2023 Subaru Forester

I was driving on a two lane highway in the mountains and came around a small right-veering turn in the road. I straightened out the wheel to resume traveling straight, and my car’s auto-steer kicked in and pulled left into the center divider, and then right across two lanes and crashed into the side of the mountain. The auto-steer has pulled me out of lanes prior to this incident as well.

While driving on a highway, one lane in each direction, my lane was going to end. In front of me were painted yellow highway lines directing me to head right to the new lane on the right side of the steel railings. My adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assistance still had me heading straight instead of to the right. I had to strongly turn my steering wheel to the right to avoid hitting the railing. Also I was following a car into a rotary with my adaptive cruise control on. Thankfully I wasn't going fast and the car started to speed up a little as the car in front of me turned around the rotary. I was able to steer it in the right direction. My point is, some of the new technology is showing commercials with drivers with their hands off the steering wheel, relying on the technology. I was glad I had complete control of the car, but these features aren't perfect.

The front passenger seat and the seat belt attached to that seat suddenly started making creaking noises as if the seatbelt or the seat itself are not properly secured whenever a passenger is sitting and seatbelt fastened while the vehicle is moving (no noise exists when the seat is empty). The noise is loudest and most prevalent when the weight of the passenger is lower, when outside temperature is cooler, when the vehicle is driven on roads that are not smooth, when the vehicle breaks and is going uphill. The vehicle has not been in any accidents and the noise appeared suddenly without any warning lights or any indications. the vehicle was bought brand new about a year ago and has just under 5000 miles. Since the noise first appeared it has been regularly occurring. The dealership has inspected the vehicle on three occasions but claims they cannot hear it or replicate it despite the fact that they agree that videos shown by the owner clearly point to this noise.

I see black/gray spots on the headlights and sometimes I cannot detect if it is something in the road. Especially if it is raining. I called today for my maintenance and I am going to address this. Another issue that scared me to death. I was backing out of my garage, I was clear to continue backing but it kept beeping. Again I checked and nothing there, I began to continue and all of a sudden the car braked on its on hard. It was so alarming. I’m glad I was not in traffic. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue, I am feeling a hesitation when I accelerate, like it is not getting gas, then it starts going without hesitation. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue all of a sudden the eye sight crossed through came on. No reason for it to come on. I will address with the dealership.

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a stop light, the brake pedal was released, but the vehicle failed to move. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact was able to drive to a parking lot. After shifting to drive, the vehicle unexpectedly reversed. While in reverse, the vehicle would shift to drive erroneously. The vehicle jolted forward. The vehicle was shaking, jerking, and skipping gear. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,426.

I was driving the car, towards the end of about a 40-minute drive the car, I can best describe, lost its mind. Without any prior signs of symptoms, in about the span of 5-10 seconds, the check engine light came on, then eyesight warning came on, then traction system error appeared and I lost all power. It started braking on its own and completely acting on its own. I could still steer, but I had no other control over the vehicle! THANKFULLY I was in a 25 MPH zone, with no other vehicles or pedestrians anywhere near me. I was able to steer the piece of junk into a vacant loading dock and at least get it off the street. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if the car did this on the interstate that I had exited from not five minutes prior to this incident. The car was rendered undriveable. I had it towed to the dealership. I don't know what is wrong with it yet as the dealer is closed on Sunday. This was an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! If the car lost its mind a mere five minutes earlier than it did, I could have been killed! I am still shaking from this incident.