2012 Subaru Forester

My 2012 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated as I was making a right hand turn from a parking lot onto a major street. My brakes failed and I could only steer at high speed off the street, over a curb on to a parking strip between trees, and through a motel parking lot. The car finally came to a stop as I had blown the front right tire going over the curb. The car has been towed to my auto repair shop where the cause(s) of the mechanical failure(s) as well as any possible associated damage(s) are still unknown. It is available for inspection upon request at this point in time. Although no injuries, fatalities, or property damage resulted from this incident, the sudden acceleration and brake failure of the car could have resulted in major injuries or fatalities if pedestrians had been on the sidewalk or in the motel parking lot. I could have also hit staff and/or guests in the motel office if I had not been able to steer away in time. I, as the driver, and my dog, as my sole passenger, could also have been seriously injured or killed if my car had hit the motel office or if my car had collided with any cars in motel lot. At this point in time, the cause of my car’s mechanical failure(s) remains unknown so the problem has not been assessed or confirmed by my independent auto repair service shop. The car has not been been inspected by any representative of the manufacturer (Subaru). Because no other vehicle was damaged nor person injured (miraculously) , I did not initiate a police report. Because the accident co-incidentally occurred next door to my insurance agent, where I had just been, the agent's assistant visually inspected my car immediately following the accident. I did not see any control panel signs or other signs prior to nor during the failure (although during the failure I was so focused on where the car was headed that I was unable to look at the control panel at the same time). There were no signs of the failure when I came to a stop.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT PROGRESSED FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE DEALER (PUTNAM SUBARU OF BURLINGAME, 85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (650) 558-5628) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. INITIALLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE SECOND TIME, THEY CLEANED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER FURTHER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF MOISTURE COULD RE-ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE FAILURE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 1.5 YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING INTO A CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO CAR PORTS AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL ISSUES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED, THE FUEL GAUGE READING WAS INACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,330.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED BUT, DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIB CAGE BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,055.

I WANT TO ALSO SUBMIT A STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY BRAKES,I ALSO NOTICED OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS,AS SOON AS I GOT THE CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT.I TOOK THE CAR IN,I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I WAS IN LINE AT STARBUCKS AND THE BRAKES WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR,I PULLED THE EMERGENCY UP NARROWLY MISSING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME.I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN,BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN AGAIN AT DUNKIN DONUTS IT DID THE SAME THING.IT HAD ALSO STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE SMELL AND HAD NO POWER.AND A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS.I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE,I ARGUED THEY WERE NOT.THE SMELL WAS SUPPOSEDLY SOME KIND OF FLUID LEAKING ON THE MUFFLER.TOOK IT HOME BRAKES STILL KEPT DOING THE SAME THING,CALLED BACK WENT BACK IN THE CAR WAS LOW ON OIL AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL DOING THE NON EXISTENT THING,PLUS IT STILL SMELLED BAD AND I HAD A LIST FOR THEM,THEY GAVE IT AN OIL CHANGE,AND SAID THIS TIME THE BRAKES WERE FINE BUT MAY NEED PADS IN 6,000 MILES OR SO NOW THE SMELL IS NORMAL THOU,PLUS I TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT GETTING GOOD GAS MILEAGE AND HITCHING,THEY SAID UNLESS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEY CANT DO ANYTHING.WELL NOW LASTLY THE REAR SEAT BELT WORKS ONLY OCCASIONALLY,MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND THEY ONLY STOP ABOUT HALF THE TIME MY TIRES ARE ALL WORN OUT,AT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL (OK) AND IT STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND IS UNDER RECALL IT STILL SMELLS BAD,THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT,IT USES OIL,EATS GAS,AND STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND THE BRAKES ACT LIKE THE ANTI LOCK FEATURE IS CONSTANT EVEN WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE?NOW AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE A REAL TREND HERE AND I REPORTED MY ACCIDENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. *TR

ME AND MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING 20MPH DOWN A SMALL HILL,A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US,I HIT THE BRAKES,WHICH LOCKED UP AND WE SLID SO I LET OFF THEM IMMEDIATELY,THE ROADS WERE ICY AND SNOWY,SO WE GAINED A LOT OF VELOCITY,WE MISSED HITTING HER BUT WENT SIDEWAYS,A LITTLE AIRBORN AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.I VIOLENTLY STRUCK MY HEAD OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW,AND MY SHOULDER AND ARM WERE PINCHED BETWEEN MY BODY AND THE DOOR.THE TIRES POPPED,THE FRONT BUMPER CLIPS BROKE.WE BOTH SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES,AND MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED HER KNEE.I HURT MY SHOULDER PRETTY BAD AND MY HEAD STILL HURTS THEY ARE DOING CAT SCANS.MY AIR BAG ON MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,WHERE IT STRUCK THE POLE NEVER DEPLOYED.I JUST THANK GOD IT DID NOT HIT ON HER SIDE.BUT WE WERE DEFIANTLY GOING FAST ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THAT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG IT BENT THE DOOR AND THE ROCKER SILL THE THOUGHT OF IT NOT GOING OFF IS VERY SCARY AND A BIG MALFUNCTION,I'VE BEEN HAVING ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES,SEATBELTS,CAR NOT RUNNING PROPERLY,AND A BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES I REALLY DID NOT NEED THIS AND I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY,WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU I GOT THE USUAL RUN AROUND.NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.NEEDS SOMEONE TO INTERVENE LIKE YOU. *TR

TL* I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (1ST NOTICE) FOR MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER REGARDING POTENTIAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION. IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR BY INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE. IN THE 1ST NOTICE SUBARU AGREED TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BREAK LINES FREE OF CHARGE. SUBARU STATED THAT IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIR. THEY WOULD RE-CONTACT THE OWNER BY MAIL WHEN THE MATERIAL WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN THE 2ND WAS RECEIVED THE OWNER WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER FOR THE INSPECTION AND ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. UNTIL THEN THERE WERE SEVERAL IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INCLUDING, MONITORING BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND PRESSURE, STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. SHOULD ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS BECOME APPARENT THE OWNER SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DRIVER SHOULD MAINTAIN SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE AND TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN PARKING AND IN TIGHT SPACES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED IT WOULDN'T BE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2014 UNTIL THE 2ND NOTICE WAS TO BE RECEIVED (3 MONTHS AWAY FROM THE 1ST NOTICE). THE OWNER THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHO, WITHIN A WEEK, INSPECTED, CLEANED, AND APPLIED ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS TO THE BRAKE LINES. THE OWNER HAVING TO TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION. SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION. THE BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RISK OF A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM, BRAKELINE MATERIALS AND EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS IS LIKELY THE SAME FOR BOTH SYSTEMS. COULD BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SIMULTANEOUSLY? IF THERE IS A LARGE ENOUGH LEAK IN 1 SYSTEM THAT GOES UNDETECTED COULD IT EMPTY THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AFFECTING THE 2ND SYSTEM'S CAPABILITY? SUBARU CAMPAIGN WQK-47 RECALL NO. 14V-311 JULY 2014. UPDATED 11/20/14 *JS