1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,000 miles

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problem #1

Mar 292004

Forester 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 98,000 miles
My 1998 Subaru Forester hesitates on acceleration in the low RPM range. Once over about 3000 RPM, it runs fine. According to a technical service bulletin released by Subaru in Jan 1999, #11-53-98, this is caused by the engine control module incorrectly interpreting vibrations in the engine as skipping and readjusting the fuel flow rate. The fix requires installing an upgraded ECM--to the tune of well over $1000. This hesitation produces an unsafe situation because the car may at any time refuse to accelerate, or accelerate suddenly without warning.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

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