1998 Subaru Forester review from North America
"Repairs are a nightmare, but I love the car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
10/98 Leak, Leaking front inner axels.
10/99 Recall, brake master cylinder.
1999 Leak, Recall, axle shaft grease leakage.
11/01 Oil leak, front engine, replaced front crank seal.
2/01 Leak, axel seals leaking, after recall was done.
9/02 Oil leak, left hand cam seal or valve gasket.
9/03 Oil leak, Replaced both leaking engine valve cover gaskets.
12/03 Oil leak, Engine low on oil, leak from camshaft seal. Also fuel level sensor circuit malfunctions.
7/04 Oil leak, leaking rightfront axleshaft, replaced.
7/04 Faulty fuel tank sending units, gas gauge registering empty when full.
7/05 Leak, torn axel boot and leaking grease, replace the left front axle shaft.
8/06 Ignition wires and coil shorting out.
5/06 and 3/07 rear catalytic converter.
4/06 clock stopped working, faulty clock assembly.
12/06 Oil leak, oil level not registering on dipstick, could not locate leak.
4/07 Temp. gauge went very hot while driving, removed cylinder heads and sent out to machine shop then reinstalled and replaced gaskets.
4/07 Grinding sound when turning, replaced right front wheel bearing assembly.
8/07 Oil leaks at oil separator.
8/07 Oil leaks at valve covers.
8/07 Oil leak from CAM Seals.
8/07 Splash shield loos, replaced clips for splash shield.
General comments?
I always did the routine maintenance. All these problems are ontop of the usual replace the brakes, belts, clutch, muffler, etc...
I did oil changes every 3,000 miles.
I have spent more on repairs than the original cost of the car. Every time, I thought we'd finally corrected the problem, but they just kept coming and coming.
Recommended reviews
| Back to a Honda |
| 1998 - Forester LX 2.5L 4-cylinder Boxer Solid, reliable, functional car with excellent bad-weather traction and all-around handling. |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1998 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5 Liter Manual |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 3 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 15 miles |
| Most recent distance | 182000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 900 |
| Date of Entry | 10th October, 2007 |