Driver was backing up vehicle, when it accelerated rapidly, causing loss of control and traffic crash where a pedestrian was backed over, pinned and killed. Drive had no explanation of why this happened. Passenger in vehicle claims there had to have been mechanical defect.
2009 Subaru Forester transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 17 of 17, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving east on ardsley rd. In scarsdale ny, my vehicle accelerated by itself. At the time I was starting to go downhill, curving right with a "jersey barrier" in the center of the roadway. I tried to go around the vehicle directly in front of me but my right rear sideswiped his left rear. It continued to accelerate around a right curve (downhill). I could not stop. I struck an s.u.v. Just starting to move with traffic. The vehicle I sideswiped sustained no damage. Both the vehicle I struck and my vehicle were heavily damaged (my auto is $4500). Both vehicles towed from the scene. Greenburgh (ny) police responded. No injuries as of this time. I reported this to the 800 number of subaru. They took all the information over the phone. I have not heard from them. I told them I was reporting this because I didn't know if anyone else experienced the same fright. The time was 4:50pm.
Car engine races sometimes when slowing down .
Bought the 2009 forester in december 08. Drove fine for the first two months. Then it started to lag in its shifting. If I was about to stop at a light and the light changed, I put my foot back on the gas and car would not accelerate so I give it more gas and then it kicks in hard almost causing an accident to the car in front of me. It doesn't happen all the time. So I thought it was just me. Until I was driving on the highway about 16 miles from home got off the exit and it did it again. I have had the car in to the dealer 4 times this year for the same problem. The first time tech reset the computer and it drove fine for 3 days then started again. It happens in all types of situations when it wants to. My other mechanic felt the same thing had me take it back to dealer. I am frustrated with driving it. I am also now having the vehicle making loud noises and rough idling, mysterious acceleration that will adjust after car in turned off and on again and a burning smell coming from the engine after being driven. I drive locally a couple of days a week. Subaru dealer wants to take my vehicle home to evaluate transmission. I was told it was because it is a learning transmission, so why hasn't it learned how I drive and I'm the only one driving car.
Unexplained engine acceleration. Started vehicle in a parked position, was preparing to pull out, engine suddenly accelerated to top RPM and was surging. Still in neutral, wheels turned slightly to left. Could find nothing that may have caused this, placed foot on brake upon hearing the engine acceleration, floor mats were in proper position, etc. Shut engine off, restarted and things returned to normal. Still consider it a dangerous defect that needs immediate attention by subaru.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 subaru forester. When engaging the clutch, the manual transmission revved up to approximately 4000 RPM's and seemed as if it would surge. The failure occurred 85% of the time. The dealer also duplicated the failure. The manufacturer advised the dealer that they would write a computer program to remedy the issue; however, the dealer has not followed up with the contact. The current mileage was approximately 2200 and the failure mileage was approximately 100. Updated 09/24/08. *lj updated 09/30/08.
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