2003 Subaru Forester Complaint Log

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. IT WENT OUT ONCE FOR A BIT BUT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. I HAD ONE SERVICE DEPT. SAY THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. THS SUBARU DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE AIR BAG SENSORS UNDER FRONT SEATS.- CAUSED BY CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE SEATS FREQENTLY AND MADE THE WIRES BREAK. I HAVE 88.000 MILES ON MY CAR. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER SO I DO NOT CHANGE MY SEAT POSITION OFTEN. THERE WAS NOTHING NOTED AT TIME OF PURCHASE ABOUT LIMITING CHANGE OF SEAT POSITION. THIS IS ACTUALLY REDICULOS. THEY STATED IT WOULD COST $370 TO FIX AND THEY HAD PACKET PARS AVAILABLE AND COULD EASILY REPLACE THEM. THEY STATED THIS IS AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM - IF SO UNCOMMON PROBLEM WHY DID THEY HAVE TO COME UP WITH THESE REPLACEMENT PACKETS? I READ THEY REENGINEERED THIS PART FOR THE NEXT YEAR MODEL. I DID SOME CHECKING AND FOUND SERVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF 2003 FORESTERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT ENOUGHT COMPLAINTS TO FORCE A RECALL. . IT IS A DEFINITE "COMMON" PROBLEM. IN THE END THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $150 AND REPLACED ONLY ONE SENSOR WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I'VE READ THAT SUCH "SAFETY PARTS" SHOULD BE REPLACED AT NO COST? IS THIS TRUE? THEN I THINK I AM OWED A REFUND I AM PRINTING OUT A FEW OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AND ALSO THE STATEMENT THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD COST NOTHING AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER AND HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AND GOES OFF BY ITSELF. MOST RECENTLY, IT WENT OFF AFTER I CHANGED THE PASSENGER SEAT POSITION. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS DUE TO THE AIRBAG SENSORS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS BEING JOSTLED OR DETACHED EITHER BY CHANGING SEAT POSITIONS OR SLIDING SOMETHING DOWN ALONGSIDE THE SEAT (LIKE A MAGAZINE OR NEWSPAPER.) I'VE HAD THE SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FIXED AT CONSIDERABLE COST TO ME. IT'S ANNOYING AND CLEARLY A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY THE DEALER AT NO CHARGE. *TR

2003 SUBARU FORESTER ~114K MILES. DURING PASSING (~70 MPH)ENGINE HAS STALLED 2X IN PAST WEEK. AFTER COMING TO FULL STOP AND TURNING KEY IN IGNITION FULL "OFF", CAR RESTARTS WITH NO DIFFICULTY WILL TAKE TO DEALER THIS WEEK. HAD BATTER INSTALLED ~ 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR

THE PREVIOUS NIGHT WAS -17, I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR ALL DAY. AT 6:30 PM I DROVE THE CAR FOR 1/2HOUR, ALL WAS WELL. 2 HOURS LATER (-3 DEGREES) I GOT IN THE CAR AND DROVE 15 MIN AT WHICH TIME I CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND TURNED RIGHT ONTO ANOTHER ROAD AND THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR BEGAN. I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS ONLINE AND FOUND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR

I PURCHASED AND HAD INSTALLED 8 NEW HANKOOK TIRES FOR TWO VEHICLES AT L&M TIRE & WHEEL 185 W. KING ST. ABBOTTSTOWN, PA. 17301, 7172590567. THEY DID NOT RECORD THE TYPE OF VEHICLES, MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLES OR MY ADDRESS. ALL THAT WAS WRITTEN ON THE RECEIPT WAS MY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER. THIS INFORMATION WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT FOR ME TO BE NOTIFIED IF THERE WERE A RECALL OF THESE TIRES. THIS SHOULD BE A REQUIREMENT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. IF IT IS A REQUIREMENT WHAT AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE RETENTION OF THIS INFORMATION? *TR

2003 SUBARU FORESTER XS - FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. SIMILAR TO THE MANY POSTS OUT THERE, THERE IS AN UNBEARABLE SMELL OF GAS IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR. I HAVE TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN IN THE FREEZING WEATHER TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I'VE READ IT IS DUE TO CONTRACTING FUEL LINES THAT THEN LEAK. FIRE HAZARDS ARE OBVIOUS, BUT THE NOXIOUS GAS IS ENOUGH TO AT LEAST DISTRACT YOUR DRIVING IF NOT KNOCK YOU UNCONSCIOUS. I WILL VISIT MY DEALER THIS WEEK TO COMPLAIN. *TR

FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE STRIKING A DEER AT THIS SPEED SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED BOTH AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SOMETIMES WOULD REMAIN ON, BUT MOSTLY IT WAS OFF. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND THROUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS IS THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A DEATH TO FORCE SUBARU TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE? THE OTHER ISSUE FOUND WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE IS THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS ARE SEEPING COOLANT, THE DRIVERS SIDE IS SEEPING MORE JUST LIKE THE RECALL DESCRIBES ON 1999-2002 MODELS. EVEN THOUGH THIS A 2003 IT WAS PURCHASED IN THE FALL OF 2002, SUBARU FAILED TO CONTACT ME AND ADVISE ME TO ADD THE $1.44 COOLANT ADDITIVE TO SAVE THE HEAD GASKETS. HOW IS A CONSUMER SUPPOSED TO KNOW THESE LITTLE DETAILS? NOW THE VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY MILES FOR THEM TO CARE, STICKING ME WITH THE ESTIMATED $2000 REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN. THE VAP VALVE WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE CENTER BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS NOT A FUEL LEAK PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 01/18/13*LJ UPDATED 1/25/2013 *JS

WE'RE THE OWNERS OF A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER (ABOUT 90 000 MILES). FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER WE FILL THE GAS TANK, WE DETECT GAS FUMES NEAR THE REAR WHEELS - EXTERIOR ONLY. AS THE TANKS LEVEL GOES DOWN, THE SMELL WILL GO AWAY. WE ARE NOT OVER-FILLING; IN FACT WE WILL FILL BEFORE THE PUMP "CLICKS OFF". THERE IS NO DRIPPING OF GAS AND OUR MECHANIC HAS CHECKED FOR LEAKS/OVERFLOWS ETC AND HAS FOUND NOTHING. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING IS WRONG AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY OWNERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS EXTERIOR SMELL (IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN VERY PREVALENT IN THE 2002 MODEL). THE DEALER HAS BEEN NO HELP. WE HOPE NHTSA CAN HELP US. THANKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP TO 35 MPH AFTER THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND WAS TOTALED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010, I HAD AN INCIDENT OF "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" ON POOKS HILL ROAD AND WISCONSIN AVENUE. I WAS STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF SLOWING AND STOPPING. TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED INSTEAD TO MY RIGHT INTO A SNOW BANK. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. I WAS DRIVING A SUBARU FORESTER "ALL WHEEL DRIVE" 2003 VEHICLE. DESPITE THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE ICY SNOW BANK AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT BY AAA. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. *TR

MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A FUEL LEAK SMELL THAT ENTERS THE CAR INTERIOR.. IT'S NOT A RICH FUEL MIXTURE EXHAUST SMELL, IT'S THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. IT COMES AND GOES. I SEE ONLINE OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FORCED TO HAVE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. *TR

I PURCHASED A SUBARU FORRESTER WITH 38 K MILES IN AUGUST. DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, I NOTICED A RUBBING NOISE, CONSISTENT AND LOUDER WHILE TURNING IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP ONLY LASTED ONE THOUSAND MILES AND THEY TOLD ME TOUGH LUCK. A FRIEND WHO IS A "SUBARU GUY" TOLD ME I HAD A BAD BEARING, AND TO BE CAREFUL, IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD GET WORSE QUICK. IT DID, AND I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE PARKED FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS AS THE NOISE LOUD ONE DAY AND THE WHEEL WAS ACTUALLY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP, HAVING THE REAR WHEEL BEARING REPLACED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS 390 DOLLARS, POSSIBLY 150 MORE IF THE MECHANIC FINDS OUT THAT A CAP OR SEAL FOR THE AXLE IS PITTED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THE CAR IN ANY EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES, MOSTLY FOR A THIRTY MILE HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK, NO STOP AND GO OR ANY SORT OF EXTRAORDINARY DRIVING. I HAD HEARD NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT SUBARU, BUT THIS IS NO GOOD AS THE WHEEL SEEMED TO HAVE LOOSENED TO A POINT OF DANGER AND I HAD IT TOWED IN TO THE SHOP. *TR

MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER - PURCHASED NEW - CURRENTLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS LAST SERVICED 3 MONTHS AGO. AT THAT TIME, NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT COOLANT PROBLEMS OR LEAKS. LAST WEEK, ON THE TURNPIKE, THE RPM NEEDLE STARTED SWINGING WILDLY AND I LOST POWER. I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE TURNPIKE AND SHUT DOWN AND BY THAT TIME SMOKE WAS POURING OUT FROM THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED IS THAT THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED AT THE HEAD GASKETS - A PROBLEM THAT I AM NOW LEARNING SUBARU HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF AT LEAST $2600. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY SUBARU OR THE DEALERSHIP TO INFORM ME THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM ALTHOUGH I CONSISTENTLY HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT REPURCHASING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. OBVIOUSLY, A 2003 VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY. COMMENTS I HAVE HEARD ARE THAT "YOU'RE STILL BREAKING IN THE ENGINE". *TR

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN EXAMINED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG. HOWEVER, UPON EXAMINATION, HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AIRBAG AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. I WAS THEN TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT SINCE IT WAS PROBABLY NOTHING. LUCKILY, THE MANAGER OVERHEARD THE CONVERSATION AND REMEMBERED A SERVICE BULLETIN (#17-07-04) THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED BY SUBARU REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM FOR 2003 SUBARU FORESTERS. HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT OXIDATION ON THE CONTACTS IN THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE NECESSARY WORK COMPLETED (PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN) OR ELSE THE AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT ACTIVATE IN AN EMERGENCY. SINCE THIS IS A PROTECTED PART LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE I FEEL THAT IT WAS NOT DESIGNED APPROPRIATELY TO RESIST OXIDATION AND THAT SUCH A FACTORY DEFECT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO OWNERS OF THIS MODEL SUBARU CAR. (WE HAVE A 2001 FORESTER WITH 112,000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM OF THIS NATURE.) I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ' ALL RELATED TO THE 2003 FORESTER AND ONLY TO THE 2003 FORESTER. IN FACT, THERE IS A COMPLAINT ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ASSOCIATION WEBSITE HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/COMPLAIN/COMPLAINTSUMMARY.CFM?ODI_ID=10' DATING BACK TO 2005, INVOLVING A DEATH WHEN THE AIR BAGS IN A 2003 FORESTER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. BASED UPON ALL THE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VERY MODEL CAR THAT I SEE ONLINE, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I CALLED SUBARU TO EXPLAIN MY CONCERN, THEY REIMBURSED ME FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS $186.47. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT I NEED TO ADVISE THIS ASSOCIATION OF THE MATTER AS WELL SINCE I FEAR THIS COULD BE MORE WIDESPREAD THAN IS NOW KNOWN. *TR

I PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER XS IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT NOW DEFUNCT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AUTO SERVICE MECHANIC I WAS ABLE TO REACH SHOWED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN 3 PLACES, REQUIRING A COSTLY REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET. I LEARNED FROM HIM THAT THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS. I HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY WITH SUBARU FOR 60,000 MILES. AT NO TIME WAS I NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR OR BY ANY SUBARU SERVICE CENTER, THAT SPECIAL COOLANT WAS REQUIRED TO MITIGATE THIS DEFECT. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. *TR

CABIN HAS STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING IN THE MORNING. THE SMELL IS LIKE SOMEONE POURED A CUP OF FUEL ON THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL LINE LEAKING. MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE SUBARU OWNER WEBSITES. *TR

TODAY, I STARTED MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTED, AND LET THE CAR RUN WITH THE HEAT ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHILE I SCRAPED THE FROST OFF OF MY WINDOWS. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO GET IN, THE CABIN WREAKED OF GAS FUMES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. ONCE EACH IN JAN 2006 AND JAN 2007 I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP. IN 2006 THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE CLAMPS, IN '07 THEY REPLACED SOME HOSES. APPARENTLY THESE FIXES ARE STILL NOT SUFFICIENT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY CURRENT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS TO OPERATE THE CAR AT WARM TEMPERATURES OR LET IT WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING. THE GAS FUMES ARE STILL GETTING IN TO THE CABIN WHEN IT IDLES, THOUGH. *TR

I HAD REGULAR SERVICE DONE TO MY CAR AT CLAY SUBARU OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE MECHANIC NOTICED SOME OIL SEEPAGE FROM THE HEAD GASKET. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I GET THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACED WITHIN A YEAR. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE MONITORED THE OIL LEVEL AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ABOUT A QUART IN BETWEEN REGULAR OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I KNOW THIS REPRESENTS MAJOR ENGINE WORK. THEY QUOTED THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2,000.00 TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKETS. THE CAR ONLY HAD ABOUT 115,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN DEC 2002. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME WIRING HARNESS FAILURE AS STATED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2006 MODELS. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR IT AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT HOOD RELEASED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL AND DIRECT THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ESCORT THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY, WHICH WAS A STATE REGULATION, AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE HOOD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN DRIVERS SEAT IS MOVED. IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BENEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THE 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. IT IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHY NO RECALL? THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE CARS SRS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, I ENTERED TOWN LIMITS AND PRESSED SWITCH TO DE-ACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL; NOTHING HAPPENED; DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL; NOTHING HAPPENED- CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN; FRANTICALLY TRIED EVERYTHING SEVERAL TIMES MORE USING CLUTCH, BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. HAD TO TAKE A TURN AT HIGH SPEED TO AVOID A TRACTOR TRAILER STOPPED AT LIGHT; CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AFTER MAKING THE TURN AND YANKING UP EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NOTICED ANTI-FREEZE ODOR AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUN AND TURNED OFF. DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS. PROBLEM CONTINUED SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE NOTICING SEVERAL LEAK SPOTS ON GARAGE FLOOR, SO MADE APPOINTMENT WITH MECHANIC WHO KNEW IMMEDIATELY IT WAS A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN OCTOBER, 2002 AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE SPENT $1300 TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA KNEW ABOUT AND HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SOME TIME. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OR RECALL OF ANY KIND RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD MAKE SOME SORT OF RESTITUTION TO ITS CUSTOMERS FOR THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

2003 SUBARU FORESTER PROBLEMS WITH CYLINDER HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT. SHE STATES THAT THE ESTIMATE COST FOR REPAIR IS ABOUT $1500.00 TO $1600.00 DOLLARS. *KB

EXHAUST/FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR CAB DURING USE IN COLD WEATHER/ USE OF HEATER IN 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. IT GETS SO BAD AT TIMES THAT IT CAUSES IRRITATION IN MY THROAT AND A BURNING SENSATION IN MY EYES. IT ALSO LEAVES A FOUL TASTE IN MY MOUTH THAT LASTS WELL AFTER I EXIT THE VEHICLE. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND STAY ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN GO OFF. THIS CONDITION WOULD OCCUR AT RANDOM, WITH NO WARNING. FINALLY THE LIGHT STAYED ON LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET IT TO THE DEALER. SUBARU DEALER INDICATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAD OXIDIZED CONTACTS LEADING TO A FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY CONTACTS "INSIDE" CAR IN A PROTECTED AREA COULD "OXIDIZE", BUT INDICATED THAT THEY HAD LEARNED FROM SERVICE BULLETINS THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CARS IN THE NORTHEAST. WIRING HARNESS PART COST $17.13 BUT THE LABOR TO REPLACE WAS $207.13 FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL PART DUE TO SIMPLE OXIDATION, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE PART IS PROTECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE SUGGESTS THAT THE PART WAS NOT DESIGNED APPROPRIATELY TO RESIST OXIDATION/CORROSION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WITH POSSIBLE INJURY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS WERE CRACKED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WEAR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 11/07/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT BOUGHT A USED CAR FROM A SUBARU DEALER, WHICH HAS A LIMITED WARRANTY FOR 90 DAYS. SHE DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE NO AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH A NON-WORKING INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE COST TO REPAIR OR INSTALL THE AIR BAGS IS $1,200. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER MISREPRESENTED THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE AIR BAGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

AFTER PICKINGTHE CAR UP FROM AN OIL CHANGE I NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, AND TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT FROM ADJUSTING THE SEAT THE WIRES HAD BECOME BENT/LOOSE, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OUT SEAT AND RESOLDER THE WIRES SO THE AIRBAGS COULD FIRE PROPERLY. ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO ADJUST YOUR SEATS? *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT HIM DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS STUCK OPEN. AS OF JULY 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,878. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

LATCHES ON THE FORRESTER CANNOT BE OPENED UNLESS YOU HAVE A KEY FOB. THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THE TAILGATE WITHOUT THE BATTERY OPERATED FOB. IF YOU HAVE A CHILD THAT GETS INTO THE CAR WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE, OR IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE SIDE. HOW WILL YOU GET OUT THE BACK--THERE IS NO WAY TO EVEN ACCESS WITH A KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND YOU LOOSE TRACK OF YOUR FOB TOO BAD, YOU CAN'T GET OUT FROM THE BACK. I MYSELF CARRY DOGS IN CRATES IN THE BACK OF THE FORRESTER. HAD I REALIZED THAT WHEN I HAVE CRATES, OR ANY OTHER LARGE ITEM IN BACK YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE BACK, I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED HOW TO OPEN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THEY SAID YOU HAVE TO REMOVE A PANEL. IF YOU ARE ON FIRE--YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO GET THE PANEL OFF TO GET THE DOOR OPEN, BUT IF YOU CAN'T GET TO THE BACK BECAUSE OF DOG CRATES, BABY CARRIAGES, CRIBS, PLAYPENS ETC. HOW WOULD YOU GET OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A WRITTEN HARD COPY REPORT. 2. SUBARU KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADGASKET? MANIFOLD GASKET THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. WHEN IT GOES BAD, YOU MAKE THE FIX IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN--WHY DOES THE OWNER HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL WHEN I WAS TOLD, BY THE MECHANIC, THAT IN FACT SUBARU KNOWS THIS AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE GASKET WILL GO, BUT ONCE YOU MAKE THE CORRECTION IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

FUEL LINE FAILED, LEAKING FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JB

ON MONDAY NIGHT, 5 FEB. 2007, WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE IT SMELLED STRONGLY OF GASOLINE. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ODOR SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I DID NOT SEE ANY GASOLINE LEAKING. THE STRENGTH OF THE ODOR SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE COLD WEATHER (15-20 DEG. F). THAT MONDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD EVER NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE ODOR WAS SO INTENSE THAT I DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE AS A PRECAUTION. I DROVE THE CAR TUESDAY MORNING AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AND IT SMELLED OF GAS AGAIN. AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE HAS INCREASED, THE INTENSITY OF THE SMELL HAS DECREASED. DURING VERY COLD WEATHER SMALL AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE SEEMED TO BE LEAKING FROM ONE OF THE FUEL LINES OR ESCAPING FROM THE ENGINE. ON 9 FEBRUARY, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO DEALER (HERITAGE SUBARU, OWINGS MILLS, MD) SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ASKED THEM TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE GASOLINE SMELL. THE DEALER REPLACED THREE SHORT RUBBER FUEL HOSES (P/N 807707130) FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE REPLACED HOSES SHOWED NO SIGN OF WEAR, HOLES, CUTS, ABRASIONS ETC., BUT THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT FUEL HAD PERMEATED THE HOSE MATERIAL ALLOWING FUMES AND POSSIBLY SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL TO ESCAPE. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR DESIGN SINCE THE CAR IS ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD AND THE REPLACED HOSES SHOW NO SIGNS OF WEAR (I.E., OLD AND NEW HOSES APPEAR ON THE OUTSIDE TO BE IDENTICAL). I HAVE THE OLD HOSES AND CAN PROVIDE THEM FOR INSPECTION. *JB

DEALER ADVISED THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING COOLANT AND RECOMMENDED REPAIR WHICH WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE LABOR. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED 20 NOV 2002 AND HAD A 60,000 MILE/5 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. SERVICING WAS DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS AND VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE'S FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED A SUBARU DEALER AND NORTH AMERICAN SUBARU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE EXCEEDED 100,000 IT REQUIRED A NEW HEAD GASKET. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THE HEAD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PREVIOUS LEAK. THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS A COOLANT LEAK WHICH WAS ALSO REPAIRED, WHICH OCCURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE ORIGINAL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ANDWAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED.

TOOK FORESTER INTO SUBARU DEALER FOR 3K OIL CHANGE; WAS TOLD THAT ALMOST ALL OF MY ANTI-FREEZE WAS GONE AND THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING, NEEDING REPLACEMENT AT $1500. MILES ON VEHICLE: 78K, PURCHASED 6/02 NEW, ALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED AT DEALER PER SCHEDULE. AT THIS TIME, I'M LOOKING INTO WEBSITES TO IDENTIFY IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT'S SYSTEMIC WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND LOOKING INTO ALTERNATIVE SOURCES TO FIX VEHICLE TO REDUCE COST. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR FROM THE INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

I RECENTLY HAD AN UNCOMFORTABLE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT WITH MY 2003 FORESTER, AT, OF ALL PLACES, THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I HAD STOPPED TO DISCUSS A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. UPON LEAVING, MY FORESTER WOULD NOT START, BUT EXHIBITED SYMPTOMS OF INITIALLY FUEL STARVATION, AND THEN POOR IGNITION; IT RAN FOR 1/2-1 MINUTE, MISSING FREQUENTLY AND THEN WOULD DIE; WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, IT WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL, SUGGESTING EITHER COMPLETE FUEL OR IGNITION FAILURE. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSED AT 6, AND THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO TOW THE FORESTER TO THE NEARLY SUBARU DEALERSHIP, ONE BLOCK AWAY. AND SUGGEST THAT NEXT TIME I GET A RAV4. THE SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSED AT 5:30, OF COURSE, AND THERE WERE ONLY SALESPEOPLE PRESENT. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO ALSO TOW THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. FINALLY, THE SALES MANAGER SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE SECURITY SYSTEM. OF COURSE, MY FORESTER DID NOT HAVE THAT OPTION, BUT HE SAID THAT HE UNDERSTOOD MOST OF THE CIRCUITRY EXISTED, AND THAT CERTAIN COMBINATIONS OF LOCKING/UNLOCKING THE DOOR WITH THE KEY, OR THE DOOR SWITCH, COULD ACTIVATE THE IGNITION CUTOFF. HE TOLD ME TO SHUT ALL THE DOORS AND THEN LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS TWICE WITH THE REMOTE. I WALKED BACK, DID THAT, AND THE FORESTER STARTED. AFTER DRIVING BACK AND THANKING HIM, I CAREFULLY READ BOTH THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE SEPARATE MANUAL FOR THE REMOTE/SECURITY SYSTEM. THERE IS NO MENTION OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM. LUCKILY, THIS HAPPENED IN DAYLIGHT, WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE SUBARU DEALER, AND THERE ALSO HAPPENED TO BE SOMEONE THERE WHO COULD SUGGEST A CURE. 1) IS THIS A KNOWN FAULT IN THE SYSTEM? 2) IF KNOWN (AND THE MANAGER SAID HE HAD HEARD OF SEVERAL CASES) WHY IS THERE NOT SOME DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SIMPLE SOLUTION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HARNESS ASSEMBLY UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR BOARD WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A CONNECTION AND RECOMMENDED A KIT BE INSTALLED. AFTER THE KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OFF.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY . THE CONSUMER HIT A POLE THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV AND ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GATED DISPLAY OF PROPANE TANKS AND AN ICE-CREAM MACHINE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS GOING TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HER CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED *LJ

ELECTRIC LOCKS--THE TAILGATE--EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXTRA WARRANTY I STILL HAD TO PAY 182.00 TO REPLACE THE LOCK BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE LOCK IT WAS THE LATCH INSIDE THE LOCK THAT DID NOT WORK. WHAT A RIP OFF. I ALSO HAD DOGS IN THE CAR AND IT WAS HOT WHEN THE LOCK WOULD NOT WORK. BECAUSE THERE IS NO KEY TO OPEN THE TAILGATE WHEN DOGS ARE IN CRATES YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR! SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER THE LOCK, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY SAID IT COVERS LOCKS. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR THOSE OF US WHO USE A CRATE TO SAFELY TRANSPORT OUR DOG. THE CAR WAS SCRATCHED IN ORDER TO REMOVE DOGS FROM THE BACK DOORS GETTING CRATES IN A POSITION TO ALLOW DOORS TO BE OPENED. *TR

2003 SUBARU FORESTER PURCHASED MAY 2003 1. BRAKES DID NOT FEEL CORRECT - LOW BRAKE PEDAL 2. MADE APPOINTMENT AT AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER FOR BRAKES TO BE CHECKED 3. AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER PERSON SAID THAT OUR MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLE MILEAGE - 18046 - AND EVEN THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (36 MONTHS MAXIMUM), THEY CONTACTED THE LOCAL SUBARU BUT SUBARU SAID SEEING THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD, SUBARU WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE PART OR REPAIR. 4. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED SO AAA AUTO MARK CAR CARE CENTER PURCHASED THE PARTS NEEDED (1- MASTER CYLINDER, 2 WHEEL CYLINDERS) AND REPLACED THEM. WE ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED THE OLD PARTS. 5. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER MANY YEARS AND NEVER HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A MASTER CYLINDER EVEN THOUGH THE MILEAGE DRIVEN ON THE CARS WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN 18046 ON THE SUBARU. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A PINING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED IN COLD WEATHER. THE NOISE STOPPED AFTER TWO MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTING TO REPLACE THE PISTONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED OR WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BUT THE HEAD GASKET THEN BEGAN LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,279 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,300. UPDATED 04/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/13/2012 *JS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MISS THE DEER; THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HIT A DOUBLE POST HEAD ON, THEN SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND STOOD ON ITS NOSE. IT THEN FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, ROLLED ONTO ITS TOP AND THEN RESTED ON ITS WHEELS. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE, BUT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONSULTED. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 20 MPH AND ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER HOME CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE AND HER HOME. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, HOWEVER SHE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND REPAIRS WERE PAID BY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MPH AND ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY FROM THE MAIN STREET, THE VEHICLE AGAIN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID RATE OF SPEED, CRASHING INTO THE REAR WALL OF HER HOME. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO HER GARAGE AND INTO THE REAR WALL OF A NEIGHBORING HOME. SHE DID NOT RECALL IF SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE TIME BECAUSE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN A MATTER OF SECONDS. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. SHE WAS NOT ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE INITIAL FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, HOWEVER THE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2003 FORESTER FOR PAST 2 YEARS THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. SUBARU TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE AIR BAG CONNECTOR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT WAS LOOSE AND HE PLUGGED IT BACK IN. THAT FIXED IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH. SINCE THEN WHEN LIGHT COMES ON I HAVE TO REACH UNDER SEAT FROM REAR FOOT AREA AND WIGGLE BOTH PLUGS, AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OUT AND WORKS FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN I HAVE TO REPEAT THE PROCEDURE. I DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF MY AIRBAG BEING DISABLED BY A LOOSE PLUG. WHAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AFTER THE PLUG LOOSENED BUT BEFORE I RESTARTED MOTOR (APPARENTLY COMPUTER ONLY CHECKS AIR BAG CIRCUIT EACH TIME CAR IS STARTED AND LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN CONNECTOR BECOMES LOOSE). *JB

2003 SUBARU FORESTER SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTION. *MR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE MANNER AND STRUCK TWO PARKED VEHICLES THAT WERE 10 FEET AWAY. ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S HIT ANOTHER CAUSING DAMAGE. *SC *JB