2003 Subaru Forester Complaints

  • Steering, suspension 12/30/2021

    Safety Recall: WVX34 NHTSA Campaign: 11V464000 The front lower passenger side control arm completely rusted in half. It occurred while parking vehicle, fortunately not driving at high speed. The recall was previously completed by Subaru dealership in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2011. According to service records, they had been treated with anti-corrosion coating... I purchased the vehicle from a family member of the original owner, weeks ago, December 2021. It had been serviced regularly by the dealership and now has 162,000 miles. This structural failure of the lower control arm could have been extremely disastrous if driving at speed on the road or highway! I contacted my local dealership in Traverse City, MI, and was told by the service advisor the recall had been completed and would not be covered again for subsequent replacement. My vehicle is undrivable and Subaru is not standing behind their parts or workmanship.

  • Steering, fuel/propulsion System 05/11/2021

    I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.

  • Engine, fuel/propulsion System 02/08/2021

    WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW ABOUT 20-30 F), THE VEHICLE GIVES OFF A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE FUEL RAIL CONTRACTING TO THE POINT THAT SOME FUEL IS SPRAYED ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A FIRE RISK.

  • Unknown Or Other, engine 02/08/2021

    THE HEAD GASKET FAILED IN A MANNER WHICH CAUSED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. A STRONG BURNING ODOR IS PRESENT AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP COMPLETELY.

  • Equipment 02/01/2021

    I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROPOSED RECALL REMEDY FOR NHTSA ID: 21E002000 . THE NOTICE SAYS, "NINGBO WILL NOTIFY DISTRIBUTORS, AND OWNERS, AND WILL REPLACE THE BULB WITH HALOGEN BULBS, FREE OF CHARGE." THIS OFFERED REPLACEMENT OF THEIR DEFECTIVE LED BULB WITH A HALOGEN BULB IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RECALL REMEDY BECAUSE LED BULBS ARE FAR SUPERIOR TO HALOGEN BULBS. ESPECIALLY LED BULBS LAST MUCH LONGER AND DRAIN MUCH LESS POWER FROM THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAN HALOGEN BULBS. I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THEIR LED BULBS BECAUSE OF THESE ADVANTAGES AND REPLACING THEM WITH INFERIOR HALOGEN BULBS DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING BOUGHT LED BULBS TO BEGIN WITH.

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