Subaru Forester Complaints (2006)

88 consumer complaints on file.

#11557091November 27, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION
Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494697November 23, 2022
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact then took the vehicle a dealer where he was informed that the recall was serviced. Less than two months later, the contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake as he began to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off to the highway shoulder. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the front driver’s side lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact discovered that no work was performed on the vehicle. The contact purchased the parts and replaced the control arm himself. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494619November 22, 2022
SUSPENSION, STEERING, POWER TRAIN
Front control arm failed on car. Which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. Found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. Waiting to see if they will cover repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488782October 11, 2022
AIR BAGS
It just the airbags light turn on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11455726March 8, 2022
STEERING, SUSPENSION
I was made a turn at roughly 15mph and the front passenger side control arm sheared in half causing me to lose control of the vehicle and then abruptly come to an immediate stop. My family was in the car and at a higher speed this could have been fatal. Had there been any vehicles behind me that could have caused an accident with unknown results. Had this been moments early I would have been in a head on collision. This is a known issue for this year, make, and model that was not properly resolved in the past by the manufacturer. The part should not fail in that manner. There were no warnings. The failure was inspected by the tow truck driver.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431652September 3, 2021
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. I took it to Suberu in Fort Worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. God new one but didn't help. This year when I went to get it checked for regisration they woudn't pass it. Took it to mechanic who installeda new Evaprotive Vapor Canister for $920. That didn't work but wouldn't try again. Later another mecanic said the problem was "Not enough driving". (less that 100 miles a month. I have been driving the car with the check engine on an no cruise control for 6-7 years with no trouble, so it is a fault of the car's systems. I can't get it registered because of this problem. I can disconnedt the negative battery post briefly and the light goes off for a day or two. So what can you do for me? I love the car but hate the problem. I am 90, but that's not the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431144August 31, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
As I was going down the road my car sped up and my foot was off the gas pedal as the pedal was stuck-I managed to stop my car but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 I was originally going 50
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11430075August 23, 2021
WHEELS
I was traveling down a steep two lane road (California route 32) on my way to Chico, CA when my rear drivers side wheel came off. With some difficulty, I was able to pull the car off to the left side of the road (steep embankment on the right side, 50-60 foot ravine on the left side). I had my car safety inspected before I left on this trip at the Missoula, MT Subaru dealer and I suspect that they did not properly tighten the wheel and my spare tire was flat even though that was also supposed to be checked in the safety inspection. The body around the wheel well was slightly damaged, my muffler under the car broke and Chico Subaru refuses to fix any of it. I also contacted Subaru America and am waiting to hear back from them
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11407383April 10, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
RCN 07V043000
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11376209November 24, 2020
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE PASSENGER CONTROL ARM FAILED, SNAPPING IN HALF AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. UPON LOOKIN UNDER MY CAR I COULD SEE THE SNAPPED CONTROL ARM, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I ALSO OBSERVE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS ALSO VERY RUSTY. BOTH CONTROL ARMS ARE THE ONLY ISOLATED RUSTED PARTS UNDER MY CAR, THE REST OF MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY RUST. IT WAS ALARMING TO ME THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS ARE THE ONLY COMPLETELY RUSTED PARTS UNDER MY CAR, SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CARE FROM TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLED PARTS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAD BEEN RECALLED, AND MY CAR HAD BEEN "SERVICED" FOR THIS RECALL IN 2012 THROUGH RUST-PROOF SPAYING. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE RECALL. UPON CALLING SUBARU OF AMERICAN TO HAVE THESE RECALLED PARTS REPLACED NOW BECAUSE THEY FAILED IN A KNOWN LOCATION. I WAS ALARMED THAT RUST-PROOF SPRAY WAS USED TO TREAT A RECALLED PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED TO RUST AT ACCELERATED RATES AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AUTOMATICALLY REPLACED. THE RUST PROOF SPRAY SEEMS LIKE A TEMPORARY FIX THAT WILL EVENTUALLY WHERE AWAY AND THEN THE PART WILL FAIL IN THE FUTURE (WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING). SUBARU REFUSED TO REPLACE THE RECALLED CONTROL ARMS IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE PARTS HAS BEEN SPRAYED IN 2012.THE ATTEMPT AT SERVICING THE RECALL DID NOT WORK, AND THESE PARTS HAVE STILL RUSTED AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, ULTIMATELY FAILING. THE CONTROL ARMS ARE THE ONLY RUSTED PARTS OF MY CAR, AND THE PASSENGER ARM FAILED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11311608February 26, 2020
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRATTLEBORO SUBARU (1234 PUTNEY RD, BRATTLEBORO, VT 05301) TO BE SERVICED FOR AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO FIX THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11287976December 9, 2019
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THOMAS SUBARU AT 814-623-813 (LOCATED AT 4003 BUSINESS 220, BEDFORD, PA 15522) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION); THEREFORE, THE REPAIR WOULD NEED TO BE DONE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11271353October 27, 2019
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WHETHER, THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GAS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND TALKING TO A MECHANIC, IT IS CLEAR THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I ALSO SEE THAT MANY MORE OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT NOT OPENNED AS AN INVESTIFGATION. THE GAS LINES (SOME SAY GASKETS TOO) SHRINK IN COLD WHETHER AND FUMES OR GAS LEAK. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP, THE RUBBER COMPOUNDS EXPAND AND THE SMELL THIS GOES AWAY. THIS CAN TAKE 10-15 MINUTES. IT SEAMS LIKE MOST PEOPLE JUST LIVE WITH THIS BEACSUE IT GOES AWAY AT WARM UP, BUT I HAVE A PREGENANT WIFE AND THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH GAS FUMES IN THE CABIN AT ALL, NOT TO MENTION THERE IS NO TELLING IF SOME OF THOSE FUMES ARE ACTUALLY GAS LEAKING NEAR THE CYLINDER. THIS COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS EVERYWHERE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11252762September 2, 2019
TIRES, WHEELS
TWO FLAT TIRES ON BRAND NEW COOPER EVOLUTION TOUR 215-60R16 (@100 MILES), BOTH ON THE FRONT. ONE FLAT NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN BUT SAT FOR A FEW HOURS (NO VISIBLE DEFLATION UPON EXITING); THIS TIRE HAD NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES, THOUGH THERE APPEARED TO BE A BIT OF TEAR BETWEEN THE TREADS (SEE PHOTO). AFTER DRIVING HOME ON A SPARE, ALL REMAINING TIRES SEEMED OK. THE NEXT MORNING THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS VISIBLY DEFLATED AND HAD A SIZABLE BULGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11228407June 29, 2019
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I NEEDED TO STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE TO CONTROL THE CAR. I PUT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND REVIVING ENGINE SOUND DID NOT STOP. I REMOVED ORIGINAL RUBBER FLOOR MAT, AND PROBLEM STOPPED. DANGEROUS! 2 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. TODAY IS 88 F TODAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11223014June 27, 2019
STEERING
EVERY TIME I REACH SPEED OF 80MPH IN THE FREEWAY MY STEERING WHEEL IS VIBRATING OUT OF CONTROL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11220664June 17, 2019
ENGINE
SITTING IN THE CAR, ENGINE RUNNING; HAD PULLED OVER FOR A COUPLE MINUTES TO LET PASSENGER OUT. NOTICED SMOKE STARTED TO SEEP OUT FROM ENGINE. CHECKED TEMP GAUGE AND SAW IT WAS COOL. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND MOVED AWAY FROM THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY ARRIVED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES AND EXTINGUISHED THE ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE, FRONT TIRES, EVERYTHING IN ENGINE AREA COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. PRIOR TO THIS, NO PROBLEMS, NO ENGINE LIGHT LIT, NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR HANDLING OR SMELLS, NOTHING TO INDICATE ANYTHING WAS WRONG.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11196584April 15, 2019
STEERING, SUSPENSION
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CORROSION IN THIS MODEL YEAR. THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH WAS ABLE TO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SUBARU RECALL WVX-34 WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THE 'REPAIR' WAS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2012. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTOS, THE RUST PROOFING DID NOT HELP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11185370March 14, 2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2006 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES STATING THAT RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BEING A REQUIREMENT ON VEHICLES. *LD *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11151312November 13, 2018
STEERING
CONTROL ARM IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. I NEED TO FULLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE ARM. IT'S URGENT, AS THE ENTIRE WHEEL AND MECHANISM COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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