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2012 Subaru Forester Transmission Problems

28 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2013 at 10:07 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Engine, Transmission

Messages Page 3 of 4

#14 of 28 2011 issues same! Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Misfire [deeque] by bffhusker

Nov 10, 2012 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: deeque (Oct 08, 2012 9:48 pm)
I have had the same issues as [deeque]. I am so tired of going to the dealer to be asked, "did a light come on on the dash?" "No" "Then there's nothing wrong with it." I got the same song and dance about watery gas, a "computer update", etc. The issues just keep getting worse. They treat me like I need a therapist. (not as bad as being told at the Ford dealer "there's change rattling in the cupholder.) I am disappointed in the extremely noisy fuel pump that has a whine like there's something wrong with your audio connection (but it's not the audio), and now this jerky shifting, rough riding, engine gunning, engine noise when backing out of garage, and other things. I am extremely disappointed in the passenger seat being several inches lower and you feel like your sitting in a hole. Who designed that? I didn't think that would bother me as much as it does. Just should have walked away right after that. I bought the Subaru based upon "reliability" and I'm definitely not feeling like it is reliable enough to drive on longer trips away from home. I will not be driving this vehicle more than another year and hope to trade it off.

#15 of 28 Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Transmission Problems [annaplatano] by missdev

Nov 30, 2012 (11:33 am)

Replying to: annaplatano (Oct 01, 2012 3:11 pm)
Sorry - I'm the OP, and here's the update:
 
I just brought my car in for the 7th time to a Subaru dealership. This was Subaru's "right of final repair" under the lemon law. They said that they took the car out for almost 60 miles and that it is running perfectly. We are still dealing with all of the issues as before - and the lurching between gears has gotten to the point where I have been injured during one such lurch.
 
I honestly have no idea where to go from here. I wrote Subaru the letter, they say they can't find anything wrong, so now I'm stuck with a car that doesn't run like a new car and I don't feel safe driving. It is so frustrating and infuriating.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do now? I feel like I've exhausted everything.

#16 of 28 Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Transmission Problems [missdev] by ateixeira

Nov 30, 2012 (11:51 am)

Replying to: missdev (Nov 30, 2012 11:33 am)
Hate to say it, but ask if it qualifies for the guaranteed trade-in program.
 
They offer above market trade values, the catch is of course you have to buy another Subaru, but still. They can't say your car is worth less since they insist there's nothing wrong with it. So get the over-value on the trade.
 
Ask around and the issues are uncommon, odds of getting a 2nd lemon are basically zero.

#17 of 28 Re: 2011 issues same! Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Misfire [bffhusker] by go_green2

Dec 05, 2012 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: bffhusker (Nov 10, 2012 8:43 pm)
My 11 MT Premium Forrester had same problems. First, they said it was a sensor. The sensor was replaced, and problems persisted. Then they said it was software. My Forrester computer was "reprogrammed" and it has not had any problems since. I have put on about 2k miles with no new problems since reprogramming the onboard computer. Hope this info helps.

#18 of 28 Same Problem by mmatthews89

Jan 15, 2013 (2:59 am)

I have a 2012 forester, it's been reprogrammed twice and then they replaced the valve something or other on the transmission. it ran fine for about 1500 miles then it went back to 20 second delays in acceleration again 6 to 8 thousand rpm and occasionally HARD shifts where the car lurched and it was scary. Yesterday at 22,000 ish miles it started making a awful noise in the morning upon start up and would die when placed in reverse. The dealership states that the transmission needs to be replaced. This car is only 8 month's old. Who ever heard of such a thing? I paid cash for it so it's not like I can just give it back. I don't want a brand new car with an after market tyranny on it unless in addition to the gold warranty I purchased Subaru is willing to cover the transmission for as long as I own it. I contacted corporate (4th complaint call) and stated that I want a different type of Subaru of equal value. I was told i'd get an answer in a few days this was the fifth transmission and 8th visit to service. I hope they will give me a credit but if not I will lemon-law it. Really disappointed! The car is stellar like a tank in the snow but the rest of these problems have got to go!

#19 of 28 Re: Same Problem [mmatthews89] by ateixeira

Jan 15, 2013 (8:06 am)

Replying to: mmatthews89 (Jan 15, 2013 2:59 am)
22k miles may be too late for lemon law, check the laws for your state because it varies. Usually it's one year, and fewer miles than that.
 
Your issue is not common, so why not accept a brand new trans? Most of them are fine.
 
My dealer wanted to charge us an arm and a leg to flush the ATF, think of it this way, you're getting fresh fluid for free (along with the new trans).

#20 of 28 Re: Same Problem [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jan 16, 2013 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 15, 2013 8:06 am)
Yeah, I can understand having your confidence shaken, but shoot, that's why you picked up the extended warranty in the first place, right? I'd be heavily annoyed about how long it has taken to get to where you are now, but I would sure feel better about a different transmission than llmping along with the current one. Now, if putting a new tranny in there doesn't solve the issue, THEN I would start getting vocal.
 
Subaru doesn't like the fact that their car isn't performing well any better than you do.

#21 of 28 Re: Same Problem [mmatthews89] by upstatenyowner

Jan 17, 2013 (10:22 am)

Replying to: mmatthews89 (Jan 15, 2013 2:59 am)
This doesn't sound promising. I have experienced some of these same problems; delayed acceleration, rough start, slow shifting. The rough start I thought was odd because of only having the car 8 months, but it is winter. My old Honda Element never had these problems. I just took the car in for the second reprogramming. This most recent time, they asked to keep the car to run some tests. They told me that Subaru said there has been a small percentage of cars affected by the recall that continue to have problems after the reprogramming. I now have a loaner while they run the tests Subaru has asked them to. My understanding was the test were both to assess performance and to record data to determine if there is commonality among this small percentage of cars that may help them isolate the cause.

#22 of 28 Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Transmission Problems [missdev] by cupcakebaker4

Jan 19, 2013 (8:36 am)

Replying to: missdev (Mar 19, 2012 9:34 am)
My 2010 Forester has sluggish acceleration also. Once I went to pass on a highway and I thought I was going to be struck by the car behind me. As I accelerated, my car revved up to 5!! & basically was not moving! I hate the transmission in the Forester. Anytime I pull out on a highway, the car barely moves and again, revs up to 5! Dealer was not helpful; said that's how the car drives! If I had money, I would unload this car tomorrow! no wait, today!!

#23 of 28 Re: 2011 issues same! Re: 2012 Subaru Forester Misfire [go_green2] by jcfromva

Jan 23, 2013 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: go_green2 (Dec 05, 2012 8:26 pm)
Bought a new 12 MT Forrester Premium last July and have been pleased with just about everything with the car in the 5,900 miles I have driven. Gas mileage has averaged 28 in suburban driving and 31 on the highway, while the AWD has been very helpful with recent snowfalls.
 
Unfortunately, the 6 months of trouble-free service I had enjoyed ended last weekend. I was on the interstate 100 miles from home with the cruise on at 65 MPH when the cruise disconnected, the check engine and traction control lights came on, and the cruise light starting blinking. The car was otherwise running fine and I experienced no other problems (other than the cruise being inoperative) in the 200 more miles before I returned home and took it to the dealer.
 
Dealer called the next day to say the car had been repaired and was ready for pick-up. The service advisor said that a misfire on cylinder #2 initiated the sequence of events that I observed. To fix it, they replaced the cam sensor air gap and reprogrammed the ECM. Time will tell if this is a permanent fix or something that will continue to happen. Other than that, I really love the car!

Messages Page 3 of 4

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