2001 Subaru Forester transmission problems

Filed Mar 11, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · 200,500 miles · MA

Driving on highway at 75 MPH with cruise control set. Tried to cancel cruise control with stalk, it did not disengage. Tried repeatedly, it did not disengage. Hit the brakes to cancel cruise control, it did not disengage (brakes only slowed car down). Stepped on the clutch to cancel cruise control, it did not disengage. When I stepped on the clutch and shifted into neutral, the engine revved all the way to redline and remained there (meaning the cruise control was still engaged). Coasted to side of road with clutch in, engine continued to rev at redline... Continued hitting cancel on the stalk, eventually revs settled down to idle. Manual transmission was non-operational after this incident.

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Transmission · 80,300 miles · WV

My 2001 standard transmission subaru forrester failed to release cruise control when brake was used. I had difficulty, but was able to gain control and shift into neutral on the shoulder. Afterward, brakes seemed to work fine.

Filed Feb 29, 2008 · Transmission · 67,000 miles · NC

Bought my 2001 forester used with approximately 64,000 miles on it. After owning it for about 6 months noticed hesitancy when trying to pull out. Slowly started getting worse. Car would sit for about 10 to 15 seconds after being put into drive before engaging and if foot is not on brake, has a harsh engagement (whiplash type thing where it throws you forward). So, after much research and finding out that there are probably 1000s of other forester owners with the exact same problem, I contacted subaru of america who of course told me to take it to my local dealer and if they found anything wrong, subaru might give me some goodwill assistance. Well as they found that the transmission filter was not a subaru brand and nor was the fluid, they wanted to change it and then run a diagnostic test, saying that maybe that other filter caused the problem. I tried explaining that the reason we changed it was because of the problem, not what caused the problem. We changed it to see if that would help and of course it didn't. Then, of course, subaru would not do anything as I did not want to have to pay for them to change the filter and fluid only to charge me for that and then tell me that there was nothing wrong with it. I pointed out all the other complaints about the exact same problems, but they insist it is not a defect, when apparently there is a major problem with these transmissions.

Filed Apr 18, 2007 · Transmission · 109,980 miles · PA

Purchased used "as is" 02/01/2007 from dealer that listed 2001 forester at $9800.00, then when I went to buy they reduced cost to $5200.00 just to move their used vehicles off lot. They did not disclose any problems and said forester went thorough vehicle inspection and vehicle was in excellent condition mechanically. (1) failure of emission system ie,oxygen sensors (2) front and rear locations. Second day after purchase. (2) failure of left front cv joints (2) and axle. Third day after purchase. (3) automatic transmission would only go into reverse and not any drive or forward gears while coming home from work on "5th" day of ownership and this being the "third" time to have forester towed to service center. I contacted the multi-franchised (including subaru) for help and information. They responded the forester was sold as is and didn't care even if the vehicle fell in half once it leaves their lot. My next step is I contacted subaru america of my vehicle and dealer problems by email. I received returns from them with vauge at best reasons but no recall or tsb information. They gave me a case number and waiting for a personal reply via postal mail or telephone call. In total I have been towed 3 times, two different service centers and certified. Mechanics. Paid $300. For front axle, $429.00 for emmisison repairs, $150 for a transmission flush,filters (2 one internal one external spin-on) and subaru transmission. Conditoner. Finally after all that I still have the transmission problem and rarely use it because I am affraid to drive it with my two babies I have, I use my fathers car. Can someone help me please.

Filed Jul 31, 2006 · Transmission · 86,300 miles · CT

1) grinding noise when accelerating especially going up hill. 2) 4wd differential failure 3) differential can only be replaced as part of the whole transmission. 4) vehicle only has 86300 miles, seems like a transmission/differential should last longer than that. Cost for replacement over $3,700.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Transmission · IN

When I shift into drive (any of the drive gears), the car hesitates to engage (move forward) for anywhere between 2-3 seconds and up to 1 minute. This does not happen when shifted into reverse. The wait time is random so I never know how long it will take. The other day, I had to reverse to get out of a parking spot and then the car wouldn't engage into drive for another 45 seconds and I almost got rear ended by a car coming up behind me. This is a safety issue! I've read about hundreds of other complaints by other subaru forester (1999 - 2001) owners on-line. This leads me to believe that it is a manufacturer's defect. I spoke with both the dealer and subaru representative and they won't cover the cost of a new transmission because I am out of warranty. I think this is unacceptable and am looking into the legal implications further.

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 Nov 1, 2004 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · CT

Began as intermittent clutch slipping (judder) when cold or damp. It is now occurring more frequently and I took it back to the dealer this morning. They experienced the problem, knew all about it and the tsb that subaru had issued and advised they would call me when the parts came in. When I came home from work, I had a message that the vehicle was no longer under basic warranty (36000 miles) and since mine was 48,000, I would have to pay for the repair. It would seem to me since soa is aware of this problem and I was told by the svc mgr, has remedied it on new models, this is a defect. I live on a state road with heavy traffic around a curve. When I accelerate out of my driveway, I expect that the car would safely and quickly move me into traffic. This is just an accident waiting to happen and should be recalled and repaired by soa. There are numerous complaints about this on the internet if anyone was looking for this. And even those who had repairs made within the wty period complained of continuing failures.

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 Apr 12, 2004 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · CA

"clutch shudder" occurs shortly upon startup, first application of 1st gear ok  stop once and apply 1st gear again and the shudder is severe, shaking and complete loss of acceleration; this will continue for next 2-3 miles  warming the car does not remove the problem. This is an extreme safety hazard - there is no forward acceleration. Temp it frequently occurs 56  62 degrees, however once it begins it can re-occur at higher temps later in the day. Occurrence is intermittent. I reported problem to subaru in san jose, they said "no problem found" after I left the car in service for 3 days - they said they could not repeat the problem. The clutch shudder happens to me frequently during the temps recorded above - I live in california  we have those temps often in the morning spring/fall. The # of 600 failures is an estimate - I could not enter "estimate" in this form. I have had the car over 3 years and the problem seems worse. My sisters subaru outback has same problem with same response from subaru service.