2009 Subaru Forester: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jan 30, 2019 · Engine · 86,000 miles · NY

Fairly recently I had my radiator replaced due to a leak. Couple weeks into my new one, I went to start my car and a proof of white smoke shot out the exhausts which I new was not ok. I put the car in reverse and all of the sudden it felt like it was in limo mode and the check engine, traction control, and cruise control lights all started blinking - they weren't on before. So I shut my car off and took my mom's to work. I later found out that I had no coolant, but there was no warning or indication that I was low. From that day on my car has been going through full reservoirs of coolant by the day with no visible leaks, heating+cooling, fand a ull radiator up to the brim. I'm assuming my issue is a head gasket leak at only 86,000 miles...that is terrible product quality - I can't just go around and pay $2000 in repairs for a car I relied on and have only driven for 10k miles. That's just ridiculous and theres nothing I can do about it without $2000 to spend but sell it and screw someone else over.

Filed Nov 23, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 41,312 miles · NC

I have a subaru 2009 that I bought last yeay with around 25000 miles under an extended warranty . Vin [xxx] . And this as happened te times so far . While driving or just starting of the car shakes very hard , and the stability control light comes on the check engine ad cruise control and as the car tries to shift the whole car shakes . Then as you are driving down the highway it loses power almost as if it is stalling out . It did this to me on interstate 85 at 65 MPH and I barely missed a truck. I have contacted the dealer ship twice and taken it in once and they said nothing was wrong ? Now that I almost wrecked last night I am contacting you . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 23, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 52,500 miles · MA

I was driving to work, and the car wouldn't accelerate, it also handled roughly. The check engine light, cruise control light was flashing, along with vehicle dynamics control warning light. I had my car towed, as it wasn't drivable. My local garage repaired my car, I received 4 new spark plugs, and an air filter. 9 days later the check engine light came on, as well as the cruise control light, and the vehicle dynamics warning light, again it was repaired, this had to do with the catalytic converter message, but all my local garage could find was a small leak near the manifold that they repaired. 2 days later the check engine light went on again, I now called my subaru dealership, they replaced a faulty catalyst converter, and af sensor, the also changed my oil, as it was due, and suggested I have a transmission fluid flush and refill, and that my rear and front differentials, needed a drain and refill. 5 days passed another check engine light, this time it was flashing, I had to have my car towed, the subaru dealership discovered the wrong spark plugs were put in initially, and replaced them with platinum tip spark plugs that my model takes. 4 days passed another check engine light, with being unable to accelerate, I was going up hill, so I continued on, to reach a parking lot, I could stop in but suddenly, it felt like something unblocked, this made the check engine light go away, until 2 days later, another check engine light, I once again brought my car back to the dealership, the mentioned something about the catalyst converter, but said it was 'too soon" so they left the work order open , in case it occurred again,and gave me this lecture about the grade of gas I am buying. 4 days later the check engine light returned, this time subaru discovered the my other o2 sensor was faulty, and they would replace it, when the part comes in.

Filed Apr 26, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · PA

For some odd reason on monday, april 23 my check engine light came on, my awd indicator, and the cruise control light started flashing all at once. I came into work and googled the above items along with my make and model of the car...much to my surprise multiple links, items, and threads appeared. So I read most of them and this appears to be a systemic problem with subaru's throughout the united states and canada. I became concerned because no recall was issued and it seems more than coincidence that many people are having the same issue. Please advise since I called the subaru dealer and they could have cared less.

Filed Jan 12, 2012 · Engine · 34,000 miles · VA

2009 subaru forester. Production date: 02-14-08. Initial diagnosis is internal turbo failure. The car has 34,000 miles on it and oil and filters are maintained. My wife was driving with our 2yr. Old in the car when it started making a horrible grinding sound. She described it as it sounded and felt like she was dragging something. She limps home with the car and I take it for a test drive. It sounded fine at start up. No tapping or grinding. As soon as I start up the road I could feel there was no acceleration. Like I was driving in mud. The check engine light, the traction control light and the cruise control light all stuck on. I have read many cases of this same thing happening with other 2.5 turbo engines. There was a stop sale and a recall but, according to subaru my car was not affected. The reports I've read indicate otherwise. The production date and the VIN# fall into the range of the stop sale. I am very worried about the outcome as the dealership I bought the car from and soa have not been helpful. I had to call subaru myself to get them to respond to the dealerships case concerning my car. It's been a week now and just today I got a call from subaru requesting permission to tear down the engine to find the source. A week and it's just sitting there. No offer of a rental. Nothing. This issue is not resolved yet and I hope subaru does the right thing and lives up to its reputation of being a reliable, long lasting car.

Filed Jun 20, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 7,064 miles · WA

Vehicle: 2009 subaru forester limited, on 6/20/09 I experienced an incident of unintended acceleration. Cruise control was on. Before our exit I canceled the cruise control but left it "on". On the ramp, I let the car slow. At about 40 MPH I moved the shift lever into 'sport' mode, downshifted to 3rd gear, then 2nd, then braked to a stop. The car was stopped, in gear, idling. My foot was on the brake. Without warning, the engine raced and the car jolted forward about a foot; it would have continued but I increased pressure on the brake and stopped the car. The engine, with the car stopped and in gear, ran up over 2000 RPM. I immediately shifted into regular drive mode and then into neutral. Once in neutral, the engine briefly raced higher but then dropped to idle at about 700 RPM. I switched the cruise control off. Please note: to stop the car I did not move my foot; it was already on the brake, and I merely pressed harder. This is not a case of pedal confusion. The floor mats are in place. This is not a case of a floor mat interfering with the accelerator. At the time of the incident, we were not moving. I was not on the phone. I was not looking over my shoulder. I was not otherwise distracted. I was sitting still, waiting for the light to change, with my focus on the traffic stopped in front of me. In my view, this represents a dangerous defect in the vehicle, and needs to be corrected immediately. Please advise regarding your proposed resolution. I have advised subaru via their website today but have not heard back. I am happy to be contacted for further details if needed.