2018 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

The A/c compressor seized up causing the belt to break. Looked up online and it seems it's a common occurrence with this year and model.

For the second time we were on the freeway at a hight speed and the car suddenly lost power, all the warning lights came on, and we had to get off the freeway (dangerously). We almost got hit, and other cars had to brake radically. We took it in to Subaru and they said the catalytic converter was bad. They replaced the catalytic converter, and when they took it for a test ride, they found that the SECOND catalytic converter was bad. Apparently they have two. The car must have suddenly lost power for them, too. We have 85k miles on the car, and the Subaru warranty for the catalytic converter is 80k. We're into it for thousands of dollars, but the MOST IMPORTANT reason I'm making this report is that SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED ON THE FREEWAY because of these failing catalytic converters, and it might not be people in the Subarus. The car just died at that speed in the left lane, and it was a miracle no one was killed. (I'm not sure if I have my date quite right. My calendar is not at hand). Note: Subaru is having a hard time getting the part, a delay, they say, of many days, so that makes me think that this is happening widely, and that these catalytic converters are getting replaced at an unanticipated rate.

We were driving at 70mph on the freeway, left lane, and suddenly the car lost power as if the fuel pump went out. We had to suddenly get over to the shoulder of the freeway, almost got hit, then limped along the shoulder until we called a tow truck which towed us 40 miles to Subaru dealer. The dealer looked at the car and "couldn't find anything." Now we are afraid to drive the car.

Ticking noise on cold start up as well as reduced acceleration speed and torque. Diagnostics point me to believe the AVCS solenoids are beginning to fail prematurely. This has not been confirmed by a dealership and the issue is reproduced during any driving. There are no CEL lights active or codes stored. The vehicle currently has 74,*** miles. The issue started within the last 6 months. This is a safety concern when attempting to get up to highway and freeway onramps or getting up to merging or passing speeds.

Went to car wash,car was in nuetral after after wash finished I put the car in drive and it accelerated into the street at a very high rate of speed my foot was not on the gas.

Smelled car exhaust entering the cabin, took to dealer for inspection. Exhaust manifold part is actually warped and separated from the engine (not gasket issue). Apparently this problem is known by the dealer service shops, but is undisclosed by Subaru. I was feeling quite sick for weeks without understanding the cause, now I drive the car with the windows open and the vent closed and feel much better (I am waiting for the part to arrive so the dealer can fix the issue). I am an engineer and described the issue as a defect, the dealer hedged and said they are not allowed to call it a "defect" since that implies it needs a recall.

I was driving on a normal roadway when a pulley began to make a loud screaming sound. Then I heard two loud pops. I pulled to the side of the road. I found a melted serpentine belt. I replaced the belt and began to drive at a low speed. I noticed the Vehicle started to sputter. I pulled over and checked the engine. When I opened the hood the AC compressor was sparking and 6-12 inch flames were shooting out. I turned off the engine and extinguished the fire. Vehicle operated like normal after replacing AC compressor. Concerned that it could have caught entire vehicle on fire. Condenser for same make and model is recalled but not for our specific vin. I have old AC pump as evidence. An argument could be made that my VIN should have been included in the recall.

When applying gentle gas pressure at low speed car does not respond for 2-4 seconds, then lurches strongly forward as tho full throttle has been applied. Happens at random times. Dealer said nothing wrong when first happened 2 years ago. Was rare until today when it happened 6 times within 50 miles of city driving. Will see dealer tomorrow. No warnings of any kind. Grave safety hazard as could be hit by traffic when trying to enter street or get out of somebodies way when car does't respond.

CAM SHAFT SEAL LEAK. UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES. WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPLACED FELT SESLS WITH A SILICONE SEAL THEREFORE THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS. MY FRIEND BROUGHT HIS 2019 FORESTER IN THAT SAME WEEK. SAME PROBLEM

WHEN DRIVING, SOMETIMES MY CAR LOSES POWER TEMPORARILY. IT HAPPENS AT TIMES WHEN I AM GOING UP AN INCLINE, BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON FLAT SURFACES.

EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS AT BOTH 30,0000 AND 65,000 MILES. CAR WAS MAKING WHISTLING SOUNDS WHEN STARTING THAT ARE EXCEPTIONALLY NOTABLY ONLY IN COLD WEATHER. UNKNOWN HOW LONG LEAKS WERE THERE AS THEY ONLY LOUD DURING THE COLD MONTHS. NOISE WOULD GO AWAY ONCE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP.

EXHAUST GASKET LEAK. ONLY NOTABLE WHEN COLD AS IT MAKES A WHISTLING SOUND. ISSUE HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL INSIDE THE ENGINE OIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUBARU OF CORVALLIS (LOCATED AT 800 NW 5TH ST, CORVALLIS, OR 97330, (541) 754-1515), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

2018 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5I AUTOMATIC CVT: DEFECTIVE LOW GEAR - SAFETY ISSUE. 21 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE TOOK IT TO DURANGO COLORADO MOUNTAINS, PUT IT IN LOW GEAR BEFORE DESCENDING AND THE LOW GEAR NEVER KICKED IN TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. STOPPED MULTIPLE TIMES TO RE-ATTEMPT AND LOW GEAR FAILED EACH TIME. I DARED ONLY 40MPH ON THE GRAVELLY SWITCHBACKS. MANUFACTURER & DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECT EVEN THOUGH I RECORDED ANOTHER INSTANCE ON TEXAS HILLS. MECHANIC SHOP IN THE AREA SAID THAT THE CAR HAS NO LOW GEAR FAILURE LIGHT SO DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PICK UP A CODE THAT DOES NOT EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX ISSUE AND DEALER SAID DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. I GAVE BOTH THE VIDEO OF LOW GEAR FAILURE AND A JAPANESE & USA ARTICLE ON HOW LOW GEAR WORKS. I OFFERED EVEN EXCHANGE FOR A MANUAL PREMIUM. NO RESOLUTION.