2014 Subaru Forester

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED METAL ON THE GROUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SPRING FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITALAND MOTORS (37 SARATOGA RD, SCHENECTADY, NY 12302, (518) 631-5792) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

AT 56,000 MILES HIT A MODERATE SIZE POT HOLE RESULTING IN BROKEN REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING REQUIRING NEW SPRING, SHOCK AND ALIGNMENT. AT 67,000 MILES HEARD LOUD BANG COMING FROM CAR WHILE PARKED. FOUND WHAT APPEARS TO BE PIECE OF BROKEN COIL SPRING UNDER CAR. REQUIRED NEW REAR DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING AND STRUT. APPEARS LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR VINTAGE FORESTERS HAVE EXPERIENCED BROKEN COIL SPRINGS WITH SPRINGS FOUND WITH BREAKS IN SIMILAR SPOTS.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, I RAN OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A LOUD 'BANG'. I STOPPED TO CHECK IF I HAPPENED TO HIT SOMETHING AND THE REAR OF MY FORESTER WAS COMPLETELY BOTTOMED OUT AS IF IT WAS OVERLOADED. WHILE AT THE GARAGE, THE MECHANIC RAISED MY CAR UP ON THE LIFT AND PULLED OUT PIECES OF THE COIL SPRINGS THAT SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. THE COST OF TWO NEW COIL SPRINGS WAS $160.00 AND IT TOOK THE GARAGE 3 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. MY CAR DOES HAVE 126K MILES AND THE SPRINGS HAD SLIGHT CORROSION BUT WE'RE NOT COMPLETELY RUSTED. HOWEVER, WHILE LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORESTERS AND A LOT WITH SIGNIFICANTLY LESS MILES THAN MINE. I DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS OF THE COIL SPRINGS I WILL ATTACH THE TWO PHOTOS I TOOK BEFORE THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE.

AT APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES, ON MY 2014 SUBARU FORESTER, I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY SECOND REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. THE FIRST, ON THE RIGHT REAR, OCCURRED AS I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE A PIECE OF THIS COIL SPRING IN MY POSSESSION AND CLEARLY SHOWS METAL FATIGUE/STRESS FAILURE. THE SECOND, ON THE LEFT REAR, I BELIEVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. AS I NOTICE THE CAR TILTING AGAIN AS I WENT TO REENTER IT AND LOOKED UNDER AND COULD SEE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SPRING. IT WAS TOWED TO STOHLMAN SUBARU OF TYSONS AT 8435 LEESBURG PIKE, VIENNA, VA AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE LEFT REAR SPRING IS BROKEN AND THEY ARE REPLACING IT. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU AND UP RECEIVING DOCUMENTATION OF REPAIRS, THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME. HOWEVER, I NOTICE FROM DOING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND OFTEN LEADS TO FAILED REAR STRUTS. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THE FORESTERS TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS, REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE PAID FOR REPAIRS, AND PROVIDE US WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR THE FULL REAR SUSPENSION.