5.5

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,533 miles

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problem #11

Jul 192005

Forester

  • miles
Both rear wheel bearings have failed twice. Replaced twice by repair shop. Original ones lasted 50,000 miles, 1st replacement lasted 10,000 miles.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #10

Jul 162004

Forester 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 80,765 miles
Rear wheel bearings were replaced four times. Vehicle was making too much noise before the bearings were replaced. Consumer felt that the wheel bearings should have lasted longer. Manufacturer was notified.

- Orleans, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 152004

Forester 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
There was a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Upon inspection of the noise by the dealership, they indicated the noise occurred because of a right wheel bearing failure. The right wheel bearing was replaced, but then the failure occurred on the left side.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #8

Aug 132003

Forester 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,100 miles
The car is 4 years old with 24100 miles. At 16000 miles, right rear wheel bearing failed and was replaced under warranty. At 22000 miles, right rear bearing noise returned and the dealer 'adjusted' the bearing for 'free', even though the 3 year warranty had passed. At 24100 miles, the bearing failed with grinding and smoking while vehicle was on the highway. Dealer refused to cover the event under warranty.a technician at the dealership told consumer that other Foresters were having similar bearing problems, and that they we retold to stop using the oem ball bearings, and go to a roller bearing.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

problem #7

May 012003

(reported on)

Forester

  • 29,000 miles
The wheel bearings have been replaced 3 times since the vehicle had 29000 miles.

- Batavia, OH, USA

problem #6

Jul 112002

Forester 4WD

  • miles
Dealer replaced wheel bearing at 29,000 miles under warranty. Went bad again 30,000 miles later, even though owners manual states that it doesn't need serviced until 60,000 miles. Dealer said that we drove on it too long and damaged the hub and housing, $700 repair bill. Dealer said that they had been having a lot of problems with these bearings and they replaced it with a legacy bearing. Service manager stated that we were 'lucky' to only have had bearing fail twice. We feel, after research, that it is a design problem and there needs to be a recall by Subaru to fix this problem and we should be reimbursed for our expense.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #5

Apr 152002

Forester 4WD

  • miles
I took my Subaru in for an oil leak problem and was informed that my right bearing was bad. The oil seal was under warrenty, however the bearing cost nearly $500. Drove it a month and started hearing a roaring noise. I took it in again and the bearing had caused the hub to go bad. I was not charged this second time. I was told they had other all wheel drive vehicles in with this problem.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #4

Mar 102002

Forester 4WD

  • miles
The wheel bearings have failed three times so far, and I need to have them replaced again for the fourth time. The first time was at 60000 miles and then at 65000 and now at 74000 miles. I can not believe Subaru has done nothing for us up to this point. I feel fortunate we have not hurt someone as a result of this problem. Nlm

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #3

Nov 202001

Forester

  • miles
Premature wear of front wheel bearing. Dealer or manufacturer have not been notified. Please provide additional information.

- West Wardsboro, VT, USA

problem #2

Oct 262000

Forester 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front right wheel bearing had to be replaced.

- Hudson, WI, USA

problem #1

Aug 012000

Forester

  • miles
The right rear wheel bearing assembly has failed on three occasions causing a mild roaring sound, dealer has replaced the wheel bearings, hub, and housing. Nlm

- Pleasant G, NC, USA