200 Subaru Forester blows head gasket for third time. Fixed twice under manufacturer's recall. Third time, Subaru reports they will assist with half of payment because recall was discontinued in 2008. "repair" completed under recall, but wasn't really repaired. This consumer feels that I should not be responsible for any of this. Repair needs to be completed and stay repair at manufacturer's cost.

- Depew, NY, USA

Engine and engine cooling problem car was overheating at 117000 miles. Thermostat replaced by dealer, but four weeks later, same problem recurred. Problem is blown head gaskets, which are very expensive to fix. Looked on internet, and found all sorts of complaints from consumers, saying they'd had the same problem with their Subaru's also. "conditioner' was apparently put into the engine in 2004, by dealer, because of known problems with head gaskets on Subaru. It seems this conditioner just held the problem off long enough that the warranty expired, and now I have a multiple thousand dollar repair on my hands. From what I understand, the gasket design is the problem. They now use a much stronger gasket. That doesn't really help me, since I have to pay all that money to have the faulty gasket replaced. Instead of using the 'conditioner' cheap fix in 2004, the poorly designed gasket should have been replaced as a recall.

- Shingle Springs, CA, USA

Letter received from Subaru March 2004 stating that a cooling system conditioner needs to be added to the cooling system to prevent an external coolant leak at the vehicle's engine cylinder head gaskets. Went to Subaru as required by letter March 9, 2004, they add cooling system conditioner and I am told this will prevent leaks at the engine cylinder head gaskets and this is stated in the letter too. Note that the first time, I receive this notice is 4 years after purchase. The most recent service, I had done by annapolis Subaru was the coolant system service in November 2005. It is February 2006 and my car needs a cylinder head gasket. According to service department at herb gordon Subaru, the consequences of not replacing the cylinder head gasket is engine failure. Engine failure is a safety risk. At no point are you warned that your engine may stop operating while driving. This is a costly repair. I am told that Subaru will pay for this repair if your car has less than 100,000 miles. My car is well maintained and has 132,297 miles on it. The service person then tells me that the head gasket was redesigned by Subaru to prevent this issue from happening again. Subaru is responsible for designing a faulty head gasket on brand new automobiles, where is the mandatory recall?

- Bowie, MD, USA

Engine had a porous block. Subaru of America has acknowledged this as a manufacturing defect. Experienced catastrophic loss of transmission fluid. Cause unknown. Car currently at new motors for repair. Matter has been referred to an attorney for possible action under state lemon laws.

- Girard, PA, USA