2001 Subaru Forester: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 23, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 189,000 miles · OH

I was driving down the freeway at night when I heard a loud bang noise and looked behind me and saw black smoke and had lost all power, no power steering, no brakes and no lights I had to try to cross 2 lanes of traffic to get my car to the shoulder while it was decelerating. I got the car to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment, and was worried of a possible fire. I got out and called a tow truck and had it towed. The result was a blown head gasket that had blown the rod through the back pillar and sprayed oil over everything causing the battery to short out which LED to the power loss. The whole engine on the car needed to be replaced for the second time. Bought car with a rebuilt engine from same problem at 141,000 miles.

Filed Dec 21, 2005 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MA

Around 100k miles my 2001 subaru forester (manual transmission) experienced severe hesitation and missing (bucking) in all gears, resulting in a loss of power. The timing belt was replaced and mechanic assured me everything with the timing belt and clutch was ok. Within a few days the car experienced the same severe jolting as before. In lower gears car accelerates extremely slowly, and often stalls after the severe shaking. This is a potentially very dangerous problem; while taking a left out of my neighborhood, my car began to shake violently and stalled, and I was almost struck by oncoming traffic.

Filed Jul 14, 2004 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · IL

Manual transmission suburu forester purchased may 12, 2001 in chicago, illinois. In may of 2004 car began to have slow start up in lst. And 2nd. Gears. Dealer said he did not find a problem. However, problem worsened and progressed into 3rd, 4th. And 5th. Gears. Until one day in july while on highway clutch exploded. Dealership suggested car had been driven as though by a race car driver which caused the problem. Dealer suggested in my june 04 phone call that car might need a tune up which is why I did not hesitate to drive it with my children in it at highway speeds. After looking at attorney internet complaint site I found numerous similar if not exact complaints as I have made to dealership. At present dealer has my vehicle in another state and tells me I must pay for the 'clutch disc" at l39. And the cost of my rental car at 30. Day , repair could take 4-7 days. Also, I paid for the tow off the highway-the first tow. This problem could cost me $500. If the dealer would have found the problem initially in may this would have never occcured on the highway with children in car. Vehicle lost 20 miles spped in less than 10 seconds causing me to quickly and calmly move off to the side of road and await state trooper help. Mechanics tell me that dealership mechanic should have investigated clutch problems when I made complaints of loss of power in 1st. And 2nd. Gears.

Filed Mar 30, 2004 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · NV

2001 subaru forester (manual transmission) experiences terrible "clutch shudder" (also called clutch chatter and clutch judder) starting from a stop in 1st gear, and occasionally in 2nd gear, most often when car is cold (morning). The shudder is extremely severe, shaking the whole car and results in loss of power. Since this happens starting from a stop, the problem creates a hazard with intersections; there is enough power to get the car into an intersection, then the clutch shudder requires complete reapplication of the clutch, causing the car to remain in the intersection for an inordinate amount of time.

Filed May 8, 2002 · Acceleration · PA

While driving 60 MPH and without warning vehicle will lose power /drops to 5 miles. Then goes back to 60 MPH. Dealer has been notified 6 times, and could not find cause.