NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Subaru Forester. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V014000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL--JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE TODAY IN THE MAIL, MARCH 20, 2017, FROM SUBARU THAT MY FORESTER HAS A DEFECTIVE "PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG CONTAINING...AMMONIUM NITRATE." I AM ADVISED IN THIS LETTER OF THE DANGER THIS PRESENTS, AND THAT "PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME" AND MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER." I AM ADVISED, "UNTIL THIS REPAIR IS PERFORMED, DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT." HOW RIDICULOUS IS THAT???? FOR A PERIOD OF POSSIBLY NINE MONTHS, NO ONE CAN SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SURELY, THE CAR COMPANIES CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS. I'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MY DEALERSHIP. THEY (NO SURPRISE) WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO ME. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND UNACCEPTABLE, AND I'M A FAN OF SUBARUS.
I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER FROM SUBARU AMERICA, WHO DESCRIBED TERRIFYING CONSEQUENCES ABOUT THEIR DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. HOWEVER, WHAT THEY COULD DO AT THE MOMENT IS JUST TO ADVICE NOT LETTING ANYONE RIDE ON THAT SIDE BEFORE REPAIR. THERE WAS NOT EVEN A DEADLINE FOR SUCH A REPAIR. THIS IS SO DISAPPOINTING SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO FIT MY FAMILY INTO THE BACK SEATS. THE REALITY IS THAT SUBARU IS STILL PRODUCING NEW VEHICLES WITH COMPETENT AIRBAGS EVERYDAY. THE COMPANY REALLY SHOULD CONSIDER THE FEELINGS OF THEIR CURRENT OWNERS AND TREAT THEM BETTER!
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUBARU SAFETY RECALL TKA17. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE COMPENSATED. UPDATED 09/25/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A BURNING ODOR FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BECAME VERY HOT AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS A SECOND OCCURRENCE AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A SAVINGS COUPON IN ADDITION TO THE SEAT REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
TAKATA RECALL.I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES IT HAS BEEN AT LEAST 9 MONTHS AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND BATTERY FAILED. THERE WAS ALSO TOO MUCH FUEL IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,235.
BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM BANK OWNED, IT WAS 3 YEARS OLD WHEN BOUGHT, IT HAD 70,000 MILES. IN ONE YEAR OF USAGE/SERVICE TIME, WITH 3 OIL CHANGES/2 WITH EXTREME OIL BURNING. NO SIGNS OF SMOKE, OVERHEAT, BUT WITHIN THE 4TH YEAR OF OWNERSHIP IT BEGAN TO MAKE ENGINE NOISES. A RATTLING WHICH AS IT TURN OUT, AND UNBEKNOWN TO US VEHICLE WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH, AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD US THAT THE VEHICLE COVERAGE WAS AT 100,000 MILES/A CUT OFF FOR COVERAGE ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT. THEY TOOK OUR CAR, STORED IT, BECAUSE IT HAD GONE 120 MILES OVER THE CUT OFF, AND WE'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THEIR PROMISE OF COVERAGE BEING THAT IT'S NOT AN OLD VEHICLE.
WHICH DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH... WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE BRAKES AND ALL POWER. I SAT IN THE FAST LANE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO SAFELY EXIT MY CAR FOR ALMOST AND HOUR UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEIL HUFFMAN IN LOUISVILLE KY WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW 4 YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR HAD FAILED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH WITH NO WARNING. I PAID THE 403.00 REPAIR AND CONTACT SUBARU USA DUE TO MY CONCERNS. ALTHOUGH I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ON HOLD EACH TIME FOR UP TO 10 MIN AND ALSO EMAILED.. STILL NOT RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR.. AND PLAN TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR SOON.. BUT AM CONCERNED SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE MY CAR AND BE IN DANGER. *TR
MY CAR IS SUBURU FORESTER 2012. I USUALLY CHANGE THE OIL IN THE CAR BETWEEN 7000-10000 MILES. ON JAN 13-2016, AT 71854 MILE, AMSOIL 5 QUART SYNTHETIC OIL WAS PLACED AT OIL CHANGE. ON AUG 8TH AT 80600, I WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND ALSO THE CAR WAS MAKING KNOCKING SOUND. THE SUBURU DEALER TOLD ME ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED NOT DRIVABLE. THERE WERE NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAK UNDER THE CAR OR AROUND THE OIL CONTAINER ON THE ENGINE, WHEN CHECK BY THE GLASSMAN DEALER IN SOUTHFIELD MICHIGAN. SUBURU FORESTER DOES NOT HAVE ANY ENGINE OIL LEVEL LIGHT. THE ENGINE CONSUMES THE OIL AND, THE OWNERS SHOULD BE WARNED ABOUT THIS. I LOST 6000.00 MONEY ON THE TRADE IN DUE TO THE ENGINE CONDITION.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUTNAM SUBARU OF BURLINGAME (85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER HITTING A CURB PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AT A LIGHTENING SPEED AND RACED AT INCREASING SPEED FORWARD KNOCKING OVER A BUSH AND CRASHING INTO A BRICK WALL OF A CHURCH BUILDING. THE SEVERE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO OPEN AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SO DAMAGED THAT IT IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THIS ALL OCCURRED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS MYSELF, THE DRIVER, AND A PASSENGER WERE SENT TO EMERGENCY ROOM WITH MULTIPLE ABRASIONS AND CONTUSIONS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING INTO A CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO CAR PORTS AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 2 MPH OVER THE ACTUAL SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY. I ONLY HAD IT A COUPLE DAYS AND DECIDED I SHOULD CHECK THE OIL. NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK!! PUT 2 QUARTS IN TO BRING IT LEVEL. I HAVE TO CHECK THE OIL EVERY FEW DAYS TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT RUN OUT. I AM HAVING TO PUT IN A QUART EVERY 500 MILES! THIS IS NOT NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION! THE OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF SUBARU'S REPUTATION. NEVER AGAIN! AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED. HOW CAN A DEALER SELL A CAR THAT IS THE OBJECT OF A LAWSUIT? SUBARU SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS VEHICLE. NOW I'M STUCK MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT WON'T LAST.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT PROGRESSED FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE DEALER (PUTNAM SUBARU OF BURLINGAME, 85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (650) 558-5628) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. INITIALLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE SECOND TIME, THEY CLEANED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER FURTHER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF MOISTURE COULD RE-ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE FAILURE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 1.5 YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
WHILE IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, MY FORESTER CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT QUICKLY. SO, THE DAMAGE WAS FORTUNATELY ISOLATED TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. IT SEEMS THAT THE CONNECTOR BETWEEN THE WIRING HARNESS AND ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IGNITED. THE FIRE BURNED THE WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE CONNECTOR AND DAMAGED THE O2 SENSOR. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THIS FIRE HAPPENED SPONTANEOUSLY AND SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY RISK . IN MY OPINION, A 3.5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE.
THE DRIVER-SIDE SUN VISOR DROPPED OUT OF IT'S BRACKET, AND FELL IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER'S FACE, WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, STARTLING THE DRIVER AND BLOCKING DRIVER'S COMPLETE VIEW OF ON COMING TRAFFIC.
ON JUNE 9, 2015 I BROUGHT MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER (MILEAGE 41184) INTO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR A "BRAKE PIPE INSPECTION RECALL" AND TO REPLACE A BROKEN PLASTIC MOLDING IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC AT THIS TIME STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE ACCORDING TO THEIR RATING SYSTEM. ONE MONTH LATER, ON JULY 8, 2015, I BROUGHT MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER (MILEAGE 42513) BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND NOISE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. INSPECTION BY THE SERVICE MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP, WERE NOT RELEASING, AND HAD WORN OUT THE BRAKE PADS AND SCORCHED THE FRONT ROTORS FROM THE HEAT GENERATED BY THIS MALFUNCTION. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND PADS. IN A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AND 1329 MILES THE AUTOMOBILE WENT FROM GOOD BRAKES TO WORN-OUT BRAKES WITH SCORCHED ROTORS FROM THE HIGH HEAT GENERATED. SUBARU IS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AWARE SOMETHING WAS WRONG -- SOMETHING WHICH IF NOT FIXED COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ON BUSY HIGHWAY AND POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS. THIS IS NO WAY "NORMAL" BRAKE WEAR. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BY SUBARU BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
OIL WAS CHECKED BEFORE VEHICLE LEFT MASSACHUSETTS FOR A TRIP TO NEW MEXICO. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2300 MILES, UPON ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION NO OIL SHOWED ON THE DIPSTICK. MECHANIC DRAINED ONLY 2.5 QUARTS FROM VEHICLE (5.5 QUARTS IS FULL) SO ENGINE CONSUMED 3.0 QUARTS. THIS IS GROSSLY EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION AND INDICATIVE OF A SERIOUS ENGINE/MATERIALS DEFECT. HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THIS OIL CONSUMPTION DEFECT IS COMMON TO 2011-2014 SUBARU VEHICLES. SUBARU WILL NOT FIX THIS ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE WILL CAUSE ME TO INCUR EXPENSE BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE OIL VOLUME DURING THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL AND LOSS OF VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO THE DRIVERS AND OTHERS ON THE STREET BECAUSE THE ENGINE MAY CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT IT, TOO, IS DEFECTIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED BUT, DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIB CAGE BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,055.
ME AND MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING 20MPH DOWN A SMALL HILL,A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US,I HIT THE BRAKES,WHICH LOCKED UP AND WE SLID SO I LET OFF THEM IMMEDIATELY,THE ROADS WERE ICY AND SNOWY,SO WE GAINED A LOT OF VELOCITY,WE MISSED HITTING HER BUT WENT SIDEWAYS,A LITTLE AIRBORN AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.I VIOLENTLY STRUCK MY HEAD OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW,AND MY SHOULDER AND ARM WERE PINCHED BETWEEN MY BODY AND THE DOOR.THE TIRES POPPED,THE FRONT BUMPER CLIPS BROKE.WE BOTH SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES,AND MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED HER KNEE.I HURT MY SHOULDER PRETTY BAD AND MY HEAD STILL HURTS THEY ARE DOING CAT SCANS.MY AIR BAG ON MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,WHERE IT STRUCK THE POLE NEVER DEPLOYED.I JUST THANK GOD IT DID NOT HIT ON HER SIDE.BUT WE WERE DEFIANTLY GOING FAST ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THAT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG IT BENT THE DOOR AND THE ROCKER SILL THE THOUGHT OF IT NOT GOING OFF IS VERY SCARY AND A BIG MALFUNCTION,I'VE BEEN HAVING ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES,SEATBELTS,CAR NOT RUNNING PROPERLY,AND A BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES I REALLY DID NOT NEED THIS AND I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY,WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU I GOT THE USUAL RUN AROUND.NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.NEEDS SOMEONE TO INTERVENE LIKE YOU. *TR
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATED THE WINDOWS GLASS WILL NOT CLOSE. THE HEAD REST IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. REAR HATCH DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE WITHOUT BEING SLAMMED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATES A CODE OF MISFIRING ON TWO CYLINDERS. *SS THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS WERE LOWERED WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE WINDOW GLASS SHIFTED OUT BEYOND THE CHANNEL IN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO LISTEN TO A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DID CONFIRM A PROBLEM EXISTED, BUT THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. *JB
TL* I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (1ST NOTICE) FOR MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER REGARDING POTENTIAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION. IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR BY INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE. IN THE 1ST NOTICE SUBARU AGREED TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BREAK LINES FREE OF CHARGE. SUBARU STATED THAT IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIR. THEY WOULD RE-CONTACT THE OWNER BY MAIL WHEN THE MATERIAL WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN THE 2ND WAS RECEIVED THE OWNER WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER FOR THE INSPECTION AND ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. UNTIL THEN THERE WERE SEVERAL IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INCLUDING, MONITORING BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND PRESSURE, STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. SHOULD ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS BECOME APPARENT THE OWNER SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DRIVER SHOULD MAINTAIN SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE AND TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN PARKING AND IN TIGHT SPACES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED IT WOULDN'T BE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2014 UNTIL THE 2ND NOTICE WAS TO BE RECEIVED (3 MONTHS AWAY FROM THE 1ST NOTICE). THE OWNER THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHO, WITHIN A WEEK, INSPECTED, CLEANED, AND APPLIED ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS TO THE BRAKE LINES. THE OWNER HAVING TO TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION. SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION. THE BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RISK OF A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM, BRAKELINE MATERIALS AND EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS IS LIKELY THE SAME FOR BOTH SYSTEMS. COULD BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SIMULTANEOUSLY? IF THERE IS A LARGE ENOUGH LEAK IN 1 SYSTEM THAT GOES UNDETECTED COULD IT EMPTY THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AFFECTING THE 2ND SYSTEM'S CAPABILITY? SUBARU CAMPAIGN WQK-47 RECALL NO. 14V-311 JULY 2014. UPDATED 11/20/14 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600.
ENGINE USING SYNTHETIC OW-20 OIL PER DEALER RECOMMENDATION USES OIL FASTER THAN NEW CAR SHOULD. OIL CHANGED 18,951MI. AT AROUND 22,000 OIL WAS NOTED LEAKING AROUND OIL FILTER. ALSO DIPSTICK SHOWING LOW LEVEL. OWNER HAD TO ADD OIL WHILE ON A TRIP. AFTER 24,393MI OIL FILTER LEAK REPORTED, DEALER REPLACED GASKET 803916010 AND TOPPED OFF OIL. AT 26,312 MI, OIL AGAIN CHANGED BY DEALER. 3K MI LATER (29,000MI) OIL AGAIN SHOWED BELOW LOW ON DIPSTICK REQUIRING OWNER TO ADD OIL. 32,191 MI SERVICE APPOINTMENT OIL CHANGE BY DEALER STATES "CLOSE TO FULL." DEALER TOLD US THAT CARS USE A QUART OF OIL EVERY THOUSAND MILES NORMALLY. NO LEAK FOUND ON INSPECTION. I ALWAYS PARK IN THE SAME PLACE AT PARKING GARAGE AND THERE ARE NO OIL LEAKS ON THE CONCRETE. MY FAMILY HAS HAD 2 OTHER NEW SUBARU VEHICLES SINCE 2003 WHICH ALSO USE SYNTHETIC OIL AND NO OTHER CAR HAS HAD THIS OIL USAGE. I HAVE OWNED 6 NEW CARS IN MY LIFETIME. I KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN AN ENGINE BY FREQUENT CHECKS AND MAINTENANCE. MY CONCERN IS THAT OWNERS MAY LOSE AN ENGINE DUE TO SEIZURE IF THEY FOLLOW SUBARU RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE BY MILEAGE OR MONTHS. SOME OWNERS WHO ARE NOT DILIGENT IN CHECKING FREQUENTLY MAY LOSE AN ENGINE. MY OTHER CONCERN IS THAT EITHER SUBARU ENGINE DESIGN, GASKETS, OR OTHER PARTS MAY BE TO BLAME IN EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I WANT TO ALSO SUBMIT A STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY BRAKES,I ALSO NOTICED OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS,AS SOON AS I GOT THE CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT.I TOOK THE CAR IN,I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I WAS IN LINE AT STARBUCKS AND THE BRAKES WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR,I PULLED THE EMERGENCY UP NARROWLY MISSING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME.I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN,BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN AGAIN AT DUNKIN DONUTS IT DID THE SAME THING.IT HAD ALSO STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE SMELL AND HAD NO POWER.AND A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS.I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE,I ARGUED THEY WERE NOT.THE SMELL WAS SUPPOSEDLY SOME KIND OF FLUID LEAKING ON THE MUFFLER.TOOK IT HOME BRAKES STILL KEPT DOING THE SAME THING,CALLED BACK WENT BACK IN THE CAR WAS LOW ON OIL AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL DOING THE NON EXISTENT THING,PLUS IT STILL SMELLED BAD AND I HAD A LIST FOR THEM,THEY GAVE IT AN OIL CHANGE,AND SAID THIS TIME THE BRAKES WERE FINE BUT MAY NEED PADS IN 6,000 MILES OR SO NOW THE SMELL IS NORMAL THOU,PLUS I TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT GETTING GOOD GAS MILEAGE AND HITCHING,THEY SAID UNLESS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEY CANT DO ANYTHING.WELL NOW LASTLY THE REAR SEAT BELT WORKS ONLY OCCASIONALLY,MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND THEY ONLY STOP ABOUT HALF THE TIME MY TIRES ARE ALL WORN OUT,AT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL (OK) AND IT STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND IS UNDER RECALL IT STILL SMELLS BAD,THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT,IT USES OIL,EATS GAS,AND STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND THE BRAKES ACT LIKE THE ANTI LOCK FEATURE IS CONSTANT EVEN WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE?NOW AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE A REAL TREND HERE AND I REPORTED MY ACCIDENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. *TR
I'M HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEADLIGHTS. IN PAST 3-4 MONTHS THEY HAVE RANDOMLY GONE OUT. THE LIGHT BULB IS GOOD. SO IS THE FUSE. EACH TIME WE TOOK THE HEADLIGHT AREA APART AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT LIGHT BULB CAME BACK ON. I DO NOT KNOW IF ITS THE WIRES OR CONNECTION WITH THE LIGHT BULB AND THE BASE. I DID CALL WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND AS ITS OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL ONLY FIX FOR A FEE. SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL "DECIDE AFTER EVALUATED AND FIXED" AS LONG AD ONLY USING ALL SUBARU PARTS"- IF THEY WILL COVER THIS. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, BOTH IF MY HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
I WAS A BLOCK FROM HOME AFTER HAVING HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES FROM WORK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD "POP." I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE CAR. I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY FOLDED INTO THE FENDER, AND I COULD NOT MOVE FURTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT VIA THE ROADSIDE SERVICE OFFERED THROUGH SUBARU, AS THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT WAS MISSING A BOLT. BOTH THE SERVICE PEOPLE AND THE GENERAL MANAGER HAD STATED TO ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND THOUGHT, POSSIBLY, THE BOLT WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY. THE REPAIR DOCUMENT READS AS FOLLOWS: "CONFIRMED CUSTOMERS CONCERN RIGHT FRONT STRUT MISSING BOLT, RECOMMEND TO REPLACE STRUT AND HAT WITH NEW BOLTS. RECOMMEND TO REPLACE HAT DUE TO DAMAGED BENT STRUT. WITH CUSTOMERS AUTHORIZATION REMOVED AND REPLACED RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND NEEDED HARDWARE. REPLACED STRUT HAT AND COMPLETED. TORQUED ALL WHEELS AND ALL RELATED NUTS AND BOLTS TO SPECIFICATION." I HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM SINCE I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK ON MARCH 18, 2014. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY NOT BE JUST MY VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT A MUCH HIGHER SPEED, THIS COULD HAVE ENDED UP VERY BADLY FOR NOT ONLY ME BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. THANK YOU *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO AN ATM MACHINE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,700. UPDATED 04/30/14 MA UPDATED 04/19/16*LJ *TR
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, AT WHICH TIME, THEY DIAGNOSED THE IGNITION ISSUE AS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT IT WAS FIXED WITH AN UPDATE TO THE FIRMWARE. HOWEVER, HE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME IGNITION PROBLEM, BUT ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE BATTERY. DESPITE THE NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT, HE CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SAME FREQUENCY. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, BUT WERE UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE DIAGNOSIS 100% UNTIL THEIR FUEL PUMP MECHANIC MADE FURTHER INQUIRES WITH THE SUBARU FACTORY. THE CONSUMER MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, AS IT WAS FINALLY CONFIRMED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, HE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,500. UPDATED 11/14/13*CN
SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION: STEPPED ON BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. INSTEAD ENGINE REVS INCREASED AND CAR SPED UP. WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, ONLY BY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REPLACING IT SEVERAL TIMES. SAME PROBLEM AS OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE ON 10/12/2012. SEE ODI # 10484833. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DISABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING ACCORDING TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,650 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,626. UPDATED 10/17/13*LJ
NOTICE TWO BLEMISHES ON TIRE SIDE WALL AFTER BUYING NEW CAR, 1 YEAR LATER BULGING IS BIGGER. *TR
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED UNLESS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE REGULARLY, OR STARTED IT AND LET THE ENGINE IDLE, THE COMPLEX OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS WOULD RUN DOWN THE BATTERY TO A NO START AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, ALL SYSTEMS WOULD BE DEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED SELLERS ADMITTED TO THE PROBLEM AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND RUNNING THE ENGINE MORE OFTEN.
WHEN TURNING OFF ENGINE, LOUD RAPID PINGING NOISE FROM FRONT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. PER SUBARU HOME OFFICE THIS IS NORMAL. PER MANAGER OF SUBARU SERVICE DEPT IT IS NORMAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GUARDS AROUND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER - THAT THEY GET VERY HOT FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PING AS COOL DOWN. BUT IF THEY ARE CONTINUALLY WARPING BACK AND FORTH CAUSING THE PINGING SOUND, ISN'T THERE GOING TO BE METAL FATIGUE? WHEN THE GUARDS DON'T WORK, IS THE CAR GOING TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE? I MEAN, I WOULD THINK THEY ARE THERE FOR A REASON. I HAVE EVEN HEARD THE NOISE ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. JUST WANT TO KNOW THE CAR WILL BE SAFE. WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE ANNOYING NOISE GO AWAY ALSO. I WAS TOLD ALL FORESTERS DO THIS. *TR
THE ENGINE CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL FOR SUCH A RELATIVELY NEW & LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS CONCERN. EACH TIME THE ENGINE OIL IS CHECKED THE DIPSTICK WOULD NOT REGISTER ANY OIL READING. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER CHANGED THE OIL & FILTER UNDER WARRANTY AS PER BULLETIN 02-144-13R & HAVING ME RETURN AFTER AN ADDITIONAL 1200 MILES OF DRIVING. THIS ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE FOR HAVING OIL USAGE AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE AND BEGIN RELATIVELY NEW. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY TIME AND UNDERSTAND ALL CARS CONSUME OIL AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER BUT NOT WHEN THE CAR IS STILL PRACTICALLY NEW. DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, MOST WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD MAINLY FOR THE OWNERS WHO ARE NOT AS SAVVY WITH VEHICLES. THE ENGINE OIL COULD RUN OUT & SEIZE THE MOTOR OF WHICH CAN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
DURING COLD WEATHER STARTS, THE VEHICLE CABIN SMELLS STRONGLY OF RAW FUEL, AS IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE SMELL PERSISTS UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS REACHED ITS NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. LOOSE FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR FORESTERS, AND RARE INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN CURRENT GENERATION FORESTERS (09-13). *TR
2012 FORESTER 2.5X, 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 50+ MPH, ANY ATTEMPT TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE CAUSES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT ALL THE WAY TO SECOND GEAR. THIS RESULTS IN VERY HIGH RPMS, BUT A LOSS IN VELOCITY AS THE DOWNSHIFT TO SECOND GEAR IS NOT APPROPRIATE AT THE HIGH END OF THE ALLOWABLE RPMS FOR THE ENGINE. THE LOSS IN SPEED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE IS VERY UNSAFE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO UNEXPECTEDLY RETURN TO MY LANE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. LIKEWISE, ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC TRAVELING FASTER IN ANOTHER LANE IS ALSO UNSAFE AS I LOSE SPEED WHILE EMERGING INTO THE LANE WITH FASTER TRAFFIC. THIS DOWNSHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR RATHER THAN THIRD GEAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OCCASIONALLY CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT TO TURN ON. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND CAN BE REPLICATED AT ANY TIME. THIS OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND CAN BE REPLICATED BY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL QUICKLY, OR JUST TAPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT TO SECOND GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS USING AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE DEALERS MECHANICS ARE EASILY ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THE SUBARU HEADQUARTERS AND WERE TOLD THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. IT IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL FOR AN AUTOMOBILE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE APPEAR TO BE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES ON FORESTERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
WHILE PASSING A PARKED DUMPSTER, THE DRIVER STEPPED LIGHTLY ON THE GAS. INSTEAD OF THE EXPECTED MILD ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE REVVED GREATLY AND AN UNEXPECTED HIGH ACCELERATION OCCURRED. IT RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. *TR
2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE DAY SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TOO SOFT AND THERE WAS EXTENDED PEDAL TRAVEL. SHE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP IN TIME. ALSO, WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WOULD SUDDENLY JUST SINK DOWNWARD AN INCH. ALSO, AT APPROXIMATELY, 17,000 IN MAY 2014, THE BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING. THE DEALER MACHINED THE ROTORS AND STATED IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER EVEN THOUGH THE HER YEAR, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SHE STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT APPLIED REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.
WHILE OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE TOP, RIGHT CORNER OF THE DOOR STRUCK MY FOREHEAD, CAUSING A GASH JUST ABOVE MY RIGHT EYEBROW THAT REQUIRED SIX STITCHES TO CLOSE. A LITTLE LOWER AND THE SHARP, POINTED CORNER OF THE DOOR FRAME COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LOSS OF MY RIGHT EYE. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR FRAME. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, ONE MUST REACH FOR THE DOOR HANDLE AND, IN DOING SO, LEAN IN TOWARD THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, IF ONE IS NOT STANDING BACK FAR ENOUGH, THE DOOR WILL HIT THE PERSON OPENING THE DOOR. THE DESIGN IS COMMON TO BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. I INQUIRED WITH KINNEY MOTORS OF RUTLAND, VERMONT (802-775-6900), WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER TO SEE IF THERE IS A FIX FOR THE ABOVE PROBLEM AND, WHILE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS POLITE AND TRIED TO BE HELPFUL, NO FIX WAS AVAILABLE. *TR
AFTER SHARP ACCELERATION THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. NO OTHER ISSUES NOTED. TWO MONTHS LATER WITH 7500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE SAME THING OCCURRED BUT THIS TIME THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STABILIZATION LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK AND I ASSUME THE STABILIZATION DIDN'T EITHER.
WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RPM, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND START FLASHING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT ALSO FLASHED. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OUT, SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISABLED AND THE OTHER LIGHTS CONTINUED TO BE ON AND FLASH AND I HAD TO TAKE IT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE "RESET". DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A "COMPUTER" PROBLEM AND SUBARU HAS NOT FIXED IT. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WAS ABLE TO LET OFF ACCLERATION QUICK ENOUGH TO KEEP IT FROM LOCKING OUT MY CRUISE AND CAUSING ALL THE LIGHTS TO FLASH CONTINUALLY. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL ISSUES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED, THE FUEL GAUGE READING WAS INACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,330.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS; HOWEVER, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CLUTCH FLUID DRAINED OUT OF THE RESERVOIR, AND THE SMOKE WAS CAUSED BY FLUID DRAINING TO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS NOT ACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS STARTER RELAY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CHIP FOR THE KEY FOB WAS NOT RESPONDING TO THE SYSTEM. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY INTEGRATED UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.