9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$70
Average Mileage:
47,650 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. jump (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #3

Feb 202023

Forester Limited 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 10,064 miles

Purchased the 2018 Forester Limited NEW, Feb. of 2023 battery DEAD … OK old battery, purchased a New very good battery from local Les Schwab. 4 weeks Later DEAD battery AGAIN . Les Schwab replaced the almost new battery. 2-3 weeks later DEAD battery AGAIN… jumped it and drove to Reno Lithia Subaru where I purchased all 3 of my Subaru's . After a few hours at Dealership said NOTHING WAS WRONG… need to drive it more??? WHY not an issue for the 1st 5 Years ??? May 6th DEAD Battery AGAIN !!! I’m a hour+ drive from dealership and will not take it in AGAIN to be told nothing wrong. VERY disappointed with the Dealership And SUBARU. I had nothing but Praise until this issue !

- Cap P., Ravendale, CA, US

problem #2

Nov 032022

Forester

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,849 miles

I WAS IN A REMOTE AREA, IN "NO-CELL" AREA. I RETURNED TO THE CAR AFTER A HIKE AND THE CAR WAS DEAD. THIS WAS AFTER A FULL 78,000 MILE TUNE UP AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP.

LUCKILY, I HAD JUMP CABLES AND FLAGGED DOWN A PASSING VEHICLE. HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR SINCE..HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A LOCAL GARAGE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY.

I DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING PLUGGED IN, SEAT WARMERS ON, DOME LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS ON WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE...THERE MUST BE A GHOST DRAW SOMEWHERE!

- Terri S., Silver City, NM, US

problem #1

Sep 202021

Forester 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

My wife 2018 Forester is leaving her stranded in the middle of nowhere. We live in Michigans Upper Peninsula and my wife is a visiting nurse/hospice. We have been experiencing failed starting for a number of years here.

I've cleaned cables/checked grounds and made sure no unnecessary draws on electrical system when shutting off - but to no avail!!! Now I'm on third battery a month old and today as she stopped at office after 2 hours driving, she jumped out, ran in and came back and her car will not even make a groan??? Let me tell you, winters here are damn brutal cold. People die of exposure here quickly. And the remoteness of this place is legendary!!

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY WIFE BECAUSE SUBARU IGNORES THIS PROBLEM.

There is no rhyme or reason for this failure, my wife carries a rechargeable battery pack and has used it to exhaustion.

Dear Subaru - please give a damn about this 1st Responder and help us!!!!?????

Lost in Cold and Snow

- Lewis A., Bessemer, US