2009 Subaru Forester: check engine light

Filed Feb 1, 2023 · Fuel system · NJ

* Fuel tank leak * Could have exploded or caught fire * Confirmed at independent service center * Inspected by independent service center * Check engine light and gas tank icon on dash. Appeared 1/31/2023 This car has had so many recalls and has been a problem for a long time. We have contacted Subaru and will contact them today regarding this issue.

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · AR

Traveling on an interstate at 70mph, car check engine light came on and car lost all power. Was able to limp off the road and wait 3 hours for a tow to dealership. Diagnosis; stage 4 blown head gasket. There was no prior warning or symptoms and could have been a greater danger if heavier traffic. Head gasket problems know on early model subaru's.

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Engine · 108,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 subaru forester. While driving 60 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine and traction control indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was 108,000.

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 Aug 30, 2018 · Engine · 91,000 miles · NY · fire · 1 injury

Our son bought a 2009 subaru forester on 7/13/18 from the dan perkins subaru dealership in milford, ct. He was driving it home at noon on 8/16/18 when his check engine light came on. Within seconds the car filled with smoke, and went up in flames. The entire car was lost.

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Engine · 188,000 miles · WA · fire

Engine and vehichle caught on fire. Driving highway for about 3.5 hours. Had just refilled with fuel about 15 minutes prior to check engine light coming on. Proceeded to next exit. Check oil light came on and car was on fire. Vehicle destroyed.

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Engine · CA · fire

Vehicle was in motion on the freeway when engine light turned on and immediately brakes stopped working and engine stopped as well. Fire and smoke came out of the engine and filled the cabin. Driver and passengers had to escape and the car within minutes was engulfed in flames.

Filed Feb 8, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · NY

Car has been going through oil since the catalytic converter recall was done in fall of 2013. First noticed around february of 2014 when oil light came on and no oil in engine. I complained to dealer and they found nothing. I kept complaining on my oil change or other appointments but they found nothing wrong. The car was going through 2-3 courts every 2-3 months, with "burn" time getting closer together - eventually checked oil every 3 weeks by summer and every week by october. When the car would not run I eventually bypassed the dealer after no solution and complained to subaru. I had a difficult time finding a dealer willing to take the car (so did subaru). Feeling it was a dealer workmanship issue I paid for the work and subaru reimbursed me to replaced the head gaskets in december 2014 - stating it was out of warranttee so that is how it has to be done. The other day (february 6, 2015) engine light came on again and no oil was in the engine - this is 2 months after work done. This car has had issues since the beginning and I feel as a first year redesigned model it is a subaru defect. I have had to replace the brakes 3 times in a short span - few years (3 maybe). It has never had good pick-up and since catalytic converter recall was done the gas mileage dropped - was 22/28 now 19/23. The dealer who replaced head gaskets made a notation on my bill (without telling me directly) that the sway bars need attention. My brother has a 2007 forester and has had to replace all of these items as well within the last few years. I needs a reliable vehicle to earn a living.

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 Jul 30, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 92,000 miles · NY

While traveling at highway speeds in rainy weather, vehicle began to misfire and lost power, forcing driver into an unsafe situation of coaxing car to shoulder. Check engine, stability control lights came on, and cruise light flashed. After shutting engine off and restarting, same lights remained on but engine ran normally. We have also another 2009 forester which experiences misfires, same lights, after starting cold on a rainy day. Although we have received recall notices from subaru on other less critical topics, there does not seem to be an inclination on their part to address this engine electrical malfunction which could have resulted in disaster. Our online researches suggest that many other subaru owners are experiencing similar malfunctions, and we don't detect any serious effort by the manufacturer to fix this.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Engine · 54,928 miles · CT

Their was a clunk and driver car pulled over and off highway . Had it towed to our independent garage. The engine failed. The check engine light never went on nor did the low oil pressure light go on.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 34,000 miles · VA

The check engine light came on while driving and stayed on. That meant something was amiss with the emissions control system, probably a loose gas cap. I checked the cap, took it off and retightened it until I heard the proper clicking sound. The light remained on the rest of the trip home. Twice more before servicing, I repeated the process of checking the cap. Both times I heard the clicking sound. The light remained on. I had the problem looked at by a subaru dealer. After 2 hours they told me I was either overfilling the tank - I never top off - or not putting the cap on properly. I told them I know how to put a gas cap on, explained how I do it, and if there is a better way, please show me. They only repeated that it must be me because the cap was loose enough to be leaking gas. Despite my insisting that something else was wrong, they said bring it back if it happens again. I will repeat that the gas cap was put on as properly as it can be done. There is something else going on here and it is potentially dangerous. I replaced the old cap with a new one and have not had a problem.