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.
2011 Subaru Forester engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 67, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2011 subaru forester. Consumer writes in regards to several recall notices received for vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repairs.
While backing out of my driveway the intake valve spring broke and dropped the valve into the cylinder causing thousands of dollars to repair
This model has burned a large amount of oil. I have to refill with 1-2 quarts of oil between changes and even more if we drive car for long periods of time. I had taken vehicle at about 40,000 miles because of the smell of burnt oil would come from the block, but there wasn't a sign of leakage anywhere. The dealership held the car for a couple of days and determined that it was the main oil seals that needed to be replaced. $3200 later and the problem was not fixed. Since the vehicle was out of warranty, it was too costly to keep bringing vehicle in for the same problem. After doing some research, I found a bold forum where hundreds of owners had the same issue and subaru of america was not willing to listen and do a mandatory recall for this obvious problem. When I called corporate customer service, they told me I was over the allowed mileage for this problem to be fixed. My problem with this was that they never sent out a notice or message related the possible problem many could be encountering. They stated that the only fix was to replace the engine block which would cost me over $5000. This problem is a major one because the vehicle burns almost 2 quarts of oil every 1500 miles or so. If not regularly checked and refilled, the engine can burn due to the lack of oil. It is becoming extremely expensive since a quart of oil is about $10. I still don't understand how this problem continues to be present and subaru has not yet taken care of its loyal customers. At this point, as soon as I can afford it, I will buy another vehicle and subaru will not be on my to buy list in the future again. I will also not recommend any of my acquaintances to purchase a subaru in the future as well.
When my head lights got turned on none of my taillights or my dash lights came in 1200 dollar repair. Also my head gasket went with 1500 dollar repair which subaru in known for if you do your research.
Dealer says my 2011 subaru forester (~60,000 mi) has a cam carrier oil leak that will require a $2,500 repair to fix, as it involves removing the engine. I'm concerned that a leaking camshaft seal can compromise the timing belt, leading to a catastrophic engine failure and damage.
Two months after buying the car used from a dealer, I noticed that it smelled 'oily', like an old car that had been sitting without being started. I checked the oil and the car was almost dry after about 1900 miles from picking it up from the dealer. It has used oil excessively ever since. I need about 1 qt, sometimes more, every 500 miles. After driving, it always has that hot old oil smell to the engine, like a very old car. I've taken it to several independent garages but they cannot find a leak, so it must be that the oil is somehow burning. When I ask where the oil is going, they either tell me "it's a subaru" with a shrug, as though this is to be expected, or they say that perhaps I'm not noticing how far I've driven. On acceleration, the engine ticks and rattles like it is out of oil. At high speeds (60+MPH), the engine sounds like it is straining. The oil pressure light lights up during initial starting, but never comes on while idling or driving, no matter how low the oil gets. This puts me at risk to blow the engine with no warning.
Unknown origin. Vehicle emits strong foul burning oil/rubber smell. Subaru has checked using an oil leak test shows it is not burning oil. There are numerous other smell complaints, but subaru says they do not know what the cause is. There is a recall for this complaint, but says it is related to an oil leak. People nearby make comments about the foul smelling subaru.
I bought the vehicle used with a new engine installed by subaru of america as a lemon law buyback. After only 87,000 miles, mostly highway miles under good conditions and meticulous maintenance, a rod bearing failed, destroying the engine.
Burning more than 1 qt per 1,000 miles
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
73000 miles and we had to do a full engine reseal including head gaskets, cam carriers, valve cover gaskets. All were leaking. Complaint is that the gaskets should not fail this soon, 73k miles. We were losing engine oil. Car was maintained according to subaru.
Vehicle is burning large amounts of oil. No oil light indicator comes on to warn of low engine oil. Burns approximately 2 quarts per 1000 miles. This has been going on for several years now.
I bought this vehicle in 2016 and have always maintained my car and now the engine is blown it's making a ticking noise all the oil was gone I was driving down the rd and it starting making a ticking noise under the hood
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.
Oil consumption - subaru dealership confirmed there was an oil consumption problem over 1 qt per 1200 miles. Subaru of america would not repair under warranty or offer assistance as vehicle was just over extended warranty. 113k miles at time and the extended warranty was 8 years or 100k miles
On christmas eve, while driving on the garden state parkway in nj, car engine started making loud tapping noises. As I tried to pull off the road, engine noise became louder and when I finally was off the road , the noise turned to banging. No warning lights.before I could turn off the engine, it stopped on it's own. From start of noise to stop was about 15 seconds. There was oil on bottom of vehicle and none in the engine. I check the oil frequently and have the car dealer serviced faithfully every 6000 miles, which is even less than subaru recommended intervals.. I had the car towed to that dealer. They told me the engine was a total loss and it would cost $9000 to repair. The car had 117000 miles on it.
Failed consumption oil test. Engine had to be replaced .I was told by subaru that their was no recall .my second subaru forester 2013 had same problem and its engine had to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru forester. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road with the help of a police officer. Subaru of gwinnett (2920 satellite blvd, duluth, georgia 30096) was made aware of the failure and diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was also assessed. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.
Engine burned out on interstate highway, metal filings in case, no warning lights came on the dash at any time. Come to find out there is no low oil light in this vehicle! Plus, there is a class action lawsuit against this year/make/model for excess engine oil use. Serviced this car at all recommended intervals and never let oil changes go beyond the recommended mileage. Have been very faithful with caring for this vehicle. The oil change was not due for another 1,000 miles when this occurred. Subaru dealership nearest to where the engine failed was unhelpful as was the national subaru company. Very disappointed in subaru's customer service as a whole. Did not receive communication regarding this problem and no warning from service managers at any time during servicing the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru forester. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,879.
I have a 2011 subaru forester 2.5 premium that had been consuming an exorbitant amount of oil ever since I got it. It requires that I add up to 1.2 qts every 2 months to stay above the empty line on the dip stick. My brother told me recently he heard that there was a recall on some subaru vehicles during my year due to oil consumption issues. Therefore, I checked my VIN both on this website and dubaru's website, but it didn't return anything regarding the oil consumption. Can I get some help with this issue as my warranty had already expired and this issue may be getting worse.
Our subaru forester began ticking, like a lifter was sticking, and the oil level of the synthetic oil was perfect. Then the car began to have a burning smell from the engine compartment. We took the car to our dealer huebueger, colo. Springs, colorado. The tech informed us that the car had technical service bulletins about these issues. The tech also said that a tsb is issued by an auto maker when there is a growing trend with an unanticipated problem, but does not warrant a recall. He said the irregular stamping of camshaft position sensor plates caused the eventual ticking and leaking from the camshaft carrier on both sides of the engine and this is what happened to our vehicle now warranting a $4,500 repair. Since the issue has been identified as a factory defect I called subaru support expecting financial help to rid the car of the defect. The woman was very obtuse and pretended not to understand the issue of responsibility of subaru. I don't understand the reason for technical service bulletins being released only to dealerships and mechanics. Isn't it logical and reasonable to alert the owners of vehicles that may develop oil leaks that could lead to a vehicle fire ? Isn't subaru admitting responsibility by issuing a tsb for a growing trend with an unanticipated problem. It seems irresponsible for the federal safety agency and subaru not to notify owners of identified problems that could lead to serious safety issues. Please respond as soon as possible, I am 69 years old and this issue and the financial strain is very important. The applicable communication #"s of the tsb is 02-131-12r of oct. 2, 2012, 060000 engine (pws). Sb-11-100 hr, november 27, 2012, irregular stamping of camshaft position sensor plate. The burning smell became overpowering on the way to the dealership. The tech advises that an oil leak is coming from the cam carriers on both sides defects
There is an oil leak in the head gasket and camshaft seal. This causes oil to drip and burn smoke. There is a fire risk to this. The cost of repairing this is extremely high. This seems to be a faulty part of all subaru foresters of this time period.
The vehicle stalls in traffic and at a stops, problem began in december 2017 and the battery was replaced immediately. In january 2018 it was taken to an authorized subaru dealer for repairs. The 60000 mile service was performed, it continued to stall and was returned to the dealer. The catalytic converters were replaced and it stalled in traffic when it was picked up from the dealership, it was returned. The wiring harness is now being replaced. Subaru field technicians and dealership technicians have tried to diagnose the issue.
After 1 yr purchasing car new noticed high oil consumption. I was told normal wear by dealer. Now catalytic convertor is gone due to burning oil. Over $1500.00 to be replaced. I have to replace the rings so I won't have to replace the cat next year. I am going through 2 + qts. Of oil per 1000 miles .
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru forester. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal knocking sound in the engine. During routine inspection, the technician informed the contact that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The technician added three quarts of oil to the engine. Mid-hudson subaru (1715 u.s. 9, wappingers falls, ny) was contacted, but a diagnostic was not performed due to scheduling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
When I parking my car into the parking place, the car suddenly gave a roar and rushed into someone's backyard. Although I pushed the brake pedal as deep as possible, the car rushed around 10 meters(?) and fully stopped after the car hit the rods of wood staircase(two of the rods of staircase was boken by my car). At that moment I just want shift the car from "d" to "r" (but not yet), the unintended acceleration happened to this car. Time: it happened between 2:30 to 3:00 pm on nov 30, 2017. Place: rushed into the backyards of 8352 kavanagh rd, dundalk md 21222, this backyards located on sandy plains road. Consequence: 1. Scratchs to front bumper. 2. Front bumper became loose after collision happened to the rod of staircase. 3. I have stiff muscles on both thighs for two days after this accident.
My 2011 subaru forester with 65,700 miles on it is sluggish into gear when first starting. I took it to the dealer who informed me it needed a new transmission ($5500+). I think this is outrageous. I read in forbes that there was an extension of the warranty (see https://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2017/07/07/facing-complaints-subaru-offers-extended-warranties-on-1-5-million-vehicles/#662fd3ac79dc) and wonder if this covers my vehicle?
I was driving on the highway in portland oregon and stopped at a light, as I began to accelerate going up a slight hill I noticed an awful smell like burning oil or tranny fluid. I picked up a family members to go to an appointment and they smelled it also. It went away as I continued but then next hill and the smell came back pretty strong. I found a subaru dealer/service dept. Near by and drove there. I was told that the front engine seal and cam carriers were leaking oil onto the exhaust. I asked if it was safe to drive and they said not too far because its leaking oil. Next day I took it to my normal subaru service dept. And they verified what the other service dept. Had told me with the exception of saying it was ok to drive it. They couldn't get me in for at least a week. My subaru forester only has 61,738 miles on it and I have never missed a maintenance service. I'm afraid now because the warranty expired a few months ago and I lost my job of 10 years just before turning 62. I bought this car because I thought subaru was a good long lasting car. I've looked and it appears that repairs could be as much as $2300. It also appears from my research that these engines have oil leak problems as well as other serious engine problems. I don't have the money for this repair. This shouldn't be happening. Why isn't there a class action law suit for these engines and all the money its costing all these folks because of failures. I am a quality rep for the aerospace industry and this just wouldn't be acceptable in any way, shape or form!
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