Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 147 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Subaru Forester. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 147 · page 1 of 6
Concerned over oil being burnt up at a significant rate, have to add a quart per tank of gas. Theres distinct burnt oil smell after driving. Concerned my car needs to be included in the oil consumption recall.
I have a single-owner 2011 automatic-transmission Subaru Forester [145k miles]. In a parking lot, I started the car as usual and shifted into reverse. I immediately noticed another car was approaching behind me and reflexively pushed on the brake to give the oncoming vehicle the right of way. As I pushed on the brake, the car suddenly and without warning surged backwards as the engine revved and "stuck" at a high rpm level. Surprised by the sudden loss of control and to stop the lunge backwards, I immediately released the brake pedal and shifted into neutral. I believe this reflexive action was solely attributable to my long history driving manual transmissions which "teaches" your brain that as an alternative to using the brake you can clutch [or if necessary "pop"] to neutral to disengage the engine from the wheels to control the vehicle. People without manual transmission experience would probably keep pressing the brake as their only option to regain control. The car stopped but the engine continued to rev at high rpms for a few moments then returned to normal rpms. No damages. This has never happened before and I was unable to duplicate the sequence of events which I tried to do immediately after the incident. I thought the gas pedal might be mechanically compromised ... for example by the floor mat ... but found no evidence of that. The incident remains a mystery mechanically, so all I can surmise is some electrical issue.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, and the vehicle began to fill with smoke, prompting her to immediately stop and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact observed that the vehicle had become engulfed in flames, and local emergency services were called. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed, but a police report was not filed. The contact was treated at an area hospital for a stress-related gastrointestinal issue. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 102,000.
My car randomly turns off when reducing speed. It caused an accident a few days ago. I have had multiple mechanics try to figure out the problem but the only thing that comes up on the diagnostic tool is it needed 1 coil replaced. They have all been replaced and still won't go away. The Che k engine light is on. And the car uses about a quart or more of oil everytime I fill up but has no leaks. When I reduce speed the car in traffic, around corners or to stop it constantly turns itself off. Starting it it sometimes turns itself off if I don't give it some gas at the same time. It smells like burning oil constantly.
unintended sudden acceleration defects without warning without driver input. I could kill & be killed. It can happen again! I backed up a little in an angle moving away from parking. Suddenly, without any warning, the car took off and frantically flew backward, passing a stop sign (offense), crossing the main road 4 lanes, perpendicular to the marked lanes (offense), mounted on the sidewalk and landed on a private property breaking bushes. It happened sooo fast! I could not figure out what happened! If a car was travelling in the main road, both of us might have been seriously injured or died! The police gave me a citation for two civil offenses and “negligently operating MV” which is a criminal offense. The Police demanded to suspend my license! I am scheduled by the police for a court hearing, demanding to issue a criminal claim against me, arraign me as a criminal and stand a criminal trial! I few days ago I backed up in an angle out of my driveway to Rte-9 which is a major Road/highway as I have been doing for years with no problem. The same phenomena happened: the car accelerated frantically, turned in a circle and stopped by hitting a telephone pole! If the car approaching did not stop I found out that numerous complaints and more than one law-suit filed against Subaru 2012-2018. Mine is 2011. Thousands of dollars in legal fees, being sued for property damages, getting driving points, increased insurance for years, badly damaging my car. This might happen! Should I even touch this car again?
We have come to learn that our 2011 Forester with 95,229 miles is now burning (internally) oil at an alarming rate. The car was making a funny noise so we had it towed to the dealership and they found it was low by 4.8 quarts of oil. The last oil change was at 91,749 and this issue was discovered at 95,229 or 3480 miles driven and 4.8 quarts of oil is "missing". The dealer advised there is no signs of leaks from under the car and where we have it parked, there are no oil spots on the pavement. I have come to learn that in August 2014 then again in April 2016 there was a service bulletin on this engine due to oil consumption. The notice indicated that they (Subaru) was extending the powertrain warranty to 8 years / 100,000 miles. Sadly, we are past the 8 years but not the 100,000 miles.
I bought my vehicle new from Oakland Subaru. From the beginning I had to add about a quart of oil every month and a half to two months. I thought this was normal. When my vehicle had approximately 73,800miles, I went to Fremont Subaru for a regular motor oil change. I was asked about the oil consumption. After I reported how much oil I had been replacing on a regular basis, they asked me to return after 1,200 miles to see how much oil my car had consumed. They found out that my vehicle had oil leaks and the engine had to be replaced at 75,000 miles. Subaru paid for the service to be done. Today I took my vehicle to Fremont Subaru for a regular motor oil change which I usually do. My vehicle currently has 134,605 miles. The service representative, Devon Devlugt, informed me that my vehicle is unsafe to operate due to several oil leaks from the engine. The engine has less than 60,000 miles since it was replaced. This is the second time my vehicle becomes inoperable due to engine oil leaks. Fremont Subaru dealership will repair the engine for $4,687. Kelly Blue Book estimates my vehicle to be worth $4,700. Subaru must be held accountable for the vehicles they sell to consumers. My vehicle has had this problem since I bought it. There have been enough vehicles presenting this problem that Subaru paid for my vehicle’s engine to be replaced. Please hold Subaru responsible for engine failures/malfunctions.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that his wife used the parking brake to stop vehicle. The service brake warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The contact then stated that upon inspecting under the hood of the vehicle, he noticed a brake fluid leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line was rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact then stated that he was informed of Manufacturer Recall Number: WQK-47 and NHTSA Campaign Number 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, there was a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Findlay Subaru St. George (1453 Sunland Dr, St. George, UT 84790) where it was diagnosed that the short block assembly needed to be replaced; however, no repair was completed, and the engine oil was refilled. The contact was made aware of Technical Service Bulletin: 02-157-14R (Surface Treatment Change to Oil Control Piston Rings); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was then taken to Subaru Sherman Oaks (5747 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401), where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,600.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormally loud sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer performed an oil consumption test and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 02-157-14R (Surface Treatment Change to Oil Control Piston Rings) however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
I have tried to get the recall on airbag replaced to no avail, just alot of lip service and never any follow-up on repair of air bag. I am extremely ticked off that the very last current notification by mail this july 2022. I included a copy of it where it states DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN FRONT-PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE AIRBAG RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON YOUR VEHICAL. This say to me that Subaru is covering the butts by telling me it will be my fault if injury occurs yet subaru skirts around not repairing on Recall Code TKB19. Relieves them of no responsibilty. Also this notification clearly states alternative transportation options- loaner car, round trip towing, shuttles. I have yet had anyone call or address this issue other then telling me to text "FIX" or call 800 number which I have done quite a few times. I would appreciate that you will respond to me that you will do something other then ignoring me. You will be sure that if anything happens there will be an attorney involved. Subaru needs to honor this Recall or why even bother to send out notices constantly .
Driving a 2011 Subaru Forester, about 5mph in traffic on city street when car suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated at full gas and rammed into truck in front of me, with no pressure on the gas pedal. Slamming on brakes and pulling on hand brake was not enough to override the unexpected and unasked-for acceleration. I can only imagine what would have happened if there were pedestrians or if I'd been going faster. Subaru should be absolutely ashamed - in researching this, I've learned that they KNOW that this happens, but refuse to create a recall. Shame on you, Subaru.
Thousands of Subarus are developing leaking cam carriers which can cause the vehicles to stall due to oil loss. There are online threads with many, many owners reporting their vehicles developed this problem - many with low mileage. My vehicle developed the problem with about 40,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle should be recalled. Dealerships are making a fortune fixing these vehicles, often charging close to $3,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that she noticed an abnormal odor coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the seals needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plug gaskets and gasket rocker needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer removed the engine and replaced both cam carrier covers. The contact stated that she drove the vehicle for the next three years and experienced a recurrence of the odor from the exhaust. Additionally, the "check engine oil" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as a failed oil consumption test and recommended that all the seals be replaced yet again. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The vehicle was driven back to her residence. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,400.
Front right side of driver’s seat has collapsed. Possibly due to a broken bracket or weld.
I have received multiple letters to fix my Subarus air bag. It was fixed once after a long wait for parts. The second required fix is proving hard to set up. I called a Subaru fix line, waited an hour while they try to schedule, then was disconnected. I called back, same long wait and they can not call you back if disconnected (I asked if they could as I was just disconnected and had to start over). I tried to explain to them in Hawaii we live on islands and cannot drive to other ones so it must be scheduled on my (Maui) island. They said they knew that (I even gave them the address of Subaru Maui). I waited on hold another 1/2 hour then got an email. I was scheduled a month later on - another island. I called back, waited again (they seemed more concerned with canceling my appointment the getting me a new one). After a very long series of transfers I was connected with Subaru Maui. They told me they (service dept) can't schedule them (only mangers can schedule air bag appointments) but they will have a manager call me back. I asked when and they said a week or two. Its been a week but I have not heard anything. I wrote Subaru with my issue and got a auto reply telling thanking me for being an owner and how great their cares are. No acknowledgment of my problem. The letters stress the importance of getting it done, but Subaru makes it very hard.
As I drove into my driveway smoke started coming out of engine compartment. Behind and under vehicle was a massive leak of either oil or transmission fluid. No warning lights were observed and vehicle was running fine while we were out. The entire vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames and burned to the ground before firefighters arrived.
LEAKY CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS MADE OIL LEAK INTO COOLING SYSTEM. CAR BEGAN RATTLING AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. SUBARU KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUES WITH THIS AND MAY OTHER YEARS CARS YET REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. LOOKING AT A COSTLY $3K FIX. NOT DRIVABLE OTHERWISE. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T FAIL ON US WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A. CRIVELLI SUBARU (768 ALLEGHENY BLVD, FRANKLIN, PA 16323) AND AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE RESULT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHORT BLOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PARTIALLY COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH COLORADO, FROM CRESTED BUTTE TO TELLURIDE. I WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVE. AS THE CAR WENT UP HILLS IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT DOWN, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV INTO THE 4,000 RPM RANGE, WHICH IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SUSTAINED. IN ORDER TO COMBAT THIS I USED THE MANU-MATIC SYSTEM TO HOLD THE TRANSMISSION IN THE HIGHER GEAR. AFTER A WHILE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONCURRENTLY, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THINKING IT WAS AN OVERHEATING ISSUE, I STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED A WHILE. AFTER A FEW CYCLES OF DRIVE/STOP/DRIVE/STOP, THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THINKING THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED, WE CONTINUED ON TO TELLURIDE. LEAVING TELLURIDE, HOWEVER, WITH THE SAME DRIVING BEHAVIOR, THE ISSUE RETURNED, ONLY WORSE NOW. WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED RESPONDING. WE WERE HEADED UPHILL AT 65MPH ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD, WITH A STEEP DROP OFF THE SIDE, AND MULTIPLE CARS BEHIND US. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND AT ALL. THIS CAUSED US TO BEGIN RAPIDLY DECELERATING, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE GIVEN THE CONDITIONS. WE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER A SHORT WHILE OF SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND THE ISSUE HAD CEASED. THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THIS ISSUE IS SCARY - AT ANY MOMENT THE ACCELERATOR MAY CEASE TO RESPOND, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A LIFE THREATENING SCENARIO. UPON REACHING OUR DESTINATION, A FRIEND HAD A CODE SCANNER AND PULLED CODE "P2138 - THROTTLE PEDAL POSITION SENSOR SWITCH D E VOLTAGE CORRELATION." THERE'S NO OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FROM SUBARU, THAT I COULD FIND, ON THE ISSUE, AND BROWSING VARIOUS SUBARU FORUMS TURNS UP A LOT MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.
ON TWO OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP THE ENGINE HAS SURGED ACCELERATING THE CAR AGAINST THE BRAKING. THIS SURGING HAS CAUSED THE CAR TO ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND ON THE OTHER OCCASION CAUSED THE CAR TO CHANGE PATH OF TRAVEL WHILE APPROACHING THE GARAGE.
A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF APPARENTLY NORMAL DRIVING. THE FIRE EVENTUALLY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE(S) OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED
2011 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES RECEIVED FOR VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIRS. *JS
WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE INTAKE VALVE SPRING BROKE AND DROPPED THE VALVE INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR
THIS MODEL HAS BURNED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL. I HAVE TO REFILL WITH 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AND EVEN MORE IF WE DRIVE CAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I HAD TAKEN VEHICLE AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SMELL OF BURNT OIL WOULD COME FROM THE BLOCK, BUT THERE WASN'T A SIGN OF LEAKAGE ANYWHERE. THE DEALERSHIP HELD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE MAIN OIL SEALS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $3200 LATER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT WAS TOO COSTLY TO KEEP BRINGING VEHICLE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND A BOLD FORUM WHERE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS NOT WILLING TO LISTEN AND DO A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THIS OBVIOUS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME I WAS OVER THE ALLOWED MILEAGE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS WAS THAT THEY NEVER SENT OUT A NOTICE OR MESSAGE RELATED THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM MANY COULD BE ENCOUNTERING. THEY STATED THAT THE ONLY FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH WOULD COST ME OVER $5000. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR ONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BURNS ALMOST 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES OR SO. IF NOT REGULARLY CHECKED AND REFILLED, THE ENGINE CAN BURN DUE TO THE LACK OF OIL. IT IS BECOMING EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE SINCE A QUART OF OIL IS ABOUT $10. I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT AND SUBARU HAS NOT YET TAKEN CARE OF ITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS. AT THIS POINT, AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD IT, I WILL BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SUBARU WILL NOT BE ON MY TO BUY LIST IN THE FUTURE AGAIN. I WILL ALSO NOT RECOMMEND ANY OF MY ACQUAINTANCES TO PURCHASE A SUBARU IN THE FUTURE AS WELL. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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