH OTHERWISE NOTHING TO REPORT CONCERNING THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393499April 1, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5XS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A HEAD GASKET LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393980April 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW FREEZING), THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL OCCASIONALLY LEAK AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE RUBBER HOSE AND STEEL LINE. IT WILL DRIP FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK UNTIL IT WARMS UP. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE CAN BE DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE FUEL DRIPS AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 DRIP PER 1-3 SECONDS UNTIL THE HOSE WARMS UP AND SEALS AGAINST THE STEEL LINE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY OFFERED TO TIGHTEN THE FUEL LINE FITTINGS. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE LIFTED AND THE COST WAS ABOUT $150, BUT THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE A FIX. IT WILL HAVE TO BE RECHECKED IN COLDER WEATHER. THIS 2004 FORESTER XT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10391989March 16, 2011
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS ADJUSTED, ( THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, & SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR WEEKS AT A TIME). WHEN ASK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WANTED OVER $170 TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON,THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN AUBURN, WA. SINCE WE STILL OWN THIS CAR, WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT, WE THINK THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386357March 3, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383171February 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD TIMING BELT REPLACED ON 2004 FORESTER TURBO AS RECOMMENDED ON MAINTENANCE,SCHEDULE, NEXT DAY ON HIGHWAY, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND LOSE OF POWER. STOPPED DRIVING TOWED TO MECHANIC. SAID IT WAS BLOWN TURBO. NEVER NOTIFIED OF BANJO BOLT ISSUE, SUBARU SHOULD RECALL OR REMEDY SITUATION AT THEIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381645February 11, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1ST ISSUE WITH 2004 FXT 4AT . COLD START EMITTING RAW FUEL SMELL BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. LOCAL SHOP DIAGNOSED AS WEAK CONNECTIONS ON FUEL FILTER. FILTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT IN 5,000 MILES, SO OPTED TO SWAP OUT TO A NEW OEM FILTER. NEXT DAY SMELL STILL PRESENT. TEMPS BELOW FREEZING FOR PAST 6 WEEKS (MICHIGAN), BUT PROBLEM ONLY STARTED 1 WEEK AGO. SINCE PROBLEM PERSISTS, DOING MORE RESEARCH, AND WILL CONTACT SOA AND LOCAL SUB DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE AND PLAN. NO OTHER FUEL COMPLAINTS (KNOCK, STALL, ROUGH IDLE, ECONOMY ISSUES). CURRENT MILEAGE 109,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380015February 2, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER FOR 6 YEARS. 2 YEARS AGO I EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT WHERE STARTING OUT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT AN ADVANCED RATE OF SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY GAIN CONTROL AND BRAKE THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT IT WAS AN ABERRATION. RECENTLY ON STARTING OUT FROM A FERRY BOAT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN STUCK AT AN ADVANCED RATE OF SPEED. I AVOIDED PEOPLE AND MANY CARS BUT DID COLLIDE WITH A WALL AND 1 CAR, FINALLY STOPPING THE SUBARU BY DRIVING UP A HILL, OVER A CURB AND INTO A FENCE. I HAD MECHANICS CHECK THE ACCELERATOR SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM BUT THAT OTHER FACTORS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO "STICKING" SUCH AS FAULTY FLOOR MATS OR PLACEMENT OD BRAKE AND/OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. I AM NOT AN EXPERT BUT MY EXAMINATION INDICATES (1) THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 2 INCH GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FLOOR (2)THAT T HE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE QUITE CLOSE TOGETHER; AND THAT A FOOT COULD BECOME "HUNG UP" OR LODGED BECAUSE OF EITHER OR BOTH OF THESE THINGS. THIS POSSIBILITY COULD BE INCREASED BY LARGER FEET, ALTHOUGH I DO NOT CONSIDER MY SIZE 11 WIDTH EE SHOE SIZE TO BE OVERLY LARGE. MY NON-EXPERT OPINION IS THAT THESE PEDALS SHOULD BE RE-ENGINEERED SO THAT (1) THERE IS NO GAP OF THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR (2)THERE IS A CLEAR SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10379904February 1, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER. REPLACED AND TIGHTENED FUEL CLAMPS, TO NO AVAIL. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME SYSTEM ON THE WRX, WHY NOT THE FORESTER? *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10378309January 23, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT MANY OTHER SUBARU FORESTER XT OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. *LN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376582January 13, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2004 SUBARU FORESTER LEAKS FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO MANIFOLD IN CONDITIONS OF COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE. RESEARCH REVEALS THE PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC TO VIRTUALLY ALL SUBARUS MODEL YEARS 2002 - 2004. IN 2009, SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2002 IMPREZA WRX MODELS SOLD IN CERTAIN STATES, BUT THE ENGINE IS THE SAME DESIGN FOR THE OTHER MODELS. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS SYMPTOMATIC. STRONG RISK OF FIRE. ODOR ABATES WHEN ENGINE AND/OR AMBIENT TEMPERATURES RISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10374866January 5, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1. NOTICED STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING CAR. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED GAS POOLED ON ENGINE TOP, PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. 2. APPEARS THAT FUEL LINE IS LEAKING. UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN EXACTLY WHERE, BECAUSE LEAK IS BEHIND INTAKE MANIFOLD. OCCURS DURING VERY COLD WEATHER. 3. REPAIRS FORTHCOMING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10373993January 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SUBARU FORSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE TURBO CHARGER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO A LACK OF OIL GOING TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER REPAIRS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE OIL INTAKE RESULTING IN THE TURBO CHARGER FAILING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,968 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372700December 28, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME. THE THIRD TIME THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,530.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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