2008 Subaru Forester: check engine light

Filed Nov 30, 2019 · Engine · 113,000 miles · UT

My engine started failing. The compression started rapidly declining these last few weeks. My engine was sluggish and jerky. I previously had the car serviced with a new alternator and had my emissions testing done for my registration. The next day the engine light came on to alert for the problem. I brought it back in and after some testing was told it was the compression to the engine that was not working properly. It is in the shop now. After further testing decompression was even worse than previously diagnosed at other mechanic and the engine was declared to be failing. I am having to get a complete engine remake. $8,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2018 · 80,000 miles · MO

Secondary air pump malfunction. I have read that this happens all the time and it costs $2,000 to get it replaced. Check engine light is on all the time and it cancels out traction control and cruise control. I can hear it trying to work and hope it does not cause a fire risk.

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Engine · CA

In one miles time cruse light when on then engine light then died. Got extremely hot.. Blew gaskets and possible engine. I have never missed oil changes and have taken very good care of car.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Engine · 172,000 miles · WI

The check engine light went on - flashing. I drove immediately to my local garage. When I turned off the engine, I smelled a strong burning oil smell, as did the mechanic. The oil was checked and I was down 2 quarts even though I had a recent oil change at that same facility. There had been no oil leaks, and no stain in my driveway previous to this. The mechanic saw no abnormal oil flow or leak when he checked.

Filed Jul 11, 2013 · Fuel system · 67,000 miles · FL

In july of 2012 while driving on the highway my check engine light came on, canceling my cruise control. I took the car to repair garage I was using and the evap code indicated a leak of .002. The car was smoke tested and the garage recommended to change gas cap, which I did with generic cap. The again in november of 2012 the check engine light came on again while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, again the code was possible evap leak. In jan 2013 check engine light came on again on the highway, had it smoke tested for 3 hours at the garage, no leak was detected. Changed gas cap again. Then in may 2013 again on the highway, check engine light came on. Again possible evap leak, suggested to get "subaru" gas cap. Subaru parts personal said the roll over valve on the top of the gas tank was usually the problem most of the time. If the check engine light comes on again, will probably need to replace. So in june after coming off the highway, the check engine comes on. Took car to subaru and said could not be certain it was roll over valve, however suggested to replace. Code was p0456, which was same code that appeared before in may. If the subaru forester has this problem on these models, shouldn't this part be a "maintenance" item to prevent engine troubles? My question for you is how many subaru forester's have had this problem? Is there a way to ask subaru for how many subaru forester's have had this part replaced on all subaru forester's to evaluate if manufacture defect? To change this part, I was charged $418.14 + tax to fix problem I have no "scheduled" maintenance for . Thank you.

Filed Nov 16, 2012 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

I had a check engine light come on. Pulled the code and ran it by a friend who is a subaru mechanic. After realizing this is a smog issue contacted dealer who said its not covered under emissions warranty. I know this is false as parts are to be covered by law up to 100k miles. Now it's going to cost $1600+ to repair this issue in order to pass smog. On a 5 year old car. Below is a posting from mechanic notifying forums, facebook, and anyone else who will listen of the issue (there are good mechanics out there). One of the issues we have been hearing a lot about, getting calls on, and personally seeing for ourselves is these air injection solenoids having issues on the 06+ model vehicles. Remember the air pump is suppose to only run for a short moment under start up (it injects oxygen into the exhaust to burn off the excess fueling at the catalytic converters so they will lite off). Here you can see both of these bad solenoids and how gummed up they're getting from exhaust gases and moisture. The check valve gets damaged forcing it to be stuck open, which causes constant hot exhaust gases to run through these parts, you can see the seal on the plunger is literally destroyed from the heat. I really hope soa realizes this is not an issue that's going to go away. In the last week we have taken 5 phone calls in regards to this and today we are fixing a customers...which in time will have the same fate as his last ones unfortunately. Hopefully soa steps up and has a revision and/or compensation (warranty) in place for this issue in near future. Subaru current warranty rebuttal is they claim these parts are not an "emissions" related component but it clearly is and they need to admit to it and fix this issue. Subaru owners need help and should get refunds for the costs of repairs thus far!

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 47,600 miles · CA

I bought the car in may of 2008. On feb. 29, the check engine light and the traction control light came on, as well as the cruise control light started flashing. I thought, why? I've only had it for almost 4 years and less than 50k miles. I checked my owner's manual, and the covered warranty is 5 yrs/ 50k miles, whichever comes first. I brought it to the dealership where I had bought the car from and an employee said that it is more than likely covered by warranty. On march 7th, 2012, I left my car at the dealership for diagnosis. They called me back, and informed me that it is not covered under warranty, because ca emission warranty is 3 yrs/50k miles whichever comes first. I told them that the owner's manual suggests that the warranty is 5 yrs/50k miles. The diagnosis codes were p2441 and that not only I spent $138 on diagnosis, the total cost to repair it is $1305. I declined the repair, because I, for one cannot afford it at this time, because I am on disability. I thought that they should honor subaru's warranty. I checked various subaru message boards, and I am not the only one with the same problem. A known subaru specialist in our area also posted on a message board that they've gotten numerous calls about the same problem. They took pictures and sent it to subaru. As of right now, we haven't heard anything from subaru about any recalls. I think it should be recalled. Thank you for your time.