2003 SUBARU FORESTER Structure Problems

FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE RUSTS AWAY CAUSING FAILURE. COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND COULD INJURE PASSENGERS. TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS COULD CAUSE IT TO SNAP DUE TO EXTRA FORCE.

Mileage: 130,538

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES AROUND THE FRONT FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT FRAME, AND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARMS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR FRAME AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARMS WERE ALSO INSPECTED WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT THOSE PARTS HAD ALSO DETERIORATED AND MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11011 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Mileage: 119,000

I WAS GETTING NEW TIRES PLACED ON MY VEHICLE WHEN MY MECHANIC NOTICED THAT MY CONTROL ARMS AS WELL AS THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. I CONTACTED SUBARU WHO STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARMS FOR RUSTING OUT BUT NOT ON THE SUBFRAME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO GET CONTROL ARMS PLACE ON A MECHANIC FROM THE DEALER SHIP CONTACTED ME. HE STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS IN BAD SHAPE AND THAT IF THEY WERE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THEY COULD NOT PASS THE INSPECTION PER THE LEVEL OF RUST AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THEY STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED/FIXED. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN A SUBFRAME CORRODE SO BADLY IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE LAST THING ON A CAR TO GO SHOULD BE THE SUBFRAME AND FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS AND I AM REALLY SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL IN REF TO THIS. I AM NOT SURE HOW THEY DON'T KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE WHEN THEY KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE CONTROL ARMS.

Mileage: 162,000

TODAY I WAS AT MY MECHANICS TO REPLACE A MUFFLER. AFTER RAISING THE CAR UP ON THE RACK HE NOTICED DESTRUCTIVE RUST THAT WAS COVERING AND INUNDATING THE K FRAME AND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS (TRANSVERSE LINKS). IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 I WAS AT GARY LANG SUBARU (ILLINOIS) FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE. THE SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE , WVX-34, REQUIRED AN INSPECTION AND REPAIRS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACEMENT OR CORROSION TREATMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS (TRANSVERSE LINK). ACCORDING TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, THAT RECALL WAS "COMPLETED". THE SUBARU OPERATOR (KAYLA) COULD NOT ELABORATE ON THE TERM "COMPLETE". NO MENTION OF ANY SPECIFIC ACTION WAS REPORTED. TODAY, DURING THE INSPECTION OF SAID AREA, MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT NO PROOF EXISTED OF EITHER CORRECTIVE ACTION, EITHER UNDERCOATING OR MECHANICAL REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AND AT SOME POINT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT LOSS OF CONTROL WILL FOLLOW IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BREAKS. I WILL PURSUE THE SUBARU DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY WILL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY.

Mileage: 132,819

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED. IN 2012, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND A RUSTPROOF SOLUTION WAS APPLIED TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

2003 - SUBARU - FORESTER - BODY HARDWARE, FENDER, STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS & RAILS, LOWER FRAME LEFT IS COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SUPPORT STRUT BESIDE IT BUT NONE ON THIS. THIS IS A MAJOR CRASH PROTECTION COMPONENT AS IT CONNECTS THE BUMPER TO THE FRAME. I TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL SO IT IS MY PROBLEM. CLEARLY THE STEEL THAT WAS USED WAS SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN SALTY/HUMID ROAD CONDITIONS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL ON THE STRUT. THE OTHER SIDE (RIGHT) IS IN GOOD CONDITION, INDICATING DEFECTIVE MATERIALS IN THIS PART. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

THE TWO FRONT SUB FRAMES HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND THIN METAL. *TR

Mileage: 137,700

THE TWO FRONT SUB FRAMES HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST AND THIN METAL. *TR

Mileage: 137,700

MY SON WAS DRIVING FROM NEW JERSEY. SUDDENLY THE FRONT HOOD OPENED AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER THREE LANES TO STOP THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THIS WAS A HOOD REPLACEMENT DONE LAST SPRING AFTER A DEER RAN ACROSS THE VEHICLE. THE LATCH HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL THIS TRIP. ON THE WAY TO NEW JERSEY, MY SON NOTICED THAT THE HOOD PARTIALLY OPENED. HE STOPPED THE CAR AND MADE SURE THAT THE HOOD WAS TIGHTLY SHUT. THE SAME REPAIR SHOP IS INSTALLING ANOTHER HOOD AND REPLACING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS NO COLLISION INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE (SUBARU FORESTER 2003). MY TWO GRANDSONS WERE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT. MY SON'S FIANCEE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE ONLY CRASH WAS THE BREAKING OF THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE HOOD. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

UPON CHANGING THE OIL IN MY 2003 SUBARU FORESTER I NOTICED THAT MY SUB FRAME IS TOTALLY ROTTED OUT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MY CAR HAS EVEN STAYED TOGETHER ITS SO BAD. I LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP ONLINE AND I FOUND THAT IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH SUBARU CARS. I CALLED SUBARU TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY SAID ITS A COSMETIC ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. BUT THEY DID SAY THEY WILL OFFER ME $500 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SUBARU. I ASKED IF THEY WILL APPLY THE $500 TO FIXING MY CURRENT SUBARU AND HE TOLD ME NO. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER THAT DEPENDS ON MY CAR 100% AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT SUBARU WILL GIVE ME $500 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW CAR. *TR

Mileage: 157,000

FRONT CRADLE ARMS AND REAR CROSS MEMBERS ARE RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO POSSIBLE SNAPPING. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

MY 2003 FORESTER HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING EXTREMELY STRONG SMELLS OF FUEL WHEN DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER. INHALING FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH INHALATION OF FUMES: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN GASOLINE ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC AND ARE MUTAGENS. LIVER DAMAGE AND PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE ARE POSSIBILITIES. THE SIDE EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE INHALATION OF GASOLINE CAN RANGE FROM CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) DEPRESSION, WHICH CAN INCLUDE: EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION, MILD OR PRONOUNCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LACK OF APPETITE, DROWSINESS AND IN-COORDINATION. IN MORE SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PULMONARY EDEMA, AND DEATH. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE!! *TR

Mileage: 62,000

2003 FORESTER HAS EXTREMELY STRONG AROMAS OF FUEL WHEN STARTING & DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. FUEL VAPORS ARE VERY DANGEROUS, HERE ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF INHALATION: INHALING GASOLINE FUMES BRINGS CONCENTRATED HYDROCARBONS INTO YOUR LUNGS AND BLOODSTREAM. SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS IN GASOLINE ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC AND ARE MUTAGENS. LIVER DAMAGE AND PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE ARE POSSIBILITIES. THE SIDE EFFECTS CAUSED BY THE INHALATION OF GASOLINE CAN RANGE FROM CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) DEPRESSION, WHICH CAN INCLUDE: EYE AND THROAT IRRITATION, MILD OR PRONOUNCED DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, LACK OF APPETITE, DROWSINESS AND IN-COORDINATION. IN MORE SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PULMONARY EDEMA, AND DEATH. SUBARU SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT! *TR

Mileage: 62,000

I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT RAMSEY SUBARU AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. IT SEEMS MORE LIKE THE THIN CHEAP METAL IS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 5 YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 136,934

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000. UPDATED 7/9/12 *CN THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. UPDATED 07/10/12

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM) WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE SUB-FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FRAME ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ

Mileage: 157,000

WE TOOK OUR 2003 SUBARU FORESTER IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE CAR WAS IN "SERIOUS" CONDITION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A PHOTO WAS TAKEN AND SENT TO THE DISTRICT MANAGER FOR HIS REVIEW. WE REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS ON OUR OWN IN DECEMBER 2011. TOOK THE CAR IN TO OUR DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2012 FOR RECALL OF CONTROL ARMS AND NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT THE FRAME AT THAT TIME. MECHANIC STATED YOU CAN PUT YOUR FINGER INTO THE HOLE IN THE FRAME OF THE CAR. FORESTER WAS NEVER DRIVEN OFF-ROAD AND WAS DRIVEN SOLELY IN THE CITY. THE FRAME SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED OUT THROUGH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. WINTER THIS YEAR WAS VERY MILD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS FRAMES ON CARS SHOULD NOT DEVELOP HOLES. *TR

Mileage: 87,538

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU FORESTER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000. (SUSPENSION: FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 03/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY AGREED TO COVER ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUBFRAME. UPDATED 03/30/12*JB

Mileage: 69,000

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.

Mileage: 130,000