2006 Subaru Forester Problems & Complaints

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.

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.

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.

It just the airbags light turn on

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.

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.

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

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

RCN 07V043000

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EVERY TIME I REACH SPEED OF 80MPH IN THE FREEWAY MY STEERING WHEEL IS VIBRATING OUT OF CONTROL

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.

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.

2006 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES STATING THAT RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BEING A REQUIREMENT ON VEHICLES. *LD *TR

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP TO PURCHASE A SET OF NEW TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS NO POINT OF REPLACING THE TIRES BECAUSE BOTH FRONTAL CONTROL ARMS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD TO BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CRASH WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT. THE CRASH WAS ON A MAIN ROADWAY IN LONG ISLAND NY.

WENT TO DEALERSHIP (HERITAGE, SUBARU IN CATONSVILLE, MD) TO GET LEVER CONTROL ARM ON 2006 SUBARU FORESTER REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER VERBALLY AFTER CAR IN SHOP FOR A WEEK THAT DUE TO RUST, THREADING IF REPLACED AND ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OCCUR IT WOULD COST ME UP TO 9K FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. OFFER MADE, REQUESTED IT IN WRITING, TOLD I NEED TO DISCUSS WITH MY ATTORNEY. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 5/31/2018 AND WAS DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE IN GETTING THE RECALLS UP TO DATE. I WOULD TAKE A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS IF I WAS TO SELL THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. LOOKING TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO ME.

ON JULY 30, 2017, WHILE DRIVING ON A SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN FREEWAY (M-14), OUR 2006 SUBARU FORESTER'S ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING CAUGHT FIRE. EMERGENCY PERSONNEL RESPONDED AND VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. EVEN OLDER VEHICLES SHOULD NOT SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE WITHOUT A REASON. THIS WAS A VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT FOR OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE AND ONE HAD TO TAKE ANTI-ANXIETY MEDICATION. UPDATED 10/23/2017*JS

UPON START UP IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT MADE MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER FEEL VERY ILL. HAD TO EXIT MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER XT. INSPECTED ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND LEAKING FUEL LINES. GOOGLED THE PROBLEM TO DISCOVER IT IS REACURRENT WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AS EVIDENT BY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN SUBARU FORUMS, GOOGLE SEARCH, AND FB PAGES. THIS IS A DANGER TO HEALTH AND SAFETY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. VEHICLE IS UNDER 100,000 MILES. LEAKING FUEL DRIPS DIRECTLY ONTO THE ENGINE CYLINDER AND CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE TURBOCHARGER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENGINE FIRE! HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK ALSO FROM THE FUEL FUMES IN THE ENGINE CABIN. SUBARU DEALERSHIP QUOTED $1,300. TO FIX.

VEHICLE HAS 44,000 MILES ON MAY 20TH WHILE IN TRAFFIC, CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT, CAR THEN BOUNCED OFF AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AGAIN. ON MAY 25TH WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; I HAD TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL TO GET IT TO STOP. BOTH TIMES THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BOTH TIMES THE SUBARU SERVICE COULD FIND NO CAUSE. NEITHER DID A REP FROM THE MANUFACTURER.

I PURCHASED A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP ON 5/10/2016.. IT HAD A NEW CAR SMELL WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT THAT SMELLED LIKE ARMOR ALL, SO BELIEVED THE SMELL WOULD SUBSIDE. HOWEVER, NOT ONLY DID IT NOT SUBSIDE IT HAS GROWN WORSE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL REACTIONS TO THIS SMELL. MY EYES HAVE BEEN BURNING, NOSE IRRITATION, SORE AND SWELLING THROAT AND THE WORST I'M HAVING ASTHMA ATTACKS EVER SINCE I'VE STARTED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS TIME SO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING, HICH HAS LEAD ME TO THIS SITE.

PURCHASED IN AK IN 2006. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE. --- IN COLD WEATHER, DESPITE BEING GARAGED, INTERMITTENT STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN GARAGE AND UPON START-UP. SOMETIMES THE ODOR IS PRESENT BEFORE STARTUP. OTHER TIMES ODOR NOT PRESENT UNTIL ENGINE STARTS. GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARMS. USED TO BE IN ONLY VERY COLD WEATHER, THEN IN 2015 IT HAPPENED IN COLD BUT NOT AS COLD WEATHER. RECENTLY, IN 2016, IT HAPPENED IN GARAGE IN WARM WEATHER STATE, SO COLD WEATHER NO LONGER NECESSARY VARIABLE. AGAIN, IT IS INTERMITTENT. THIS ISSUE FIRST BECAME NOTICEABLE IN WINTER OF 2014.

PURCHASED IN AK IN 2007. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. ONGOING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE: DOORS' LOCKS ELECTRONIC-RESPONSES UNPREDICTABLY FAIL. SOMETIMES THEY WORK; OTHER TIMES LOCKS MUST BE OPENED MANUALLY. (SIDE NOTE: WINDOWS RATTLE DISTINCTLY WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS; WINDOWS AND DOORS HAVE ALWAYS FELT TOO LOOSE.) HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL-LIGHTS FAIL SOONER THAN NORMAL, INDICATING AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM CAUSING SHORTS.THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ONGOING FROM PURCHASE IN 2007 TO CURRENT 2016.

PURCHASED IN AK IN 2006. APPROXIMATELY 13,000 MILES ON ENGINE. PAPERWORK LISTED ENTRY-POINT: HAWAII. CURRENT 2016 MILEAGE: LESS THAN 60,000. WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE.----- UPON ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE SOMETIMES LURCHES AND REVS TOO HIGH TOO FAST, AND THEN SETTLES INTO HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO FEEL AND SOUND. OTHER TIMES, IT SUDDENLY LOSES POWER INSTEAD, LURCHING DOWN LIKE WE'VE TAKEN OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS (BUT WE HAVEN'T BECAUSE WE ARE ON A HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY!), VERY BRIEFLY AND THEN RECOVERS.ONE TIME, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, IT FELT LIKE I'D LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR WAS GOING TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY, BUT IT IMMEDIATELY RECOVERED AND THEN FELT NORMAL.

THE HOOD LATCH WILL NOT ENGAGE ALL OF THE TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED RANDOMLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I'VE HAD MY SHOP REPAIR IT MORE THAN ONCE, BUT IT NEVER WORKS FOR LONG. I NEVER TRY TO DRIVE UNTIL I GET A SOLID LOCK.

THE HEADLIGHTS LEAK I HAD TO REPLACE ONE ABOUT $450.00 BECAUSE IT HAD WATER IN IT . THE PASSENGER SIDE NOW HAS WATER IN IT I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT ALSO. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES I WOULD THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE YOU COULD MAKE A HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT LEAK AND BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT IN DEC 2016

THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER FAILED ON MAY 15, 2015. THERE WAS NO WARNING (NO SOUND, NO SHIMMYING, NO STEERING ISSUES) TO SUGGEST THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE MAIN SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IN 2012, SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR FORESTERS AND IMPREZAS, RUSTPROOFING THE CONTROL ARMS. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AT THAT TIME, AND HAVE THE PAPERWORK THAT INDICATES THAT THIS SERVICE WAS PERFORMED. I THEREFORE ASSUMED THE CAR WAS SAFE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER RECALL. MY CAR HAD 118,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I AM NOT AN AGGRESSIVE, POOR OR OFF-ROAD DRIVER. MY HUSBAND IS EXPERIENCED WITH CARS AND CAR REPAIRS, AND HE ALSO HEARD AND FELT NOTHING TO SUGGEST MY CAR MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN HE DROVE THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, I WAS EXITING A ROTARY ONTO A HIGHWAY, SO HADN'T YET REACHED FULL SPEED. THE CAR GLIDED ACROSS ANOTHER LANE AS I HIT THE BRAKE, AND A RAISED DIVIDER KEPT THE CAR FROM CONTINUING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS FAILURE COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE WITH A SIMILAR CAR HISTORY. THAT PERSON COULD BE DRIVING AT FULL SPEED, AND MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I WAS IN BEING ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. A DEPUTY SHERIFF CALLED AAA FOR ME, AND I WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED BOTH CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BARS, AND THE AXLE. SUBARU PAID FOR ALL THE REPAIRS, AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TOWING. IN 2014, THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED; I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING CORRECTLY. SUBARU DIDN'T COVER THAT EXPENSE, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I SHOULD HAVE INSISTED THAT THEY DO SO. THE EXPERIENCE SUGGESTED TO ME, HOWEVER, THAT I WOULD HAVE PLENTY OF WARNING SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THE OTHER CONTROL ARMS. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE IN MY SITUATION, AND OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE OF AWARE OF THE EXTREME DANGER THEY FACE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE STARTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND DETERMINED TO BE DESTROYED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS BY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT AND UNDER THE SPARE TIRE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE PASSENGER CABIN SMELLS LIKE GAS DUE A FUEL LEAK. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN VERY COLD WEATHER. *TR

WHEN THE TEMP GETS INTO THE TEENS OR LOWER GAS LEAKS IN AND AROUND THE ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! I HAVE FOUND FUEL NEAR AREA THAT GET VERY HOT, AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY STARTING ON FIRE. SOA RECALLED A FEW YEARS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT ALL THAT ARE AFFECTED. *TR

IN FEBRUARY 2013 MY FORESTER DEVELOPED A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL. AFTER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE RUBBER FUEL LINES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL. I PAID $550 FOR REPAIR. NOW TODAY I HAVE ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO DEVELOP A FUEL ODOR AND ASSUMING WHEN I INVESTIGATE I WILL FIND ANOTHER LEAK. UPON RESEARCHING I SEE NUMEROUS POSTS IN FORUMS AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL AS SOME ON YOUR GUYS WEBSITE INDICATING SIMILAR ISSUES. ADDITIONALLY A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2003 WRX FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM (09V46800). THIS ISN'T A CAR SPECIFIC ISSUE, THIS IS AN ENGINE SPECIFIC ISSUE AND THE DESIGNS OF ALL OF THESE ENGINES ARE VERY SIMILAR, SO ALL ENGINES WITH RUBBER LINES LOCATED IN THIS AREA SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND IS GOING TO COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE AND/OR CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN ONE OF THESE CARS BURSTS INTO FLAMES. SUBARU SHOULD BE MUCH MORE PROACTIVE WITH THIS ISSUE AND FIX FUEL LINE LEAKS LIKE THIS AT NO COST AND IMMEDIATELY, THERE IS NO REASON A 7 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE FUEL LINE FAILURE. I SHOULD HAVE NEVER PAID FOR IT THE FIRST TIME AROUND AND I WON'T PAY FOR IT THIS TIME. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN BASED ON A RECALL SENT BY MY DEALERSHIP FOR MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER LL BEAN MODEL ORIGINAL OWNER. THEY COMPLETED TO SERVICE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE NONE OF WHICH ARE LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE.WVL22 AND WVU31. THE WVU31 WAS TO REPROGRAM MY ECM. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME AFTERWARDS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND MY CRUISE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I CALLED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY WHO ADVISED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS SOLID AND NOT FLASHING WHICH IT WAS. HE DENIED IT COULD BE RELATED TO THE WVU31 REPROGRAM OF THE ECM BUT I ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS FINE NOT DUE FOR ANY SERVICE AND HAD NO ISSUES PRIOR TO BRINGING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPROGRAM. I NOW HAVE TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ONLY "IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS RELATED TO THE RECALL" WOULD THEY FIX IT. I BELIEVE THIS IS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY THE REPROGRAM OF THE ECM AND THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON A WEBSITE REGARDING MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT WITHIN MILES OF DRIVING AFTER THE WVU31 REPROGRAM FIX THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THEY WERE ALL TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO FIX SOMETHING OR REPAIR SOMETHING AT A COST. THIS IS UNCONCEIVABLE AS I NOW HAVE TO RETURN TO A DEALERSHIP THAT IS OUT OF MY WAY, MISS WORK AND RETURN THE VEHICLE AND ONLY HOPE THAT THEY DO NOT CLAIM IT IS ANOTHER PROBLEM. IF THEY DO THEN I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS WVU 31 REPROGRAM IS DEFECTIVE AND IS CAUSING ISSUES THAT ARE LEADING TO ADDITIONAL AND UNNECESSARY REPAIRS. MY CAR WAS JUST FINE AND BELIEVE HAD I DONE NOTHING AS I AM PLANNING TO BUY A NEW CAR THIS YEAR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. BUT I TRIED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE. I BELIEVE THIS IS TOTALLY ERROR PRONE. *TR

ON COLD MORNINGS, THE CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF FUEL. THE ODOR GOES AWAY AFTER WARMING UP, AND IS ONLY ON COLD MORNINGS. *TR

2006 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE SOME UNUSUAL SOUNDS. SHE PULLED OVER TO CHECK THE TIRES, BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE. HOWEVER, EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL, SO SHE CONTINUED DRIVING. AS SHE DROVE A LITTLE FURTHER AND MADE A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKES WENT OUT. SHE SLOWLY EASED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE WHEEL BEARING BROKE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAME BEARING WAS REPLACED ON APRIL 29, 2011. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. *JB

THE BUS HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY SON. I TURNED ON THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL TO THE CORNER WHERE I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. (ABOUT 4 CAR LENGTHS FROM MY ORIGINAL PARKED SPOT) ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WAS NOT RESPONDING TO MY FOOT OR STEALING COMMANDS. I ROLLED ONTO THE FRONT LAWN OF THE CORNER PROPERTY. AS SOON AS WE CAM TO A STOP I SHUT THE ENGINE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I OPENED THE DOOR, TOOK A LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEN TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. I STARTED THE CAR AND IT WAS MAKING LIKE A REVING NOISE. I WHEN TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OFF THE LAWN (ALL THE WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LURCH BACKWARDS WITH SUCH FORCE AND SPEED. I WAS ALMOST STANDING IN PLACE WITH THE FORCE I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND AND I CAME TO A FULL STOP AFTER CROSSING THE ROAD AND INTO ANOTHER FRONT LAWN AND CRASHING IN TO THE PORCH OF THAT PROPERTY. TOTALED VEHICLE !!! *TR

FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE RADIATOR FAN. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

I ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON 8/26/2012 AT 8:00 PM, PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO SLEEP. AT 2:00 AM I HEARD AN EXPLOSION, WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE TO VERIFY WHAT IT WAS AND FOUND MY FORESTER IN FIRE. WITH THE HELP OF MY NEIGHBORS WE CONTROL THE FIRE WITHIN AN HOUR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES CAME OUT OF THE FIRE; THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF THE FORESTER SUFFER A LOT OF DAMAGE, THE MOTOR OF THE GARAGE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE PAINT OF THE HOUSE, VERTICAL BLINDS AND OTHER BELONGINGS OF THE HOUSE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE. SUBARU/-FORESTER/2006 RECALL NO.WVC-13 RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE WAY THAT MY CAR GOT IN FIRE HAS TO BE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL.SHORT CIRCUIT, HAVING AS A RESULT THE FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR. THE VIN OF MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOUR AGENCY COULD DO AN INVESTIGATION THAT AS A RESULT HAVE THE VIN OF MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WVC-13. *TR

AS I WAS WAITING TO PULL INTO A SMALL PARKING LOT, AN AUTO WAS PULLING OUT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR HIM TO EXIT. AS SOON AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD FULL SPEED TOWARDS THE EXITING CAR AND I TURNED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID A COLLISION BUT WENT FULL SPEED INTO A WALL (SIDE OF A HOUSE) THE EXITING CAR WAS GRAZED, THE HOUSE WAS DAMAGED AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE SOUND OF ACCELERATION AS I RELEASED THE BRAKE WAS AS IF I DEPRESSED FULLY THE GAS PEDAL WHICH I DID NOT DO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WITHIN SECONDS, SPARKS WERE EMITTED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL BURNING. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR IT'S 90000 MILE SERVICE, I WAS SHOWN THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE HEAD GASKET. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARU FORESTERS FROM THE LATE 1990S THRU 2009. APPEARS TO BE A FAULTY DESIGN, WHICH SUBARU HAS NOT OWNED UP TO. MY ONLINE SEARCH LOCATED A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BY SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS ON THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT WHEELS SEIZED AND BECAME TWISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS APPOINTMENT WAS RESCHEDULED BECAUSE THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHER SUBARU OWNERS AND SUBARU SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT THEY WON'T ADMIT ITS THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER BRAND NEW FROM THE SUBARU DEALER IN CATONSVILLE, MD; RUSSELL SUBARU. THERE WERE NO MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. BOTH REAR BEARINGS WORE OUT ON MY CAR AT ALMOST THE SAME EXACT TIME. EVERY MECHANIC WITH WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES. MY BEARINGS WORE OUT AT ABOUT 70K MILES. THE SUBARU DEALER CHARGED ME APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REPLACE ONE OF THEM. THE OTHER COST ABOUT $600 AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS WON'T REPLACE THE BEARINGS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T WARRANTY THE WORK SO YOU END UP REPLACING THE HUB ASSEMBLY. THAT IS WHY IT COST SO MUCH. WHEN IT WEARS OUT IT FIRST STARTS TO SQUEAL AND MAKE A NOISE THAT GETS PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE TO MODERATE SPEED. MY CAR NOW HAS 140K MILES AND MY WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEGUN MAKING NOISE AGAIN. AT A COST OF ($600 - $800) X 2, THIS CLEARLY SEEMS LIKE A POOR DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO SPEND SO MUCH MONEY FOR THE SAME PART IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. THE PART WORE OUT ALMOST PRECISELY AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. EVERY PERSON I KNOW WITH A SUBARU FORESTER HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS FORUMS ON THE WEB FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. SUBARU SHOULD PAY THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS NOT TYPICAL OF WHAT A BUYER WOULD EXPECT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR A NEARLY $30K VEHICLE. ASIDE FROM THE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR WHEEL/HUB ASSEMBLY, I HAVE BASICALLY BEEN PLEASED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF MY SUBARU. *TR

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL CONFIRMED BY DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2011. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS WELL. UPDATED EVOQ 10/26/11

VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO PURSUANT TO A SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING THE FUEL FILTER. AS A RESULT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE DAMAGED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE RECALL. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY OVERHEATED AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, WITHOUT ANY CHECK ENGINE SENSOR OR OTHER INDICATOR SIGNIFYING SUCH A PROBLEM. *TR

OWNER OF 2006 SUBARU FORESTER WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH WHEN PRESS BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY CAR ACCELERATED BUT IT REDUCED SPEED WHEN PEDAL WAS PRESSED AGAIN. CAR MILEAGE IS 56,000. IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBUARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH EXITING PARKING LOT. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT EXERTED FULL BODY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY AND THEN SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CONTINUED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL AGAIN (5000MILES LATER) AFTER BEING REPAIRED BY SUBARU DEALER WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. CAN SMELL HOT OIL AFTER A LONG DRIVE ON FREEWAY AND HAVE SEEN WISPS OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN UNDERHOOD OIL FIRE IF LEAK GETS WORSE. *TR

I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, THE GAS PEDAL STUCK & I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS & TRYING TO FIRMLY APPLY MY BRAKES- I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING . MY BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR & EVEN IN NEUTRAL WITH MY BRAKES ON I CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE & I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK & TURN OFF ENGINE. IT SMELLED LIKE BURNED RUBBER AFTER I STOPPED. OF NOTE, IT WAS A RAINY DAY. I PLAN TO BRING IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. I DID READ SOME BLOGS TODAY WITH A FEW PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ONE PERSON COMMENTED THAT THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP & NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY & UNSAFE PROBLEM. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH FOR SUBARU FORESTER RECALLS & COULD NOT FIND ONE FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. ON FEBRUARY 20, 2009, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT LESS THAN 6 MPH, THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. HER STERNUM WAS BROKEN AND SHE SUFFERED MAJOR LACERATIONS AND BRUISES TO HER KNEES AND LEGS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 25,400. UPDATED 8/3/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 08/05/09.*JB

ENGINE LIGHT, FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED AIR PUMP (PART #14828AA030) AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULATOR. DEALER DISCOUNT 50% "GOODWILL." PART WAS 4,611 OUT OF WARRANTY. ONE WEEK LATER SAME PROBLEM RETURNED, DEALER STATES CAR NEEDS OXYGEN VALVES AND THERE IS A NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON PARTS. SUBARU IS OFFERING THE PARTS FOR FREE (INDICATING THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM) BUT WANTS TO CHARGE LABOR ~$500. PARTS MAY BE UNAVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. FIRST SERVICE FAILED TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP CAUSED BY MY VEHICLE'S DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE BODY. THIS HESITATION IS ONGOING DESPITE AN ECM REPROGRAMMING DONE BY THE DEALER ON 12/16/08. IT IS BAD ENOUGH THAT I'M AFRAID I'M GOING TO GET INTO A COLLISION SOMETIME. *TR

HEAD GASKET LEAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CYLINDER HEAD OF A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER X. MOM'S CAR (ALSO A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER X) HAS IDENTICAL HEAD GASKET LEAK BUT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CYLINDER HEAD. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF OIL DRIPPING ON THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. MY CAR HAS HAD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HER CAR IS YET TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

THE MOON ROOF DOES NOT ALWAYS CLOSE. ALL THE WAY. AT TIMES IT WILL GO TO A POINT WHERE IT JUST GOES BACK AND FORTH. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES PRIOR TO ME BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY NEED A NEED MOTOR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I WAS TOLD IT JUST NEEDED AN ADJUSTMENT AND TO BRING IT IN AGAIN IF THE PROBLEM RECURS. IT OCCURRED TWICE THE NEXT DAY. I CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT UNLESS THE ROOF CURRENTLY WAS NOT CLOSING THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. SINCE THAT TIME THERE WAS ONLY ONE OTHER TIME THE ROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE IT EVENTUALLY CLOSED PROPERLY. *TR

THIS INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER MY LAST OIL CHANGE AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES. DURING FOUR OF THE LAST EIGHT TIMES I HAVE REFUELED MY 2006 SUBARU FORESTER, WHICH NOW HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES, THE FILLING PUMP HAS NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF WHEN MY GAS TANK WAS FULL. AS A RESULT, GASOLINE OVERFLOWED FROM MY FUEL TANK AND SPILLED OUT. FORTUNATELY, NO FIRE HAS RESULTED, AND I HAVE MANAGED TO DODGE THE SPRAY. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SPILLING GASOLINE, AND I FEAR THAT I WILL ONE DAY SPILL GASOLINE ON MYSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT FOUR DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS OVER THE PAST MONTH, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH MY CAR. THE GAS STATIONS WERE TAYLOR #80 IN AMARILLO, TX; EXXON IN CHILDRESS, TX; LOVE'S IN ENCINAL, TX; AND SHELL AT THE CORNER OF CALTON AND SAN DARIO IN LAREDO, TX, AND THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON MAY 9, MAY 19, JUNE 3, AND JUNE 5, RESPECTIVELY. AGAIN, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE, CHEMICAL INJURY, AND WASTE OF MONEY. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED SUBARU AS OF YET BECAUSE I WAS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE PROBLEM WAS WITH MY VEHICLE OR THE GAS STATIONS. I WILL SOON CONTACT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY REPORT. *TR

MY SUBARU FORESTER 2006 HAS SPOTS OF PAINT CHIP ALL OVER IT. SUB DEALER SAID A REP WILL CALL, NO CALL YET. HE SAYS THEIR ROCK CHIPS I TOOK IT TO A AUTO BODY PAINT SHOP ONE OF THE TECH'S SAID IT'S VERY ODD FOR THEIR TO BE ROCK CHIPS ALL OVER THE CAR WE LIVE IN THE CITY. I SAY IT A BAD PAINT JOB!! *TR

REAR TAILGATE HYDRAULIC STRUTS FAIL AND TAIL GATE FALLS! THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ON MY 2006 SUBARU FORRESTER LL BEAN EDITION. THE STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE SINCE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FAILED EACH TIME WITH THE AUTHORIZED FACTORY REPLACEMENT PART. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED THE TAILGATE HIT ME IN THE HEAD AND ALMOST KNOCKED ME OUT. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES I WAS MORE AWARE AND WHILE THE TAILGATE STILL HIT ME IT WAS LIKE THE FIRST TIME ( THE REAR TAILGATE IS FAIRLY HEAVY). THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS- I WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE REPAIR INFORMATION TO GIVE YOU THE EXACT DATES AND REPAIRS DONE. HOWEVER, THE THIRD FAILURE WAS THIS MORNING (28 APR 08). IT WAS WORKING OK WHEN I LOADED MY TWO BRIEFCASES IN THE VEHICLE AT APPROX. 0730AM EDT. WHEN I MADE A STOP AT 0800 TO REMOVE ONE BRIEFCASE IT IMMEDIATELY FAILED- NO WARNING, NO INDICATION THAT IT WAS GOING TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURES WARRANTY AND HAS APPROX 31,431 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215/60R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A 1.5 INCH HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,700. UPDATED01/08/08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO ACTIVATE AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. ON EACH OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ALSO DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONCE OUT OF 20-30 STARTS. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WEIGHS 120 LBS AND IS 5'5 INCHES TALL. SHE SITS ERECTLY WITH THE SEAT BACK NEARLY VERTICAL. THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE "OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS WORKING AS ITS DESIGNED INTENT AND AS SUCH WE ARE UNABLE TO RECOMMEND A REPAIR OR MODIFICATION". THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,421. UPDATED 01/03/08 *BF OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND SAG DURING SLIGHT DOWNGRADES WITH THE THROTTLE HELD JUST OFF IDLE AND SPEED HELD CONSTANT, THE SPEED CONTROL OVER AND UNDER SHOOTS ON SLIGHT GRADES, IT WOULD NOT GO TO FULL THROTTLE, OR TO CLOSED THROTTLE WHEN SPEED CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. UPDATED *JB

ON OCT. 5,2007 - I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.AN ILLEGAL ALIEN WITHOUT A DRIVERS LICENSE WAS LOOKING FOR HIS CELL PHONE AND TRAVELING AT LEAST 15-20 MILES OVER THE POSTED SPEED - SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. IT SENT MY CAR THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND TURNED IT COMPLETELY AROUND. WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON THE SEATBACK OF MY DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED ONTO THE BACK SEAT. BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE - MY SEATBELT DID NOT PROTECT ME - IT NEARLY SEVERED MY LEFT EAR. I HAVE NO MEMORY OF ANY OF IT. I HAVE A BRAIN SLOSH INJURY - (SIMILAR TO SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME). I HAVE DOUBLE VISION, NECK PAIN, AND BACK PAIN. I HAVE MEMORY PROBLEMS AND LOST TWO WEEKS PAY FOR THE TWO WEEKS I MISSED OF WORK. I STILL HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS A MONTH LATER, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, IF YOU WANT TO EAT AND HAVE BILLS TO PAY - YOU HAVE TO WORK! *TR

SINCE PURCHASING MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW ON 7/4/05, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILS TO ACTIVATE THE FRONT AIRBAG FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE BOTH LARGER AND HEAVIER THAN THE PURPORTED CUTOFF OF 80-POUND CHILDREN. THE PASSENGER IS 5'3", 105LBS, YET THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES TO THE "OFF" POSITION INTERMITTENTLY DESPITE THE PASSENGER SITTING STRAIGHT. THE AIRBAG ALSO SOMETIMES FAILS TO ARM UPON START UP OF THE CAR, AND WILL REMAIN "OFF" FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. THE CAR WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SAFETY CAMPAIGN, IN WHICH MY PASSENGER SEAT WIRING WAS ALREADY CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND FOUND TO BE ROUTED PROPERLY, WHICH MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE AIRBAG IF ROUTED IMPROPERLY. THUS, THE WIRING IS A NON-ISSUE. THE FAULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SENSING EQUIPMENT. ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, ENDED IN BEING TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM IS "WORKING AS DESIGNED". I CONTACTED SUBARU CORPORATE AND LOCAL DEALER ON 10/18/07, WHO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX/CHANGE THE SITUATION, AS THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, NOR DO THEY PERCEIVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. I ALREADY EXPLAINED TO SUBARU THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER KNOWN OWNERS OF 06-08 FORESTER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT 130LB PASSENGERS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT WHILE THE INTENT OF SUBARU'S DESIGN WAS GOOD, THE DESIGN IS FLAWED, AS THE SENSOR PAD IS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH FOR MANY PASSENGERS, AND THE INTERMITTENT-NATURE OF THE SENSOR IS QUITE DANGEROUS SHOULD A FRONTAL-IMPACT OCCUR. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED ON MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR IN WHICH I STARTED TAKING NOTICE, AND THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX, NOR HAVE I BEEN TOLD THAT SUBARU IS ADMITTING TO A PROBLEM OR SEEKING A SOLUTION. THIS IS A BIG LIABILITY AND SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE, AND HOPE TO FIND SOME RESOLUTION. *TR

YOKOHAMA TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT ABOUT 10 MPH. TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD 12,500 MILE ON IT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AS THE 06 FORRESTER IS AWD. *TR

2006 SUBARU FORESTER BUMPER SCRATCHED AND REPAIRED WITHOUT CUSTOMER KNOWING. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HER THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW. GETTING IT REPAIRED BECAUSE OF A MINOR FENDER BENDER THE REPAIRMAN SAID THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE.**NAR**KB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP TO HAVE THE BUMPER REPAIRED, HOWEVER WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO SAND THE BUMPER, PAINT FLEW OFF IN BIG CHUNKS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER EVIDENCE SHOWED THE BUMPER HAD BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED PAINT WOULD NOT STICK TO THE BUMPER WHICH INDICATED IT HAD NOT BEEN SANDED CORRECTLY IN THE PAST AND THE BOLTS WERE NOT FASTENED CORRECTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO HER AS NEW. *JB

EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TWICE. , ONCE WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY TO PASS AND THE GAS PEDAL APPEARED TO STICK., AND ONCE WHEN PULLING UP TO A CURBSIDE AS THE BRAKE WAS APPILED AND THE VECHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD COLLIDING INTO A PARKED CAR AND PUSHING IT FORWARD. I HAD TO JAM HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. *AK

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN THE STREET, MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. PERHAPS I TURNED A LITTLE TOO SHARPLY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE AND ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE CAR "RAN AWAY" WHILE I TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO BRAKE IT. HIT THE BUILDING. I BACKED AWAY AND IT SURGED BACKWARD AND HIT A TREE. THEN I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO PARK AND TURN IT OFF.

MY WIFE AND LEASED TWO NEW 2006 SUBARU FORESTERS IN MAY 2006. SINCE WE OBTAINED THE VEHICLES BOTH EXHIBITED A HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLES TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. I THEN CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION. I THEN SENT TWO LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF SUBARU. CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED ME AGAIN AND SAID THAT MY PROBLEM WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM SINCE TESTS SHOWED EVERYTHING OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION. I FINALLY GOT THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO EXAMINE BOTH OF MY VEHICLES AND HE STATED THE SAME AS CUSTOMER SERVICE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. SUBARU SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLES. THEY OFFERED ME $1,500 PER VEHICLE IF I WERE TO TRADE THEM IN FOR NEW SUBARUS. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THIS AMONT WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSES OF BREAKING THE EXISTING LEASES AND LEASING TWO NEW VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT THIS HESITATION PROBLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOU HAVE TO CONCERN YOURRSELF WITH THE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO MORE THAN 30 MPH WHEN GENTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. AFTER MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE AROUND A BUILDING THREE TIMES THE IGNITION WAS ABLE TO BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER , FIRST TEAM AUTO MALL, AND NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4,000.*AK

ON COLD START THE ENGINE RACES UNCONTROLLABY UP TO APPROXIMATELY 3500 RPMS AFTER CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED. IT RACED UP AND DOWN UNTIL IT WARMED FULLY UP. IT SOMETIMES RACES LIKE THIS AFTER HIGH SPEED DRIVING WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP. *AK

IN LATE 2006 I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND IDLING THERE IS A STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL COMING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS "ON" AND THE RECIRCULATION BUTTON IS OFF. DURING A DECEMBER 05, 2006 SERVICE (30,000 MI @ THIS TIME) VISIT AT THE MANUFACTURER'S DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE DEPT. STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SMELL. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 33,000 MI AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS ISSUE INVOLVE A FLAMMABLE FLUID THIS COULD RESULT IN A SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE 2006 SUBARU FORESTER THAT I HAVE. IT HAS LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON IT AND CONTINUALLY FAILS TO START, WHETHER FROM A COLD START OR A WARM START. THE ENGINE WILL ATTEMPT TO CRANK BUT WILL NOT CATCH AND ACTUALLY TURN OVER. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE ACC POSITION TO "PRIME THE LINES." I'VE NEVER HEAD OF HAVING TO PRIME A CAR IN THIS DAY AND AGE. HOWEVER, I SINCE HAVE TRIED DOING THAT AND THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. ALSO, THE CARE WILL SURGE IN POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHEN I LET UP ON THE GAS WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN ,THE CAR WILL ACTUALLY REV UP. THIS HAPPENED IN THE SNOW THE OTHER DAY AND I ALMOST COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. IF THAT CAR IS GOING TO SURGE LIKE THIS IT COMPLETELY NEGATES THE PURPOSE OF HAVING ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THIS IS A GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN. I THOUGHT SUBARU'S WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD CARS. I GUESS I THOUGHT WRONG. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THE SURGE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON OPENING THE DRIVER DOOR, THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ALSO DID NOT ILLUMINATE UPON OPENING THE DOOR. UPON OPENING THE PASSENGER DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CHARRED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC AROUND THE MANUAL GEARSHIFT HAD MELTED AND RESOLIDIFIED. THE FABRIC OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS APPEARED CHARRED AS WELL. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR SMOKE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CONTACTED, AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A REPRESENTATIVE OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK

WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAR WE NOTED THAT SUBARU INCLUDED YOKOHAMA TIRES TO WHICH WE COMPLAINED WE FELT THAT THESE TIRES WERE LESS THAN ADEQUATE. THE DEALER COUNTERED THAT THESE WERE GOOD TIRES AND THAT THEY WOULD SERVE OUR NEEDS. WE FOOLISHLY BELIEVED THE DEALER AND ON 29 JULY WE EXPERIENCED A SIDE WALL BLOWOUT. AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE WE TRAVELED TO A TIRE DEALER WHO AGREED TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT AFTER DISMOUNTING THE TIRE THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIRE WAS NG AND COULD NOT BE RE-MOUNTED. HE THEN PLACED A USED TIRE ON THE CAR, ASSUMING THAT SUBARU WOULD TAKE YOKOHAMA TO TASK AND THE TIRE WOULD BE REPLACED. SUBARU REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE CAR, THAT THESE TIRES MATCHED THEIR SPECIFICATIONS, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRE OR TIRES AS REQUESTED AT TIME OF SALE. RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE YOKOHAMA TIRE AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD, THAT THERE CAN BE NO REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER THEN ADDED THAT HE DOES NOT STOCK THIS TIRE, THAT HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT TIRE TO A CUSTOMER BUT IF THE CUSTOMER INSISTED HE WOULD ORDER THE TIRE, HE DOES NOT KEEP THEM IN STOCK. SUBARU WAS WILLING TO HELP TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY WERE WILLING TO MAKE THE DESIRED CHANGE IN TIRES. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO UNDERWRITE A PORTION OF A NEW SET OF TIRES IF I WAS WILLING TO PAY A PART OF COSTS. YES, BUT THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS OUR DISAGREEMENT WITH THE SUBARU CO AND THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLACING A SAFE TIRE ON THEIR VEHICLE. THEIR CLAIM IS THEIR DESIRE TO PROVIDE A SAFE VEHICLE FOR THEIR CUSTOMER. OUR FIRST SUBARU FILLED THIS NEED COMPLETELY BUT OUR. WE ARE SEEKING FROM SUBARU AND YOUR AGENCY HOW THEY CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS A SAFE TIRE FOR THIS CAR? WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE SUBARU COMPANY IS FAILING THEIR CUSTOMER BY PLACING THE DOLLAR BEFORE SAFETY. *JB

WHAT IDIOT DETERMINED THAT A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CONCERNING THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER-SEAT AIRBAG SHOULD BE ON 100% OF THE TIME? WHAT POSSESSED THAT SAME IDIOT TO REQUIRE THE COLOR YELLOW FOR SUCH LIGHT(S)? WHY CAN'T THE LIGHT BE DIMMED, OR EVEN ABLE TO BE SWITCHED OFF? AT NIGHT, SUCH A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS A VISUAL DISTRACTION. IT CONSTANTLY PULLS THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD AHEAD. THE LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, NO ONE IS JUMPING IN. IF THERE IS A PASSENGER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THAT SOUL IS NOT JUMPING OUT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMES TO A HALT. LOGICALLY, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE HESITATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HESITATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY EACH TIME. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

2006 FORESTER LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHT FOR SAFE TRAVEL. *TS ***TRANSFERRED TO NVS220**** THE HEAD LIGHT UNIT HAS A GROOVED, STRAIGHT-LINE DESIGNED AT THE TOP OF THE GLASS AREA THAT APPARENTLY CAUSES THE ROOM DARKENING EFFECT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

THIS IS A REPEATABLE EVENT THAT COULD LEAD TO AN INJURY: PURCHASED A NEW 2006 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X END OF OCTOBER 2005. AFTER APPROX. TWO WEEKS CAR BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE UNEXPECTED ENGINE RPM INCREASES IMMEDIATELY AFTER A "COLD START." WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED, ENGINE RPMS ARE AT AROUND 1500. PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, ENGINE RPMS SHOOT UP TO 3000+. THEN, AFTER PUTTING CAR IN 1ST GEAR, AND RELEASING CLUTCH, ENGINE RPMS DROP TO ABOUT 1500 BUT SLOWLY INCREASE TO AROUND 2500-3000 RPM AND VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES WITHOUT FOOT EVEN BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR. PROBLEM USUALLY CLEARS UP AFTER DRIVING A FEW MINUTES EXCEPT ON ONE OCCASION WHEN CAR HAD BEEN OPERATING FOR AROUND 15 MINUTES... WHEN I CAME HOME FOR LUNCH AND PULLED INTO OUR DRIVE AND PUT IN THE CLUTCH, THE RPMS SHOT UP TO AROUND 3000. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING WILL "RESET" THE RPMS TO AROUND 1500 UNTIL IT IS PUT IN GEAR ONCE AGAIN AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED: AFTER THE RPMS SHOT UP TO 3000+, I KEPT THE CLUTCH PRESSED TO SEE HOW LONG THE RPMS WOULD STAY AROUND 3000. THE RPMS DID A DECAYING SINUSOIDAL OSCILLATION OF ABOUT 6 CYCLES OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 30-45 SECONDS, FINALLY LEVELING OUT AROUNT 1500 RPM. *NM

APPARENTLY, SUBARU HAS GONE TO A ??DRIVE BY WIRE?? FOR AT LEAST 2006. THE 2006 FORESTER I HAVE HAS THE SURGING PROBLEM. IT IS WORST DRIVING DOWNHILL AND TRYING TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED IN EITHER MANUAL OR CRUISE CONTROL. THE STEEPER THE HILL THE WORSE THE SURGE. I LIVE IN THE COLORADO MOUNTAINS AND IF THERE WERE SNOW OR ICE THIS SURGE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE TRACTION AND GO OUT OF CONTROL. ACTIVELY ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING IS NOT A PROBLEM. THE SURGE OCCURS ONLY WHEN A CONSTANT SPEED IS ATTEMPTED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY A SUBARU DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND REPRODUCED ON ANOTHER 2006 FORESTER. SUBARU SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AND IS EXPECTED WITH THE DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS A DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL WITH THE SEVERE SURGE PROBLEM. *JB

VEHICLE- 2006 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON COLD STARTS, THE ENGINE RACES UNCONTROLLABLY UP TO 3500 RPM AFTER THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE BRISKLY TO 15-20 MPH. THIS HAS OCCURED REPEATEDLY SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN LATE SEPTEMBER. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE IS HESITATED AND SURGED. THIS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN WHEN TRAVELING DOWN A MOUNTAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND THE PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER CONCLUDED THERE WAS ACTUALLY NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED $1,000 GIFT CERTIFICATE AS INCENTIVE TO HAVE NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH THEM. *AK

FRONT HOOD OPENED TWICE IN MY WIFE CAR WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING. *NM