2001 Subaru Forester Complaint Log

CONSUMER STATED REAR WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THIS PART WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. *AK

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SUBURU FORESTER PURCHASED MAY 12, 2001 IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. IN MAY OF 2004 CAR BEGAN TO HAVE SLOW START UP IN LST. AND 2ND. GEARS. DEALER SAID HE DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM WORSENED AND PROGRESSED INTO 3RD, 4TH. AND 5TH. GEARS. UNTIL ONE DAY IN JULY WHILE ON HIGHWAY CLUTCH EXPLODED. DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN AS THOUGH BY A RACE CAR DRIVER WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. DEALER SUGGESTED IN MY JUNE 04 PHONE CALL THAT CAR MIGHT NEED A TUNE UP WHICH IS WHY I DID NOT HESITATE TO DRIVE IT WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AFTER LOOKING AT ATTORNEY INTERNET COMPLAINT SITE I FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR IF NOT EXACT COMPLAINTS AS I HAVE MADE TO DEALERSHIP. AT PRESENT DEALER HAS MY VEHICLE IN ANOTHER STATE AND TELLS ME I MUST PAY FOR THE 'CLUTCH DISC" AT L39. AND THE COST OF MY RENTAL CAR AT 30. DAY , REPAIR COULD TAKE 4-7 DAYS. ALSO, I PAID FOR THE TOW OFF THE HIGHWAY-THE FIRST TOW. THIS PROBLEM COULD COST ME $500. IF THE DEALER WOULD HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM INITIALLY IN MAY THIS WOULD HAVE NEVER OCCCURED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CHILDREN IN CAR. VEHICLE LOST 20 MILES SPPED IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY AND CALMLY MOVE OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND AWAIT STATE TROOPER HELP. MECHANICS TELL ME THAT DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SHOULD HAVE INVESTIGATED CLUTCH PROBLEMS WHEN I MADE COMPLAINTS OF LOSS OF POWER IN 1ST. AND 2ND. GEARS. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES ON MARCH 10, 2005, SHE TOTALED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, IT WENT INTO A DITCH. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN MAY 2004. THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS TRAFFIC INTO A DITCH. SHE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP; HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED A TIRE THAT WENT FLAT. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE SECOND TIME, WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD IT WENT ACROSS THE ROAD AGAIN. IT ENDED UP IN A DITCH AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT. SHE HASDTWO CRACKS ON L-1 AND BOTH T-9 AND T-10 NEED SURGERY. SHE ALSO HAS A CRACKED STERNUM. SHE HAD TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FIVE DAYS. SHE IS CURRENTLY SEEING A SPECIALIST AND AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. SHE FOUND AN ARTICLE IN THE SACREMENTO BEE ON APRIL 13, 2005 TITLE, CLICK AND CLACK. THIS ARTICLE WAS IN REFERENCE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN SUBARU'S.*AK

ON 3/31/2004 I WAS EXITING THE PARKING LOT OF A SUPERMARKET IN JACKSON, WHEN SUDDENLY, MY 2001 FORESTER LURCHED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AS I WAS BREAKING. IT WENT OUT INTO COOPER STREET (A VERY BUSY STREET). FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO ONCOMING CARS. IT CONTINUED OVER THE CURB AND HIT SEVERAL TREES BEFORE IT STOPPED. *NM

WHILE COASTING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM FORCED THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

DT: THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE BACK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. GOT LOUDER ON TURNS, MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT. *AK *SB *NM

RECALL WW-99 WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT WAS NOT FOUND AT THIS TIME. THERE WAS EXTERNAL COOLANT LEAK INTO THE HEAD GASKET, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. DEALER WAS ONLY FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, AND WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, YOKOHAMA TIRES THAT WERE UNDER THE PROPER INFLATION FOR THE VEHICLE CAUSED IT TO SLIP AND SLIDE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ALL WHEEL DRIVE.*AK *NM

VEHICLE ENGINE SPUTTERS, SURGES AND SHAKES INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN STOPPED. SOMETIMES ACCELERATOR SIGNIFICANTLY HESITATES PROVIDE ENGINE SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC OR MERGING. MECHANIC REPLACED COIL PACK, SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, PCV VALVE, ADJUSTED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. DEALER REPORTS PROBLEM UNKNOWN AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY AT 43,000 MILES

2001 SUBARU FORESTER (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) EXPERIENCES TERRIBLE "CLUTCH SHUDDER" (ALSO CALLED CLUTCH CHATTER AND CLUTCH JUDDER) STARTING FROM A STOP IN 1ST GEAR, AND OCCASIONALLY IN 2ND GEAR, MOST OFTEN WHEN CAR IS COLD (MORNING). THE SHUDDER IS EXTREMELY SEVERE, SHAKING THE WHOLE CAR AND RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER. SINCE THIS HAPPENS STARTING FROM A STOP, THE PROBLEM CREATES A HAZARD WITH INTERSECTIONS; THERE IS ENOUGH POWER TO GET THE CAR INTO AN INTERSECTION, THEN THE CLUTCH SHUDDER REQUIRES COMPLETE REAPPLICATION OF THE CLUTCH, CAUSING THE CAR TO REMAIN IN THE INTERSECTION FOR AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TIME.*AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER WHEN THE TWO RIGHT TIRES WERE ON ICE ,AND THE TWO LEFT TIRES WERE ON DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *AK *NM

WHEN TURNING THE TURN SIGNALS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, SUDDENLY PLUNGING YOU INTO DARKNESS. THE HEADLIGHT COVERS ARE MADE OF INFERIOR PLASTIC THAT CLOUDS OVER WITH AGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED BECAUSE IT LOOKED AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON WHEN THEY WERE.

AFTER A SNOW STORM I NOTICED MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER WOULD NOT DRIVE ON SLIPPERY SURFACES. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR, THE WHEELS SPUN AND NOT MUCH ELSE HAPPENED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 12/19/03 AND THEY LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS NUTS TO COMPLAIN THAT A CAR DIDN'T DRIVE PROPERLY ON PACKED SNOW AND ICE. THE ORIGINAL THOUGHT WAS THAT IT MUST BE POOR TIRES (BOUGHT NEW ALL SEASONS ON 10/02) OR THAT I NEEDED TO PURCHASE SNOW TIRES (FOR AN AWD?). AFTER PUSHING THE ISSUE, THE SERVICE MANAGER BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE, PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND HAD SOMEONE GUN THE ENGINE. THE FRONT WHEELS SPUN FAST (AS THEY SHOULD) AND THE BACK WHEELS WENT VERY SLOWLY. THEY SCRATCHED THEIR HEADS AND CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA FOR SOME HELP ON THE ISSUE. TURNS OUT THE VALVE THAT SUPPLIES FLUID TO THE REAR WHEELS MALFUNCTIONED/BURNT OUT/NO LONGER WORKED. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID NO SUCH LIGHT TO INDICATE A MALFUNCTION IN THE AWD SYSTEM HAS EVER EXISTED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CROSSED THEIR FINGERS THAT THE ONLY REPAIR I WOULD NEED WAS THE VALVE ($460 PARTS AND LABOR) AND WARNED ME THAT IF THIS HAD BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE I COULD BE IN FOR SOME MORE SERIOUS REPAIRS. I WAS ALLOWED TO TAKE THE CAR HOME BECAUSE I COULD DO NO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR (WAS TOLD IT SHUT DOWN). BROUGHT IT IN 12/31/03 FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE VALVE AND THEY DISCOVERED THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY BURNT. THE COST IS NOW ($1500). THIS PROBLEM WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER TO FIX IF THERE HAD BEEN A WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. A VALVE FOR THE AWD SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER MALFUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE. THE CAR IS NOT OLD ENOUGH (3 YEARS 60K MILES) TO HAVE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS!

ENGINE PINGING NOISE RESULTING FROM SHORT SKIRT VALVE DESIGN FAILURE. REQUESTED ADVICE FROM MANUFACTURE WAS TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIFE IS GREATLY REDUCED BY THIS PROBLEM. DEALER RECOGNITION HAS OCCURED REGARDING THIS FLAW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUBARU I HAVE PURCHASED. SIMILAR PROBLEM IN FIRST VEHICLE RESULTED IN DEALER REPLACEING SHORT BLOCK. ALTHOUGH DISAPPOINTED AT FLAW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FIRST DEALER PROMPTED PURCHASE OF SECOND VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE PINGING NOISE RESULTING FROM SHORT SKIRT VALVE DESIGN FAILURE. REQUESTED ADVICE FROM MANUFACTURE WAS TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIFE IS GREATLY REDUCED BY THIS PROBLEM. DEALER RECOGNITION HAS OCCURED REGARDING THIS FLAW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUBARU I HAVE PURCHASED. SIMILAR PROBLEM IN FIRST VEHICLE RESULTED IN DEALER REPLACEING SHORT BLOCK. ALTHOUGH DISAPPOINTED AT FLAW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT FIRST DEALER PROMPTED PURCHASE OF SECOND VEHICLE. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THEN IT GETS CLOSED IN THE DOOR BECAUSE IT HANGS LOOSE. IN THE BACK SEAT, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT HAS THE WRONG PART SO IT CANNOT BE LATCHED. BECAUSE OF THIS, I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE WITH MORE THAN 2 PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT.

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD TEMPERATURES TIRES LOOSE AIR. TIRES NEEDED AIR EVERY 10 MILES. THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY THE ALUMINUM RIMS BEING USED. THEY CORRODED AND LOST THEIR SEAL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE RPM'S WERE ACTING ERRATIC. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE COST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH *JB

UPON PICKING UP MY SUBARU FORESTER IN 2001, I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVING CORRECTLY. WAS TOLD CAR WAS FINE. BROKE DOWN 1 DAY LATER. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH. GOING FROM NEUTRAL TO FIRST CAR SHUDDERS. TOLD CAR IS FUNCTIOING AS DESIGNED. ON 11/4/03 BROUGHT CAR INTO NETWORK MAZDA SUBARU WITH COMPLAINT ABOUT CLUTCH TOLD IT WAS FINE AND FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED.. BROKE DOWN ON 11/9/03, CLUTCH PLATE BROKEN. NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A THING IN THE 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. PURCHASED CAR AT NEIL SUBARU, WENT TO GREGORIS SUBARU, NO SATISFACTION, WENT TO DEALERSHIP STATED ABOVE. SERVICE MANAGER RUDE AND TALKED DOWN TO ME, I FELT BECAUSE I WAS A WOMAN. MANUAL TRANS. NOT WORKING PROPERLY SINCE THE DAY I PICKED IT UP AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN. GREGORIS REPLACED CLUTCH AND SAID SOMETHING WAS BROKEN. NO SATISFACTION FROM SUBARU OR THE 3 DEALERS I HAVE WORKED WITH SO FAR. NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE.*AK

SEVERE CLUTCH SHUDDER ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. DEALER WON'T FIX. SAYS IT'S A GAS PROBLEM. IT'S NOT

AFTER BEING TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR SUBARU CLUTCHES TO HAVE CLUTCH JUDDER, AND NOW OUT OF MY 60,000 WARRANTY, I FIND THAT SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB TO FIX THE CLUTCH JUDDER PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AND I SHOULD GET A WARRANTIED REPAIR OF MY CLUTCH AS SHOULD OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WITH THIS MAUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK

2001 SUBARU FORESTER REPEATEDLY DECELERATES AND/OR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATES AT ALL SPEEDS, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WEATHER CONDITIONS. POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHE. ALREADY SOME NEAR MISSES.*AK

I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER. IN THE FALL OF 2002, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER (LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR). IN FEBRUARY 2003, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. IN JUNE 2003, THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING WENT BAD AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED/REPAIRED AGAIN BY THE DEALER. THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THESE VEHICLES BECAUSE THE REPAIRS ARE NOT EVEN LASTING SIX MONTHS. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. HAS BEEN COURTEOUS AND ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED AT NO CHARGE. *NLM

WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER S. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL PAINT CHIP ON THE HOOD. I ASKED THE SALESMAN IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALL OVER THE CAR. HE TOLD ME TO CHECK WITH THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. WELL NOW I HAVE LOTS OF CHIPPING ON MY CAR.I CALLED SUBARU OF AMARICA,THEY SENT A REP TO LOOK AT IT,HE TOLD ME IT WAS STONE CHIPPING.I POINTED OUT THE FACT THAT I HAD A SPOT WHEN I BOUGHT IT,HE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE SALES PERSON.I CALLED SUBARU BACK AND EXPRESSED MY DISSATISFACTION, WITH THERE REP AND HOW HE HANDLED THE SITUATION.I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL BE CALLING ME AFTER THEY DO SOME INVESTIGATING. I TOOK MY CAR TO SEVERAL AUTOBODY SHOPS AND THEY SEEM TO THINK THAT IT IS A PAINT DEFECT .I'M LOOKING FOR ANYONE ELSE THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY INFO ON THIS SITUATION.

WHEEL LUGS BOLTS: AT 40720 MILES (4/9/03) CAR WAS IN SUBARU DEALER FOR REAR BRAKES. TWO LUG BOLTS FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WERE FOUND TO BE SNAPPED AND FELL OFF IN THE MECHANICS HAND. THAT WAS A WEEK AGO. TODAY AFTER ABOUT 900 MILES TWO LUG BOLTS ON THE SAME WHEEL HAD SNAPPED OFF. DEALER TOWED THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED FOR 10+ MINUTES, THE CAR SPEED BEGINS TO DRAG AND SURGE (SUDDENLY SLOWS, THEN RESUMES SET SPEED). THE CAR SEEMS TO BE ACTIVELY PULLING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE IF I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE CRUISE SETTING, THE DRAGGING BACK AGAINST THE THROTTLE STILL OCCURS. IF THE CRUISE IS LEFT ENGAGED, THE LURCHING WORSENS, AND WHEN I EXIT THE FREEWAY THE (AUTOMATIC) TRANSMISSION DOESN'T WANT TO DOWN SHIFT. IT RESISTS UNTIL THERE'S A LOUD NOISE, THE REAR OF THE CAR BUCKS, AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR. THIS HAPPENS THROUGH EVERY GEAR, AND THEN AGAIN UPSHIFTING FROM A STOP: THE RPMS WIND UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL, THE CAR RESISTS SHIFTING, AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNTIL I STOP AND TAKE THE CAR OUT OF DRIVE, WHICH APPARENTLY RESETS IT. THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR IN WEATHER UNDER 70 DEGREES. THE DEALER HAS REPROGRAMMED AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE PER RECALL #WWF89, AND HAS ALSO REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE IGNITION RELAY, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S WINDING UP TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR AT 60 MILES AN HOUR, AND IT VIOLENTLY BUCKS INTO GEAR. ALSO, THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE UNPREDICTABLE. MOST RECENTLY, I WAS TESTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR IN RAINY WEATHER. WHEN IT BEGAN SURGING, I IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGED IT, BUT THE DRAG-BACK ON THE THROTTLE CONTINUED ANYWAY (THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT IN WHICH THE LURCHING CONTINUED AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL). I AM CONCERNED THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO OCCUR WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED AT ALL, AND ALSO THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO SEIZE UP WITHOUT WARNING. (NOTE: THE "INCIDENT DATE" ON THIS FORM IS THE DATE THE FIRST REPAIR WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY STARTED HAPPENING IN APRIL, 2003. THE "NUMBER OF FAILURES" IS AN ESTIMATE -- IT HAPPENS AS OFTEN AS I TEST IT.)*JB

THE REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT AGREE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS WERE PACKED WITH LEAVES AND STONES. CAR NEEDED TO BE PLACED ON LIFT TO REMOVE THE DEBRIS. COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL AND CONCERN ABOUT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. SUBARU TOOK FOUR HOURS TO PICK UP CAR. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FINALLY, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A SUBARU PROBLEM AND THEY INDICATED I SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR A HALF HOUR LABOR AND WOULD NOT PAY FOR TOW. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS (ISN'T THAT WHAT SUV'S ARE DESIGNED FOR?) I THINK THERE MUST BE A FLAW IN DESIGN OF FORESTER SUV. SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME IT HAPPENS TO HIS WIFE FREQUENTLY, AND HE CORRECTS PROBLEM HIMSELF. SEEMED TO BE SUGGESTING I DO THE SAME WHICH SOUNDS UNREASONABLE FOR A CAR UNDER WARRANTY COVERAGE AND ONLY 11,000 MILES. I RECEIVED VERY POOR SERVICE FROM SUBARU. HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN BASED ON SYMPTOMS AND ADVISE OF DRIVER TO GO AHEAD WITH TOW THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE A SUBARU PROBLEM ,AND WHY DID THEY MAKE ME WAIT FOUR HOURS AND CHASE THEM BY TELEPHONE BEFORE THEY FINALLY PICKED UP CAR?*JB

BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSING LEAK OF COOLANT AT 75,000 MILES ON A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER

AT ABOUT 25,000 MILES MY 2001 FORESTER STALLED 3 TIMES IN MY DRIVEWAY AND SHOOK A BIT. I HAD THE IDIOT-NEW-OWNER-PACKAGE WITH THE DEALER WHERE THEY DID ALL THE MAINTENANCE, ETC. AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR AN OIL CHANGE/WHATEVER MAINTENANCE ANYWAY SO I ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME UNTIL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. NOW AT 38,000 MILES (3000 MILES AFTER WARRANTY AND AFTER THE END OF THE IDIOT-PACKAGE) IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BOTH IN PARKING LOTS AND AT STOP LIGHTS. IT SHOOK AT AN IDLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A LOCAL SHOP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED COIL PACK. HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE APPARENT CAUSE WAS THAT IT APPEARED NO MAINTENANCE HAD EVER BEEN DONE. THE SPARK PLUG CHANGE AND A 30K MILE TUNE UP THAT WERE ON MY SERVICE TICKETS AS HAVING BEEN PERFORMED WERE PROBABLY NOT ACTUALLY DONE. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PROVE THAT WITHOUT TOWING THE CAR TO SUBARU AT MY EXPENSE AND THEN PROBABLY HAVING THEM STILL CLAIM THE SERVICE HAD BEEN DONE. I DRIVE VERY CONSERVATIVELY, DON'T SPEED, DON'T TAKE OFF QUICKLY AND LIVE IN A MODERATE TEMPERATURE/WEATHER AREA (NORTHERN VA). THERE IS NO REASON THAT WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAYS IT IS A DEALER PROBLEM. THE DEALER CLAIMS NO WRONG DOING. I CAN DISPUTE THE POINT AND HAVE IT TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR VERIFICATION OF THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE, WHICH WE ALL KNOW WILL NOT BE THEIR FINDING OR PAY THE $530 REPAIR STRAIGHTAWAY. I CHOSE THE LATTER. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO NOW TO GET SUBARU TO REFUND THE COST OF REPAIR? *NLM

EXHAUST FUMES SOME CO POISONING SYMPTOMS 2001 SUBARU FORESTER POSTED BY DAVE ON FEBRUARY 08, 03 AT 06:52:29: I FUELED MY FORESTER WITH 91 OCTANE PREMIUM FUEL AND TOOK OFF ON A 5 HR DRIVE TO DENVER. THERE WERE EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS 40 MPH WINDS AND GROUND BLIZZARDS. SET THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH AND IT WAS ALL THE CAR COULD DO TO MAINTAIN 70 MPH IN HIGH GEAR AND ON SOME HILLS IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR TO SATISFY THE COMPUTER SETTING OF 75. AFTER 2+ HOURS OF DRIVING I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES. I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE. I OPENED THE BRRRRR WINDOWS AND WROTE A NOTE TO THE EFFECT THAT IF I SUCCOMED TO CO FUMES AND DIED FOR MY SURVIVORS TO SUE SUBARU. IN THE STATE CAPITOL, I STOPPED AT THE D.O.T. AND WENT INTO THE TESTING LAB AND BORROWED A CO TESTER THEN WENT BACK ONTO THE INTERSTATE (THE CAR WAS IDLING WHILE IN THE LAB). I WAS WOOZIE AND DISORIENTED CLASSIC CO SYMPTOMS. SCARIE! ANYHOW BACK ONTO THE ROAD FOR A 15 MIN ATTEMPT TO REPRODUCE THE SCENARIO. THE FUMES WERE GONE THE CO DETECTOR STAYED AT ZERO/PPM, I SUPPOSE THE CONVERTOR HAD COOLED OFF. ON THE RETURN TRIP THE WIND HAD DIED AND THE ENGINE DID NOT HAFTO WORK QUITE AS HARD THERE WERE STILL SOME TIMES OF SLIGHT SMELL OF THE FUMES BUT NOT AS INTENSE AS ON THE INITIAL 2 HOUR EXPERIENCE. I ALSO REFUELED AT THE 2 HR MARK WITH 87 OCTANE FUEL. I BELIEVE THAT THE PURCHASE OF A SMALL CO DETECTOR MAY BE A GOOD IDEA FOR SAFETY. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AS A POSSIBLE SERIOUS HAZARD BUT HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT INITIATING SUCH A THING. THIS POST IS TO FURTHER THAT CAUSE. CC: SUBARU MFG.COM

DEALER INSTALLED ON THE HOOD AN ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD DEFLECTOR, SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE WINDSHIELD REFLECTOR COLLAPSED AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER GUARANTEE IS OVER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS *TR

SUBARU FORESTER 2001 - WAS BACKING UP AND ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK - FLYING BACK IN REVERSE ABOUT 50 FEET - HITTING TREE AND COMING FORWARD ABOUT 20 FT.

SCREECHING SHOUND COMING FROM WHEELS. MR

VEHICLE KEEPS STALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION, HIGHWAY, STREET. *AK

SUDDEN ACCELERATION..CAR WAS IDLING FEW MINUTES IN PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY,BEFORE ENTERING GARAGE. WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE, WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED UP, ACCELERATED, CRASHED THROUGH GARAGE WALL INTO FAMILY ROOM OF HOME. BRAKES DID NOT WORK;ONLY IMPACT STOPPED CAR. AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISES FROM THE BRAKES. DEALER AND SUBURU MANUFACTORY WERE NOTIFIED. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT BRIDGESTONE DUELLER 683 (P205-70-R15, DOT# UNKNOWN) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ARE SOFTER AND WEAR OUT QUICKLY. *TT

THE TRIGGERRING MECHANISM FOR THE ABS SEEMS TOO DELICATE. THE CAR STARTS SKIDDING EVEN IN VERY LIGHT SNOW. THIS HAS CAUSED 3 INCIDENTS OF RUN-OFF-ROAD CRASHES ONTO THE CURB WITH MINIMAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CAR GETS OUT OF CONTROL VERY EASILY IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHICH DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF A 4WD VEHICLE WITH ABS.*AK

I OWN A 2001 SUBARU FORESTER L. MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND IT NOW HAS 41000 MILES. IT HAS EXPERIENCED REPEATED FAILURES OF THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AT (RIGHT REAR) 16000, (LEFT REAR) 25000. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS SYMPTOMS OF A THIRD FAILURE AT 41000 MI. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A DEALER FOR EACH COMPLAINT. I HAVE ESTIMATED DATE OF FIRST FAILURE AS I DO NOT EXACTLY REMEMBER..*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER A SNOW STORM THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME IMPACTED WITH SNOW CAUSING VERY SEVERE VIBRATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL. *JG *JB

ALARM SYSTEM REENGAGES BY ITSELF AFTER BEING DISENGAGED BY DEALER, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO GAIN ENTRANCE WHEN THIS OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT HER BABY WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO BE RESCUED OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, CONSUMER STATED SHE PAID SUBARU TO HAVE THEM REMOVE THE ALARM SYSTEM AT THE TIME OF LEASING THE VEHICLE, SUBARU STATED THAT THE PANIC BUTTON WAS SOMEHOW DEPRESSED AND CAUSED DOORS TO LOCK AND LIGHTS TO FLASH, CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WAY THE PANIC BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED BECAUSE THE KEYS WERE LYING ON THE FRONT SEAT WHEN SHE HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE. *SLC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING TWO PARKED VEHICLES. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. SUBARU WAS CONTACTED TO INSPECT VEHICLE.*AK *YH

I OWN THREE SUBARU VEHICLES ONE OF WHICH IS A 2001 FORESTER-L. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE R/R WHEEL BEARING ON MY FORESTER TWICE @ 28017 MILES AND AT 75375 MILES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE WARRANTY. I WAS REIMBURSED BY SUBARU FOR HALF THE COST FOR SECOND INCIDENT. IN DISCUSSION WITH OTHER FORESTER OWNERS AND LOCAL MECHANICS THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM (PLEASE SEE VQ 7510621 AND VQ 7510621). I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ON MY 1998 LEGACY L WAGON, BUT IN FAIRNESS THIS WAS AT 112, 000 MI. MY FEAR HERE IS THAT I WILL ALSO INCUR THIS REPAIR ON MY 2002 IMPREZA. *JB

I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER IN DELRAY BEACH FL AND IT STILLS PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND I HAD THE CUDTOMER SERVICE REP DRIVE IT WITH ME IN THE CAR AND HE AGREED THAT IT HAS A PULL TO THE RIGHT . I HAVE SPOKEN TO SUBARU AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING IN BUMPER HIGH SNOW FOR 5 MILES VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 3 RD TO 4 TH GEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO FORCE IT INTO 4 TH GEAR. DEALER DETERMINED SNOW HAD ACCUMULATED AROUND TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE TACK THAT IS IN PLACE TO HOLD THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT IN PLACE DOES NOT WORK. THE MAT CONTINUOUSLY FALLS OFF THE TACK. I FIRST MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF IT AND COULD FIND NOTHING TO FIX. WE LOOKED AT OTHER SUBARUS AND THEY ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I RECENTLY COMMUNICATED THIS TO SUBARU VIA THEIR WEB SITE WITH LITTLE INTEREST ON THEIR PART. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE MAT SLIPS OFF THE TACK IT RUNS UP INTO THE PEDALS. THIS MEANS THE FLOATING TACK COULD ACTUALLY CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS THEN NOT HAVING ONE THERE AT ALL. OUR OTHER CAR (HONDA) HAD A TACK THAT IS FIRMLY PLACED IN THE FLOORBOARD NOT TACKED TO THE CARPET ONLY AND AS A RESULT IT DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, OWNER SAW A DEAD COW LEFT IN THE ROADWAY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MANUEVER DRIVER STRUCK THE COW AND VEHICLE BECAME AIR-BORN. VEHICLE HIT THE GROUND WITH NOSE/FRONT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

BLOWN HEAD GASKET @ 75,000 MILES (OIL LEAKS). NOT COVERED BY SERVICE PROGRAM WWP-99. *NM

MY 2001 SUBARU FORESTER HAS HAD A CLUTCH SHUDDER WHEN STARTING THE CAR COLD SHORTLY AFTER I LEASED THE VEHICLE. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH I BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY SUBARU TECHNICIAN IN JAN OF 2001. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED OUT THE CLUTCH AND EVERYTHING "LOOKS FINE". IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT IF I CAN'T REPRODUCE IT FOR THEM THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORESTER OWNERS ABOUT THIS AND SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB # 03-51-02R. WHY DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO TELL THESE PEOPLE HOW TO FIX THE VEHICLES THEY SERVICE? *LA

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS ON A 2001 VEHICLE.