2004 SUBARU FORESTER Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,966.

THE TURBOCHARGER BROKE TWICE IN THE 2D QUARTER 2015. SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT WAS FIXED, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE OVER THE TURBOCHARGER UNIT (WHILE BEING DRIVEN 9/18/15), UNDER THE HOOD. NEW SUBARUS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON, BUT I THINK THE REPLACEMENT TURBOCHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE SUBARU TURBO FP # WAS 14411AA5329L.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND LATER DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL TURNED IN THE OPPOSITE POSITION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE LOT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND AXLE TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION; HOWEVER, THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE NOT AS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

FUEL LINES SEEP FUEL ONTO THE TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK AND NEAR TURBO INLET AREA WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW ~20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE SEEPAGE OCCURS AT THE CLAMPS BETWEEN THE METAL AND GAS LINES BELOW THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THESE CLAMPS ARE NOT ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT REMOVAL OF MANY PARTS BY A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC. GAS FUMES FILL THE CABIN WHEN THIS OCCURS AS WELL. FUMES ARE NOT BAD WHEN MOVING BUT IF STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OTHER MODEL SUBARUS (2002 - 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA & IMPREZA WRX) THAT HAVE A VERY SIMILAR ENGINE CONFIGURATION BUT HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED WITH THE SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONCERNS I HAVE ARE 1) FIRE HAZARD OF GAS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK NEAR TURBO AND OTHER COMPONENTS 2) FUMES BUILDING UP IN THE PASSENGER CABIN.

THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE HEAT IS ON AND THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS AROUND 30F OR COLDER. THE ODOR OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.

LEAKING GAS UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHEN IT IS COLD OUT, 90K MILES ON THE CAR.

IN COLD WEATHER THERE IS A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. I'M TOLD THIS IS A COMMON SUBARU PROBLEM THAT RESULTS FROM THE METAL FUEL LINE JOINING WITH A RUBBER/PLASTIC HOSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE METAL AND RUBBER EXPAND/CONTRACT AT DIFFERENT RATES AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STATIONARY IDLING DURING COLD WEATHER.

APPROX. 90000 MILES - STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE PASSENGER CABIN. LEAKING SEAL AS DESCRIBED BY 1000'S OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS. WHY NO RECALL OR ADVISORY ON WHAT OWNER'S SHOULD LOOK FOR. BETWEEN GM FIRES, ETC, NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT YOU ALL NEED TO ISSUE RECALL ORDER/NOTIFICATIONS. SAD.