What 147 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Subaru Forester Wilderness

WHEN MY HEAD LIGHTS GOT TURNED ON NONE OF MY TAILLIGHTS OR MY DASH LIGHTS CAME IN 1200 DOLLAR REPAIR. ALSO MY HEAD GASKET WENT WITH 1500 DOLLAR REPAIR WHICH SUBARU IN KNOWN FOR IF YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323891

DEALER SAYS MY 2011 SUBARU FORESTER (~60,000 MI) HAS A CAM CARRIER OIL LEAK THAT WILL REQUIRE A $2,500 REPAIR TO FIX, AS IT INVOLVES REMOVING THE ENGINE. I'M CONCERNED THAT A LEAKING CAMSHAFT SEAL CAN COMPROMISE THE TIMING BELT, LEADING TO A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI 11315465

TWO MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR USED FROM A DEALER, I NOTICED THAT IT SMELLED 'OILY', LIKE AN OLD CAR THAT HAD BEEN SITTING WITHOUT BEING STARTED. I CHECKED THE OIL AND THE CAR WAS ALMOST DRY AFTER ABOUT 1900 MILES FROM PICKING IT UP FROM THE DEALER. IT HAS USED OIL EXCESSIVELY EVER SINCE. I NEED ABOUT 1 QT, SOMETIMES MORE, EVERY 500 MILES. AFTER DRIVING, IT ALWAYS HAS THAT HOT OLD OIL SMELL TO THE ENGINE, LIKE A VERY OLD CAR. I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT GARAGES BUT THEY CANNOT FIND A LEAK, SO IT MUST BE THAT THE OIL IS SOMEHOW BURNING. WHEN I ASK WHERE THE OIL IS GOING, THEY EITHER TELL ME "IT'S A SUBARU" WITH A SHRUG, AS THOUGH THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED, OR THEY SAY THAT PERHAPS I'M NOT NOTICING HOW FAR I'VE DRIVEN. ON ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE TICKS AND RATTLES LIKE IT IS OUT OF OIL. AT HIGH SPEEDS (60+MPH), THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STRAINING. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT LIGHTS UP DURING INITIAL STARTING, BUT NEVER COMES ON WHILE IDLING OR DRIVING, NO MATTER HOW LOW THE OIL GETS. THIS PUTS ME AT RISK TO BLOW THE ENGINE WITH NO WARNING.

NHTSA ODI 11310636

THE WIPERS CLOG WITH ICE AND DO NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WELL. THEY FREEZE INTO THE WELL BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY CHOP THEM LOOSE WITH AN ICE SCRAPER IN VERY COLD WEATHER. CHUNKS OF ICE STICK TO THE BLADES AND DO NOT RELEASE, RESULTING IN BLADES THAT DO NOT MAKE FULL CONTACT WITH THE GLASS. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF BLADES INCLUDING WHATEVER THEY SELL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WINTER ICE BLADES. THEY DRAG AND SMEAR DURING RAIN OR SNOW, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY. I THINK THE WIPER BODY IS NOT STIFF ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD EFFECTIVELY, EVEN WHEN THERE IS ONLY RAIN AND NO SNOW OR ICE. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER (SUBARU OF WATERVILLE, ME) AND WAS OFFERED NEW BLADES, AND HAD IT SUGGESTED THAT I USE ''QUALITY" WIPER FLUID.

NHTSA ODI 11310639

THIS IS AN OLDER CAR BUT STILL SERVICEABLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A SEATBELT WARMING, WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND THE CAR IS MOVING. ALSO A MESSAGE LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. THE ONLY REMEDY OFFERED WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT AT A COST EXCEEDING $2000. NOT COST EFFECTIVE FOR WHAT AMOUNTS TO DEFECTIVE WEIGHT SENSORS. WE HAVE NOTED THAT NEWER SUBAR'S HAVE HAD THE SENSORS RECALLED. WE REQUEST THAT THE RECALL BE EXTENDED TO ALL AFFECTED SUBARU VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11301541

WHEN I PLAY A CD IN MY SUBARU'S CD PLAYER FOR AN HOUR, THE IGNITION KEY IS HOT TO THE TOUCH WHEN I STOP CAR AND REMOVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11298314

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS RECALLED AGAIN

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THE IGNITION KEY STARTS THE CAR, BUT STICKS IN THE IGNITION AFTER DRIVING TO DESTINATION AND PUTTING IT IN PARK. THE PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT BUT INTERMITTENT. IT TYPICALLY REPEATS IN THE MORNING AFTER THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY. CAN'T ALWAYS GET THE KEY OUT AND HAVE TO RETURN HOME. AFTER DRIVING AND MUCH JIGGLING THE KEY WILL EVENTUALLY COME OUT. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT HE CALL THE "SHIFTER PLATE," TO THE TUNE OF $550, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI 11255286

WHILE PARKING IN A STORE'S LOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP I ENDED UP CRASHING THROUGH A FENCE AND FALLING DOWN A 10 FOOT EMBANKMENT. *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11253025

UNKNOWN ORIGIN. VEHICLE EMITS STRONG FOUL BURNING OIL/RUBBER SMELL. SUBARU HAS CHECKED USING AN OIL LEAK TEST SHOWS IT IS NOT BURNING OIL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER SMELL COMPLAINTS, BUT SUBARU SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPLAINT, BUT SAYS IT IS RELATED TO AN OIL LEAK. PEOPLE NEARBY MAKE COMMENTS ABOUT THE FOUL SMELLING SUBARU.

NHTSA ODI 11244944

TAKATA RECALL HAVE NOT FOUND A DEALERSHIP WILLING TO REPLACE. IF THEY WILL NOT FIX WILL THEY BUY BACK MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DRIVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR

NHTSA ODI 11231500

WHILE TAKING A RIGHT TURN APPROX 10-15 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, BUT NO OTHER SYSTEMS WERE EFFECTED. THE RADIO NEVER TURNED OFF, THE CAR NEVER STUTTERED , I DIDN'T KNOW THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF UNTILL THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER REALIZING THE ENGINE WAS OFF I LOOKED AT DASH PANEL AND ALL SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON AS IF KEY WAS IN ACCESSORY MODE. I PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED IGNITION AND CAR STARTED UP WITH NO ISSUES AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. I DROVE ANOTHER 15 MINS TO WORK MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS WITH NO ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11222539

I WAS PULLING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE (BRAKING) AT A SHOPPING CENTER WHEN MY SUBARU SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY, TAKING MY CAR OVER THE CURB THROUGH A HEDGEROW AND INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE, AT WHICH TIME IT STOPPED. WITNESS CONFIRMED THE SUDDEN RAPID BOLTING OF THE CAR FORWARD FROM AN ALMOST STOPPED POSITION.

NHTSA ODI 11218101

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED WITH A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA AS A LEMON LAW BUYBACK. AFTER ONLY 87,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES UNDER GOOD CONDITIONS AND METICULOUS MAINTENANCE, A ROD BEARING FAILED, DESTROYING THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11217001

BURNING MORE THAN 1 QT PER 1,000 MILES

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TAKATA RECALL- LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS BEING DIFFICULT IN TRYING TO RESOLVE HAVING PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED. ALSO SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS BEEN SLOW TO STEP IN AND HELP

NHTSA ODI 11207607

TAKATA RECALL - CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE FIX FOR RECALL, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE ME UNTIL JUNE 24, AND UNTIL THEN I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT. THEY SAID THE DELAY WAS BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY CARS THAT NEEDED TO BE FIXED THEY COULD NOT SCHEDULE ANYONE UNTIL AT LEAST THEN. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11203364

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). CARR SUBARU (LOCATED AT 11635 SW CANYON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005, (503) 672-3370) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE SOONER THAN JULY 19, 2019 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11191421

OUR FORESTER HAS BEEN BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THOUGHT IT WAS LEAKS AT FIRST AND HAVE SPENT ABOUT 2500 FIXING THOSE. KEEPS LOSING OIL SO MUST BE BURNING IT. TOOK AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AT DEALER WHICH LASTS 1200 MILES. FAILED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MAKE IT 650 MILES BEFORE IT RAN OUT OF OIL. SUBARU DID NOTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. SOON AFTER IT IS NOW STARTING TO THROW CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. TWICE NOW THE ENGINE HAS ALSO DIED WHILE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. ONCE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER WAS LUCKILY BEFORE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT

NHTSA ODI 11190469

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO LOCAL DEALERS: GRAND PRIX SUBARU (500 S BROADWAY, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801, (516) 336-4711) AND HASSETT SUBARU (3520 SUNRISE HWY, WANTAGH, NY 11793, 516-785-7800) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST 9, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11186370

2011 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

NHTSA ODI 11185312

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V008000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. JOHN HOWARD SUBARU (1730 MILEGROUND RD, MORGANTOWN, WV 26505, (866) 219-7316) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11182829

73000 MILES AND WE HAD TO DO A FULL ENGINE RESEAL INCLUDING HEAD GASKETS, CAM CARRIERS, VALVE COVER GASKETS. ALL WERE LEAKING. COMPLAINT IS THAT THE GASKETS SHOULD NOT FAIL THIS SOON, 73K MILES. WE WERE LOSING ENGINE OIL. CAR WAS MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SUBARU.

NHTSA ODI 11182093

VEHICLE IS BURNING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL. NO OIL LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON TO WARN OF LOW ENGINE OIL. BURNS APPROXIMATELY 2 QUARTS PER 1000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11181673

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11176247