What 77 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Forester Wilderness

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE A BUSTED RADIATOR HOSE REPAIRED. THEY FOUND OIL IN THE COOLANT TANK, WATER IN THE OIL TANK, AKA FLUID CROSS-CONTAMINATION AND TOLD ME THAT I'D NEED A NEW ENGINE. THEN I GOT A SECOND MECHANIC TO CONCUR. THEN, I TOOK TO A SUBARU DEALER WHO SAID THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE IS OK BUT THE HEAD GASKETS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CAR HAS 107K MILES ON IT! SUBARU NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DEFECT! AS A NOTE, NO RELEVANT DASHBOARD LIGHTS EVER ILLUMINATED. (2013 FORESTER, 1 OWNER)

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AS I BEGAN TO BACK MY BOSSES CAR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I LOOKED OUT OF MY LEFT MIRROR TO FOLLOW THE CURVE OF THE DRIVEWAY IN ORDER TO DIRECT ME. I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING BEHIND ME, SO I PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, AND THEN I FELT A BUMP. THEN I SAW IN THE CAMERA THAT I MUST HAVE HIT A VAN IN THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE BACK DOORS OF THE VAN WERE OPEN. THEN I DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PARK MY CAR SO I COULD GET OUT AND MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HURT ANYONE. AS I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, IT MADE A LOUD WINDING NOISE AND LURCHED FORWARD. IT THEN PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE AND PICK UP SPEED IN THE DRIVEWAY. AS I BECAME PARALLEL WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE OWNERS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING WAS STILL PICKING UP SPEED SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUT ON THE BRAKES SO I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH WITHIN SECONDS I WAS CRASHING THROUGH THE BACK YARD FENCE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO PICK UP SPEED. I WAS PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WAS NOT MAKING ANY DIFFERENCE. I THOUGHT OF SWERVING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT, BUT I WAS AFRAID OF THERE BEING CHILDREN IN THE OTHER YARD SO I QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION TO HIT THE TREE SO I COULD SPARE ANY POSSIBLE LIVES AND STOP THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. AS SOON AS I REALIZED I CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE TREE, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT SO I COULD SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I KEPT REPEATING TO MYSELF 'WHY DIDN'T IT STOP?' I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND AFTER DOING EVERYTHING IN MY MIND TO STOP THE CAR, THAT NOTHING WAS SUCCESSFUL. I DID WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BEST DECISION AS MUCH AS I COULD WITHIN THOSE CHAOTIC MOMENTS. I JUST WANTED TO STOP THE CAR AND NOT HARM IN PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS. I HIT THE TREE AT WITH ENOUGH VELOCITY THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND I BROKE MY LEG IN 3 PLACES. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

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LACK OF POWER WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE FEEL DOES'T GO WHEN I PRESS THE GAS FROM GETTING OUT OF STOP FOR A 10 SECONDS.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. *TR CONSUMER STATED MY SAFETY AND OF THOSE AROUND ME WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR AN IGNITION SWITCH ON LIKE MODELS FOR JUST THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE, BUT NOT MY VIN.*JB

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). SUBARU OF MUSKEGON (LOCATED AT 1878 E STERNBERG RD, MUSKEGON, MI 49444, (231) 799-2886) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG

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MY MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. IT SHOWED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED OR IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW 'CHECK ENGINE', AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IT HAS 117,000 MILES ON IT.

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORTHTOWN SUBARU (3930 SHERIDAN DR, AMHERST, NY 14226, (716) 992-6547) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED THE DEALER ON 3/15 FOR AIRBAG RECALL. CONSUMER'S APPOINTMENT WAS 8/20/19. DEALER CALLED BACK FEW DAYS LATER AND MOVED THE APPOINTMENT TO 4/16/19.*JB

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CONTINENTAL SUBARU (4900 OLD SEWARD HWY, ANCHORAGE, AK 99503, (907) 562-2722) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL MAY 23, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CARTER SUBARU SHORELINE (17225 AURORA AVE N, SEATTLE, WA 98133, (206) 542-1166) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY UNTIL JULY 2, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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BLOWN HEAD GASKET

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BLOWN HEAD GASKET

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SUSPECTED BLOWN GASKET

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AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE - PROMPTED ME TO WRITE THIS. 2YRS INTO OWNING MY CAR HAD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST DONE BECAUSE IT SEEMED THE SYNTHETIC OIL IS DISAPPEARING. WAS TOLD CAR IS FINE. I STILL NEED TO PUT OIL IN - IN BETWEEN CHANGES. THE ENGINE HAS NO LEAKS. I WAS TOLD SYNTHETIC OIL BURNS OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE A LOT OF MILES. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.

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SQUEAKY BRAKES, SEATBELT RECOIL

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VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WITH A BAD MOTOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE FAILURE CORRELATES WITH THE ISSUES THAT SUBARU HAS WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. I HAVE TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO COME TO TERMS WITH SUBARU, I AM MOVING FORWARD WITH A LAWSUIT AND ALL OPTIONS AFFORDED TO ME TO ENSURE THAT SUBARU IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI 11150674

FAILED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ,ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED .I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SECOND SUBARU FORESTER 2011 ITS ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED TOO. IN BOTH CARS I FOUND THE PROBLEMS ACCIDENTALLY WHEN I TOOK THE2011 TO HVE NEW TIERS I ASKED THEM TO CHECK OIL LEVEL FOUND NO OIL ON THE STICK FILLED IT WITH 3 BOTTELS OF OIL BEFORE I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL FORESTER ALSO I WAS NOT END A NOTICE THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. NOW THEY OFFER ME 1000$ TO APPLY FOR BUYING NEW SUBARU

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I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM MECHANIC AFTER TAKING IT IN FOR OIL CHANGE. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE PAN, DIPSTICK CLEAN! I DO NOT HAVE A LEAK AS I PARK IN GARAGE AND WOULD SEE IT. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON DASH, WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN! LOOKING BACK SUBARU HAS HAD ISSUES WITH OIL BURNING UP QUICKLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!

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I HAVE BEEN HEARING A SLIGHT SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE OTHER DAY IT WAS A HORRIFIC, LOUD SCREECHING NOISE! TOOK IT IN TO MECHANIC, MY CALIPER IS STUCK. THEY COULDN'T EVEN MANUALLY SPIN TIRE. BECAUSE OF THIS IT BURNED UP ROTORS AND PADS, SO NOW I NEED TO REPLACE THEM ALL AT A COST OF $900! HOW DOES A CALIPER JUST FREEZE UP??

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH OTHER UNKNOWN INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED METROWEST SUBARU AT (508) 651-2000 (LOCATED AT 948 WORCESTER ST, NATICK, MA 01760), BUT NO ONE ANSWERED THE PHONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY MERGED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE WITHOUT STOPPING. TO AVOID A CRASH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT KNEE AND HAD SCRATCHES ON THE LEFT COLLAR BONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V012000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED ABOUT PART AVAILABILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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SUBARU HAS 86K MILES ON IT. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60MPH AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE CLACKING NOISE. THE CAR DIED. WE STARTED IT AGAIN, ALL THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND THE CAR DIED. IT HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALER AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT HAS "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO THE 'ROD BEARINGS FAILING, ALL METAL THROUGHOUT MY OIL, AND THE SHORT BLOCK (ENGINE?) NEEDS TO BE REBUILT." I REALLY DO NOT WANT THIS ENGINE REBUILT NOR DO I WANT THE CAR BACK. I NEED HELP! PLEASE CONTACT ME.

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I'M SORRY, BUT I'M SENDING IN ANOTHER INCIDENT REPORT AS I JUST WANT TO AMEND MY PRIOR INCIDENT REPORT # 11064585. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT MY ENGINE FAILED ON MY 2013 SUBARU FORRESTER. IN THE DESCRIPTION I SENT TO YOU, I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST BETWEEN $8,000 TO $12,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM! I HAVE THREE KIA'S IN MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WITH MILEAGE OVER 125,000 AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE SUBARU FOR THEIR RELIABILITY AND DEPENDABILITY. PLEASE ADD THIS TO MY PRIOR CASE NUMBER FILE. THANKS SO MUCH.

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SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT 6 TIMES. IN THIS SAME TIME PERIOD WE HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ONLY ONCE. THIS CONCERNS ME, AS IT MAKES ME THINK THERE IS A WIRING PROBLEM & A POSSIBILITY OF A MORE SEVERE PROBLEM

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