NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
131 reportsClear category filter39,000 miles · Jan 5, 2020
Engine
IN SEPTEMBER 2017, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY SUBARU FORESTER LOST POWER COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. IT RESTARTED AFTER ONLY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC, OR I LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN I…
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IN SEPTEMBER 2017, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY SUBARU FORESTER LOST POWER COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. IT RESTARTED AFTER ONLY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC, OR I LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED SUBARU AND LEARNED I WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO POSSIBLE CVT ISSUES, BUT SUBARU REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WHEN I EXPLAINED THAT I WAS OVERSEAS WITH THE VEHICLE ON OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSIGNMENT AND THAT THE LOCAL AUTHORIZED SUBARU SHOP NEEDED AUTHORIZATION FROM SUBARU TO COMPLETE WORK ON MY U.S.-SPEC VEHICLE. I NOTED MY ALARM THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAD REPORTED SIMILAR INCIDENTS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN MY, MY CHILDREN'S OR OTHERS DEATHS, BUT SUBARU STILL DID NOT ASSIST IN FINDING A SOLUTION. I BELIEVE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS FAULT, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM UP UNTIL THIS DAY (LATE 2019) SHOULD CALL FOR AN ACTUAL RECALL OF THE VEHICLE, NOT ONLY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM A THREE-TIME SUBARU OWNER AND AM SHOCKED BY THE LACK OF CUSTOMER LOYALTY REGARDING THIS SERIOUS VEHICLE ISSUE. I CONTINUE TO BE ON U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSIGNMENT OVERSEAS SO AM UNABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A U.S. SUBARU SERVICE CENTER. IRRESPECTIVE OF THAT SITUATION, THE FACT THAT I AND THE OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE SHOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE RECALL BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST.
NHTSA ODI #11297188
78,000 miles · Jan 2, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO CONSUME AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM WOOD SUBARU (3300 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS , IN 46240) FOUR TIMES AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MONITOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION. AFTER THE LATEST FAILURE, THE DEALER DETERMINED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO CONSUME AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOM WOOD SUBARU (3300 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS , IN 46240) FOUR TIMES AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO MONITOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION. AFTER THE LATEST FAILURE, THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #11296719
123,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Engine
FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE STREET THE RPMS AND POWER WILL SUDDENLY DROP AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPM REVS UP TO A 5 OR 6 BUT WITH LITTLE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO EVEN START…
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FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SHAKES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR THE STREET THE RPMS AND POWER WILL SUDDENLY DROP AND WHEN I PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR THE RPM REVS UP TO A 5 OR 6 BUT WITH LITTLE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHAKES FOR THE VEHICLE TO EVEN START MOVING FORWARD. THERE APPEARS TO BE SLIPPAGE AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVER, BUT PASSENGERS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL COMPLETELY STOP ON THE ROAD. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE I'M OVER MY WARRANTY BY 24K MILES THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. SO SUBARU WILL ONLY WARRANTY THEIR CARS FOR A MAX OF 100K? THIS IS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND POOR SERVICE, NOT TO MENTION PUTTING DRIVERS LIVES IN HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11292168
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2019
Engine
VEHICLE CONSUMES OIL AT IRREGULAR PACE. 1 QUART NEEDS TO BE ADDED EVERY 1,500-2,000 MILES. THIS MEANS USING 3 ADDITIONAL QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND FOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #11290918
74,000 miles · Dec 23, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NO RESPONSE, LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE COASTING ON THE SHOULDER, THE CAR SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT I HAD 1/4 TANK. IT THEN BEGAN TO RUN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 70MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT NO RESPONSE, LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE DID NOT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER. WHILE COASTING ON THE SHOULDER, THE CAR SPUTTERED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS, BUT I HAD 1/4 TANK. IT THEN BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY. I PULLED OFF TO A GAS STATION, FILLED IT UP, AND CONTINUED MY TRIP WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE OCCURRENCE WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11290811
56,000 miles · Dec 16, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
MY CAR LOSSES POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING. I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ACROSS THE NORTH & SOUTH LANES, I LOST POWER. LUCKILY ALL TRAFFIC SLOWED OR STOPPED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE HAD IT TO MY DEALER TWICE AND WAS GIVEN ANSWERS LIKE BRAKE PROBLE…
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MY CAR LOSSES POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING. I MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS ACROSS THE NORTH & SOUTH LANES, I LOST POWER. LUCKILY ALL TRAFFIC SLOWED OR STOPPED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO MOVE MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW, I HAVE HAD IT TO MY DEALER TWICE AND WAS GIVEN ANSWERS LIKE BRAKE PROBLEMS. RETURNING TO THE DEALERSHIP 12/19/2019 FOR THE THIRD TIME, BEFORE I AM KILLED, OR CAUSE A MULTI-CAR ACCIDENT AND OTHER PEOPLE TO BE INJURED. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS TO CONSUMER REPORTS AND SUBARU'S MAIN LOCATION. PLEASE NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING ELSE I CAN SEEK OUT AS TO NOT BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS CAR. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #11289256
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2019
Engine
CAR WILL STALL AT LIGHT AND STALL ON FREEWAY CAUSING ME TOO LOOSE CONTROL IT WILL ALSO JUST TURN OFF AT HIGH SPEED AND SOMETIMES WHEN STOPED
NHTSA ODI #11288567
36,000 miles · Nov 24, 2019
Engine
CAR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. LASTS 2-3 SECONDS, THEN SLOWLY RESUMES SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING, TURNING IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC. INTERMITTENT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO SUBARU DEALER AND TWO OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC SAID OXYGEN WAS LOW AND TO TRY PREMIUM GAS.…
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CAR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. LASTS 2-3 SECONDS, THEN SLOWLY RESUMES SPEED. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MERGING, TURNING IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC. INTERMITTENT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO SUBARU DEALER AND TWO OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC SAID OXYGEN WAS LOW AND TO TRY PREMIUM GAS. DIDN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.
NHTSA ODI #11282041
105,894 miles · Nov 17, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE AT 5 MPH AND AGAIN AT 25 MPH. THE TWO TIMES IT HAPPENED WERE ABOUT THREE MINUTES APART THIS MORNING. THEN I DROVE THREE HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT A REPEAT OF THE ISSUE. WHEN IT STALLED, IT FELT LIKE THE WHEELS AND ENGINE BECAME DISCONNE…
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CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING, WITH NO LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE AT 5 MPH AND AGAIN AT 25 MPH. THE TWO TIMES IT HAPPENED WERE ABOUT THREE MINUTES APART THIS MORNING. THEN I DROVE THREE HOURS ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT A REPEAT OF THE ISSUE. WHEN IT STALLED, IT FELT LIKE THE WHEELS AND ENGINE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE GAS PEDAL. NO ENGINE REVVING WAS AUDIBLE. IT DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP, BUT SLOWED TO A CRAWL COASTING TOTALLY ON MOMENTUM, THEN STARTED MOVING AGAIN ON ITS OWN. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED BOTH TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11280656
144,000 miles · Oct 30, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HILL ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVENS CREEK SUBARU (3155 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95117, (877) 869-0971) WHERE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HILL ASSIST EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STEVENS CREEK SUBARU (3155 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95117, (877) 869-0971) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR WAS TILTED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #11277110
Official recalls
3Oct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Feb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Mar 21, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗