Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||||
| 09012004 | 09/01/2004 | 10014457 | 2003my keyless entry control module interchangeability. this includes 2003 subaru models. *eh | 05/03/2005 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | |||
| 07/13/2006 | 78000 | 1 | |
| Electric locks--the tailgate--even though i had the extra warranty i still had to pay 182.00 to replace the lock because it was not the lock it was the latch inside the lock that did not work. what a rip off. i also had dogs in the car and it was hot when the lock would not work. because there is no key to open the tailgate when dogs are in crates you cannot open the door! subaru would not cover the lock, even though the warranty said it covers locks. this is dangerous for those of us who use a crate to safely transport our dog. the car was scratched in order to remove dogs from the back doors getting crates in a position to allow doors to be opened. *tr | |||
| 09/23/2003 | 27800 | 5 | 08/24/2002 |
| This vehicle posed a serious safety problem because the vehicle only had one key hole, but had five doors, the consumer was able to access the vehicle through the drivers side door/key hole. once the consumer was in the vehicle a lock pad on the door allowed for entry through the other doors, or a key remote. the consumer's lock pad also didn't work temporarily so the consumer couldn't open the hatch. the manufacturer and the dealer had not been notified of the problems. *jb the remote entry device did not work temporarily so the consumer had to gain access with the key to the only hole on the driver's door, but then the power locks failed so the consumer had no way to open the hatchback. there was no release for the vehicle. the air bag light was on and needed a new harness to re-fix the problem and the odometer along with the speedometer failed immediately after the consumer had taken ownership. *scc the consumer also stated there was a problem with the power windows *jb | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH | |||
| 01/15/2003 | 19200 | 2 | 01/02/2002 |
| 2002 subaru forester front door lock mechanisms are defective. january, 2003 - passenger door would not latch and had to tie it shut. dealer repaired it promptly. march 2003 - drivers door would not open - had to crawl across the shifter to get out. manipulated inside lock lever and eventually freed up mechanism. this would not be safe in an emergency.*jb | |||
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - TAILGATE - LATCH | |||
| 06/29/2007 | 1 | 12/18/2005 | |
| Latches on the forrester cannot be opened unless you have a key fob. there is no way to access the tailgate without the battery operated fob. if you have a child that gets into the car without your knowledge, or if there is an accident and the doors will not open from the side. how will you get out the back--there is no way to even access with a key from the outside. if you are in an accident and you loose track of your fob too bad, you can't get out from the back. i myself carry dogs in crates in the back of the forrester. had i realized that when i have crates, or any other large item in back you do not have access to the back, i would have never purchased the car. i believe this is a safety issue. i called the dealer and asked how to open the back of the car and they said you have to remove a panel. if you are on fire--you have to wait to get the panel off to get the door open, but if you can't get to the back because of dog crates, baby carriages, cribs, playpens etc. how would you get out. i would like to give a written hard copy report. 2. subaru knows there is a problem with the headgasket? manifold gasket that there is a defect. when it goes bad, you make the fix it will never happen again--why does the owner have to foot the bill when i was told, by the mechanic, that in fact subaru knows this and it is only a matter of time before the gasket will go, but once you make the correction it will never happen again. *tr | |||