Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-95
Just another add to the long list. 1997 Subaru forester,3 left wheel bearings, clutch, and 2 speed sensors. What happened to the great days of the GL wagons, 300k+ and no problems, nowadays its bearings, clutches and transmissions. I guess the more advanced we become as a society, the crappier our products become.
I bought a 2001 Forester as a new car. I had owned nothing, but Honda's before and loved them both. At first, the car appeared alright. However, at 18k miles I began to have problems. It started with the oxygen sensors. I have had 12 replaced so far. I am on my second catalytic converter, had an axel rod rupture and leak, wheel barrings go out at 32k miles. The check engine light goes on for no apparent reason. We are unable to take the car on road trips. If it ventures outside the city limits, it is an 800 car repair at best. I consider myself a very conservative driver. I have two children and never take the car off road for fear it will fall apart. It shutters and shakes and they cannot determine why. I cannot be accused on not taking care of the car as it is in the shop more than at my home it seems. In 10 months I am getting another Honda. Farewell to this line of cars. My cash flow will be going elsewhere in the near future and not on constant repairs.
I also own a 2001 Forester. I just returned from the dealership this afternoon the an impending 2500$ bill to get it back into shape. Today she has 170k, I bought it used at 69k four years ago. I've loved the car for the most part. When I bought it, I got the extended warranty. Within 3 months the check engine light came on. Replace the catalytic converter. There's 800$ that the warranty wouldn't cover as it's not a moving part. Then there was the right rear wheel bearing. That was covered under warranty - 400$. The check engine light has been on for what seems like most of its life with me. I've had several O2 sensors replaced as well as vent solenoids on the gas tank. Then, yes at about 150k the right wheel bearing needed replacing again. Today I had brought it in for the check engine light as its up for inspection next month. Today's diagnosis... needs both O2 sensors as well as a new cat. converter (~1000$), head gasket leaks (~1000$), as well as other wear parts like tires and such that I can't fault the car for, but I'm starting to hear that all too familiar increasing grrrr in the right rear wheel well when I drive down the highway. All in all, I love the car, but it does seem to require some regular high dollar parts/repairs. I know it's got 170k, but with a 300k reputation? Now I think I'm shopping for something else I'm sad to say.
There must be something else wrong with your car, cat's do not just fail, I am guessing that your engine is running rich causing your O2's to get fouled and also killing your cat.
What can I add? I have owned this 2002 Subaru Forrester since new. It has been used, but not abused. It has regularly been maintained. It now has 198k on it. I like the car. It is very maneuverable, good visibility, reasonable power and the AWD has been great.
However, 3 rear axle bearings have been replaced (1 on warranty) and I hear the growl beginning again. 1 - O2 sensor. 1 front shock. 1 Cat cleaned out (don’t tell anyone). The clock quit. Know they tell me the AWD is not working as it should, another 1,500.00 repair. Yes the engine light has been on most of the time (lately the Cat? Could be anything). I just ignore it now. When the car quits it quits.
Another Subaru? Sorry Subaru, not good enough. You seem to be falling into the mindset of the big 3. Same problems over and over. Its time to try something else.
I have a 2001 Subaru Forrester. Automatic. 70k. I just had to replace both rear wheel bearings. $840. Subaru customer relations told me if there is a recall, my expenses would be reimbursed. Please complain about yours and maybe we can initiate a recall.
1998 forester problems. I feel lucky after reading these comments. I too have had the same problems, but did realize how widespread it was. I was in a jam when I purchased it used from Natick Subaru. From the get go they treated me poorly. I complained about the clutch when I test drove it and they said they would repair- but didn't. I did get the clutch fixed when the head gasket went. A month after getting the car I brought it in for noisy rear bearing (39k) and It was replaced at no cost. Now need rear bearings again at 125k. I would love the car if not for these problems. I will never buy another.
We have two Subaru Foresters in our family. Mine is a 2002 purchased new, my husband's is a used 2000. My check engine light has always been on more than off. And yes, I can ignore it and have been told to at times and have had it reset at times. But in Ohio, when it's time to renew your registration, you have to have an emissions test. And if your check engine light is on they won't test your car (although that may have changed, dunno). And if your O2 sensor is shot, as mine was recently, ($196.00) you'll fail the test. Catalytic converter problems? Yup. Left and right wheel bearing problems? Yup. Clutch shot? Oh yes. I too, never liked my clutch from the beginning. I once referred to my car as a lemon at the dealership when it was in for one of its multiple check engine light "checkups". Sure they told me it's not a lemon. Well, then since it's not just a freaky fluky, lemony thing and my checkbook is getting tired, I won't consider a Subaru ever again. I'm terribly disappointed because I know Subarus were good cars and I'm actually fond of mine. But why buy a racehorse that can't make a trip to the feed mill before stopping at the vet? I'd rather not delve into what my husband's Forester has had done to it--not much more, but enough to tighten my stomach. As I write this, I'm about to get dressed and take his car to the dealer because it's check engine light is on and it needs and emissions test because we need to renew our registration...
I have a Forester 2001 S automatic with 58k on it. All and all I have been somewhat pleased with the vehicle. Maintenance so far has included O2 sensor, rear struts, front and rear rotors, battery, two failed rear speakers and none of this covered under any warranty and not very happy with the cost of the repairs as this was all with in three years. The famous failed clock, there is an easy fix for that and all you need is some solder and a soldering iron. The check engine light has been off and on over the last two weeks so its in the shop as it is acting a bit sluggish now and then. I enjoy the handling and AWD in the snow, however I have never been very impressed with their warranty when 5 years 100000 seemed to be the defacto standard in the industry, it was 3 years 50000 when I got it. I was not impressed with the buy back offering from Subaru when it came off lease and ended up buying it rather than leasing another. I went for the Subaru due to its reputation, unfortunately until the warranty changes and these common failures are removed I will not be looking at another while the sticker price stays as high as I do not expect to have these kinds of issues early in the cars warranty period and not be covered. Just in case your wondering, I drive the vehicle normally and have always maintained the maintenance.
My 2001 Subaru has been a good car... one of the best yet, and I have had some good ones. When the left rear wheel bearing went out, in June of 2006 at 58,000 miles, I didn't think too much about it. But, just this week, at 67,000, the catalytic converter needs replaced. Thanks to the fact that I live in CA., the state regulates the emissions warranty to cover repairs for eight years/or 80,000 miles.
Now that I've read these comments... I may need to rethink owning another Subaru.
Do you have any tips on repairing the clock? I have it disassembled and don't see any spots that need soldering. Is the trouble in the wiring or the clock unit itself?
Thanks for the help!
Wow, I was wondering what was wrong with my Subaru Forrester 2002 S and I guess I just figured it out by reading these posts. My car reeks like gas once the tank gets low, possibly the cat or the sensor? My clock too doesn't work, irritating. I guess I can figure out now what that grinding sound is, apparently my bearings! I'm not taking it to the dealer this time, last time, five minutes after I drove off the lot my check engine light went on.
One of my most irritating problem has been my key-less remote, it has failed on me so many times, I have had to have it replaced over ten times. Alarm? What alarm, the immobilizer works, that's the only thing, I have never heard my alarm ever and I have had it to the shop ten times to get that stupid remote fixed. Can you imagine your remote not working and you can't start your car, taking cabs, getting it towed and then after a year the dealer tells me a little trick to un-immobilize the car. Thanks, why didn't you tell me that a year ago when I was stuck at a park at ten o'clock at night and had to take a cab home and to work.
I too, own a 2001 Subaru Forester, now, with about 80K. I am the original owner, and have taken very good care of my car. I have been in and out of the shop for the past 6 months (6 times in the past 2 weeks alone) starting with what was suppose to be a tune- up. I ended up having a crack in my head gasket...$1,200 later... I had the check engine light come on a few weeks after the "tune-up" and my car was running very sluggishly. I had never had to floor my gas pedal before and found myself holding the pedal to the floor for seconds at a time just to go above 30 miles an hour. Another $90 to replace 2 leaking connectors that were put in by them a few months prior, and I was sent on my way. Check engine light came on again. After the mechanic could not properly diagnose my cars' problem, (telling me that my car was running perfect) I took it to the Subaru mechanics. There, they discovered that I now have another cracked head (internally now) I did find a letter online that was issued to owners of this model stating that an extra cooling system for the engine should be installed (free of charge) in order to prevent leaks in the head. Too bad I never received the letter. Can't wait to find out the rest in a couple of days, and find transportation in the meanwhile... Never again will I buy a Subaru.
We own a 2002 Forrester S - my wife has owned it since new. Currently 90k and has experienced multiple O2 sensor failures. The clutch has shuddered since new and slips occasionally under heavy load. The car has been quite reliable (and we keep up with maintenance) - but our experiences with the clutch and O2 sensors seems to fit the common trend. Otherwise, mileage is great and the car is fabulous in the snow (we live in the mountains and ski 30+ days per year).
2001 Subaru Forester HELP HELP HELP.
I bought this piece of Subaru for ALL the same reason the other suckers did. Mileage aside this is only 5 years old. too many problems to list... does anyone know if there is any help in california for catalytic conv.? O2 sensors? LEMONS?
Don't buy a pooparu...campbaldy...