1999 Subaru Forester engine problems

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Engine · MN

(partial copy of message I sent to subaru earlier this week.) [my] forester is old, but I wouldn't be replacing it if I didn't need another head gasket. You surely are aware of the problem your 4 cyl. Engines have had with failing head gaskets. Unfortunately, this is the second one experiencing such failure. I replaced the original one several years back at my own expense. Let me state my unqualified case that I should not have had to pay for this replacement, as you--subaru--knew well that gasket failure was in this car's future. How do I make this claim? Well, when I bought the car, it came with an additive in the radiator. Something you call "coolant conditioner." nobody told me why this was necessary. I found out one day when my temperature gauge red-lined and my radiator ran dry. I quickly made my way to the nearest subaru dealership so, recognizing the problem, the mechanic there told me about this coolant conditioner and how it would have been installed in my forester the day I drove it from the dealership. He sold me another bottleand advised me to pour it into the radiator immediately. I thought that would be the end of the problem, and I drove another, say 30,000 or so care-free miles, until the gasket again broke down. Time for a replacement, my personal mechanic advised me. I relented and drove about 40,000 miles on the new gasket...until experiencing failure again. As I indicated before, from a legal standpoint, you--subaru--must have known it had a big problem on its hands. Why you failed to initiate a recall and were never called to task for it is a mystery to me. Recall what happened to volkswagen only a few years back. They knew about their "problem" as well. Let me add that I know of scores of other subaru owners more recent than 1999 that feel the same way.

Filed Apr 4, 2017 · Engine · 170,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 subaru forester. On several occasions, while driving, the engine overheated and seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2014 · Engine · 81,400 miles · MN

Note: below is an extract from a message I sent to an attorney in wisconsin in 2011 regarding the problems I was having with my vehicle. I have since had the cooling system problem repaired at my own expense. Note also: I see where there has been a recent entry for pending dealer repairs on a honda civic (I think) pertaining to "coolant loss". At least honda company will live up to and correct its manufacturing mistakes. I and others have had issues with their subaru vehicles circa 1997-2004. The most important issue has to do with the cooling system losing coolant at an unacceptable rate. This is the result of functional design flaws of using different metals in the engine compartment. This allows larger than normal gaps to open up in the cylinder walls as the two metals expand differently when the engine heats up. Coupled with cheap gaskets, this formula has LED to many engine seizures in these cars across the country due to overheating. (I've caught mine barely in time as the thermostat hit red-line twice now without warning.) meanwhile, subaru knew about this problem from the onset, since dealers treated the coolant system with so-called coolant "conditioner" before selling these cars. And they didn't advise the purchaser that they were doing this and why. Problems is...the conditioner will not work indefinitely and may even accelerate the breakdown of the cheap gasket. I've got 81,400 miles now on my car and I'm on my second can of conditioner. But the coolant level keeps dropping and it's burning away in the hot engine. I can smell it when I leave the car in the garage overnight. (it smells sweet but I'm not too pleased with it.). Subaru has since had the forethought to change its gaskets to much sturdier ones. But, of course, that means I'd have to shell out thousands of dollars to replace mine.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Engine · 99,000 miles · NY

Head gasket/engine failed while on highway. Car stalled, unable to be driven.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Acceleration, Engine · 48,700 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 subaru forester. While coasting, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 48,700. Updated 05/06/08 *bf the consumer stated dreyer & reinbold checked engine, transmission mounts speed control and found no problem. 05/06/08

Filed Aug 10, 2006 · Engine · 108,750 miles · CA

We have a 1999 subaru forester with a 2.5 l engine. We got a recall notice 2-2004 regarding external coolant leaks at the engine cylinder head gaskets. This recall covered vehicle years 1999-2002 or 4 years of vehicles. We took the vehicle in and had the specific (special conditioner) installed as required by subaru. Unfortunately for us it took subaru 5 years to acknowledge the problem as we are on the front end of the model years in question. Last week the head gaskets failed and with it a large repair bill. Subaru will not honor the extended warranty as we are outside it by less than 10% in mileage but within the specified 8 years in age. We live in southern california and it is our opinion the mileage amounts allowed do not represent this part of the country and are not real world. We have discussed the issue with 2 extremely experienced mechanics including a nissan mechanic (noted throughout the country) who indicated the conditioner was merely a band-aid, a way for subaru to make a temporary fix, and not make a proper repair by replacing the defective head gaskets in question.

Filed Mar 10, 2006 · Engine · 144,539 miles · VA

Head gasket failure.

Filed Dec 19, 2005 · Engine · PA

Dt: the contact stated since purchase of the vehicle there has been antifreeze smell. He would periodically check the reservoir, and once he noticed it was leaking. He took the vehicle to a mechanic, who determined the head gasket was leaking. There was manufacturer recall wwp-99, for this problem, but when he took the vehicle to the dealership they stated there was no problem with the vehicle. They told the contact he probably filled the reservoir too high, causing the leak. The manufacturer was contacted, and suggested he keep an eye on the problem. If it persists, they will fix the vehicle under the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired.

Filed May 25, 2005 · Engine · NY

Loud clunking noise coming from engine. My mechanic diagnosed as a cracked cylinder or piston. Took the car to local subaru dealership to repiar - hoping that subaru would cover part of the cost (no longer under warrantee.) have been told by dealership after a rep. From subaru looked at the car - that the engine will need to be replaced. When I asked what happened. I was told that the pistons in this car do not have a skirting. Therfore when they go up and down in the cylinder they have more room than normal and can move around more. (sounds like an engineering flaw to me.) subaru says that they are willing to cover 40% of the cost to repair. I feel that I bought a car that wasn't designed very well - and I should not have to pay for their mistakes. I have called subaru's costumer service hotline and am waiting for them to reply. They also told me that because I was the 2nd owner of the car - I was probably not going to get any more help. Really makes you want to buy a used subaru!

Filed Feb 5, 2005 · Engine · 113,000 miles · WI

Subaru forrester 1999 w/113,000 miles has blown head gasket I am interested in participating in a class action lawsuit to recover damages.