Subaru Forester transmission problems

THIS PROBLEM INITIALLY OCCURRED ONLY ONCE A MONTH OR SO, BUT HAS SINCE DETERIORATED TO OCCURRING MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. WHEN APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT, OR BRAKING HARDER THAN USUAL, THE VEHICLE WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. THE SHIFTER DOES NOT MOVE, IT IS STILL IN DRIVE, HOWEVER, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR (EXCEPT THE ENGINE STILL REVS). THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REV THE ENGINE TO HIGH REVS, OVER AND OVER, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION "CATCHES", AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD, OFTEN VIOLENTLY, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED. THIS MOST OFTEN HAPPENS AT STOPLIGHTS/SIGNS, HOWEVER IT WILL OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD. THIS SEEMS TO BE QUITE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE WAY OF SOMETHING ONCOMING AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO. A DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND ADDED NEW FLUID, WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, AFTER WHICH IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LOW ON FLUID, AND THE FLUID LOOKS FINE. I HAVE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT FROM NUMEROUS OTHER 1999 FORESTER OWNERS VIA VARIOUS INTERNET FORUMS. *TR

PROBLEM 1: DATE IN: 5/22/07DATE OUT: 5/23/07 PROBLEM: BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP; I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM 2: DATE IN: 6/22/07DATE OUT: 6/22/07 PROBLEM:BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP. THE WAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP HANDLED THIS ISSUE IS BY DISENGAGING THE HILL HOLDER FUNCTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONT-END COLLISION; YET THE IMPACT OF THE COLLISION WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE $9,200 WORTH OF DAMAGES. FURTHERMORE, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DETECTION LIGHT WAS NOT INDICATING INITIATION WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER, USING THE SEATBELT, IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WE HAD PLANNED ON TAKING THE CAR IN TO HAVE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM ASSESSED. I SENT A REQUEST TO THE FLATIRON IMPORTS ON 12/5/07, REQUESTING THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM BE ASSESSED FOR PROPER FUNCTIONING WHILE IT IS BEING SERVICED FOR THE MECHANICAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION OF THIS REQUEST AS OF 12/12/07. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE CHANGING GEARS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 10 AND 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO COAST, CHANGE GEARS, OR ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,365. UPDATED 09/26/07 *TR

MY WIFE AND LEASED TWO NEW 2006 SUBARU FORESTERS IN MAY 2006. SINCE WE OBTAINED THE VEHICLES BOTH EXHIBITED A HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLES TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. I THEN CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. I DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION. I THEN SENT TWO LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT OF SUBARU. CUSTOMER SERVICE CONTACTED ME AGAIN AND SAID THAT MY PROBLEM WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM SINCE TESTS SHOWED EVERYTHING OPERATING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATION. I FINALLY GOT THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO EXAMINE BOTH OF MY VEHICLES AND HE STATED THE SAME AS CUSTOMER SERVICE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. SUBARU SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLES. THEY OFFERED ME $1,500 PER VEHICLE IF I WERE TO TRADE THEM IN FOR NEW SUBARUS. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THIS AMONT WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSES OF BREAKING THE EXISTING LEASES AND LEASING TWO NEW VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT THIS HESITATION PROBLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE YOU HAVE TO CONCERN YOURRSELF WITH THE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. *AK

PURCHASED USED "AS IS" 02/01/2007 FROM DEALER THAT LISTED 2001 FORESTER AT $9800.00, THEN WHEN I WENT TO BUY THEY REDUCED COST TO $5200.00 JUST TO MOVE THEIR USED VEHICLES OFF LOT. THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PROBLEMS AND SAID FORESTER WENT THOROUGH VEHICLE INSPECTION AND VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION MECHANICALLY. (1) FAILURE OF EMISSION SYSTEM IE,OXYGEN SENSORS (2) FRONT AND REAR LOCATIONS. SECOND DAY AFTER PURCHASE. (2) FAILURE OF LEFT FRONT CV JOINTS (2) AND AXLE. THIRD DAY AFTER PURCHASE. (3) AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD ONLY GO INTO REVERSE AND NOT ANY DRIVE OR FORWARD GEARS WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK ON "5TH" DAY OF OWNERSHIP AND THIS BEING THE "THIRD" TIME TO HAVE FORESTER TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. I CONTACTED THE MULTI-FRANCHISED (INCLUDING SUBARU) FOR HELP AND INFORMATION. THEY RESPONDED THE FORESTER WAS SOLD AS IS AND DIDN'T CARE EVEN IF THE VEHICLE FELL IN HALF ONCE IT LEAVES THEIR LOT. MY NEXT STEP IS I CONTACTED SUBARU AMERICA OF MY VEHICLE AND DEALER PROBLEMS BY EMAIL. I RECEIVED RETURNS FROM THEM WITH VAUGE AT BEST REASONS BUT NO RECALL OR TSB INFORMATION. THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND WAITING FOR A PERSONAL REPLY VIA POSTAL MAIL OR TELEPHONE CALL. IN TOTAL I HAVE BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES, TWO DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS AND CERTIFIED. MECHANICS. PAID $300. FOR FRONT AXLE, $429.00 FOR EMMISISON REPAIRS, $150 FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH,FILTERS (2 ONE INTERNAL ONE EXTERNAL SPIN-ON) AND SUBARU TRANSMISSION. CONDITONER. FINALLY AFTER ALL THAT I STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND RARELY USE IT BECAUSE I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH MY TWO BABIES I HAVE, I USE MY FATHERS CAR. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE. *AK

2000 SUBARU FORESTER WITH A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN DRIVE, I DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND GO NOWHERE. JUST HEAR A SHRIEKING. ITS BEEN COMING ON FOR A MONTH NOW AND NOW HAS GOTTEN SO BAD I DARE NOT DRIVE IT. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND WILL BE BETWEEN 1500-2500 TO FIX. THEIR ESTIMATE IS THAT THERE IS A LOSS OF PRESSURE SOMEWHERE. THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER 2000 FORESTER IN THE SHOP WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM, SIMILAR MILES ETC. UNACCEPTABLE ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 80K MILES. AND VERY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE ON A SLOPE AND GO TO GO AND FIND YOURSELF ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? THERE SEEMS TO BE REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!! *NM

WHEN TRAVELING 60 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ACCELERATION, LIKE IT IS SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL. AT FIRST, I COULD REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS, ALLOW THE CAR TO COAST AND SLOW, AND THEN RE-APPLY GAS, AND IT WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN. NOW WHEN IT OCCURS, I HAVE TO STOP, NORMALLY ON THE SIDE OF A RURAL HIGHWAY, PUT IT IN PARK, THEN BACK TO DRIVE FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. I AM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE OUT IN THE 'STICKS.' THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 25K MILES, AND HAS HAD ITS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. ANY INFO?*JB

WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE (ANY OF THE DRIVE GEARS), THE CAR HESITATES TO ENGAGE (MOVE FORWARD) FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN 2-3 SECONDS AND UP TO 1 MINUTE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE WAIT TIME IS RANDOM SO I NEVER KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE. THE OTHER DAY, I HAD TO REVERSE TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND THEN THE CAR WOULDN'T ENGAGE INTO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 45 SECONDS AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I'VE READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS BY OTHER SUBARU FORESTER (1999 - 2001) OWNERS ON-LINE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I SPOKE WITH BOTH THE DEALER AND SUBARU REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY WON'T COVER THE COST OF A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND AM LOOKING INTO THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FURTHER. *JB

IF I PLACE MY 2000 SUBARU FORRESTER INTO DRIVE IT WILL NOT MOVE, IT WILL SIT THERE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL SUDDENLY IT JERKS FORWARD INTO GEAR. PLACE INTO REVERSE IT WORKS WELL, MOVES IN REVERSE. PLACE INTO DRIVE, LIGHTLY PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WILL JUMP FORWARD INTO GEAR! PLACE INTO DRIVE WAIT FOR IT TO MOVE: IF I AM ON AN INCLINE IT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS DEPENDING ON THE SLOPE, OTHERWISE I CAN SIT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL JERK FORWARD. SUBARU STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE; LATER THEY STATE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. HOWEVER, VISIT SEVERAL REPUTABLE CAR REPAIR FORUMS ONLINE YOU WILL LITERALLY SEE HUNDREDS OF CUSTOMERS WITH THESE SAME PROBLEMS POSTING FROM 2004-PRESENT. ALL CUSTOMERS HAVE SUBARU FORRESTER'S OR OUTBACK'S. ALL CLAIM THIS HAZARD! SOME CUSTOMERS STATE A TEMPORARY FIX: REPLACE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FOR A FEW WEEKS/MONTHS THESE PROBLEMS WILL DISAPPEAR. ALL MEMBERS OF THE FORUMS STATE THAT THEY WITHIN WEEKS/MONTHS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, MANY JUST GAVE UP ON THEIR CARS BY TRADING THEM IN. I FIND THIS HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE! WHO ELSE WILL THEN PURCHASE THESE SAFETY HAZARDS? GOOGLE ON: SUBARU, TRANSMISSION OR SUBARU JERKING FORWARD INTO GEAR MY AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF! THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED AND MY AUTO HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN VERY DILIGENT IN DOING ALL THE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICES ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS MANUAL AS WELL. I SEE THAT 5 OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEMS ON YOUR SITE. PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO THESE ISSUES. IT'S A HAZARD TO HAVE A CAR BE PLACED INTO DRIVE AND THEN NOT MOVE FORWARD UNTIL YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR OR IT MOVES FORWARD AFTER 2 - 30 MINUTES OF WAIT TIME! PLEASE REVIEW THE POSTS ON SEVERAL FORUMS TO SEE THAT MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU CARS. IT'S VERY UNFORTUNATE. OTHERWISE THESE CARS ARE WONDERFUL! *JB