FaultScore

Subaru Forester stability control problems

68 of the 8,703 complaints filed about the Subaru Forester are about the stability control — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2015.

68

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

0

Fires

Stability & Traction Control complaints by model year

2008 Forester 1 1.5%

Median failure at 47,600 miles

2009 Forester 5 7.4%

Median failure at 31,156 miles

2010 Forester 3 4.4%

Median failure at 138,900 miles

2011 Forester 1 1.5%
2012 Forester 5 7.4%

Median failure at 5,325 miles

2013 Forester 1 1.5%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

2014 Forester 6 8.8%

Median failure at 49,400 miles

2015 Forester 15 22.1%

Median failure at 33,250 miles

2016 Forester 8 11.8%

Median failure at 28,000 miles

2017 Forester 5 7.4%

Median failure at 25,650 miles

2018 Forester 6 8.8%

Median failure at 3,080 miles

2019 Forester 10 14.7%

Median failure at 2,458 miles

2020 Forester 2 2.9%

Median failure at 450 miles

What owners said

2015 Subaru Forester at 57,500 miles Alameda, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

EYESIGHT SYSTEM FAILS REGULARLY OR DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THIS IMPACTS ALL PROXIMITY WARNINGS, AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL AND WHEEL SLIP CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #11372535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Subaru Forester at 121,425 miles Richville, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

STARTED CAR ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING OIL, AND,AWD, EMISSION CONTROL NEED TO BE CHECKED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR STAYS ON. HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HOT DAY STOPPED TO GET GAS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME I CHECKED GAS CAP IT WAS TIGHT, I STARTED DRIVING AND ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING

NHTSA complaint #11341975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Subaru Forester at 23,741 miles Cortland, NY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING. ALL LOW SPEED <5 MPH. CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BRAKING, MADE A HARD LEFT TURN THEN STOPPED. CAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE, MOVED 25 FEET, BRAKE AND STOPPED. CAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE (LOW), APPLIED ACCELERATION (LIGHT), HARD RIGHT TURN, BRAKE APPLIED, CAR ACCELERATED, JUMPED CURB, SHIFTED CAR TO PARK, TURNED OFF IGNITION. RESTARTED CAR, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON, SHIFT WOULD NOT ENGAGE EVEN WITH BRAKE DEPRESSED. REMOVE SHIFT LOCK COVER (SMALL BUTTON NEAR SHIFT) DEPRESSED RELEASE AND MOVE SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND THEN REVERSE TO BACK OFF CURB. INCIDENT OVER, CAR FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED AT THIS POINT. FLOOR MATS WERE NOT ANY WHERE NEAR PEDALS, MATS WERE IN THE RETAINERS TO HOLD POSITION. I AM SURE THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. IT REMAINED THERE EVEN AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF BECAUSE I LOOKED AT MY PASSENGER TO SEE IF SHE WAS OK AND THEN LOOKED AT THE POSITION OF MY FOOT, STILL ON BRAKE. THERE WERE NO CODES FLASHING. I BRAKE AND ACCELERATE WITH ONLY MY RIGHT FOOT. CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SAW SEVERAL REPORTS AND ISSUED THIS ONE. TAKING THIS TO MY DEALER WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME, THEY ALWAYS FIND NOTHING BUT THE MONEY IN MY WALLET. THIS IS SUBARU NUMBER 6 FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #11337719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Subaru Forester at 300 miles Ocala, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I LEASED MY 2020 FORESTER END OF MARCH AND MEMORIAL DAY DROVE TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE 20 MILES AWAY. IT RAINED AS SOON AS I LEFT MY HOUSE. WHEN IT WAS RAINING ON ME ALL THE SAFETY FEATURES STOPPED WORKING! LANE ASSIST/ LANE DEPARTURE. ISN'T THAT WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST. I COULD BEARLY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME AND NO SAFETY FEATURES WORKING! AS SOON AS IT STOPPED THEY MAGICALLY CAME BACK ON. ALSO WHEN I USE THE CRUISE CONTROL THE LANE ASSIST FEATURE GOES INTO HIGH GEAR. IT PUSHES THE VEHICLE TO THE CENTER LINE EXTREMELY HARD. MORE SO THAN NORMAL. NOT AT ALL PLEASED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAD HEARD SO MANY GOOD THINGS ABOUT SUBARU BUT AM NOT EXPERIENCING THEM FIRST HAND. I WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE AT THE END OF MY LEASE AND WILL GET OUT OF THE LEASE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #11327241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 18,000 miles Chicago, IL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN DC OF 2018. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES DATING BACK TO AS EARLY JUNE OF 2019. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO GET SERVICED. MY FIRST RED FLAG. THEN THE BATTERY RANDOMLY DIED WHILE WAITING PARKED IN DECEMBER (TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOVE FREEZING). AFTER THAT INSTANCE, I HAD SEVERAL MORE DEAD BATTERY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. FAST FORWARD TO 2 WEEKS AGO WHERE AGAIN MY BATTERY DIED, I GOT THE CAR JUMPED AND THE BATTERY KEPT DYING THE NEXT DAY. RECENTLY HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY THE DEALER (TUESDAY) AND AGAIN THE BATTERY DIED THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE! THE CAR ALSO HAS OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE START/STOP FEATURE. I'VE HAD INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND I HAD TO MANUALLY RESTART IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL SPEED CONSTANTLY VARIES. THE CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE WHEN I PLUG IN MY PHONE. IT SEEMS THAT ANY ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR SIMPLY DON'T WORK AND ARE NOT RELIABLE. SUBARU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR ALLOWING THIS DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER TO ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT AN EXPENSIVE HEADACHE SINCE THE MOMENT I PURCHASED IT. THE IRONY OF IT ALL IS THAT I TRADED IN MY OLD 2014 SUBARU FORRSTOR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT HAD "ELECTRICAL ISSUES" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND I WAS BETTER OFF GETTING A NEW CAR. ME, BEING NAIVE TRUSTED THEIR ADVICE AND DROVE OFF WITH THIS 2019 HUNK OF PROBLEMS. I HOPE THIS MESSAGE SERVES TO ANY PROSPECTIVE BUYER OF ANY SUBARU VEHICLE TO DO THEIR OWN HOMEWORK IN REGARDS TO WHAT THEY ARE PURCHASING.

NHTSA complaint #11320206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Subaru Forester at 129,735 miles ST Johns, AZ

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROX 65 AND THE EYE SIGHT DISABLED, ABS DISABLED, TRACTION CONTROL AND HILL ASSIST STOPPED, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED AT TRANSMISSION OIL STARTED FLASHING AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON WE WERE DRIVING DOWN HWY 61 IN AZ. POWER TO THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND WE COULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 40MPH. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS ON RECALL AND REPLACED 10/2019 AND THE 3XACR SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDNT COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #11318167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Subaru Forester at 208,000 miles Waynesburg, PA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AT HIGHWAY SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH SUDDENLY SEVERAL DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE, TRANSMISSION OVERHEAT, CHECK ENGINE ALL BECAME ILLUMINATED. NO AFFECTS TO THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OVERNIGHT RESOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A DAY OR TWO. SITUATION REPEATS ON DRY OR WET ROADWAYS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONLINE GOOGLE-YAHOO CHAT ROOMS HAS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR ISSUES DISCUSSED WITH NO FIXES FROM DEALER OR CORPORATE SUBARU. ITS A BIT UNNERVING WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED ALL OR MOST OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. ANY ASSISTANCE IS MOST APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #11316006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 10,000 miles Willoughby Hills, OH

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WE HAVE A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER, PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WITH THE EYESIGHT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON, AND TURNING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. THE MAJOR ISSUE HAS BEEN THE SLAMMED ON BRAKES WHEN THE ROAD AHEAD WAS CLEAR, JARRING ME AND PASSENGERS, MY WIFE LITERALLY HAD WHIPLASH AND A HEADACHE FROM THE EXTREME, UNEXPECTED BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN A VEHICLE IN FROM OF US MADE A RIGHT TURN, ROAD AHEAD IS CLEAR, TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, SENSORS MUST BE PICKING UP THE CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE AS WE APPROACH, LOCKING UP THE BRAKES, THINKING IT IS STILL IN FRONT OF US. ANOTHER INCIDENT, EYESIGHT SENSING AN EMPTY PAPER BAG BEING BLOWN ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION FROM A DRIVER BEHIND US IF THEY WERE FOLLOWING TO CLOSE, LIKE IS THE NORM IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ANOTHER EVENT, A DOG RAN ACROSS THE FREEWAY, EYESIGHT NEVER ACTIVATED, I THOUGHT I HAD BRAKED AND CLEARED THE DOG, HE KEPT RUNNING, NO IMPACT, FOUND DAMAGE TO FRONT END UPON INSPECTION. ANOTHER ISSUE UNRELATED TO EYESIGHT, THE DEFROSTER BLOWER MOTOR DOES NOT RESPOND TO HIGH SETTING WHEN FIRST TURNED TO HIGH TO CLEAR WINDOW FOG, IT TAKES 3 TO 5 MINUTES BEFORE IT RAMPS UP TO HIGH SPEED. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF OUR SALESPERSON AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT OUR SUBARU DEALERSHIP, MAYBE BE A CALIBRATION ISSUE, PROGRAM ISSUE WITH THE EYESIGHT SENSORS, THEY REFUSED TO DOCUMENT ANYTHING I SHARED AND TOLD ME THEIR IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT IT. THERE IS NO MORE LOVE IN OUR SUBARU, AND NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY AT THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 2019 SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME EYESIGHT ISSUES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE LEASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER 2018 TO RECENTLY ON 2/20/2020. I WAS INFORMED TO FILE THIS BY THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL WHILE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THEM.

NHTSA complaint #11311846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 30,000 miles Barrington, RI Crash

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TRAVELING FROM RI TO WESTERN NY. DEPARTED RI IN AM WITH MODERATE RAINFALL WHEN "EYESIGHT DISABLED" INDICATOR FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF HALF HOUR. WHEN RAIN SUBSIDED, INDICATOR DISAPPEARED. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, WAS DRIVING 65-70MPH ON STRAIGHT SECTION OF MAJOR INTERSTATE WITH GOOD VISIBILITY, APPROACHING A HIGHWAY OVERPASS WHEN "OBSTACLE DETECTED" WARNING APPEARED DESPITE NO OBSTACLE IN ROAD, AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER CAR WENT INTO A SLOW SPIN (FELT AS IF FLOATING) TOWARDS LEFT, STRIKING A GUARDRAIL UNDERNEATH THE OVERPASS HEAD-ON AND CONTINUING TO SPIN 360 DEGREES AT WHICH POINT I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT FELT AS IF BRAKES HAD ENGAGED (? CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING SYSTEM) ALTHOUGH I DID NOT HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO BRAKE WHILE IN THE SPIN AS I FEARED ROLLING THE VEHICLE. DESPITE EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN ALBANY, NY AND CURRENTLY AWAITING EVALUATION BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER. OF NOTE, 5 MONTHS EARLIER THE WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED WHEN HIT WITH SMALL ROCK AND WAS REPLACED AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA complaint #11308147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 3,917 miles Minneapolis, MN

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE IN MOTION, INTERMITTENTLY THE FOLLOWING INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, STAY ON, GO OFF, AND COME BACK ON AGAIN WITHOUT ANY PATTERN: THE BSD/RCTA WARNING, THE AUTO START STOP, HILL DESCENT CONTROL, ACCIDENT AVOIDANCE/BRAKING, LANE ASSIST, AND EYESIGHT. ONE OR MORE WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN SOMETIMES GOES OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE. STARTED ON JANUARY 18TH-STILL HAPPENING FEB 1, 2020.. HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITION (DRY, WET), TEMPERATURE (VERY COLD, WARM (40 DEGREES), OR SPEED (25 MPH TO 60 MPH). THIS HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY, CITY, RURAL ROADS. THE DRIVER TOUCHES NOTHING AND DOES NOTHING TO BEGIN/END THESE. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS STAY ON AND THEN WHEN TRIP IS ENDED, VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. SOMETIMES NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE LIGHTS ARE OFF. THE LANE ASSIST INDICATOR AND AUTO BRAKING IN PARTICULAR, ARE OF CONCERN. THE LANE ASSIST COMES ON (ON ITS OWN) AND IS WHITE'THEN, WHILE DRIVING, IT TURNS GREEN AND TRIES TO STEER THE CAR OFF TO THE RIGHT 'THE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD ON TIGHT AND FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAR. THIS SEEMS VERY UNSAFE. THE DRIVER HAS TRIED TURNING OFF THESE LIGHTS/FUNCTIONS WHEN THEY JUST POP UP'WHILE DRIVING'BUT IF IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CANNOT ALLOW FOR THESE DISTRACTIONS. IF CLEAR/NO TRAFFIC, DRIVER ATTEMPTS SHUTTING OFF THESE FEATURES BY PRESSING THE BUTTONS WITH THESE ICONS 'ON THE CENTER REAR VIEW MIRROR PANEL OR ON THE LOWER LEFT PANEL BELOW DASHBOARD. SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, SOMETIMES DOESN'T AND THEY REMAIN ON. THE UNEXPECTED NATURE OF WARNING LIGHTS GOING ON AND OFF AND DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL ARE REALLY CAUSING CONCERN. IT IS LIKE THE CAR IS POSSESSED. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE (5 MONTHS). DEALER CONTACTED FOR SERVICE BUT TOLD HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR APPOINTMENT. TRYING NOT TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT UNTIL THEN...

NHTSA complaint #11306471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 100 miles Pflugerville, TX

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION (AND UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS) ON HIGHWAYS, MY FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 4X SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF NEW VEHICLE AT THE END OF JULY 2019. ONCE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKS, IT CONTINUES TO SPREAD. DURING THE PROCESS OF PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE, I WAS ENCOURAGED AT EVERY STEP TO PURCHASING ADDITIONAL WINDSHIELD COVERAGE TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IN CASE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE EYESIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM. THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED ON THE INTERSTATE, A STATE TOLLWAY, AND A HIGHWAY. 2. THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNS ON FOR FIVE MINUTES OR MORE WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DISMISS ME SAYING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION OF THE CAR (WHICH WAS NOT MENTIONED DURING THE SALES PROCESS) AND TO JUST WAIT UNTIL THE BLUE TEMPERATURE LIGHT GOES OUT BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. WHEN TAKING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FOR 4TH TIME, THEY FINALLY LISTENED TO ME AND ADDED CHECKING THE COOLANT TO THE LIST BUT IT HAS BEEN A FIGHT TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT. 3. WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND WITH NO OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME, TO THE SIDE OR BEHIND ME, THE CAR PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND BRAKED THE CAR ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO PRE-WARNING THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO BRAKE. 4. THE CAR AUTO LIGHT ON AND OFF FUNCTION DOES NOT FULLY TURN ON THE CAR LIGHTS AT NIGHT. 5. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I HEAR A BIG KA-THUNK SOUND FROM THE FRONT LEFT OF THE CAR. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH WAY THE STEERING IS BEING TURNED. ORDERED THE CAR IN JUNE 2019, WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T BE READY UNTIL MID-AUG. DUE TO THE FACTORY SHUTTING DOWN FOR A TWO WEEK HOLIDAY IN JAPAN, RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN DELIVERED MUCH EARLIER THAN EXPECTED IN JULY.

NHTSA complaint #11297850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Forester at 21,300 miles Arlington, MA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THUS FAR, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 93 IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, MY 2017 SUBARU FORESTER TOURING (WITH 21K MILES) LOST POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. ALL THREE TIMES, I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY WHILE AVOIDING OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES AND NEITHER MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS NOR ANYONE ELSE AROUND US WAS HURT. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECIDES TO SHUTDOWN, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DROPS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL, THE RPMS SHOOT UP TO ABOUT 4500-5000 AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP. THERE IS ABOUT A FIVE SECOND WINDOW TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY FROM WHEN YOU FIRST DETECT THAT THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE INCIDENT, I AM ABLE TO START THE CAR BACK UP AND DRIVE IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE (AND IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN IT HAPPENS) AND I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA ASKING FOR A SOLUTION. I AM NOW CURRENTLY ONLY USING THE CAR ON SHORT TRIPS AND IF I HAVE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY, I STICK TO THE RIGHT LANE AND DO NOT GO OVER 60 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11289678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Subaru Forester at 600 miles Warwick, RI Crash 1 injured

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS DRIVING MY 2020 SUBARU FORESTER SPORT IN THE LEFT LANE ALONG AN ON-RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CONSISTS OF A ROAD THAT CURVES TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND BUT THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. SUDDENLY AND IN A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR BEGAN TO BEEP CONTINUOUSLY WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE LEFT AND LOCKED, AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN AS I TRIED TO CORRECT THE WHEEL AND BRAKE THE CAR. I WAS SUDDENLY COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE CAR DROVE ME OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN INTO THE SNOWY MEDIAN, WHERE IT ROLLED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE LANDING UPRIGHT. I BELIEVE THE ERROR WITH THE CAR MAY HAVE OCCURRED WITH SUBARU'S BRAND-NEW LANE CENTERING TECHNOLOGY, RELEASED WITH THE 2020 EDITION VEHICLES. THE TECHNOLOGY WILL PHYSICALLY DIRECT THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE LANE IF IT DETECTS THE VEHICLE IS GETTING TOO CLOSE TO EITHER LANE LINE. LANE CENTERING IS A FEATURE OF THE SUBARU'S DRIVER ASSIST TECHNOLOGY, CALLED EYESIGHT. I'M UNSURE IF THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITH EYESIGHT OR WITH THE LANE CENTERING FUNCTION SPECIFICALLY.

NHTSA complaint #11289740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Subaru Forester Atlanta, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ABOUT SEAT SENSOR AND AIRBAG DEFECT. NEED TO,GET,THIS REPAIRED AS A RECALL, BUT PARTS SUPPOSEDLY NOT YET AVAILABLE. ERROR MESSAGES SINCE AUGUST WHEN DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN AIR BAG ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11289210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Forester at 42,195 miles Rochester Hills, MI Crash

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON OCTOBER 4, 2019 MY CAR WAS PARKED AND THE PASSENGER REAR BUMPER WAS HIT AND DAMAGED BY A SCHOOL BUS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES TO GET FIXED AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE BSD/RCTA SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS "FIXED" THIS ISSUE 4 TIMES NOW AND I AM TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 5TH TIME.

NHTSA complaint #11283115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Subaru Forester at 107,000 miles Clayton, MO

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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)

NHTSA complaint #11280230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Subaru Forester SLC, UT

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

WEIRD THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, I KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS USING THE SATELLITE RADIO PORT TO TAMPER WITH THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IT HAS A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT, THE STEERING LIGHT SYSTEM FLASHING ISN'T EVEN RELEVANT TO A PROBLEM THAT IT COULD HAVE. EVERYTHING LISTED ON TARGETED CARS, HAS HAPPENED WITH MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11279714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Subaru Forester at 8,000 miles Sioux Falls, SD

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHEILD THOUGH THE TOP CENTER , WHERE THE EYESIGHT TECHNOLOGY CENTER IS LOCATED, OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT TO CATALYZE THE CRACKING OF THE GLASS.

NHTSA complaint #11271418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Subaru Forester at 19,935 miles Oakland, CA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS DRIVING MY FORRESTER 2019, NOTICE THAT IT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE ONCE I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. BUT THEN IT WOULD JERK INTO A FASTER PACE. YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING, I STOP AT A BANK ATM. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTHING HAPPENED. NOT A SOUND. SO TRIED IT SEVERAL MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I HAD TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE SERVICE. THEY CAME AND GAVE ME A JUMP. THE VEHICLE STARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I DID AS THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME TO LET THE VEHICLE RUN FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES SO THE CELLS CAN BUILD UP IN THE BATTERY, SO I DID AS I WAS TOLD. AS I WOULD TURN THE CORNERS ON THE STREETS-THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, (IN BOTH DIRECTIONS). ESPECIALLY AFTER TURNING AT A STOP SIGN, SO AS I WERE DRIVING I NOTICE THE DASH BOARD WOULD KEEP BLINKING. I TOOK A PHOTO OF THE GAGES ON THE DASHBOARD. THE EYESIGHT LIGHT STAYED, BUT THE OTHERS KEPT BLINKING OFF AND ON. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND TRIED TO PARALLEL PARK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO SO. SO I PARKED THE CAR ACROSS THE STREET WHERE THEIR WERE A LOT MORE SPACE AND I PARKED THERE. I SET THERE FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTE BEFORE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN IT FELL TO TURN OVER. NO SOUND OR ANYTHING JUST LIKE EARLIER. IN 2018 THEY REPLACE MY BATTERY, BECAUSE I WAS HAVING TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE SERVICE UP TO 3-4 TIMES A WEEK BECAUSE THE BATTERY WOULD DIE OUT ON ME. ALL THIS TOOK PLACE IN A PERIOD OF 3-4 MONTHS. NOW THIS BATTERY IS APPROXIMATELY 10-12 MONTHS OLD. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE NEW BATTERY, I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS TO SMALL FOR THE CAR. SO NOW I AM STUCK AT HOME WITHOUT A VEHICLE UNTIL THE SUBARU SHOP OPENS ON MONDAY AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. I'VE NEVER HAD A 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THAT'S GIVEN ME THIS MANY PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #11258886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Subaru Forester at 100,000 miles Sheridan, WY

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

JANUARY 2019. THE ISSUE STARTED AS CEL CAME ON. ROUGH IDLE, SURGE OF POWER AND THEN CAM TIMING BECAME ISSUE. WAS AT A STOP SIGN IDLING WHEN SURGE OCCURRED LURCHING VEHICLE FORWARD. TOOK TO DEALER WAITED WEEKS FOR A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GIVE ADVICE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK TO OTHER DEALER TO CONFIRM. THEY REPLACED TIMING CHAIN., CAM PHASERS AND OTHER REQUIRED. DIDNT SOLVE ISSUE. NEXT STEP WAS INTERNAL OIL FILTERS THAT SUPPLY AVSC TIMING. NO FIX. REPLACED ECM AS FINAL STEP IN SUBARU MATRIX. RAN FOR 3 WEEKS AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. AGAIN CEL, ROUGH IDLE, CAM ISSUES. SUBARU POINTS TO DEALER. DEALER POINTS TO SUBARU. AND I HAVE A INOPERABLE VEHICLE. I REPLACED ALL REQUIRED PARTS AND HAVE ONGOING ISSUE. SOA HAS BEEN INVOLVED BUT NOT RESOLUTION. IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS OF DISAPPOINTMENT. GREAT CAR BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH. THE XT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES, RECALL ON POSSIBLE CYCLINDER CRACKING AND ISSUES RELATING TO ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA complaint #11252410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Subaru Forester problems