August 2000. Right rear bearings broke apart while driving off road. Since I didn't know what the problem was and I was on vacation, I had the vehicle towed to the nearest private garage. I submitted the bill for the repairs and rental car to Subaru which they paid. August 13, 2001: Right rear bearings went out again on city streets near home. My son took the car to stevens creek Subaru. They told me when I picked up the car on 8/15 that Foresters of all years have this recurring problem. Further, once a car has the problem, it will continue to recur. The warranty covered all costs. Less than one week later, 8/20, the bearings went out again. This time we were on a mountain road going around a left bend when they broke. I nearly lost control of the car as it started to slide towards the cliff, but managed to get it to a small turnout safely. The service manager at 49er Subaru in angels camp, ca, told me that the axle "exploded" as a result of the bearings going out, which is why the car had started to slide. They used all Forester parts to replace the broken ones, with the exception that they used legacy bearings instead of Forester bearings. They told me that it was a factory approved change, but they could not provide a tsb or anything in writing stating that this was an approved substitution. Subaru paid for all repairs and the hotel, and they extended my warranty to 6 years 100,000 miles. Dene witt, Subaru central region office, 15000 E. 39th ave, Aurora, co 80011 was very helpful and kind throughout this ordeal and went out of her way to make sure we got back on the road quickly (she had to have an axle overnighted from out of state). Can this complaint be kept anonymous since I still own the Forester and may have to deal with Subaru in the future? thanks, sharon "eileen" cervantes.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

Bearings have failed four times. Increasing noise from rear of vehicle and vibration proceeded failure each time.

- Annandale, NJ, USA

06/27/00 at 39787 miles, noise gradually getting louder in rear, vibration. Right rear wheel bearing and axle replaced at dealership. 09/14/00 at 46801 miles, same wheel bearing replaced again. 09/25/00 at 47660 miles, bearing failed suddenly while traveling about 45 mph in rain on I-66, grinding and screeching. I was able to stop safely and exit freeway. Dealer again replaced bearing. 10/25/00 at 49750, dealer again replaces bearing and housing also this time. Concerned about the effects of vibration on tires, I also ask for an alignment. 12/19/00, problem returns. Car is scheduled for service 12/27/00. I travel roughly 500 miles per week, mostly on very rural roads. I chose Subaru very carefully and need to know I can rely on my vehicle to avoid being stranded alone on the most deserted of roads. This is the 2nd Subaru I have owned (no problems with the first one), purchased because of the safety and reliability of the AWD system; however, I am losing confidence in this particular car. I love the Forester, and would buy another one! I am so disappointed.

- Paw Paw, WV, USA

Bearings failed several times causing wheel to vibrate and humming sound. Mjs

- Pine Mountain, CA, USA