2008 SUBARU FORESTER

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK,

Engine overheating and causing multiple problems

Engine overheating and causing multiple problems

Engine overheating and causing multiple problems

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the front driver’s side control arm was fractured, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that the failure was caused by corrosion of the front lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); to prevent the failure from occurring; however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

Mileage: 116,000

The airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. It is currently at local Subaru dealer. Mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. An engineer from Corporate Subaru inspected. Another team of engineers from Corporate is going to conduct a more thorough investigation once more photos of interior and exterior are provided by retailer. It is, of course, available for inspection. Fortunately, I was not driving the vehicle at the time of deployment. No one was in the car at the time of deployment. Vehicle was parked in my garage and deployed overnight. The dealer has confirmed deployment, but as stated above, has not been able to determine cause of deployment. Dealer’s mechanics and a Corporate engineer are only ones to my knowledge that have inspected the vehicle. As there was no accident, police and insurance representatives were not notified. No warning lights, messages or symptoms that I’m aware of. I, as stat

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they inspected the vehicle and confirmed the front control arm failure. The dealer informed him that the recall was already serviced on the vehicle prior and provided him with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided him with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

Mileage: 136,000

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. The contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

Mileage: 140,000

Right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall WVX34 and NHTSA campaign 11v464000). Part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. Dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. I notified Subaru by Email last night on the day it occurred -1 Dec 2021. Have not had reply as yet. This caused uncontrollable steering as it was not controllable by the steering wheel. Fortunately this failed as I was backing out of a parking spot and not at speed on the highway. Car was not drivable. I inspected the left front control arm and it too seems to be also affected by rust.

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home where he began to repair the vehicle himself. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000

Mileage: 97,000

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. Additionally, the passenger’s side front wheel was shaking, and the vehicle was drifting to the right. The contact who is an independent mechanic noticed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

I was getting on the highway in Minnesota doing 55-60 mph when the car started violently shaking and I lost steering with cars whizzing by me at 65-70+ mph. I was finally able to get the car just off the road and called for roadside assist. Once the car was left at my house I examined the right front wheel which was cockeyed to discover the lower control arm steel body had disintegrated (see photos). Looking online I discovered there had been a recall on these arms 9 years ago. I sent a message to Subaru Customer Care and received no reply. I sent a tweet on twitter to Subaru of America and received no reply. I finally called their 800 number and was told the recall had been completed on this vehicle in 2012 by putting some "rust-proofing" on the arms. They did not go through the effort to replace with the upgraded replacement part. SOA said they would not cover any repair or replacement of the lower control arms. There have to be 10s of thousands of these vehicles on the roads

I was driving to work and my Subaru stalled at an intersection. I restarted the car and continued to work. It is raining heavily. I arrived at work and the parking lot is full of water. I was slowly pulling up forward in the parking spot. I had my foot on the brake trying to get as far forward in the spot to avoid as much of the huge puddle in the lot as I could when suddenly the vehicle lurched forward over the concrete stop in the parking spot, onto a raised concrete sidewalk and then smashed into my work's building. It happened in a split second and I can hardly believe what has happened myself. After searching on the internet, I can see that newer models are having this problem so I came here to let someone know that at least a 2008 model had this problem too.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I COULDN'T. IT SENT ME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, THE FAST LANE, RIGHT UP AGAINST THE INTERSTATE DIVIDER WALL, MY CAME TO A STOP INA COUPLE SECONDS. I WAS SITTING FLUSH WITH THE WALL, I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOOR, AND I DIDN'T WANT MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR TO OPEN HIS DOOR ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TURNED MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON AND PROCESSED TO CLIMB OUT OF MY WINDOW ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL. I STARTING LOOKING AT THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I SAW BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRES HAD POPPED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BLEW OUT AND HAD HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. IT WAS DRIVING ON THE WHEEL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS ALL CURBED AND SCRAPED. I NOTICED IT WAS LEANING LOWER ON THE GR

Mileage: 150,000

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I COULDN'T. IT SENT ME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, THE FAST LANE, RIGHT UP AGAINST THE INTERSTATE DIVIDER WALL, MY CAME TO A STOP INA COUPLE SECONDS. I WAS SITTING FLUSH WITH THE WALL, I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOOR, AND I DIDN'T WANT MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR TO OPEN HIS DOOR ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TURNED MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON AND PROCESSED TO CLIMB OUT OF MY WINDOW ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL. I STARTING LOOKING AT THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I SAW BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRES HAD POPPED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BLEW OUT AND HAD HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. IT WAS DRIVING ON THE WHEEL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS ALL CURBED AND SCRAPED. I NOTICED IT WAS LEANING LOWER ON THE GR

Mileage: 150,000

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I COULDN'T. IT SENT ME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, THE FAST LANE, RIGHT UP AGAINST THE INTERSTATE DIVIDER WALL, MY CAME TO A STOP INA COUPLE SECONDS. I WAS SITTING FLUSH WITH THE WALL, I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOOR, AND I DIDN'T WANT MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR TO OPEN HIS DOOR ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TURNED MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON AND PROCESSED TO CLIMB OUT OF MY WINDOW ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL. I STARTING LOOKING AT THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I SAW BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRES HAD POPPED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BLEW OUT AND HAD HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. IT WAS DRIVING ON THE WHEEL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS ALL CURBED AND SCRAPED. I NOTICED IT WAS LEANING LOWER ON THE GR

Mileage: 150,000

MY ENGINE STARTED FAILING. THE COMPRESSION STARTED RAPIDLY DECLINING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS. MY ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH AND JERKY. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED WITH A NEW ALTERNATOR AND HAD MY EMISSIONS TESTING DONE FOR MY REGISTRATION. THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO ALERT FOR THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT BACK IN AND AFTER SOME TESTING WAS TOLD IT WAS THE COMPRESSION TO THE ENGINE THAT WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW. AFTER FURTHER TESTING DECOMPRESSION WAS EVEN WORSE THAN PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED AT OTHER MECHANIC AND THE ENGINE WAS DECLARED TO BE FAILING. I AM HAVING TO GET A COMPLETE ENGINE REMAKE. $8,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). VOLKSWAGEN SUBARU FORT WALTON BEACH (LOCATED AT 130 HOLLYWOOD BLVD SW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, (850) 243-3171) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT GOLICK MOTOR COMPANY (600 7TH ST, PITCAIRN, PA 15140, (412) 372-7420), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIMING BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (GARY LANG SUBARU, 1121 STATE RTE 31 BUILDING 3, MCHENRY, IL 60050, (815) 788-6506) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11011 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,900.

Mileage: 88,900