WHEN CAR IS IDLING MULTIPLE LIGHTS COME ON- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL , CRUISE CONTROL (BLINK) , AWD AND AT OIL TEMP LIGHTS
COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT
Subaru Forester electrical problems
791 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.
Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.
Reports by model year
Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
332 reports with mileage · 459 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What owners actually said
791 reportsPLEASE RECALL THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER FOR FAILURE OF THE ACCELERATOR AT HIGH SPEEDS. OUR 21-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, A NURSING STUDENT, TOOK HER 2016 FORESTER INTO GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TN FOR A RECALL SERVICE ON REAR COIL SPRINGS, OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHE WAS DRIVING 7…
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PLEASE RECALL THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER FOR FAILURE OF THE ACCELERATOR AT HIGH SPEEDS. OUR 21-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, A NURSING STUDENT, TOOK HER 2016 FORESTER INTO GRAYSON SUBARU IN KNOXVILLE, TN FOR A RECALL SERVICE ON REAR COIL SPRINGS, OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. WITHIN AN HOUR OF LEAVING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SHE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN HER "LOW FUEL" WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO THE SUBARU, THAT MEANS 2.6 GALLONS OF GAS REMAIN. ASSUMING 20 MPG, THAT MEANS SHE COULD DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 52 MILES BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. WITHIN A MINUTE OF THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMING ON, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO WORK AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, SHE HAD TO CROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER. VERY SHAKEN AND CRYING, SHE CALLED GRAYSON SUBARU AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. AFTER STEVE KACHELRIE OF GRAYSON'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THE CAR, HE CONCLUDED, "YOUR DAUGHTER JUST RAN OUT OF GAS. THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO OTHER THAN PUT GAS IN THE TANK." WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT THE GAS METER SAID SHE HAD 50 MILES OF DRIVING TO GO BEFORE EMPTY, HE DISMISSED IT AND REPEATED THAT SHE "JUST RAN OUT OF GAS." I RESEARCHED THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER ON NHTSA.GOV AND FOUND 20 REPORTS OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS OF THE CAR SHOWING 50-70 MILES TO GO BEFORE EMPTY AND THE ACCELERATOR COMPLETELY FAILING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIGHTING UP. WHEN I TOLD GRAYSON SERVICE THAT WAS AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE, THEY REFERRED ME TO THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, WALTER GRAYSON. HE AGREED TO FULFILL SUBARU'S GUARANTEE TO PAY US THE TRADE-IN VALUE OF THE CAR, $14,800. THE DEALERSHIP SENT US A CHECK FOR THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER AND WE PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA.
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…
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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.
THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AFTER CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND CAR IS PARKED. THE FIRST TIME WAS SATURDAY,AUGUST 1. SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY FOR FIVE DAYS. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AT LEAST ONCE EVERY DAY.
MY FIANC AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, AFTER WE PURCHASED IT WE FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND DURING DRIVING 1 NIGHT IT BUCKED REAL HARD AND WOULD NOW ACCELERATE AND IT SCARED BOTH OF US. SO THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO CENTER SUBARU IN TORRINGTON CONNECTICUT TO GET IT INSPECTED, DUR…
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MY FIANC AND I BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT, AFTER WE PURCHASED IT WE FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD BEEN IN 2 ACCIDENTS AND DURING DRIVING 1 NIGHT IT BUCKED REAL HARD AND WOULD NOW ACCELERATE AND IT SCARED BOTH OF US. SO THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO CENTER SUBARU IN TORRINGTON CONNECTICUT TO GET IT INSPECTED, DURING THE TRIP TO THE DEALER IT HAD BUCKED THREE MORE TIMES VIOLENTLY. I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY CODES IN THE SYSTEM, I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC LATER AND HE SAID IF IT DOESN'T THROW TROUBLE CODES IT HAS SERIOUS ISSUES IN THE COMPUTER. I EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS IN A TWO ACCIDENTS AND HE GOES I WOULD EXPLAIN A LOT, HIS OFF THE BOOKS RECOMMENDATION TO ME WAS GET RID OF THE VEHICLE AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE. I TOLD HIM I BOUGHT IT FROM A BETTER WAY WHOLESALE AUTOS IN NAUGATUCK CONNECTICUT AND HE SAID TO CONTACT YOU. I WANT THIS CAR FLAGGED SO WHEN WE TURN IT BACK IN SOMEONE ELSE DOES NOT COME ACROSS IT THE SAME WAY WE DID, I KNOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL PUT THIS ARE BACK OUT FOR SALE AND NOT TELL ANYONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SUBARU OF MELBOURNE LOCATED AT 4340 WEST NEW HAVEN AVE MELBOURNE FL 32904, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE IGNITION KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SUBARU OF MELBOURNE LOCATED AT 4340 WEST NEW HAVEN AVE MELBOURNE FL 32904, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARK RANGE SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE INSIDE THE GEAR SELECT LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.
AFTER PARKED THE 2016 SUBARU FORESTER, THE KEY WAS STUCK AND COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT OF THE KEY CYLINDER. IT HAPPENED EVERY OTHER DAYS.
KEY REMAINS IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION WITH RADIO AND ALL DASH LIGHTS STILL ON. IT HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNE. THE CAR WAS PARKED MOVED SEVERAL , TURNED ON AND OFF WITH NO RESULT . CAR WAS IN PARK AT ALL TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF MOVING CAR , TURNING ON AND OFF SEVERAL …
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KEY REMAINS IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM IGNITION WITH RADIO AND ALL DASH LIGHTS STILL ON. IT HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNE. THE CAR WAS PARKED MOVED SEVERAL , TURNED ON AND OFF WITH NO RESULT . CAR WAS IN PARK AT ALL TIMES. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES OF MOVING CAR , TURNING ON AND OFF SEVERAL KEY FINALLY RELASED
ALWAYS THE DRAINS ON THE MOON ROOF GET CLOGGED AND IN A HEAVY RAIN, THE BACK OF THE CAR ROOF SERIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE CAR. WE DO NOT USE THE ROOF. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. NOW THE ELECTRONICS BOX (CONTROLS REMOTE KEY LOCKS, TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, ETC) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN WET. THIS IS A $500+ REPAIR THAT HAS …
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ALWAYS THE DRAINS ON THE MOON ROOF GET CLOGGED AND IN A HEAVY RAIN, THE BACK OF THE CAR ROOF SERIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE CAR. WE DO NOT USE THE ROOF. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. NOW THE ELECTRONICS BOX (CONTROLS REMOTE KEY LOCKS, TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, ETC) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN WET. THIS IS A $500+ REPAIR THAT HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE ROOF LEAKS IN SERIOUS RAIN. WE BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD REIMBURSE US FOR THE COST OF THE ELECTRONIC BOX REPLACEMENT.WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE ROOF DRAIN UNGLOGGED.
THE ENGINE TURNS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. I STARTED MY CAR AND THEN IT SHUT OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000.
Related Official recalls
219V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
16V738000 · Electrical System
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Related NHTSA investigations
0No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.