NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Subaru Forester. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
REAR SEAT BELT FRAYING- THIS WAS A RECALL -HAD SUBARU CHECK BELT SAID DOG WAS CHEWING ON BELT. NO TEETH MARKS NOW FRONT SEAT BELT FRAYING- MY DOG DOES NOT DRIVE. CALLED SUBARU X2 WITH SAME COMPLAINT SPOKE WITH [XXX] 7/3 AND [XXX] 7/31. [XXX] SAID DEFECT LISTED AS DOG CHEWING ON A RECALL AND IT IS NOT REPAIRED AS YET I AM STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL BACK. THE TECH WHO EXAMINED THE BELT JUST LOOKED AT IT. I SAID IT IS FRAYING FROM THE CLIP THAT SECURES BELT. CAR AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION OR I CAN SEND PICTURES INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
SAT IN DRIVER'S SEAT, STARTED IGNITION, AND AS CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (UNDER THE THIGH) AUDIBLY POPPED. THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT NOW CLEARLY ONLY WORKS UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, RAISING THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT AND PUTTING PRESSURE ON IT SHOWS THAT RIGHT SIDE REMAINS SUPPORTED AND LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY SAGS, LEAVING THE DRIVER EITHER TILTED, OR SEATED AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENT. POSTURE AND SAFE DRIVING POSITION ARE DEFINITELY COMPROMISED, AND I AM SEEKING TO GET THE SEAT FIXED. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER MENTIONS OF THIS PROBLEM IN SUBARU OWNERS ONLINE FORUMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V099000 (SEAT BELTS) DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPORT BOXES ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELTS CONTINUED TO POP OUT FROM THE BACK SEATS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,689. RK
THE AIRBAG TENSION PENS BROKE AT 31,583 MILES, REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG MODULE AT. AFTER PRESSING ON THE HORN, THE HORN REMAINED ENGAGED. I REMOVED THE FUSE, TOOK THE CAR TO DON BEYER SUBARU IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA AND WAS INFORMED THE AIRBAG TENSION PENS HAD BROKEN. SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT CLASSIFY THIS AS A COVERED REPAIR - EVEN UNDER THEIR GOLD PLUS WARRANTY PLAN. I FIND IT TROUBLING THAT 2 CRITICAL SAFETY MECHANISMS (HORN AND DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG) CAN BE SO EASILY COMPROMISED WITH NO CONCERN FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE VEHICLE TRAVELED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, CRASHING INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN SHARDS, FAILING TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, SEIZURES AND BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. *TR UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN 05/09/2013 *JS
WE WERE DRIVING ON A LEVEL INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. A NOISE BEGAN. IT WAS LIKE WE WERE ON COARSE PAVEMENT. I PULLED OVER THINKING THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE. INSTEAD THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE WAS OVERHEATED AND SEIZING. WE COMPLETED OUR TRIP AT GREATLY REDUCED SPEED BECAUSE THIS OCCURRED AT NIGHT WHEN WE WERE UNABLE TO GET SERVICE, AND FINDING A MOTEL WHICH WOULD ALLOW OUR 100 LB GERMAN SHEPHERD SEEMED UNLIKELY. WE DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN UNTIL WE COULD GET A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED ON 3/1/13 BY THE DEALER, WHO HAD JUST REPLACED REAR PADS AND TURNED ROTORS 2 WEEKS EARLIER. THE DEALER SAID OUR PROBLEM WAS DUE TO RUST ATTRIBUTABLE TO USE OF ROAD SALT, AND THAT THIS WORK WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY OUR WARRANTY AND THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED EVERY YEAR TO REMOVE RUST. WE HAD NEVER BEEN TOLD THIS BEFORE, EVEN WHEN THE SAME DEALER SERVICED THE REAR BRAKES ON 2/14/13. THE NEXT DAY, AFTER A 10 MILE DRIVE, ALERTED BY THE "HOT BRAKE SMELL", I CHECKED TEMPERATURES. RIGHT FRONT STILL OVERHEATING. NOW AFTER BEING SERVICED, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ROTOR RUNS HOT STILL. I TOOK THE CAR BACK, AND AT THE DEALERSHIP, A LASER-AIMED INFRARED THERMOMETER SHOWS RIGHT FRONT ROTOR IS 147 DEGREES, LEFT FRONT 128, RIGHT REAR 82, LEFT REAR 97 AFTER 15 TO 20 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING (AMBIENT TEMPERATURE 20 DEGREES). DEALER AGAIN CHECKED, SAYS ALL WHEELS SPIN FREELY, AND DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE RIGHT FRONT RUNS HOT. ANOTHER BRAKE SEIZURE SEEMS INEVITABLE. BRAKES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS ON A CAR WHICH HAS LESS THAN 19,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 3 YEARS OF USE. THE CAR DOES NOT PULL TO THE RIGHT. MAYBE THE LEFT REAR IS COMPENSATING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL SMELL EMITTED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT A RODENT CRAWLED INTO THE VEHICLE AND ATE THE GAS LINE AND THE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED WHILE STILL IN PARK. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR STRUTS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE STRUTS WERE OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,951 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. *TR
2010 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *SMD THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES TWICE, IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY ONLY SPRAYED ANTI-RUST MATERIALS ON THE BRAKE LINES. *JB
DRIVING WHEN WELDS HOLDING UP THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR BUMPS, THOUGH I-5 NEAR SEATTLE HAS PAVEMENT JUNCTURE UNEVENNESS, THOUGH NONE WHERE THE COLLAPSE HAPPENED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID FROZE CAUSING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY TO BE OBSCURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY STOP TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD SO THAT SHE COULD SEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.UPDATED 4/15/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TUBE WHICH LEAD TO THE NOZZLE WAS FROZEN, DUE TO A DESIGN FLW.
BESIDES CORROSION OF BRAKES IN RECENT RECALL, BODY PAINT BEHIND EACH WHEEL IS CORRODING SINCE 2013. FURTHERMORE, SUBARU ISSUED THE BRAKE CORROSION RECALL LETTER #1 TO A COMPANY THAT IS NOT THE REGISTERED OWNER!!! *JS
WHEN SWITCHING TO WINTER TIRES AND WHEELS, COST IS EXCESSIVE TO BUY NEW TPMS SENSORS AND HAVE THEM REPROGRAMMED TWICE A YEAR. DEALERS WILL NOT DO THE SWITCH BECAUSE IT WOULD BE DISABLING A SAFETY SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE ORIGINAL FEDERAL REQUIREMENT WAS INTENDED TO INCREASE SAFETY, IT ACTUALLY MAY DECREASE SAFETY FOR THOSE IN SNOW AREAS DUE TO DISCOURAGEMENT OF USE OF PROPER WINTER TIRES. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ORIGINAL RULEMAKING. IT APPEARS THAT THE COSTS WERE LOWBALLED (MUCH LESS THAN ACTUAL), AND THE WINTER TIRE ISSUE WAS NOT ANALYZED AT ALL. THE NHTSA SHOULD PROVIDE SOME RELIEF.
MY BRAKES WERE CHECKED BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC/REPAIR SHOP @ 21,788 MILES. THEY INDICATED THAT I HAD 70% LEFT ON BOTH FRONT AND REAR UNITS. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND CHECK UP @ 24,870 MILES THE SAME SHOP INDICATED THAT WHILE MY FRONT BRAKES STILL HAD 65% LEFT ON THEM THE REAR UNITS HAD ONLY 15% LEFT. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE REAR DISC BRAKE PADS, WHICH I DID. I AM NOT HARD ON MY BRAKES AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE REAR BRAKES SHOULD WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY OVER SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I ALSO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE SHOULD BE SUCH A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN THE WEAR BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. I NOTICE THAT TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT NEEDING EARLY REAR BRAKE REPLACEMENTS ON 2010 FORESTERS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES ON ANY OTHER CAR I OWNED AFTER SO FEW MILES. MY SHOP IS AAA APPROVED AND HIGHLY RATED IN MY COMMUNITY AND ARE VERY TRUSTWORTHY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
AT 32,715 MILES REAR BRAKES FAILED. BOTH THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTOR HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED OR FALLEN APART. THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACES. AT 25,000 MILES I HAD A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN TO ABOUT 50%. SO IN LESS THAN 8000 MILES THE THE REAR BRAKES HAD COMPLETELY FAILED, AND THE FRONT BRAKES WHERE ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE.
I TOOK MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER THIS MORNING TO FARRISH SUBARU OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA TO HAVE THE CENTER SEAT BELT REPLACED PER THE ABOVE RECALL. FARRISH SUBARU REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE CENTER SEATBELT. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I INSERTED ALL MALE HANDLES INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLES. SINCE I HAD NEVER RIDDEN IN THE REAR SEAT, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT ALL REAR SEAT BELTS HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN AN UNSAFE MANNER. IN THIS SITUATION THE TWO CENTER FEMALE BUCKLES WERE TOWARD THE OUTSIDE REAR DOORS, WHILE THE RIGHT AND LEFT FEMALE SEAT BUCKLES WERE ON THE INSIDE CENTER POSITION. I RETURNED TO FARRISH SUBARU WHERE SERVICE CONSULTANT JACK LINDEMAN FOUND THAT MY REAR SEAT BELTS WERE IN AN IMPROPER ORDER. HE CALLED IT A "BIRTH DEFECT", MEANING THAT THE INSTALLATION HAD BEEN DONE IMPROPERLY AT THE FACTORY. LINDEMAN AGREED WITH MY ASSESSMENT THAT WHEN ALL THREE SEAT BELTS WERE BUCKLED, THE STRAPS CROSSED OVER THE RED RELEASE BUTTONS. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH THE BUTTONS TO RELEASE THE BELTS FROM THE BUCKLES. I ASKED LINDEMAN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FARRISH SUBARU PLACED THE BUCKLES IN THE CORRECT ORDER WITH BOTH FEMALE CENTER BUCKLES IN THE CENTER AND THE RIGHT AND LEFT FEMALE BUCKLES TOWARD THEIR RESPECTIVE OUTWARD POSITIONS. HOWEVER, WHEN I TRIED TO INSERT THE MALE CENTER HANDLE INTO ITS RESPECTIVE FEMALE BUCKLE, THE FEMALE CENTER BUCKLE FELL BELOW THE SEAT CUSHION. NEITHER I NOR LINDEMAN WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE FEMALE BUCKLE ABOVE THE CUSHION TO ITS PROPER HEIGHT EXCEPT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE MALE HANDLE CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE FEMALE BUCKLE WHILE THAT BUCKLE IS BELOW THE SEAT CUSHION. WHEN I ASKED SERVICE CONSULTANT LINDEMAN TO FIX THE SINKING SEATBELT PROBLEM, HE SAID HE WAS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. FOR THE MOMENT I HAVE TAPED THE FEMALE BUCKLES TOGETHER TO PREVENT THEM FROM FALLING BELOW THE SEAT CUSHIONS. IF THERE IS A PERMANENT SOLUTION, I WOULD APPRECIATE LEARNING ABOUT IT. *TR
THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHANGE THE OIL FOR APPROX 14,00 MILES...HOWEVER....NO WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON TO REMIND ME. NO OIL LIGHT, NO ENGINE LIGHT...NOTHING. NOW I AM FACING A POSSIBLE BIG EXPENSE IN REPAIR...WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SHOP AS I TYPE THIS. THESE WARNING SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION. HAD IT WORKED PROPERLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REMINDED TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME ON US6 AT APPROXIMATELY 1PM LAST FRIDAY WHEN THE GLASS OF BACK WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY SHATTERED FOR NO REASON, IT EXPLODED MAKING A LOUD NOISE THAT FIRST SHOCKED ME THOUGHT I MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER I CALMED DOWN I LOOKED AROUND TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEN I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS IN THE BACK SHIELD WAS REDUCED TO TINY PIECES ALL OVER TO THE POINT IN WHICH THE REAR VISION WAS OBSTRUCTED. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO SUBARU, (SR#1-2037476585), AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. I REQUESTED AN APPOINTMENT WITH GROOVE SUBARU IN LITTLETON AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TODAY AT 7AM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT EXPERTS IN FORENSICS AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT, BUT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A ROCK (WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH ROCKS HITTING CARS HERE INN CO, SO I DO NOT THINK IT WAS THE REASON FOR THE INCIDENT) AND TO CALL ABRA TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED. *TR
STARTED TO HEAR A GRINDING SOUND FROM THE REAR WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES ON 6/24/2012. TOOK CAR TO DEALER ON 6/25/2012. DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS AND DISKS. CAR ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES AND MOST MILEAGE IS HIGHWAY. I DO NOT OVERUSE MY BRAKES AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT CAN AFFECT SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V099000 SUBARU'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS WQA-37. I HAD THIS RECALL DONE AND WANT TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THIS NEW SAFETY ISSUE. SUBARU HAS THIS RECALL ON REAR SEAT BELTS BUCKLES. PER THE SUBARU MECHANIC, THEY ARE EXCHANGING TWO BUCKLES AND TWISTING THE NEW ONES TOGETHER DURING THE INSTALLATION. THE NEW INSTALLED BUCKLES ARE SHORTER! IN ADDITION, THEY ARE TWISTING THEM TOGETHER WHICH IS UNSAFE AND MAKES THEM EVEN SHORTER! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! NEW BUCKLES BEING SHORTER DO NOT COME OUT OF THE SEAT MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO BUCKLE ANY ONE OR ALL THREE REAL BELTS WHEN A PERSON SITS IN THERE LET ALONE WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD SEAT IN PLACE. BECAUSE THE BUCKLES ARE SO SHORT AND EXTREMELY HARD TO REACH AND WORK WITH, MANY TIMES UNKNOWINGLY YOU DON?T LOCK THE SEAT BELT IN THE BUCKLE BECAUSE IT STAYS IN, WHICH CREATES FALSE FEELING OF SECURITY AND A SAFETY ISSUE. SUBARU MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY HAVE RECEIVED MULTIPLE COMPLAINS FROM FORESTER OWNERS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. 2010 SUBARU FORESTER, X (BASE) MODEL. *JS
ON 2/24/12 MY BRAKES STARTED TO RUB AND SQUEAK SO I TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED. TO MY SURPRISE IT WAS MY REAR BRAKES AND THEY HAD COMPLETELY DENIGRATED. THE DEALER COULDN'T EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS HAPPENED SO THEY JUST WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY. ON 6/21/13 (20,000 MILES LATER) SAME THING HAPPENED. BACK BRAKES DENIGRATED SO THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AGAIN WITH NO EXPLANATION. 5 DAYS LATER I HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE (STILL SQUEAKING) AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BACK BRAKE PADS WERE DOWN TO 8MM AND ONE OF THE ROTORS HAD BEEN SHAVED "WAY DOWN". INQUIRED ABOUT THIS TO MY DEALER AND APPARENTLY THEY REPLACED ONLY THE PADS AND SAID THIS WAS STANDARD PRACTICE. IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES 3X (REAR 2X AND FRONT 1X), MOTOR IN SUNROOF, HEATING UNIT, RADIO CONNECTIONS, REPLACED FRONT LIGHT BULBS 4-5 TIMES AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST 2 RECALLS. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU CORPORATE BUT THEY KEEP DIRECTING ME BACK TO THE DEALER. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY AND I DRIVE AROUND WITH A 4 YEAR OLD IN MY CAR EVERYDAY. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM ASKING AROUND AT THE DEALER IS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WHO HAS COME IN WITH REAR BRAKE ISSUES ON THE 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS DRAGGING WHEN I DRIVE IT AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE RUBBING WHEN I AM DRIVING. *TR
THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUSES PAIN IN MY BACK, HIP, ANKLE AND FOOT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY RIGHT LEG HAS GONE NUMB OR CRAMPED UP AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER SO THAT I CAN WALK OFF THE CRAMPS AND NUMBNESS. MY HUSBAND AVOIDS DRIVING THE SUBARU BECAUSE OF THE PAIN HE EXPERIENCES. EVEN FOLKS IN THEIR 20'S THAT HAVE DRIVEN MY SUBARU EXPERIENCE PAIN IN SOME PART OF THEIR LOWER BODY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSED PAIN TO ANYONE THAT DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ
2010 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WENT FLAT. HE WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE COMPANY WHO REPLACED THE TIRE, THERE WAS A SPLIT ON THE SIDEWALL AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE DEFECTIVE TIRE FOR A TOTAL OF $269.13.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE NINE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,433 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,277.
SUBARU WAS SLOWING TO A STOP BEHIND A CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WHEN IT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A MERCEDES SUV. THE MERCEDES WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 - 35 MPH. THE SUBARU WAS DRIVEN INTO THE REAR OF THE SUBURBAN CAUSING THE SUBARU'S AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE IMPACT SITE OF THE AIRBAG WAS IN THE CHEST AREA AND NOT THE FACE. UPON ARRIVAL, THE MEDICS AND FIREMEN NOTED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS TOTALLY DEPLOYED AND WERE UNABLE TO RETRACT IT INTO THE PILLAR. BRUISING WAS NOTED ACROSS THE SUBARU DRIVER'S CHEST AND UPPER THIGH AREA WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PATTERN OF A SEAT BELT. I SUSTAINED A MODERATE CONCUSSION AND MODERATE TO SEVERE NECK STRAIN. *TR
REAR BRAKES STARTED SCRAPING SLIGHTLY ON A SATURDAY (SO SLIGHTLY THAT THEY COULDN'T BE HEARD WITH THE WINDOWS UP). THAT FOLLOWING MONDAY WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT THE REAR BRAKES PADS WERE COMPLETELY SHOT (METAL ON METAL WERE HIS EXACT WORDS). FRONT BRAKES NEEDED NEW PADS. IT'S REALISTIC TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AT 32000 AS WE DO MOSTLY CITY DRIVING, HOWEVER REAR BRAKES SHOULD LAST TWICE AS LONG AS THE FRONT PADS. WE HAD NO WARNING THAT SUCH A SEVERE REAR BRAKE ISSUE EXISTED AND HAD WE NOT GONE TO THE MECHANIC AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ANY ISSUE, WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT ON SUBARU'S PART AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO MORE CLOSELY. *TR
DURING A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES WERE STILL FUNCTIONAL AT THIS POINT BUT ONLY BARELY. THERE WAS NO WEAR INDICATOR SOUND THAT EVER EMANATED FROM THE BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD INDICATING A BRAKE PROBLEM. THERE WAS LONGER BRAKING DETECTED BUT ONLY THAT ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL WEAR OF A VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. A ROUTINE RECENT INSPECTION OF THE FRONT BRAKES BY THE OWNER TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO INSPECTION REVEALED NO ISSUES WITH NORMAL WEAR OF THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS. THE REAR DISC BRAKES WERE NOT EXAMINED AT THE TIME AS THE ASSUMPTION WAS THAT BRAKE WEAR WOULD BE NOMINALLY THE SAME AS THE FRONT. THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION REVEALED THE EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES RELATIVE TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THIS INDICATES A VEHICLE FLAW, POSSIBLE DESIGN OR COMPONENT, AS THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT DISK PADS AND ROTORS INDICATE ONLY NORMAL WEAR. THE ROTORS WERE WORN TOO THIN TO BE USED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE PADS WERE PAST ACCEPTABLE WEAR. THE REAR BRAKES/PADS/ROTORS WERE EITHER DEFECTIVE, IMPROPERLY WORKING, OR IMPROPERLY DESIGNED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THIS SHOULD BE RED FLAGGED AS A SERIOUS ISSUE OF CONCERN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A SUITABLE REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN YEARS, WITH CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
THE VEHICLE IS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE CAR ACCELERATED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAD BEEN FLOORED. THE BRAKES WERE SLAMMED ON AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FLOOR MAT WAS IN THE NORMAL POSITION AND WAS NOT INVOLVED. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY WIFE DRIVING THE CAR ON 12/10/2010. SEE ID# 10370392. *TR
A/C COMPRESSOR HAS FAILED ON 2010 FORESTER. BOUGHT IN JULY 2009 AND HAS 43000 MILES. *TR
FUEL TANK DESIGN OF SUBARU FORESTER ALLOWS RODENTS TO CONSTRUCT NESTS ATOP THE TANK AND CHEW THROUGH PLASTIC FUEL LINES. LEAKING FUEL MAY PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE VAPOR ATMOSPHERES IN CLOSED GARAGES, WHICH COULD IGNITE. *TR
SELF CANCELING TURN SIGNALS DO NOT CANCEL WHEN MAKING A PARTIAL LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. SELF CANCELING SIGNALS DO CANCEL PROPERLY WHEN MAKING A FULL TURN. SUBARU TECHNICIANS REPORT INDICATES TURN SIGNALS ARE CANCELING AS DESIGNED AND NO ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, A RAPID INCREASE IN SPEED OCCURRED AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/28/11
SUBARU FORESTER 2010 ENGINE WENT DEAD WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO RESTART THE CAR. A STRONG RUBBER ODOR FILLED THE CAR ALONG WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER HAD TO GET HERSELF AND HER TWO CHILDREN (5 MONTH OLD BABY AND A TWO YEAR OLD TODDLER) OUT OF THE CAR. WITHIN MINUTES, THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. THE CAR BURNT DOWN TO ITS FRAME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD, CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND A BYSTANDER WAS REPORTED AS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED, AGAIN UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARD UNTIL HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE THE AUTHORIZED DEALER REFUSED TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE DURING EITHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,900. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NOTIFIED HER TO COME IN TO HAVE THE ECM REPROGRAMMED#WVU31. UPDATED 09/23/11 UPDATED 01/13/2012 *LN *TR
I AM WRITING TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL, 2010. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE MYSELF FOR ONLY 5,371 MILES AND ONLY IN THE CITY. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I NOTED A SMALL, SMOOTH-SURFACED CRACK ABOUT 2 INCHES LONG THAT ORIGINATED AT THE TOP EDGE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE APPEARANCE OF THE CRACK WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY IMPACT. IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS, THE SMALL CRACK ELONGATED TO MORE THAN 8 INCHES. I BROUGH THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON FEBRUARY 8 FOR INSPECTION. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT A "STRESS FRACTURE" BUT DUE TO AN IMPACT. HE STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS NOT COVERED BY EITHER MY SUBARU WARRANTY NOR MY EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A "STRESS FRACTURE". HOWEVER, IN MY JUDGEMENT, THIS CRACK ORIGINATED AS A SMOOTH-SURFACED CRACK AKIN TO A DESCRIPTION OF A "STRESS FRACTURE". I ALSO NOTE THAT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPORTED BY CONSUMERS ABOUT THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF WINDSHIELD STRESS CRACKS IN SUBARU VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE FORESTER. REPLACEMENT OF MY WINDSHIELD ON MY RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE WILL COST ABOUT $820 FOR PARTS AND INSTALLATION. I BOUGHT A SUBARU FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A QUALITY PRODUCT WITH EXCELLENT DURABILITY. THIS EXPERIENCE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE. *TR
AT LOW SPEEDS NEAR INTERSECTIONS WITH LIGHT SNOW OR SLUSH ON THE ROAD VEHICLE'S ABS SYSTEM CAUSES LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING AND/OR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AT STOP SIGNS AND ON SLICK ROADS. PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF ABS SYSTEM IN SNOWY AND SLUSHY CONDITIONS. POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE STRIKING PEDESTRIANS, LEAVING THE ROAD UNEXPECTEDLY AND STOPPING IN NOT BEFORE AN INTERSECTION. DEALER INSPECTED BRAKING SYSTEM AND STATED THAT IT IS PERFORMING AS INTENDED. DEALER FURTHER DOCUMENTED THAT OEM TIRES HAD LOW TRACTION RATING CAUSING ABS SYSTEM TO OPERATE INCORRECTLY IN CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN PARTICULAR ABS CAUSES DRASTICALLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WITH LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WITH OEM BRIDGESTONE DUELLER H/T 687 TIRES WITH 7/32 TREAD DEPTH AND CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE. DEALER STATES THAT TIRES SHOULD BE CHANGED TO IMPROVE DRIVABILITY AND ABS FUNCTION IN SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS. BRIDGESTONE DUELLER H/T 687 TIRES WILL BE REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND. THESE TIRES WILL BE PUT IN STORAGE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
THE VEHICLE IS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL TO BACK UP, THE CAR ACCELERATED AS IF THE ACCELERATOR HAD BEEN FLOORED. THE CAR SHOT UP A SNOW BANK AND RESTED ON A GUARD RAIL STILL RUNNING FAST. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE WINTER MAT THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WAS ON THE LOWER PART OF THE ACCELERATOR. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE MAT CAUSED THE RAPID ACCELERATION OR THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED IN A BUSY PARKING LOT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE MAT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CAR. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR AND FENDER. *TR
WE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE TWICE ON A TRIP 11/4/10 - 11/6/10. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/4 WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. TO SLOW FOR A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US, I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONSIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL REMAINED ACTIVE. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A FEW SECONDS DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BRAKES RETURNED. THIS OCCURRED WITH A NOTICEABLE JERK. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 11/6 WHILE ON HEADING EAST ON RT 30 COMING DOWN SIDLING HILL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE TO REDUCE SPEED GOING DOWN THE HILL, THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO USE THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY BRAKING. I USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW US DOWN; HOWEVER, THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT SEEM VERY EFFECTIVE. IT TOOK A CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE TO COME TO A STOP. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE HILL IN A LOWER GEAR AND AT SOME POINT THE BRAKES RETURNED TO USE. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY REASON AS TO WHY THEY FAILED OR HOW OR WHY THEY RETURNED. THE CAR HAS OVER 20,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE; ALTHOUGH THE SITUATION WITH THE CRUISE NOT DEACTIVATING HAD OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 11/7. THE DEALER CHECKED BOTH THE CRUISE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPORTED CONSULTING WITH SUBARU ON THE PROBLEM AS WELL. ON 11/12 AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER, I CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE (REF#1-1157948155). SUBARU'S FOLLOW UP WAS THAT THE CAR WAS CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE OK AND WE SHOULD DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WE OPTED FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE AT CONSIDERABLE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE SOLD TO SOMEONE ELSE. IT SHOULD BE RETURNED TO SUBARU TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURES DESCRIBED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BIRD DROPPINGS WERE EATING A HOLE IN THE CLEAR COATING PAINT ON THE TOP AND HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM A ONE TIME COURTESY SPRAY AND RE-COAT THE TOP AND HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT BIRD DROPPINGS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,600.
WHEN WASHING MY CAR ONE DAY, I NOTICED A PAINT IMPERFECTION ON THE HOOD MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER XT. WHEN I TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO BIRD DROPPINGS. THEY TOOK PICTURES (WITH A CELL PHONE CAMERA) AND SUBMITTED TO SUBARU AS PART OF A WARRANTY CLAIM. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED PAINT IMPERFECTIONS (LOOKS LIKE BLADES OF GRASS UNDERNEATH PAINT, BUBBLING UP) ON EVERY SINGLE PANEL OF THE CAR, FRONT TO BACK. FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES, I TOOK THE CAR TO 3 SEPARATE AUTO BODY SHOPS, WHO ALL CLAIM THE ISSUE IS A PAINT DEFECT AND SUBARU'S RESPONSIBILITY. SUBARU RECENTLY DENIED MY WARRANTY CLAIM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS DISPLAYING A HIGH READING AND THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT COULD ALSO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT A BOLT CAME LOOSE IN THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING MANUFACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,412. UPDATED 09/08/11*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHORT BLOCK. UPDATED 01/20/12
I HAVE A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH (1) THE STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT, (2) THE ENGINE LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND (3) THE CAR SHAKES AND SHIMMIES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL THREE OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN WITH THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT AT 6 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE STEERING ISSUE IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES IT HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 2 TIMES FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS STILL AT 2750 MILES. THE ENGINE ISSUE HAS BEEN WITH THE CAR SINCE THE BEGINNING. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER HEARS A CLICK SOUND COME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CAR WILL MOMENTARILY LOSE POWER. THE ISSUE HAPPENS AS FREQUENTLY AS 6 TIMES A MINUTE AND SOMETIMES EVERY OTHER MINUTE OF DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON OR OFF, BUT EXACERBATED WHEN DRIVING IN 3RD GEAR AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR IS ENGAGED. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A NORMAL FEATURE OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED OTHER SUBARU FORESTERS AND DRIVEN MANY OTHER 2010 SUBARU FORESTER'S AND THIS ISSUE DOES NOT HAPPEN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE STEERING ISSUE AND THE SHAKING ISSUE. THE DEALER HAS BALANCED THE TIRES THREE TIMES NOW AND RE-ALIGNED THE TIRES TWICE. THIS HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE REMAINS. CONCERNING THE ENGINE ISSUE, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN THREE TIMES NOW AND THE DEALER HAS CHECK THE CAR AND STATED THAT THE ISSUE IR NORMAL. THE ISSUE IS NOT NORMAL WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT PROJECT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO THE SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HEAD LAMPS WERE REALIGNED AND THE LIGHT BULBS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
WHILE DRIVING A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER AROUND A CORNER UP A STEEP DRIVEWAY I ENCOUNTERED A VEHICLE COMING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FORESTER IS MANUAL AND THERE WAS A SHOULDER IN THE DRIVEWAY BEHIND THE CORNER I HAD ROUNDED; I APPLIED THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE WHEN I SAW THE VEHICLE AND RELEASED THE BRAKE WHILE CONTINUING TO HOLD THE CLUTCH WHEN I SAW THAT I COULD ROLL BACK ONTO THE SHOULDER DIRECTLY BEHIND ME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE SUBARU DID NOT MOVE AND I BEGAN TO PANIC AS THE ONCOMING VEHICLE APPROACHED AND MY SERVICE BRAKE HAD APPARENTLY CEASED (THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE BY GRAVITY YET THE SERVICE AND HAND BRAKES WERE BOTH OFF). I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND REVVED THE ENGINE UNUSUALLY HARD WHILE AGGRESSIVELY RELEASING THE CLUTCH TO OVERCOME THE APPARENTLY FROZEN BRAKE AND AVOID THE HEAD ON COLLISION, AT WHICH POINT THE BRAKE RELEASED AND THE CAR FLEW BACKWARDS TOWARD A STONE EMBANKMENT BEHIND THE TURN-OFF IN THE DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED IN TIME AND AVOIDED THE VEHICLE EXITING THE DRIVEWAY. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS SOME SORT OF SAFETY FEATURE ON SUBARUS WHEREBY THE SERVICE BRAKE WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED ON A HILL. THE FORESTER I WAS DRIVING GIVES NO INDICATION TO THE OPERATOR THAT THE SERVICE BRAKE WILL BEHAVE IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY AND THERE IS APPARENTLY NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS BEHAVIOR IN THIS MODEL. AS A SEASONED DRIVER WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES OF EXPERIENCE IN MANY MAKES AND MODELS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS I FIND THIS HIGHLY UNSAFE AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
THE BODY CONTROL MODULE - WHICH IS HELD IN PLACE BY DOUBLE-STICK TAPE(!) - DROPPED FROM ITS PLACE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND OBSTRUCTED THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT TOOK 20 FEET TO FIGURE OUT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GET MY FOOT AROUND AND UNDER IT AND STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A FAIRLY EMPTY PARKING GARAGE AND DRIVING 15 MPH. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED PEOPLE COULD HAVE DIED. MY MECHANIC RESECURED IT W/A HEAVIER DUTY ADHESIVE, BUT SAID IT WASN'T POSSIBLE (FOR HIM) TO PUT A BOLT OR STRAP ON IT. I HAVE ASKED SUBARU TO PLEASE FIGURE A WAY TO BOLT OR STRAP IT FOR ME.
STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS SAID THEY WOULD ADJUST TIRE PRESSURE TO CORRECT. TIRE PRESSURE DOES NOT CORRECT ISSUE. OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL CAN LEAD TO A CRASH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER/FAN SHE SMELLED A TOXIC, NAUSEATING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A NEW VEHICLE ODOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE ODOR WAS PROBABLY MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,834.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026