The bus had just dropped off my son. I turned on the car and proceeded to roll down the hill to the corner where I was going to make a right turn. (about 4 car lengths from my original parked spot) all of a sudden the car was not responding to my foot or stealing commands. I rolled onto the front lawn of the corner property. As soon as we cam to a stop I shut the engine and put the car in park. I opened the door, took a look at the car and then tried to start the car again. I started the car and it was making like a reving noise. I when to put the car in reverse to back off the lawn (all the while my foot is on the brake.) and all of a sudden the car lurch backwards with such force and speed. I was almost standing in place with the force I was trying to brake. The car would not respond and I came to a full stop after crossing the road and into another front lawn and crashing in to the porch of that property. Totaled vehicle !!!
2006 Subaru Forester engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 22 of 22, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Fire started under the hood while vehicle was stopped at a traffic light. The insurance inspector stated that the fire started in the radiator fan. Vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company.
When I took my car in for it's 90000 mile service, I was shown that there was oil leaking for the drivers side head gasket. I was informed that this is a common problem for subaru foresters from the late 1990s thru 2009. Appears to be a faulty design, which subaru has not owned up to. My online search located a large number of complaints by subaru forester owners on this design flaw.
Head gasket leaking oil confirmed by dealer in september 2011.
Vehicle was repaired several months ago pursuant to a safety recall involving the fuel filter. As a result, the catalytic converters were damaged and required replacement, conducted as part of the recall. Recently, the vehicle unexpectedly overheated and caused significant damage to the engine, without any check engine sensor or other indicator signifying such a problem.
Head gasket leaking oil again (5000miles later) after being repaired by subaru dealer while car was under warranty. Can smell hot oil after a long drive on freeway and have seen wisps of smoke coming from under hood. There is the potential for an underhood oil fire if leak gets worse.
Engine light, failure of cruise control. Dealer replaced air pump (part #14828aa030) and engine control modulator. Dealer discount 50% "goodwill." part was 4,611 out of warranty. One week later same problem returned, dealer states car needs oxygen valves and there is a national back order on parts. Subaru is offering the parts for free (indicating there is a known problem) but wants to charge labor ~$500. Parts may be unavailable for several weeks. First service failed to properly diagnose problem.
I have a hesitation when accelerating from a stop caused by my vehicle's drive by wire throttle body. This hesitation is ongoing despite an ECM reprogramming done by the dealer on 12/16/08. It is bad enough that I'm afraid I'm going to get into a collision sometime.
Head gasket leak on the driver's side cylinder head of a 2006 subaru forester x. Mom's car (also a 2006 subaru forester x) has identical head gasket leak but on the passenger's side cylinder head. There is the possibility of oil dripping on the hot exhaust manifold. My car has had the head gaskets replaced under warranty. Her car is yet to be repaired.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 subaru forester. The air bag control module fails to activate at least once per week. On each occasion, the passenger side air bag off light illuminates. The occupant detection sensor does not recognize a passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. The passenger side air bag also does not activate when the vehicle is started approximately once out of 20-30 starts. The contact's wife weighs 120 lbs and is 5'5 inches tall. She sits erectly with the seat back nearly vertical. The failures have been reported and investigated by the dealer and manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the "occupant protection system is working as its designed intent and as such we are unable to recommend a repair or modification". The current mileage was 28,000 and failure mileage was 13,421. Updated 01/03/08 *bf oil was leaking onto the exhaust system, the engine would surge and sag during slight downgrades with the throttle held just off idle and speed held constant, the speed control over and under shoots on slight grades, it would not go to full throttle, or to closed throttle when speed control was activated. Updated
There are two problems with the 2006 subaru forester that I have. It has less than 5000 miles on it and continually fails to start, whether from a cold start or a warm start. The engine will attempt to crank but will not catch and actually turn over. This issue has happened multiple times. I took the car into the dealership and they stated that I had to hold the ignition switch in the acc position to "prime the lines." I've never head of having to prime a car in this day and age. However, I since have tried doing that and the issue still persists. Also, the care will surge in power at various speeds. When I let up on the gas when trying to slow down ,the car will actually rev up. This happened in the snow the other day and I almost completely lost control of the car. If that car is going to surge like this it completely negates the purpose of having all wheel drive. This is a grave safety concern. I thought subaru's were supposed to be good cars. I guess I thought wrong. I've taken the car in for the surge issue and the dealership said there was nothing they could do and that there were no recalls for the problem.
Dt*: the contact stated while pulling out at various speeds the vehicle hesitated without warning. The hesitation occurred intermittently each time. Upon inspection the dealership was unable to remedy the problem. The manufacturer was not alerted.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2006 Subaru Forester?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history