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1999 Subaru Forester engine complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 28 of 28, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1999 Subaru Forester engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 5, 2005 · Engine · 86,700 miles · NC

While driving at 70 MPH, suddenly there was a clicking noise from the engine and then it stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealership. The dealership stated, there was internal engine damage. This occurred because water seeped into the engine because of a faulty gasket.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

While driving, the engine light illuminated. The mechanic repaired the catalytic converter once, but the consumer continued to have the same problems. *jb the converter was replaced once and the #02 sensor was repaired forced. Two dealers suggested that this model vehicle had a problem with this component when the vehicle was at or below 100k miles. *sc

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Engine · VA

Problems with tensioner, front belt cover and head gasket. *mr the front belt cover and tensioner failed two months after the head gasket was repaired. The mechanic did not torque down the tensioner bolt and caused it to come loose. The valves were bent even though the motor is considered noninterference. Two recalls were applied to the vehicle without the consumer's knowledge (recall wwg90 & wwp99). The seal on top of the tensioner failed. The mechanics had given two results; 3 cylinders with no compression. The vehicle was losing oil before the head gasket problem in december 2003. The consumer also noticed changes in the oil level between changes. The consumer requested a new engine. *sc

Filed Jun 1, 2004 · Engine · 53,400 miles · NY

At 53,500 miles engine oil began leaking. All seals had to be replaced including watre pump seals wich had also failed.

Filed May 7, 2004 · Engine · 71,200 miles · VA

1999 subaru forester has a leak in the driver's side head gasket. (nar). *mr

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Engine · 77,848 miles · VA

I bought a 1999 subaru forester s less than 2 years ago. In december 2003, at approx. 71,200 miles, the car began loosing antifreeze. I discovered that I needed a head gasket job. Now I find they have a recall on this. Shortly thereafter I discovered the mysterious "vanishing oil" problem with this engine. At 75,775, I checked the oil and found it mostly gone! I returned to my mechanic, who found no external leak and no sign of oil burning on the spark plugs. After doing some research (see the federal safety agency complaints), this appears to be a chronic problem with these engines. I continued to monitor the situation and add oil as necessary. I seem to need 1 quart per 1500 miles, approximately. Now, the final problem. On 3/24/04, at 77,848, I was driving at 65 MPH, heard a strange noise and the check engine light came on. I immediately turned off the engine and coasted to a safe turn out. After towing the car to my mechanic, he discovered that the top of the timing belt tensioner had popped off, releasing the hydraulic and of course the timing belt. He has never seen a tensioner fail, and out of the hundreds of new timing belts he has done, he only had to replace about a dozen that were out of specs. We debated a course of action and, since it is a non-interference motor, I decided to replace the tensioner and not the entire motor. He also did a hand crank to check for resistance or other head damage. After waiting nearly 2 weeks for parts (due to subaru's part ordering method), he replaced the tensioner. When testing the engine, it did not sound right. He did a compression test and found no compression on 3 cylinders! So now I had the shocking prospect of needing a new engine!I decided I better get help from the dealer, as this all appears to be a quality issue that should not be happening to this engine at this mileage. The car is now at stohlman subaru in vienna, va.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Engine · 82,000 miles · MN

While driving at 45 MPH temperature gauge suddenly went into the hot zone. Consumer pulled off the road to inspect the vehicle. Checked the fluids level, added water, and got back on the road, and temperature gauge immediately went back into the hot zone. Consumer pulled off the road, and had vehicle towed to the dealership, who determined that engine head gasket was leaking antifreeze.

Filed Mar 5, 2004 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

Consumer complained about engine head gasket leaking coolant and mixing with the oil. Instead of replacing the head gasket dealer was offering a liquid conditioner, and holding the consumer responsible for maintenance.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 30,600 miles · OH

Engine seized and blew at 30,000 - I provided subaru with all receipts for oil changes that complied with warranty. Subarua denied warranty writing that ohio has such severe weather that the warranty provisions did not apply. I have since learned that subaru has no such warranty policy. Subaru destroyed my engine oil, after receiving a certified letter directing that the oil be preserved for testing, charged me for the oil's disposal, tore down my engine, destroyed the defective parts, charged me for the engine tear down, and has refused to cooperate in discover - I sued - court ordered subaru to comply with discovery, and subaru admitted that it's letter denying my warranty was based on a false reason. My trial against subaru is in september - trying to find other information that might help.

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Engine · PA

Since the purchase of the vehicle, it burns well over a quart of oil when it traveled 1000 miles. Hence having to replace 3 to 4 qts of oil between oil changes. The dealer insists that this is ?normal.? I thought that they should be required to put this on the sticker information of all new cars while others are documenting the same information.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Engine · 102,000 miles · KY

Vehicle continues to run hot. Dealer notified.

Filed Jun 5, 2003 · Body, Engine · 96,000 miles · NY

1999 subaru forester s. At 40,000 new transmission. At 45,000 speed odometer sticking needs to be replaced. Now at 96,000 miles leaking head gasket needs to be replaced. All major problems requiring major money to be replaced.

Filed Jun 4, 2003 · Engine · RI

Chronic engine and oil leakage of a 1999 subaru forester. No satisfaction from 2 dealerships (bald hill subaru and pilgrim subaru). I have noted the last date of service, but the problem has been constant and chronic. I have lost time from work, had breakdowns on 2 vacations, and have constant anxiety about the situation.

Filed Jun 27, 2002 · Engine, Suspension · KY

I took my subaru in for an oil leak problem and was informed that my right bearing was bad. The oil seal was under warrenty, however the bearing cost nearly 500.00. Drove it a month and started hearing a roaring noise. I took it in again and the bearing had caused the hub to go bad. I was not charged this second time. I was told they had other all wheel drive vehicles in with this problem.

Filed Oct 2, 2001 · Engine · MN

Oil pump seal oil leak, fixed under warranty. Still loosing oil found head gasket leak, will fix under warranty. Dealer said engine still using oil, but they will not fix it as they say 1 quart every 1000 miles is normal. But dealer want to check the vehicle every 2000 miles.

Filed Jun 1, 2001 · Engine · CO

Vehicle is losing aproximately one quart of oil every 1000 miles. The vehicle does not appear to be "burning" oil nor is it leaking. This amount of oil loss appears high to me. I called subaru international in new jersey and they said this is "normal" for a subaru. I find this very hard to believe that a vehicle can lose 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. I asked the dealer (marzolf subaru) to fix it, and they said no as it was not un-normal for a subaru to lose this much oil. Thankyou for looking into this problem.

Filed Mar 15, 2000 · Engine · TX

Ongoing problem with engine hesitating intermittently whenever vehicle sits for more then two days. Vehicle been in dealer shop, and problem still occurring.

Filed Jul 22, 1999 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Engine rebuilt due to failure, had to be completely replaced due to failure of rebuilt unit. Mjs

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