2017 Subaru Forester complaints

THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALONG THE TOP CENTER WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF BEING HIT BY ANYTHING. THE SUBARU DEALER ARRANGED FOR A THIRD PARTY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD AT MY EXPENSE AND THEN CHARGED ME $360 TO READJUST THE SAFETY VISION THROUGH THE NEW WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS DONE THROUGH MY INSURANCE WHICH CAUSED MY INSURANCE TO GO UP. AT NO TIME DID ANYONE TELL ME THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS OF THESE WINDSHIELDS BREAKING SPONTANEOUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE THE SERVICE INVOICE FROM 16 APRIL 2019.

MY CAR STOLE IN THE MIDDLE OFF HIGHWAY ON A VERY BUSY TRAFFIC TIME,, I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, FINALLY IT MOVED VERY SLOWLY AND STOP AGAIN, I ALMOST GOT HIT MANY TIMES SINCE VEHICLES WERE SPEEDING OVER 65MILES AND NO ONE WILL ALLOW ME TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER, FINALLY AFTER 10 MINUTES THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY, VERY SCARY SITUACIN

ON A LONG TRIPS (200 MILES OF INTERSTATE DRIVING) THE CAR LOSES IT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE DOES NOT WORK AND VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN TO IDLE. YOU HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND STOP. PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN BACK IN TO DRIVE. IT WORKS AFTER THAT. DURING THE FAILURE YOU LOSE ALL ABILITY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THE DEALER CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND NOT CODES ARE SHOWN. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

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.

BATTERY DRAINS SO THAT CAR WON'T START. AFTER HAVING A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED, THE BATTERY IS STILL SO WEAK THAT THE CAR WILL NOT START, AND THE ELECTRICAL POWER IS COMPLETELY DRAINED. EVEN THE CLOCK HAS TO BE RESET. THIS STARTED AROUND 35,000 MILES. I STOPPED FOR GAS AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR, AND THE CAR WON'T START WITHOUT A JUMP.

WHILE STATIONARY, THE KEY WILL GET STUCK. IT WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN THE CAR OFF.IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPEN TWICE , I M SURE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

TWICE TODAY WHEN CAR WAS OFF, IN PARK, WITH PARK BRAKE APPLIED, IGNITION WOULD NOT ALLOW KEY TO RELEASE. 'FIX' WAS TO RESTART CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN BACK TO PARK ONE OR MORE TIMES UNTIL KEY COULD FINALLY BE REMOVED.

RECALL NOTICE VIA US MAIL, ALSO READ ABOUT ANOTHER RECALL THAT WILL BE COMING, I BELIEVE THE BOXER ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER A PASSENGER WAS SEATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT CALLED DUNNING SUBARU (3771 JACKSON RD, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103) TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER, IT WAS CANCELLED BECAUSE THE WARNING INDICATOR TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD OF MY FORESTER SUDDENLY CRACKED WHILE PARKED A FEW MONTHS AGO. MY INSURANCE FULLY COVERED THE REPAIR. THE REPLACEMENT AFTERMARKET WINDSHIELD FROM SAFELITE ONLY LASTED A FEW MORE MONTHS BEFORE IT TOO GOT CHIPPED FROM A SMALL PEBBLE HIT AND NEEDED REPAIR. THE THIRD WINDSHIELD WAS DEFECTIVE AND FINALLY, THE FOURTH TIME, I GOT AN OEM WINDSHIELD INSTALLED WHICH IS STILL INTACT. I INCURRED NO COSTS DUE TO INSURANCE BUT THIS IS VERY AGGRAVATING! IT'S HARD TO GET A RELIABLE REPLACEMENT GLASS ON THE AFTERMARKET, WHICH IS ALL INSURANCE PAYS FOR UNLESS YOU HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS LIKE I DID, ONLY THEN WILL YOU GET OEM. AND I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL LAST! THE GLASS SEEMS BRITTLE - THERE IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM HERE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED NHTSA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE PENDING AND WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 01/13/2020. *DL

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.

I PURCHASE MY 2017 FORESTER FROM THE ANNAPOLIS DEALER AS A USED LOANER CAR WITH LESS THAN 7000 MILES WITH THE ORIGINAL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. AFTER READING ABOUT WINDSHIELD PROBLEMS I STARTED CHECKING THE WINDSHIELD ON MY FORESTER. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HAIRLINE CRACKS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND BEST SEEN IN LOW SUNLIGHT WITH THE LIGHT IS REFRACTED BY THE CRACKS. I HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER BUT WILL AT THE NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT.

WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED SPARKLING TYPE FAULT THAT COMPROMISED ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY THRU THE WINDSHIELD. ESPECIALLY SEVERE IN NIGHT DRIVING OR DIRECT SUNLIGHT. SUBARU REPLACED WINDSHIELD AS A "COURTESY" TO ME. THE SAME CONDITION IS NOW PREVALENT IN THE REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD. I KNOW THE DEALER WILL TELL ME IT IS ANOTHER FAULT, NOT THE MANUFACTURING OF THE WINDSHIELD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED PARKWAY SUBARU OF JACKSONVILLE (910-968-0758, LOCATED AT 2400 N MARINE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, NC 28546) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER COLLIDED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED LEFT HAND AND LEFT LEG AS WELL AS SHOULDER INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD, RIGHT HAND, AND FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *DT *TR*JB

CALLED DEALER ABOUT RECALL. THEY STATED NO FIX WAS AVAILABLE. WHEN I ASKED WHEN IT WOULD BE THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE MORE INFORMATION IN LATE DECEMBER (RECALL DATE WAS OCT 3). AT THAT POINT THE FIX WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE BUT THEY COULD TELL ME IF AND WHEN IT MIGHT BE. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TIMELY FOR A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. NOTE DEALER WAS PROFESSIONAL. MY ISSUE IS WITH SUBARU CORPORATION. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER IS 19V701000. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER IS WUM98. RECALL IS FOR NON FUNCTIONING AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER SIDE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK AND FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN PARK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MASTRIA SUBARU (1255 NEW STATE HWY, RAYNHAM, MA 02767) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SHIFT PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,900.*DT CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED.*JB

WINDSHIELD CRACK

MY WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED TWICE IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT I'VE HAD IT. I'VE NEEDED TO USE SAFELITE TO SEAL THE CRACKS BUT I ALSO HAVE SEVERAL CHIPS AND SCRATCHES.

I AM REPORTING TO SEPARATE INCIDENCES. BOTH INCIDENCES ARE BECAUSE OF A SMALL ROCK HITTING MY WINDSHIELD, CREATING A BULLET-SIZED CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD. ONE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ONE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON COUNTY ROADS. THE FIRST BULLET HOLE CRACK HAS SINCE SPREAD INTO A CRACK THAT COVERS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF MY WINDSHIELD PERIOD THE MORE RECENT BULLET HOLE CRACK WILL MOST LIKELY DO THE SAME.

CRACKED WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WHILE STATIONARY AT HOME.

WHILE PARKED, THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF 2017 SUBARU FORESTER SUDDENLY CRACKED.

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS ACTIVATED AND, MOMENTS LATER, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

A SMALL ROCK FROM THE HIGHWAY HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CRACKED IMMEDIATELY. THE CRACK REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. WE HAVE HAD OTHER CARD BE HIT BY ROCKS, ONES THAT HAVE BEEN A LOT BIGGER AND HAVE HARDER IMPACTS THAT DID NOT CRACK OR CHIP THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

MY 2.5 YEAR OLD 2017 SUBARU FORESTER HAS ALREADY HAS THE WINDSHIELD CHIPPED 2X WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BY SEATTLE. BOTH TIMES I HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED BY SAFELITE. EACH TIME IT WAS A TINY THING THAT HAD APPARENTLY HIT THE WINDSHIELD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V701000(AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT IT EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION ON OCTOBER 3, 2019. BILL KOLB JR. SUBARU (252 NY-303, ORANGEBURG, NY 10962, (845) 359-7777) STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STRUCK BY ANYTHING AND WAS NEVER IN A COLLISION, BUT THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 14 INCHES IN LENGTH BEGINNING AT THE BOTTOM EDGE ABOUT 1 FOOT FROM THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER AND ANGLING UP AND LEFTWARD. THE VEHICLE REQUIRED AN EXPENSIVE ($425) REPLACEMENT AS THE CRACK WAS TOO LONG FOR REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH LANE DEPARTURE AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE, WHICH THE REPAIR SHOP CITED AS THE REASON FOR THE VERY HIGH PRICE. NOTABLE AT THE SHOP WAS THAT THE CAR BEFORE MINE AND AFTER MINE WERE THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR.

PEBBLE THROWN TO WINDOW AND STARTED AS A LIL CHIP AND WITHIN TRIP HOME ENTIRE CRACK THROUGH WINDSHIELD FROM TOP TO BOTTOM OF GLASS. I WAS DRIVING ENTIRE TIME OF CRACK SPREADING!

WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AFTER HITTING A DEER. REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITH NO APPARENT REASON WHILE CAR WAS PARKED.

WINDSHIELD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES FOR NO REASON. HAD TO BE REPLACED.

ACCIDENTALLY PLACED MY HAND NEAR THE EDGE OF THE REAR POWER LIFT GATE WHEN IT WAS CLOSING. CLOSED ON MY FINGER AND DID NOT AUTO REVERSE. KEPT APPLYING FORCE UNTIL I MANAGED TO PULL MY FINGER OUT! DANGEROUS DESIGN

THE CENTER REAR SHOULDER BELT THAT PULLS DOWN FROM THE CEILING IS TOO SHORT FOR AVERAGE SIZED PEOPLE. IT EASILY SWITCHES TO CHILD LOCK MODE OR DOES NOT FIT AN ADULT PASSENGER PROPERLY DUE TO ITS AWKWARD DESIGN.

WHILE ON DRIVING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY DURING THE EVENING RUSH HOUR AND SUDDENLY MY ACCELERATOR WAS UNRESPONSIVE IN THAT THE RPMS JUST REVVED (AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL). I HAVE TWO SMALL, CHILDREN 2 YEAR OLD AND 6 MONTHS, AND HAD TO QUICKLY COAST OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE EXITING THE RAMP AND I HAD TO CALL 911 AND REQUEST AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE TO PARK BEHIND ME FOR MY SAFETY AS I WAS UNABLE TO PULL COMPLETELY OVER BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND AM STILL RESEARCHING HOW TO REPAIR. I HAD A 3 YEAR 36K MILE WARRANTY THAT HAS RECENTLY EXPIRED SINCE I'M CURRENTLY AT 46K MILES. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN AS I'M FINDING THAT MY MODEL HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN ANY TRANSMISSION RECALLS. FOR A CAR MANUFACTURER THAT PRIDES ITSELF IN THE HIGHEST OF SAFETY, THIS HAS TO BE THE UNSAFEST I'VE EVER FELT DRIVING A VEHICLE. I'M BASICALLY AT A LOSS ON WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO RACK UP A BILL FOR REPAIR AND DIAGNOSTICS TO REPAIR MY ISSUE AND I'M GOING TO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OUTRAGEOUS COST OF THEIR GUESSING GAME OF REPAIRS.

THERE IS INTERMITTENT SURGING UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AND WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE BACK INTERIOR LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON WHILE ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT SIGN COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THERE'S NOTHING IN THE SEAT. THE BATTERY WILL DIE IF THE HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ON FOR 5 MINUTES OR 15 AND OTHERS WILL BE JUST FINE. THE CAMERA IN THE BACK OF THE CAR IS A BIT OBSTRUCTED BY THE REAR BUMPER.

SMALL OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. CRACK DEVELOPED LATER THAT DAY.

I'VE NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD GLASS IS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROCK CHIPPING FROM VERY SMALL STONES, AS IF THE GLASS IS EXTREMELY BRITTLE. THE CHIPPING, MOSTLY TINY POCKETS ABOUT 1/16" MAX IN THE SURFACE OF THE OUTER GLASS, OCCURS DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING AND ESPECIALLY ON "FREEWAYS". ALTHOUGH MY REPORT DATE IS 10/10/19, THE CHIPPING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH MY SUBRARU FORESTER 2017 FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (ODS) MALFUNCTIONS SAME AS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2016 THROUGH 2018 SUBARU FORESTER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES USE A CAPACITIVE TYPE ODS, WHICH IS INTENDED TO CLASSIFY THE OCCUPANT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AS EITHER FULL-SIZED, SMALL STATURE, A CHILD SEAT OR OTHER OBJECT. THE COMPLAINTS REPORT THE ODS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND/OR THE ODS INCORRECTLY SUPPRESSED (TURNED OFF) THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A FULL-SIZED PASSENGER. IN A FRONTAL CRASH SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT DEPLOYMENT, A SUPPRESSED AIR BAG MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT. ODI OPENDED THIS INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT COMES ON STEADILY.

I UNDERSTAND THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEFECTS IN 2016-2018 SUBARU FORESTERS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IN OUR 2017 FORESTER IS NOT WORKING ON A CONSISTENT BASIS AND HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR.. MY WIFE NEEDS A SEAT CUSHION FOR HER BAD BACK AND MANY TIMES, WHEN MY WIFE SITS IN THE SEAT, THE AIR BAG STAYS IN THE "OFF" STATUS. WE ALSO FOUND THAT THE SAME ISSUE COMES UP WHEN SHE DOES NOT USE THE CUSHION. ALSO, WHEN SHE IS WEARING A WINTER COAT AND NOT USING HER CUSHION, THE SENSOR STAYS IN THE "AIRBAG OFF" POSITION. ALSO, WE FIND THAT THE AIR BAG STAYS "OFF" IF THE CAR IS RUNNING BEFORE SHE GETS INTO THE SEAT. IF SHE GETS INTO THE SEAT BEFORE THE CAR IS TURNED ON, WE FIND THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR SEEMS TO WORK (NOT ALWAYS, BUT SOME OF THE TIME). THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES AND CANNOT FIX THE SENSOR. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SENSOR IS IN THE LOWER SEAT BACK AND NOT IN THE FLAT PART OF THE SEAT SO MY WIFE NEEDS TO ADJUST HER SITTING POSTURE FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT GOES OFF. MY WIFE DOES NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WHEN SHE IS DRIVING WITH HER SEAT CUSHION - WE ASSUME THE DRIVERS AIRBAG IS ALWAYS ON. ONCE WE ARE MOVING AND THE "OFF" LIGHT IS GONE, WE HAVE NO ISSUES WHILE DRIVING UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS TURNED OFF/ON. AGAIN - SOMETIMES IT WORKS -- SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. NOT SAFE !!! *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

PURCHASED OUR 2017 SUBARU FORESTER ON 09/24/16. ON 09/05/17 THE WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON WARNING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS HAPPENED WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE CAR WAS ON A HIGHWAY. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON 40-50 TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ON THE ROAD AND A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO DEALER AND I WAS TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES CODES WERE NOT THERE SO NO PROBLEM. WE WERE TOLD DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING ELECTRONIC NEAR THE SEAT. TOLD WE HAD SPILLED LIQUID ON SEAT AND SEAT DIRTY. NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN SPILLED ON THE SEATS. I FIND IT TROUBLING THAT A MAJOR SAFETY SYSTEM OF A VEHICLE IS MALFUNCTIONING ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THE SUBARU IS NOT ACTIVELY TRYING TO FIX THE VEHICLES. I WENT INTO DEALER TODAY ON 3 OCT 2019 TO AGAIN HAVE THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CAN ORDER PART. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE THAT SO MANY OTHER SUBARU FORESTER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE ARE LAW GROUPS LINING UP CLASS ACTION SUITS. I WOULD JUST LIKE SUBARU TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM AND FIX THE AIRBAG SYSTEMS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED.

THE PASSENGER AIR-BAG IS MALFUNCTIONING AS THE GEL LAYER IN THE SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING.

WHILE PARKING THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT GOING AT 10 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT TOP SPEED WENT OVER A CURB AND HIT A TREE. THE CAR THEN WENT IN REVERSE AT FULL SPEED IN A CIRCLE APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES UNTIL THE KEY COULD FINALLY BE REMOVED. THE BRAKES WERE WORKING BUT WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR.

INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT THAT WAS WHERE THE SUBARU WAS T-BONED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOOR AND ALL PANELING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 40MPH AND THE VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS GOING 20-30MPH AND ACCELERATING. *DT *TR

2017 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JS

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WILL REMAIN OFF EVEN WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED WITH THE SEAT BELT ON. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE DASH RANDOMLY BUT CLEARS ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IS CONCERNING AS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH.

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

OFTEN I CANNOT INITIALLY REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AFTER I HAVE PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK, AFTER I HAVE STOPPED THE CAR AND AM READY TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I THEN HAVE TO MOVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DRIVE AND THEN BACK TO PARK AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME BEFORE THE KEY WILL FINALLY MOVE TO THE FAR LEFT AND ALLOW ME TO REMOVE IT AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO (THE CAR HAS 41K MILES AND MOST RECENTLY YESTERDAY AFTER PARKING IT IN MY GARAGE ON LEVEL GROUND!

2017 SUBARU FORESTER WITH 45,000 MILES - AIR BAG SENSOR WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY (AS SHOWN BY A RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD) AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THE CAR WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN WHEN THERE WAS A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR. LIGHT WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF ON OCCASION AND THEN TURN BACK ON, EVEN WITH NO CHANGE IN WEIGHT ON THE SEAT, INDICATING THAT THE SENSOR WAS FAULTY. NOTHING WAS SPILLED ON THE SEAT WHERE THE SENSOR IS LOCATED NOR SHOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER REASON THAT THE SENSOR SHOULD STOP WORKING AT ONLY 45,000 MILES. THIS WAS PURELY AN EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION.