2006 Subaru Forester: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 27, 2023 · Steering, Suspension · CT · crash

Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.

Filed Nov 23, 2022 · Suspension · 189,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he discovered that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact then took the vehicle a dealer where he was informed that the recall was serviced. Less than two months later, the contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel began to shake as he began to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off to the highway shoulder. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the front driver’s side lower control arm was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact discovered that no work was performed on the vehicle. The contact purchased the parts and replaced the control arm himself. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · CT

Front control arm failed on car. Which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. Found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. Waiting to see if they will cover repairs.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · ID

I was made a turn at roughly 15mph and the front passenger side control arm sheared in half causing me to lose control of the vehicle and then abruptly come to an immediate stop. My family was in the car and at a higher speed this could have been fatal. Had there been any vehicles behind me that could have caused an accident with unknown results. Had this been moments early I would have been in a head on collision. This is a known issue for this year, make, and model that was not properly resolved in the past by the manufacturer. The part should not fail in that manner. There were no warnings. The failure was inspected by the tow truck driver.

Filed Nov 24, 2020 · Suspension · 123,000 miles · WA · crash

While driving my car the passenger control arm failed, snapping in half and I lost control of my vehicle. Upon lookin under my car I could see the snapped control arm, which was completely rusted out. I also observe the driver side control arm is also very rusty. Both control arms are the only isolated rusted parts under my car, the rest of my car does not have any rust. It was alarming to me that both control arms are the only completely rusted parts under my car, so I called the dealership I purchased the care from to inquire about recalled parts. They informed me that the control arm had been recalled, and my car had been "serviced" for this recall in 2012 through rust-proof spaying. The control arms were not replaced at the time of service for the recall. Upon calling subaru of american to have these recalled parts replaced now because they failed in a known location. I was alarmed that rust-proof spray was used to treat a recalled part that has been identified to rust at accelerated rates and the parts were not automatically replaced. The rust proof spray seems like a temporary fix that will eventually where away and then the part will fail in the future (which is what happened to me while driving). Subaru refused to replace the recalled control arms in my car because the parts has been sprayed in 2012.the attempt at servicing the recall did not work, and these parts have still rusted at an accelerated rate, ultimately failing. The control arms are the only rusted parts of my car, and the passenger arm failed causing me to lose control of my car.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Suspension · 126,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 subaru forester. The contact stated that the lower control arm was rusted again. The contact called thomas subaru at 814-623-813 (located at 4003 business 220, bedford, pa 15522) and was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension); therefore, the repair would need to be done at the contact's expense. The contact was unsure if the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Apr 15, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 237,000 miles · WI

While the vehicle was in motion on a highway, I drove over a pothole on the passenger side and my lower control arm broke due to a known problem with corrosion in this model year. There was a noticeable problem with wheel alignment which was able to be felt in the steering wheel. Subaru recall wvx-34 was supposed to fix this safety issue. The 'repair' was completed on my vehicle in january of 2012. As you can see from the photos, the rust proofing did not help.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Steering · 130,000 miles · VT

Control arm is rusted completely through. I need to fully replace the entire arm. It's urgent, as the entire wheel and mechanism could fall off at any time.

Filed Nov 13, 2018 · Suspension · 136,000 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 subaru forester. The contact took the vehicle to a tire shop to purchase a set of new tires. The contact was informed by the technician that there was no point of replacing the tires because both frontal control arms were severely rusted and the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was too old to be included in a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · MD

Went to dealership (heritage, subaru in catonsville, md) to get lever control arm on 2006 subaru forester replaced. Was told by the dealership service manager verbally after car in shop for a week that due to rust, threading if replaced and additional damage occur it would cost me up to 9k for additional damages. Offer made, requested it in writing, told I need to discuss with my attorney. I just purchased the car 5/31/2018 and was doing my due diligence in getting the recalls up to date. I would take a substantial loss if I was to sell the car to the dealership. Looking to have the repairs made at no additional cost to me.

Filed May 23, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 118,814 miles · NY

The front control arms on my 2006 subaru forester failed on may 15, 2015. There was no warning (no sound, no shimmying, no steering issues) to suggest that something was about to happen. The main safety issue is that in 2012, subaru issued a recall for foresters and imprezas, rustproofing the control arms. I brought my car in at that time, and have the paperwork that indicates that this service was performed. I therefore assumed the car was safe. There has been no other recall. My car had 118,000 miles on it, and is well taken care of. I am not an aggressive, poor or off-road driver. My husband is experienced with cars and car repairs, and he also heard and felt nothing to suggest my car might have a problem when he drove the car prior to the accident. Fortunately, I was exiting a rotary onto a highway, so hadn't yet reached full speed. The car glided across another lane as I hit the brake, and a raised divider kept the car from continuing into oncoming traffic. This failure could happen to anyone else with a similar car history. That person could be driving at full speed, and might not be as lucky as I was in being able to stop safely. A deputy sheriff called aaa for me, and I was towed to a local subaru dealership. They replaced both control arms, sway bars, and the axle. Subaru paid for all the repairs, and offered to pay for the towing. In 2014, the rear control arms were replaced; I brought the car in because it was making a noise and the rear of the car was not responding correctly. Subaru didn't cover that expense, and I didn't realize that I should have insisted that they do so. The experience suggested to me, however, that I would have plenty of warning should something happen to the other control arms. This was not the case in my situation, and others should be made of aware of the extreme danger they face.

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Suspension · 115,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 subaru forester. The contact stated that he received the recall notice associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 11v464000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower arm). The contact notified an authorized dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that his appointment was rescheduled because the parts necessary to remedy the failure were not available. The manufacturer was not notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 115,000.