2011 Subaru Forester: check engine light

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX · crash

My car randomly turns off when reducing speed. It caused an accident a few days ago. I have had multiple mechanics try to figure out the problem but the only thing that comes up on the diagnostic tool is it needed 1 coil replaced. They have all been replaced and still won't go away. The Che k engine light is on. And the car uses about a quart or more of oil everytime I fill up but has no leaks. When I reduce speed the car in traffic, around corners or to stop it constantly turns itself off. Starting it it sometimes turns itself off if I don't give it some gas at the same time. It smells like burning oil constantly.

Filed Feb 2, 2022 · Engine · 120,400 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she noticed an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the seals needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plug gaskets and gasket rocker needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer removed the engine and replaced both cam carrier covers. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle for the next three years and experienced a recurrence of the odor from the exhaust. Additionally, the "check engine oil" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a failed oil consumption test and recommended that all the seals be replaced yet again. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The vehicle was driven back to her residence. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,400.

Filed Apr 20, 2021 · Engine · AZ

Leaky cylinder head gaskets made oil leak into cooling system. Car began rattling and engine warning lights all came on. Subaru knows this is an issues with this and may other years cars yet refuses to do anything about it. Looking at a costly $3k fix. Not drivable otherwise. Luckily it didn't fail on us while driving.

Filed Feb 21, 2021 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · LA

This happened while driving through colorado, from crested butte to telluride. I was driving with the cruise control active. As the car went up hills it would automatically shift down, causing the engine to rev into the 4,000 RPM range, which is not safe to drive sustained. In order to combat this I used the manu-matic system to hold the transmission in the higher gear. After a while my check engine light came on. Concurrently, the traction control indicator light came on, and the cruise control light began blinking. Thinking it was an overheating issue, I stopped the car and waited a while. After a few cycles of drive/stop/drive/stop, the lights turned off. Thinking the issue was resolved, we continued on to telluride. Leaving telluride, however, with the same driving behavior, the issue returned, only worse now. When the lights came on the accelerator stopped responding. We were headed uphill at 65mph on a narrow two lane road, with a steep drop off the side, and multiple cars behind us. I pressed the accelerator all the way down and the car did not respond at all. This caused us to begin rapidly decelerating, which was extremely unsafe given the conditions. We pulled over and turned off the car. After a short while of sitting on the side of the road, I turned the car back on and the issue had ceased. The intermittent nature of this issue is scary - at any moment the accelerator may cease to respond, potentially causing a life threatening scenario. Upon reaching our destination, a friend had a code scanner and pulled code "p2138 - throttle pedal position sensor switch d e voltage correlation." there's no official documentation from subaru, that I could find, on the issue, and browsing various subaru forums turns up a lot more questions than answers.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Engine · 125,000 miles · CO

Our forester has been burning an excessive amount of oil. Thought it was leaks at first and have spent about 2500 fixing those. Keeps losing oil so must be burning it. Took an oil consumption test at dealer which lasts 1200 miles. Failed because it didn't make it 650 miles before it ran out of oil. Subaru did nothing to help with this problem. Soon after it is now starting to throw check engine lights. Twice now the engine has also died while I am in the middle of driving. Once was on the highway and the other was luckily before turning into a parking lot

Filed Jan 27, 2019 · Engine · 112,000 miles · WA

Sensor light issue. Check engine, skid control, cruise control warning lights repeatedly come on. I have repaired it 3 times to no avail. On line there are 7 years of complaints regarding this issue. My cruise control, skid control are non functioning.

Filed Dec 14, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 22,736 miles · MO

When the check engine light (cel) is activated by an emission control failure subaru has programmed a shut down of the anti-lock brake system (as well as shut down of cruise control). This ABS shut down could occur for a simple loose gas cap which is common cause of cel failure. The section 3-16 on cel warning light/malfunction indicator does not inform the owner that a cel event will be accompanied by the disabling of the ABS. The driver finds this out only because the cel is accompanied by blinking cruise light and steadily illuminated ABS light. Per owner manual section 7-23 for 2011 forester when the ABS is disabled the car/driver/passengers are a risk of loss of steering control and directional stability. Three cel events occurred from june 2013 to december 2014 for same problem because thermostat was not to be replaced per service bulletin 09-56-13/10/21/13 until ECM re-programming occurred. Therefore I was forced to drive without anti-lock brake system 3 times 6/13; 8/14 and 12/14 until repairs could be scheduled. I am requesting that subaru not be allowed to disable the ABS for cel/emission control system problems. This is because I have had multiple unpredictable cel events some during weather conditions for which ABS function was critical. The thermostat and gasket assembly wee replaced.

Filed Aug 17, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 76,000 miles · NY

I was driving down to queens to see my wife's family and as soon as I passed a truck I heard something hit my car. As soon as I got into long island, I heard the engine revving as if it were a diesel engine. I stopped at a shop and they listened to it and said that it is an internal issue in the engine and not to drive it. They helped me out by finding the closest dealership and they called. The guy from the shop called subaru and they told him to call the tow truck to get the vehicle towed to their shop. That was messed up, have a non party call for a tow?? Then the guy taking my order, didn't give me a receipt nor my copies of the services from the past. I have extended warranty which I am entitled to a rental car but was stuck without a vehicle and needed a vehicle to get back to work which I live 3-1/2 hours away from the shop and now I am stuck paying for tolls and have a hold on my credit card because of subaru. On friday I was told that they would call, I had to call because they never called me back. Then they tell me that it is the engine and they have to drop the oil pan on monday. The worst thing is that I had reported engine problems at 47,000 miles which I have it documented from the dealership and they said that it was nothing.... Just like all of the electrical problems I had with my window in the past... And check engine light coming on in the past.... Now after this major issue they want more paperwork... This is just messed up.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Engine, Lights · 472 miles · CA

Check engine light came on after driving the car about 472 miles. Called dealer repair, which instated that it was just the gas cap loose, which he had us remove and retighten. We were advised to keep driving it and that the check engine light would eventually go out. We drove it for a few more days and then had two different local mechanics shops check the code on the check engine light. Both said that the engine was misfiring, either random misfire, or misfire on cylinders 3 and 4. We called the dealer again, who said that the mechanics didn't know what they were doing and were wrong, but that we should bring the car in next week. We brought the car in on 8/30/11, with about 872 miles now on it and the check engine light still on. The dealer checked the car and said the some cam shaft adjusters were not set properly at the factory and that they would have to add a shim kit to correct this! (on a new car!) the next day, car still didn't work, they had to called subaru manufacturer and tried at least 5 other procedures and car still doesn't work. The car is defective and should not have been sold as a new car. They have had the cover over 10 days now and still not fixed. We just want a new car, and get out of that one. Please help.