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2009 Subaru Forester

3640 messages,  Last post on Nov 19, 2009 at 3:06 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Future Vehicle, Wagon


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#3423 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [confused25] by kurtamaxxxguy
Jul 12, 2009 (9:28 pm)
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Replying to: confused25 (Jul 12, 2009 3:24 pm)

Some of the rear cargo area rattles come from the tool kit perched on top of the spare tire. Nothing holds the holder in place save for friction within the spare tire, and over big bumps it will bounce up from the spare tire.
 
Putting some kind of padding or foam over the spare tire tool kit can minimize that rattle.
 
As for the door rattles (especially during cold weather), it was earlier reported that an internal waffle-patterned baffle is not always securely fashioned. My dealer added foam inserts between the baffle and the door's inner trim, which seems to have stopped most of the buzzing. That problem is a Subaru TSB.
 
If '10 models still have this rattle, that will be surprising.
#3424 of 3640
Re: Acceleration--is this normal? [confused25] by billwv
Jul 13, 2009 (7:06 am)
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Replying to: confused25 (Jul 12, 2009 2:35 pm)

Hi "confused25"
 
I now have 6,000 miles.
 
After dealer kept car overnight for Subaru engineer to diagnose, I talked with engineer. He explained, and convinced me, this is normal (by design) for PZEV 4AT.
 
On first cold start in the morning the computer wants to warm up the catalitic converter as fast as possible to reduce emissions. It does this by holding some valves shut for about 30 sec which causes the roughness and noise.
 
It will not go away, it is by design. It is typical of all PZEV AT -- not only Subaru.
 
Here is how to tell if operation is normal:
 
1. After start slightly depress gas -- roughness will stop -- computer thinks you are ready to drive off and changes logic. or
 
2. After start immediately shift to neutral -- same result as above.
 
So, if it acts as described above and runs fine once warm it is normal.
 
Engineer also claims it is impossible for engine to malfunction without check engine light coming on.
 
Subaru has PZEV in all states even though all states do not require it. My state does not require it, and so my dealerr was not aware of this characteristic -- had not seen it before. To his credit, he called in the Subaru Rep to see the car.
 
Are you in a PZEV state?
 
I think the transmission characteristic you describe is normal.
 
Hope this helps. Would appreciate hearing back from you.
 
These are great cars.
 
Bill
#3425 of 3640
Re: Acceleration--is this normal? [billwv] by bigfrank3
Jul 13, 2009 (9:02 am)
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Replying to: billwv (Jul 13, 2009 7:06 am)

My 2006 PZEV had some idle roughness when new, something I had not experienced in my 2 previous non-PZEV Foresters. It also stopped doing it after the vehicle got some miles on it.
#3426 of 3640
Re: Acceleration--is this normal? [billwv] by kurtamaxxxguy
Jul 13, 2009 (10:32 am)
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Replying to: billwv (Jul 13, 2009 7:06 am)

The '09 XT appears similar. It idles fast and a bit rough during the first 20 - 30 seconds after cold starting, during which time the engine's driving an air pump sending air into the cat converter to help "light it off". The idle threshold gradually reduces as the XT warms up.
#3427 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [kurtamaxxxguy] by confused25
Jul 13, 2009 (5:54 pm)
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Jul 12, 2009 9:28 pm)

Kurt,
 
Yes, it is disappointing that what you described is exactly what I'm experiencing. It was 67 degrees F this morning and there was a rattle in the front passenger door. When I left work this evening it was 82 degrees F and there was no rattle. I'll pass this onto the dealer. Thanks.
#3428 of 3640
'09 Forester 2.5X issues by subaru_driver
Jul 13, 2009 (6:13 pm)
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Recently purchased a new '09 Forester 2.5X (4th Subaru we've owned) and before completing the paperwork noticed a significant scratch on the hood of the car (someone had keyed it apparently). I was told they would repaint the hood and get it back to me the next day. The next day they weren't sure they could get it done until I reminded them I had been told it would be finished by end of business that day. Thankfully, one of the sales reps had them exchange a clean hood from another Forester on the lot, and I had the car roughly 24 hours after purchasing it. On the way home I noticed the steering wheel vibrating at 65 mph+, so I called the dealership and was told to bring it in last Friday. Brought it in, they replicated the issue and was then asked to bring the car back Monday (today) to have some tires replaced and have it balanced. Went to pick up the car today and the replacement tires were also said to have been defective, so now I have a loaner and have been asked to come back tomorrow. It's been nearly a week since a purchased this vehicle, and I've driven over 300 miles having to go back and forth from our house to the dealership. When asked what they would do to compensate me for my troubles the best they came up with was a free tank of gas! I'm a pretty level headed person, but this seems asinine to me. Anyone have similar experiences? What is a reasonable compensation request considering that the car is less than a week old and has already been to the service department 4 times? I love Subarus, but this is the second car I've purchased that has had initial quality issues.
#3429 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [confused25] by kurtamaxxxguy
Jul 13, 2009 (10:03 pm)
Reply

Replying to: confused25 (Jul 13, 2009 5:54 pm)

It was 67 degrees F this morning and there was a rattle in the front passenger door
 
Hopefully your dealer will know what to do to get rid of the rattles. It took two tries on mine with foam added different places.
 
Subaru reminds me of Saturn, whose vehicles also had numerous interior trim rattles.
#3430 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [confused25] by bikerguy3
Jul 14, 2009 (10:18 am)
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Replying to: confused25 (Jul 12, 2009 3:24 pm)

Since purchasing my Forester, I had noticed ocassionally a rattle from inside the passenger door. It was more pronounced in cold weather and when going over larger bumps.
When I removed the door liner (to install a decent set of speakers) I found that inside the door there is a plastic "waffle" style baffle (the purpose of which I have no idea!). This baffle loosely floats in a sheet metal cutout in the door, and it was obvious this was making the rattling noise.
I suppose there are lots of ways to address this...I looked around my garage and found some good caulking material, and placed a bead between the plastic baffle and the sheet metal.
This appears to have worked, because the rattle has not reappeared.
Hope this helps...
#3431 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [bikerguy3] by kurtamaxxxguy
Jul 14, 2009 (10:42 am)
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Replying to: bikerguy3 (Jul 14, 2009 10:18 am)

BikerGuy,
How easy is it to remove the '09 Forester door trim?
What steps did you follow?
#3432 of 3640
Re: 2009 Forester reliability in CR- why just average? [bikerguy3] by pgb0517
Jul 14, 2009 (11:30 am)
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Replying to: bikerguy3 (Jul 14, 2009 10:18 am)

I'll have to say that I am not happy with the interior quality of my 2009 Forester LL Bean (yes, we bought one of the last of those designations in April 2008). At first, I didn't think the posts regarding the rattles and flimsiness of materials were valid. Now, having seen how easily scratched the "metallic" portions of the armrests are, and how easily scuff marks appear in places where you don't even think of things scuffing, like the dash, and the intermittent rattles in various places, and how the little cover on the gas cap release keeps falling off (after having been replaced once at the dealer), and how the rear seat recline buttons keep popping out (after having been replaced by the dealer), and how easily the leather seats show marks ... Not really happy. And it is mostly my wife and I using this car, kids are not allowed to drive it unattended, we don't carry junk, we don't have a dog, and so forth. We treat it pretty gently overall. The materials and interior quality just don't hold up. And the paint job -- very weak. It really does scratch easily. Oh well. We made the mistake of buying a redesign in its first year, but we were banking on Subaru's reputation. Won't make that mistake again.

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