Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 09/12/2012 | 85000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2009 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving approximately 85 mph, a vibration harmonic buzz was heard from underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. the technician stated the heat shield needed to be repaired. the vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time for the same failure and same repairs were done. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 90,000. | |||
| 10/03/2012 | 52500 | 1 | |
| I was driving to work, and the car wouldn't accelerate, it also handled roughly. the check engine light, cruise control light was flashing, along with vehicle dynamics control warning light. i had my car towed, as it wasn't drivable. my local garage repaired my car, i received 4 new spark plugs, and an air filter. 9 days later the check engine light came on, as well as the cruise control light, and the vehicle dynamics warning light, again it was repaired, this had to do with the catalytic converter message, but all my local garage could find was a small leak near the manifold that they repaired. 2 days later the check engine light went on again, i now called my subaru dealership, they replaced a faulty catalyst converter, and af sensor, the also changed my oil, as it was due, and suggested i have a transmission fluid flush and refill, and that my rear and front differentials, needed a drain and refill. 5 days passed another check engine light, this time it was flashing, i had to have my car towed, the subaru dealership discovered the wrong spark plugs were put in initially, and replaced them with platinum tip spark plugs that my model takes. 4 days passed another check engine light, with being unable to accelerate, i was going up hill, so i continued on, to reach a parking lot, i could stop in but suddenly, it felt like something unblocked, this made the check engine light go away, until 2 days later, another check engine light, i once again brought my car back to the dealership, the mentioned something about the catalyst converter, but said it was 'too soon so they left the work order open , in case it occurred again,and gave me this lecture about the grade of gas i am buying. 4 days later the check engine light returned, this time subaru discovered the my other o2 sensor was faulty, and they would replace it, when the part comes in. *tr | |||
| 04/23/2012 | |||
| For some odd reason on monday, april 23 my check engine light came on, my awd indicator, and the cruise control light started flashing all at once. i came into work and googled the above items along with my make and model of the car...much to my surprise multiple links, items, and threads appeared. so i read most of them and this appears to be a systemic problem with subaru's throughout the united states and canada. i became concerned because no recall was issued and it seems more than coincidence that many people are having the same issue. please advise since i called the subaru dealer and they could have cared less. | |||
| 02/02/2010 | 7200 | 1 | |
| Driving east on ardsley rd. in scarsdale ny, my vehicle accelerated by itself. at the time i was starting to go downhill, curving right with a jersey barrier in the center of the roadway. i tried to go around the vehicle directly in front of me but my right rear sideswiped his left rear. it continued to accelerate around a right curve (downhill). i could not stop. i struck an s.u.v. just starting to move with traffic. the vehicle i sideswiped sustained no damage. both the vehicle i struck and my vehicle were heavily damaged (my auto is $4500). both vehicles towed from the scene. greenburgh (ny) police responded. no injuries as of this time. i reported this to the 800 number of subaru. they took all the information over the phone. i have not heard from them. i told them i was reporting this because i didn't know if anyone else experienced the same fright. the time was 4:50pm. *tr | |||
| 06/17/2009 | 1400 | 1 | |
| Unexplained engine acceleration. started vehicle in a parked position, was preparing to pull out, engine suddenly accelerated to top rpm and was surging. still in neutral, wheels turned slightly to left. could find nothing that may have caused this, placed foot on brake upon hearing the engine acceleration, floor mats were in proper position, etc. shut engine off, restarted and things returned to normal. still consider it a dangerous defect that needs immediate attention by subaru. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 09/03/2010 | |||
| Driver was backing up vehicle, when it accelerated rapidly, causing loss of control and traffic crash where a pedetrian was backed over, pinned and killed. drive had no explanation of why this happened. passenger in vehicle claims there had to have been mechanical defect. | |||
| 12/01/2009 | 1 | ||
| Car engine races sometimes when slowing down . *tr | |||
| 02/01/2009 | 2000 | 1 | |
| Bought the 2009 forester in december 08. drove fine for the first two months. then it started to lag in its shifting. if i was about to stop at a light and the light changed, i put my foot back on the gas and car would not accelerate so i give it more gas and then it kicks in hard almost causing an accident to the car in front of me. it doesn't happen all the time. so i thought it was just me. until i was driving on the highway about 16 miles from home got off the exit and it did it again. i have had the car in to the dealer 4 times this year for the same problem. the first time tech reset the computer and it drove fine for 3 days then started again. it happens in all types of situations when it wants to. my other mechanic felt the same thing had me take it back to dealer. i am frustrated with driving it. i am also now having the vehicle making loud noises and rough idling, mysterious acceleration that will adjust after car in turned off and on again and a burning smell coming from the engine after being driven. i drive locally a couple of days a week. subaru dealer wants to take my vehicle home to evaluate transmission. i was told it was because it is a learning transmission, so why hasn't it learned how i drive and i'm the only one driving car. *tr | |||
| 06/20/2009 | 7064 | 1 | |
| Vehicle: 2009 subaru forester limited, on 6/20/09 i experienced an incident of unintended acceleration. cruise control was on. before our exit i canceled the cruise control but left it on. on the ramp, i let the car slow. at about 40 mph i moved the shift lever into | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| 04/30/2008 | 100 | 1 | 04/21/2008 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2009 subaru forester. when engaging the clutch, the manual transmission revved up to approximately 4000 rpm | |||