Faults:

Overall happy with my Forester, however, wheel bearings continue to be a problem -- replaced one at 40,000 and another needed. Interestingly, my 2007 Forester required one at 30,000 (under warranty).

Faults:

I had to replace failing rear wheel bearings until Subaru came up with a different bearing design, then have had no problems with them.

General Comments:

Rear wheel bearings are the only problems I have had other than a minor valve cover oil leak, which I have decided to put up with.

The car has always run beautifully. I recently realized I have had 1971, 1981, 1991, and 2001 Subarus, and all have been extremely reliable automobiles.

Seats are not really comfortable for long drives, but the safety and reliability benefits make it worthwhile for me.

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 99,900 miles. After much fighting, the dealer replaced it under the recall.

The car now has 130,000 miles and the gasket has gone again. Subaru said the repair was only guaranteed for 1 year. I told them a head gasket repair should last more than 30,000 miles; they basically told me tough luck.

Faults:

The right rear bearing went at 35,000 miles, and the dealer charged me $680.00.

The clock stopped working in the same week.

Dealer says head gasket is leaking coolant and they want $2,300 to replace it, the timing belt and the rest of the seals.

I loved this SUV, the ride is super fantastic. After reading this website, I am ready to scream. I am going to hound the dealer until I get the free repairs that some other people here have gotten.

General Comments:

I love the way the car rides and handles in all conditions.

Service at dealership is unreliable, and the prices are jacked up through the roof.

Rear bearings should be recalled, and so should the head gasket.

If the clock isn't going to work, Subaru should give people Timex watches as a consolation prize.

Faults:

Driver's side head gasket blew at 137,000. Took to a dealer, they replaced both gaskets, clutch, timing belt idler pulleys, other repairs, total cost was a whopping $3400 (which took two weeks to complete; a rental cost me an additional $700 for that time). Engine continued to leak coolant and oil immediately after the repair.

Radiator sprung a leak at 125,000.

Air conditioner stopped working at 120,000.

Check engine light on most of time, code=P0420 (cat converter), I just ignore it.

Clock stopped working at 105,000 miles.

Clutch judder since I bought it (99,000 miles)

Clutch slave cylinder piston binds up when it is very hot outside (>90F), since I bought it (effect is that clutch pedal travels easily almost to the floor, though you can still disengage the clutch to shift)

Incessant coolant and oil leaks since I bought it (I have to continually top these off, once a week for coolant, once a month for oil) - even after costly repair after repair.

Spark plugs seem to wear out very quickly (6000 miles)

Air conditioner 'on' light burnt out since I bought it.

General Comments:

The car is 'average' in many respects. Average power, handling, mileage (21 mpg city, 25 mpg fwy), comfort, noise level on freeway, reliability.

I started out optimistic, but today I would not recommend the Subaru Forester.

Faults:

Faulty engine check light is the only problem.

General Comments:

Front brakes pads replaced at 97,000 miles

Timing belt replaced at 95,000

Paint is thin.

Only regular maintenance done. Car has run flawlessly except for false engine check light.

Faults:

This car began having overheating problems as soon as I purchased it. The radiator was replaced; then I received a service bulletin about the temporary band-aid fix to the known problem with leaking head gaskets. I was always adding coolant.

In 2007, the 2001 Forester began smelling hot. $3,000 later, the head gaskets, oil cooler, timing belt, and various other repairs were made. Less than a year later, the coolant was leaking again, and during a three-hour drive, overheating led to a complete meltdown of the engine. Damages: $6,000-$7,000 and once again include new head gaskets.

I am a newspaper reporter investigating Subaru's inadequate response to the known head gasket problems with its 1999-2002 engines. If you've had similar problems, please write me at: subaruinquiry@sbcglobal.net, and include your e-mail and phone number. I am compiling information for a newspaper expose and class action suit.

General Comments:

I purchased this car due to its supposed low maintenance costs. What a joke! The public needs to know how irresponsible this company is. I was one of its biggest cheerleaders and have been disappointed beyond belief by the irresponsible actions of their customer service department.