10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,638 miles

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problem #7

Apr 232021

Forester

  • 124,150 miles
I understand that there was a recall for this vehicle that claims to be repaired- the ignition turning off while driving. This happened a few minutes ago while driving 65+ on the freeway and we were almost hit by an 18 wheeler because of it. Zero power whatsoever. I was able to put it in neutral and turn the key a few times and restart it. Afterwards, the check engine, stability control, tire pressure, seatbelt lights are all on, cruise control is flashing (I don't use cruise). I don't know how the included picture helps. I feel like this issue was either absolutely not addressed, or if it was, the repair has definitely failed. Either way, I need to know what I should do because this is my only vehicle, my kids have to ride in it and I can't trust it not to kill everyone now.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #6

Oct 082020

Forester

  • 36,816 miles
My Forester will not release the keys from the ignition, even when I am very careful to put it in park. I understand that this is a well known problem, as they have a tsb 16-112-18R about it. When I contacted Subaru of America, they refused to cover the cost of the repair due to the fact that the car is a 2013 model, even though it only has 36,000 miles on it. They instead provided a coupon for $250 toward the repair. I clearly cannot go anywhere with the car in this condition, as it requires leaving the car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. This happened when I pulled into my garage last evening. I feel very fortunate that I was not in a location where I had to leave the car.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #5

Jun 022016

Forester

  • miles
Excessive oil comsumtion - started before 100,000 around 2016- has gotten worse - burn a quart and a half in 1100 miles.... had oil consumption test before warrenty ran out and was told its fine. Excellent maintainance on car - oil consumption ruined catalytic convertor by 150,000 - had to replace/ keep calling Subaru 800 number told that this is normal for wear and tear on car

- Freehold, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 082020

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
The "lookup" for the VIN no. On your websites is dysfunctional. My VIN is [xxx] (Subaru Forester) information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kenai, AK, USA

problem #3

Mar 252019

Forester

  • 117,000 miles
My mechanic ran a diagnostic after my check engine light kept coming on. It showed that the catalytic converter was failing and would need to be replaced or it would continue to show 'check engine', and the cruise control would no longer work. It has 117,000 miles on it.

- Prosser, WA, USA

problem #2

Sep 202016

Forester

  • 20,500 miles
I parked in my driveway, which has a slight incline, put car in park but left ignition running and headlights on. I have parked in this space seven years and was not in habit of pulling the parking brake. I had a visitor who needed to see deck steps as it was nighttime. We both got out, went up the steps and I returned to turn off car. When I leave keys in ignition I keep driver's door ajar to prevent unwanted locking. I open door, lean in to turn off key. Before I can reach the key, the car starts rolling backwards. I throw myself sideways to avoid car rolling over me. Because of incline, car gathers slight speed as it rolls about 40-50 feet down driveway (I live on a hill and driveway incline is more pronounced farther down). It veers slightly to left and I hear a "thud." Engine stops, headlights go out, as best I recall. Car was stopped by a six-inch diameter tree. When I get back in, I have to rock the steering wheel back and forth to get the ignition started and drive car back to parking spot. Odd thing is that when I get in the car to move it from tree, the gear is in "park." Damage is substantial, nearly $10,000 because of where it hit in the back and involved the expensive emissions system. I have tried to recreate this, putting gear in both neutral and reverse at same parking spot. I strongly believe if I had unknowingly left it in reverse, it would have immediately started rolling backward; if I'd left it in neutral, the weight shift of getting out of the car and slamming closed one of the doors would have started it rolling backward at that time, not later. Ussa told me Subaru has not owned up to any rollback problems when the car is in park and on a slight incline but I found a similar rollback in a Subaru forum for a car that was same year, same model and low mileage, as mine is. I now use parking break all the time, no longer trusting the car.

- Barboursville, VA, USA

problem #1

Mar 052015

Forester

  • 21,000 miles
Came out of a car wash and shifted from neutral to drive the Subaru Forester accelerated at full speed without touching any pedals. Started pumping brakes but they did nothing. Steered car thru parking lot next to car wash and side-swiped three cars and somehow managed to steer thru the rest of the parking lot without hitting anything or anyone. Drove car into a snow bank and it stopped. The car was totaled. It's a miracle no one was hurt.

- Bloomington, MN, USA