10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,960 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Mar 142014

Forester 4-cyl

  • 7,700 miles
This vehicle is a Forester xt turbo. I was operating on cruise control at 78 mph, approximately 900 miles from home, when a sudden loss of propulsion occurred. Dashboard had multiple warning lights. Engine was still operating, though at very low RPM so I was able to maintain steering and braking control. After maneuvering to the side of the road, I noticed the tachometer was fluctuating between 500-800 RPM. I turned off the engine and was able to restart. The following warning lights were still illuminated: Check engine, hill control, cruise control, and operating mode. Operating mode was stuck in "sport" mode. I was able to drive vehicle at normal speed to nearest dealer approximately 10 miles away. The service technician stated I had an error code of P0606. This is a voltage issue on the engine control module, (ECM). The corrective action is to re-flash the ECM computer chip. This is a restricted action, requiring a field service engineer to come to the dealer to do the procedure. The technician stated they had already experienced this with a vehicle they sold but the problem with the module usually occurs on engine start. The technician cleared the error codes and I continued on my trip. Upon returning to my home, I took the vehicle to my dealer to be serviced. My dealer stated they were one of the first to experience this issue. I am wondering why there has been no recall/notice to owners of this problem since it has been known for a while. It is frightening to lose power when cruising at highway speed.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 022013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 4,240 miles
My 2014 Forester has a problem with the rpms of the engine. In cold weather & after the engine warms up (dash blue light turns off) & while city driving, the engine RPM goes up 300 to 400 rpms when the climate control (heater) is turned on. Then if I stop for a traffic light or a stop sign or adjust the heater fan speed, the engine rpms will go up another 500 to 600 rpms with the cv transmission going into a lower range (transmission whines quite loud at this time). I am now driving with the engine RPM at 1000+ over normal rpms (normal rpms is considered the RPM with the climate control off). This condition will continue for close about 20 minutes of continued driving and then stop. If I turn off the heater while driving the rpms revert to normal. If I again turn on the heater, the rpms again will go up 300 to 400 rpms and not go up the additional 500 to 600 rpms until I would stop again. The 1000 RPM plus condition appears to be dangerous on slippery roads.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 262013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 900 miles
I started the vehicle, put it in reverse and nothing!! it didnt move. Stepped on the gas, nothing! tried this 4 times. After about one hour it started and went in gear. Took it to the dealer, they tested it, said nothing wrong. Second time, which was later that night, I had the car out. Started up, put it in reverse, nothing happened. Car was on a slight incline, car then rolled forward and almost hit a car in front of us. Tried 3 times before the car would back up third time, which occured on December 31st, 2013. I was driving to work. Stopped at red light. Light turned, I stepped on the gas and the car didnt move, it then jumped into the intersection of a major highway! lucky I wasnt hit from behind or head on! I could not get the car to go. Called the dealership. After about 5 minutes I was able to get the car going. The car is at the dealership now and I have a loaner car. They called and said again that they could not find anything wrong!!! I could have been killed!!! I do not want this car back until it is fixed or I get a new one to replace it. I am not very happy with the new 2014 Forester!

- Middletown, NJ, USA

problem #2

Apr 222013

Forester 4-cyl

  • 25 miles
After I purchased my vehicle, I noticed a hesitation between 20 - 40 mph. This is the first year for the Forester's to have a cvt engine so I thought it needed broken in. I also went through 3 cycles of filling up my gas tank from 3 different gas stations and the hesitation continued. The first time I brought it in the technician said he overfilled the oil a slight bit, removed it, and I should notice a difference. No difference. I brought my vehicle back to the dealership addressing the same issue. They performed the tests Subaru of America (soa) suggested and nothing was found. The last time it happened, > month ago, I feared an accident because it hesitated through an intersection. I returned the vehicle wanting answers. Subaru sent out their own technician to gather information to send to fuji and what I was told was that their equipment did not find anything wrong and that it was normal for a cvt engine. I test drove several more Foresters and they all had varying degrees of hesitation and all had different mileage on them.

- Harrisbug, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 192013

Forester

  • 47 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the warning lights illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer for inspection but had not been repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 47.

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA