COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Subaru Forester transmission problems

95 distinct owner reports with a transmission-specific component in this snapshot.

General power-train reports are not automatically counted as transmission problems. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

12 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

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

50 reports with mileage · 45 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

95 reports
2007 model year · Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2023
Power TrainCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifter failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that while placing the vehicle in reverse the vehicle accelerated forward causing the vehicle to crash on top of a large rock. The contact stated that she sustained inj…

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The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifter failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that while placing the vehicle in reverse the vehicle accelerated forward causing the vehicle to crash on top of a large rock. The contact stated that she sustained injuries to the face and the right eye. The contact stated that she had eye surgery due to the crash. The contact stated that Law Enforcement did not arrive on the scene and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11509760

2021 model year · 8,000 miles · Dec 30, 2022
Power TrainCrash

The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into the drive gear, the vehicle accelerated at high speed without any warning and drove into the wall of her garage causing front damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to turn off. No one was injured. The vehic…

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The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into the drive gear, the vehicle accelerated at high speed without any warning and drove into the wall of her garage causing front damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to turn off. No one was injured. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11499550

2015 model year · 40,300 miles · Oct 28, 2022
Power Train

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that his wife smelled like the brakes were burning. The contact stated that his wife did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The driver pulled over a…

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The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that his wife smelled like the brakes were burning. The contact stated that his wife did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The driver pulled over and turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the clutch flywheel had fractured and separated. The mechanic also stated that the clutch plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,300. The consumer stated the flywheel was in two pieces and outer two pieces broke apart, destroying the clutch assembly.

NHTSA ODI #11491303

2019 model year · 36,000 miles · Aug 24, 2022
Power TrainCrash

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position in a parking space but was unsure if the shifter was in park when without warning, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into a chain link fence and burial wall. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy.…

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position in a parking space but was unsure if the shifter was in park when without warning, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into a chain link fence and burial wall. No warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to schedule an appointment to have it diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #11480941

2019 model year · 27,000 miles · May 3, 2022
Power TrainCrash

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated she turned on the vehicle, left it on, and exitto close the trunk, but after forcefully closing the trunk, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated the gears were set on Park and the area was an inclined driveway. The contact stated the vehicle knocked her…

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The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated she turned on the vehicle, left it on, and exitto close the trunk, but after forcefully closing the trunk, the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact stated the gears were set on Park and the area was an inclined driveway. The contact stated the vehicle knocked her down but she was not injured nor needed to seek medical attention. The vehicle continued to roll into the woods and was detained by a tree stump. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an auto shop and was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #11463190

2021 model year · 12,500 miles · Apr 25, 2022
EnginePower Train

On 04/02/2022, several minutes after having filled the gas tank, I was driving at about 35 mph on a two lane road at constant throttle, when the engine suddenly lost power for several seconds before it regained acceleration. There was a pickup truck following me very closely and it swerved around me to avoid hitting me. On 04/…

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On 04/02/2022, several minutes after having filled the gas tank, I was driving at about 35 mph on a two lane road at constant throttle, when the engine suddenly lost power for several seconds before it regained acceleration. There was a pickup truck following me very closely and it swerved around me to avoid hitting me. On 04/13/2022 , several minutes after leaving my driveway, at about 27 mph on a two lane road, the engine again lost power for several seconds before resuming power. In the first case the engine was at operating temp., in the second case it was cold. I will take the vehicle to the Subaru dealer from whom I purchased it in a couple of days to evaluate the problem, which I consider to be serious. In both cases I was so surprised that I didn't look at the tach etc. 12,500 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11462054

2017 model year · 49,000 miles · Jul 26, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the key remained stuck in the ignition after multiple attempts to shut-off the vehicle. The contact stated that he had to restart the vehicle or move the shift lever back and forth from the park position to release the key from the ignition. The contact took the ve…

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The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the key remained stuck in the ignition after multiple attempts to shut-off the vehicle. The contact stated that he had to restart the vehicle or move the shift lever back and forth from the park position to release the key from the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the failure could be related to the shifter cable or the ignition switch. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #11426473

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2021
Power Train

I have a 2017 Subaru Forrester that has 60,000 miles. At least twice a week the past month my key gets stuck in the ignition. I put the vehicle in park and turn it off and the key wont come out. I have to turn the vehicle on and off a few times in order to get the key to release.

NHTSA ODI #11424591

2017 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2021
Power Train

On July 12, 2021, I had an appointment for service at Subaru because 2017 Forester AC was blowing hot air. Was assured condenser would be replaced at no charge. While checking the car in, I mentioned the key sticks and cannot be removed without re-starting engine moving the car back and forth and trying again to remove key as …

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On July 12, 2021, I had an appointment for service at Subaru because 2017 Forester AC was blowing hot air. Was assured condenser would be replaced at no charge. While checking the car in, I mentioned the key sticks and cannot be removed without re-starting engine moving the car back and forth and trying again to remove key as many as 3-4 x. They were aware of the problem, but no recall on it. Shifter plate, etc., was replaced at approx. cost of $370. The Service Bulletin # is 16-112-18R dated 03/15/18 and revised 11/06/18. The mileage on this vehicle is 12,717.

NHTSA ODI #11424587

2018 model year · Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

A FEW INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE LATTER HALF OF 2020: WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THAT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING FOR A FEW SECONDS DESPITE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE RPM WENT UP TO 6/ LOUDLY REVVED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT THIS LIGHT.THE CAR HAS ALSO HAD THIS LACK OF MOVEMENT ISSUE ON THE FREEWAY WHILE IN TR…

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A FEW INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE LATTER HALF OF 2020: WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THAT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR STOPPED MOVING FOR A FEW SECONDS DESPITE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE RPM WENT UP TO 6/ LOUDLY REVVED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT THIS LIGHT.THE CAR HAS ALSO HAD THIS LACK OF MOVEMENT ISSUE ON THE FREEWAY WHILE IN TRAFFIC. MY CAR JERKS SEVERAL TIMES ON SLIGHT INCLINES ESPECIALLY AFTER SURPASSING 40 MPH. OFTEN TIMES, I CANNOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH REGARDLESS IF THE DRIVE IS ON A FLAT SURFACE OR AN INCLINE. THE RPM WILL INCREASE, BUT THE GEAR FEELS LIKE IT WILL GET STUCK AND THE CAR MAKES A LOUD NOISE. THIS IS THE MOST NOTICEABLE GOING FROM 40 MPH TO 50-55 MPH. THESE INCIDENTS ARE ON CITY STREETS. HOWEVER, POWER OFTEN GETS LOST GOING ON TO FREEWAYS FOR THE SAME REASON. I CANNOT SURPASS 40 MPH WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY AND WAS ALMOST SIDESWIPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY AN IMPATIENT PERSON ENTERING TOO EARLY WHERE THE ON-RAMP MERGES WITH THE FREEWAY BECAUSE OF THIS. WHILE ON A FREEWAY, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE DESPITE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW IT DOWN BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE OR COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON CITY STREETS AND POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. THE ACCELERATION WHEN THIS HAPPENS IS MUCH FASTER THAN WHEN I TRY TO MANUALLY ACCELERATE THE CAR MYSELF IN OTHER CONTEXTS, LIKE MENTIONED ABOVE. I BELIEVE IT IS THE CVT AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CARS OF MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11387332

Related Official recalls

1

02V282000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 30, 2002

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

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

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.