2019 Subaru Forester: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Engine · 30,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact activated the hazard lights and coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective thermal control valve. The contact was informed that the thermal valve was covered under an Extended Warranty by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2021 · NH

We bought our Subaru Forester after researching the cars with the best safety features. The car feels unsafe because of 2 problems: Engine hesitation and sudden acceleration. We have barely avoided an incident on two occasions in a parking lot. We were braking for a car heading toward us when our car lurched ahead coming close to hitting an approaching car. Another time we were braking for a stop sign and the car accelerated into moving traffic. We have not reported it to our dealer hoping it was a fluke. We are going to bring it to the dealer because it's obvious that there is something dangerously wrong with our car. I can't report dates - it happens each time we drive with no warning - no lights. Suddenly the engine hesitates acting like it has run out of gas or it lurches ahead, accelerating on its own.

Filed Jun 13, 2021 · Electrical · WA

Battery hesitated when starting engine within 7-9 months of ownership. Spoke to mechanics and service staff several times then and later and was told I need to drive it every 2-3 days to keep battery charged. By 18 months of ownership it was completely dying by fourth day of not driving so I took it into service. After 9 days in service and then service not waiting my advised 4 days to cold start it, they said it’s fine and drive more or get a battery tender. (And that the battery compartment will not accommodate a larger, more powerful replacement battery!). So I purchased a battery tender and keep it attached at all times, just in case. And, I had to purchase a portable charger to keep in my car because an outlet isn’t always available and I could get stranded somewhere. I bought this car upon retirement as my forever car but I do not feel safe or comfortable owning it. I shouldn’t be forced to drive my car every 2-3 days. And should I really be going through all this when purchasing a new car?

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 38,467 miles · CT

When driving at a low speed the car lost all power without any warning lights .had to pull over and let car sit for about 10 minutes then restarted car. I was able to drive but it had very low power. Car continues to have low power and hesitated to accelerate. Car had 38,467 miles at this time. Car frequently has a kickback feel when accelerating. When pressing the gas pedal it has a delay response to move. Brought it to the dealership 2 times for this problem. There is also a noise coming from the right rear axel of car since car was purchased. Dealer continues to say it's a tire noise and they do not seem to believe the other problems with the car.

Filed Feb 4, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 1,600 miles · CA

Often, but not always, mostly when turning left from a stop as at a traffic light the car will hesitate and lose power and speed. Then I try to accelerate and the car surges forward too fast. I feel that I am going to stall in the intersection.

Filed Sep 4, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 6,500 miles · CA

While driving around 30mph the car will sometimes hesitate and then lurch if the gas pedal is very lightly pressed. Sometimes it will do it at higher speeds as well, around 50mph but not typically at freeway speed. Happens on mountain roads and city streets. Most noticeable when keeping speed with a car ahead. When pressing harder on the gas pedal it is usually not noticeable. When driving in 'sport' mode or with manual paddle shifters set at 4th gear or lower it does not happen. This is a CVT sport model. Drove a loaner of the same year and trim, which showed similar behavior, although less common. Subaru claims it is normal behavior.

Filed Jul 29, 2019 · 150 miles · PA

This complaint relates to the unsafe nature of the auto start/stop feature on our 2019 subaru forester. The vehicle automatically shuts the engine off when you come to a stop, at a stop sign for example. It then takes a second or more for the engine to start again after taking your foot off the brake. This hesitation is very unsafe in any situation where there is a need for the vehicle to move out of the way of approaching danger, such as an out-of-control vehicle coming at the car. The hesitation in movement caused by this feature could easily mean the difference between being hit and getting out of the way. The feature's default setting is "on." even if you turn it off, the next time you start the car it will be back on again. It would be much safer if the feature's default setting was "off." the subaru dealer says they cannot change the default setting to "off." I have written to subaru several times about this issue and they are unresponsive. The car is clearly less safe to operate with the feature on, so subaru should be required to change the default setting to "off."