Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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19285 messages, Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV

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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

#215 of 19285 More Forester wheel bearing problems by ththomp

Aug 12, 2002 (7:03 pm)

I have a 1998 Forester S I purchased used with 43,000 miles. I've been driving it for two years now without any problems and really have liked my Forester. Unfortunately like so many other Forester owners, I now have experienced right rear wheel bearing failure. This happened when my Forester had 52,500 miles on it. I was also told that my crank seal is bad and leaking on my timing belt and would also need to get this fixed and replace the timing belt (around $500). I went ahead and had the dealership fix the right wheel bearing but was told this was not covered under any warranty -extended or not so I had to plunk down over $300 for this. I researched this problem on the web and low and behold between what is on Edmunds site and Cars.com - there are lots and lots of frustrated/irate Forester owners who have been stuck with recurring and often costly wheel bearing repairs.

My question is this - how can one reasonably feel safe that this problem won't keep recurring as it seems to for so many? I simply can't afford these type of repairs and have lost a great deal of confidence in driving my beloved Forester. It appears that installation is an issue but also the wrong type of bearings specified/installed in the first place. I'm very disappointed in the way Subaru is dealing with this problem - forcing the customers to go to extreme lengths to plead their case when they know this is a problem that is not the customer's fault in the least. I traded my Ford Explorer in for this Forester because of the problems associated with tires and safety. I had always heard Subaru stood behind their products but I'm doubting this given their approach at solving the wheel bearing problems(at least Ford owned up to their problems and reimbursed owners for a new set of tires.)

I'm seeking advice on whether to trade the Forester in at this point and cut my losses or take my chances that these problems won't keep recurring and have several more years of happily driving my Forester.

#216 of 19285 by kens

Aug 12, 2002 (9:27 pm)

Just one different data point -- I own a 98 Forester S with 74K miles and my bearings are still fine.

Ken

#218 of 19285 Spark plug removal by tomd17

Aug 13, 2002 (3:33 pm)

I have a 2001 Forester question. Is there a special method for removing spark plug boots and spark plugs?

#219 of 19285 by kens

Aug 13, 2002 (3:37 pm)

tomd17,

Your question should probably go under the Maintenance and Repair topic, but check this link out:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=527c2ed90533a76bcc44b178d5301a6c&threadid=166

Ken

#220 of 19285 Plugs by originalbitman

Aug 13, 2002 (7:41 pm)

Thanks Ken. Superb link!

bit

#221 of 19285 Hesitation Problems by driver007

Aug 13, 2002 (8:46 pm)

I purchased a 2000 Forester L new. After 5 months it started having hesitation/idling problems when the vehicle would slow down during a stop. While idling at a light the engine runs rough and causes the car to vibrate. While trying to accelerate from a stop, the car will not move (the engine seems to be stalling),or if it starts to move, it hesitates and then accelerates very slowly. This has almost caused me to be rear ended several times. I took the car to the dealer. They insisted there was no problem because the check-engine light did not come on. After 2 months of this problem and several trips to the dealer, the check-engine light came on. The dealer decided to replace the oxygen a/f sensor. This seemed to take of the hesitation, but the car never has had the same power that it orginally had. Let me state that the hesitation problem was intermittent but there was no pattern as to when the problem would occur.
This week the check engine light came on again. The car is hesitating/stalling. The dealer insists that it is a fuel problem. The dealer called Subaru tech support who said to replace the oxygen a/f sensor again. This is my third a/f sensor and the car is still not right. Who do I contact at Subaru to get this problem resolved. As stated earlier, this problem has almost caused me to be in several accidents. I am quite frustrated that the dealer has such a indifferent attitude about my safety. They almost seem like they do not want to take care of the issue because the vehicle is still under factory warranty. Please help.

#222 of 19285 by ateixeira

Aug 14, 2002 (6:39 am)

In these repeated failure cases with the bearings, it must be the housing Patti mentioned. I'd bring that up with the dealer to make sure that also gets replaced, then.

Carl: check out i-Club.com and read about the SPG mod (single-point ground). It's someething even a novice can do and it tends to resolve problems like yours. Good luck.

-juice

#224 of 19285 by ateixeira

Aug 16, 2002 (6:41 am)

BTW, I saw a classified at i-Club.com where someone was selling a hardly used clutch for just $50! Something to consider, used parts can be dirt cheap.

He got an ACT, which isn't a bad idea if you modify the engine (turbo, S/C, etc.)

-juice

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