Complaints & Recalls
Official Safety Recalls - Important!
3 RecallsThese are official manufacturer recalls ordered by NHTSA for safety defects. If you own this vehicle, contact your dealer immediately for free repairs.
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Safety Issue:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Potential Risk:
FREE Recall Solution:
Additional Details:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Mfg Campaign: WRD-21
Recall Date: Apr 15, 2021
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Safety Issue:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Potential Risk:
FREE Recall Solution:
Additional Details:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Mfg Campaign: WUW-08
Recall Date: Dec 2, 2019
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Safety Issue:
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
Potential Risk:
FREE Recall Solution:
Additional Details:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Mfg Campaign: WUC-88
Recall Date: Feb 6, 2019
Consumer Complaints
1K ComplaintsSubaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
STRUCTURE:BODY
Potential Consequences:
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Corrective Action:
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Additional Notes:
The front windshield developed a crack for no reason.
Mfg Campaign: 11461275
Recall Date: Apr 19, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Potential Consequences:
2019 Subaru Forester My windshield has spontaneously cracked twice (August 28, 2021, April 18, 2022) without being hit by any object. Windshield was replaced after 2021 incident and will again require replacement after today's incident. It has chipped and required repair on 2 other occasions.
Corrective Action:
2019 Subaru Forester My windshield has spontaneously cracked twice (August 28, 2021, April 18, 2022) without being hit by any object. Windshield was replaced after 2021 incident and will again require replacement after today's incident. It has chipped and required repair on 2 other occasions.
Additional Notes:
2019 Subaru Forester My windshield has spontaneously cracked twice (August 28, 2021, April 18, 2022) without being hit by any object. Windshield was replaced after 2021 incident and will again require replacement after today's incident. It has chipped and required repair on 2 other occasions.
Mfg Campaign: 11461201
Recall Date: Apr 18, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Potential Consequences:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Corrective Action:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Additional Notes:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the front windshield cracked. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
Mfg Campaign: 11460717
Recall Date: Apr 14, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH on the interstate, a deer jumped in front causing a crash. All the air bags deployed, and immediately soon after a fire was coming from the hood. The contact and two children in the rear passenger seat were able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. There was a police report was filed. There were no injuries or medical reports. The vehicle was consumed by the fire and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Corrective Action:
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH on the interstate, a deer jumped in front causing a crash. All the air bags deployed, and immediately soon after a fire was coming from the hood. The contact and two children in the rear passenger seat were able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. There was a police report was filed. There were no injuries or medical reports. The vehicle was consumed by the fire and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Additional Notes:
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH on the interstate, a deer jumped in front causing a crash. All the air bags deployed, and immediately soon after a fire was coming from the hood. The contact and two children in the rear passenger seat were able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. There was a police report was filed. There were no injuries or medical reports. The vehicle was consumed by the fire and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Mfg Campaign: 11460731
Recall Date: Apr 14, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Potential Consequences:
It did not take more than one week after buying my new 2019 Subaru Forester in November 2019 when the windshield cracked for no reason. Due to the cost I have not replaced the windshield even today. I just read that there is a court case that forces Subaru to replace my windshield but requires me to file with a complaint through the NHTSA. Please accept this as my complaint.
Corrective Action:
It did not take more than one week after buying my new 2019 Subaru Forester in November 2019 when the windshield cracked for no reason. Due to the cost I have not replaced the windshield even today. I just read that there is a court case that forces Subaru to replace my windshield but requires me to file with a complaint through the NHTSA. Please accept this as my complaint.
Additional Notes:
It did not take more than one week after buying my new 2019 Subaru Forester in November 2019 when the windshield cracked for no reason. Due to the cost I have not replaced the windshield even today. I just read that there is a court case that forces Subaru to replace my windshield but requires me to file with a complaint through the NHTSA. Please accept this as my complaint.
Mfg Campaign: 11460209
Recall Date: Apr 8, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Potential Consequences:
I have only had my car for about a month and already there are three chips in the windshield that weren't present when I bought it. The latest one appeared today.
Corrective Action:
I have only had my car for about a month and already there are three chips in the windshield that weren't present when I bought it. The latest one appeared today.
Additional Notes:
I have only had my car for about a month and already there are three chips in the windshield that weren't present when I bought it. The latest one appeared today.
Mfg Campaign: 11459555
Recall Date: Apr 4, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ENGINE
Potential Consequences:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Corrective Action:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Additional Notes:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Mfg Campaign: 11459286
Recall Date: Apr 1, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Corrective Action:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Additional Notes:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Mfg Campaign: 11459286
Recall Date: Apr 1, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
STRUCTURE:BODY
Potential Consequences:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Corrective Action:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Additional Notes:
Car caught fire after a relatively slow (less than 35 mph) collision with a Chevrolet Tahoe. Other vehicle was driveable, my Subaru Forester caught fire.
Mfg Campaign: 11459286
Recall Date: Apr 1, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
In my Subaru Forester, my battery continues to drain while the car is off and locked. I am unable to start the car in the mornings when I go to work because of this. To get the car to start, I am constantly jumping it. I was not at risk. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms. The car is a 2019 and only has 33k miles on it.
Corrective Action:
In my Subaru Forester, my battery continues to drain while the car is off and locked. I am unable to start the car in the mornings when I go to work because of this. To get the car to start, I am constantly jumping it. I was not at risk. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms. The car is a 2019 and only has 33k miles on it.
Additional Notes:
In my Subaru Forester, my battery continues to drain while the car is off and locked. I am unable to start the car in the mornings when I go to work because of this. To get the car to start, I am constantly jumping it. I was not at risk. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance agency. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms. The car is a 2019 and only has 33k miles on it.
Mfg Campaign: 11459095
Recall Date: Mar 31, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
The battery drains when the car is not driven for 5 days or more. This newly-engineered battery was necessitated to support the auto-stop-start feature on the car. The battery was replaced on 1-26-2021. On 3-30-2022, the car would not start again after not being driven for 5 1/2 days and had to be jump started. The dealership says the battery is fine but I have to rearrange my life to drive this car every 5 days for 30 minutes. The battery is in the car and can be inspected. There is no fix or workaround available other than driving the car. This battery drain leaves me unsuspecting that my car will not start and I am stranded while I have to wait for hours for roadside assistance. There were no warnings even though I have a paid Starlink subscription that has my email and cell phone on record.
Corrective Action:
The battery drains when the car is not driven for 5 days or more. This newly-engineered battery was necessitated to support the auto-stop-start feature on the car. The battery was replaced on 1-26-2021. On 3-30-2022, the car would not start again after not being driven for 5 1/2 days and had to be jump started. The dealership says the battery is fine but I have to rearrange my life to drive this car every 5 days for 30 minutes. The battery is in the car and can be inspected. There is no fix or workaround available other than driving the car. This battery drain leaves me unsuspecting that my car will not start and I am stranded while I have to wait for hours for roadside assistance. There were no warnings even though I have a paid Starlink subscription that has my email and cell phone on record.
Additional Notes:
The battery drains when the car is not driven for 5 days or more. This newly-engineered battery was necessitated to support the auto-stop-start feature on the car. The battery was replaced on 1-26-2021. On 3-30-2022, the car would not start again after not being driven for 5 1/2 days and had to be jump started. The dealership says the battery is fine but I have to rearrange my life to drive this car every 5 days for 30 minutes. The battery is in the car and can be inspected. There is no fix or workaround available other than driving the car. This battery drain leaves me unsuspecting that my car will not start and I am stranded while I have to wait for hours for roadside assistance. There were no warnings even though I have a paid Starlink subscription that has my email and cell phone on record.
Mfg Campaign: 11459156
Recall Date: Mar 31, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
POWER TRAIN
Potential Consequences:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the car wash waiting for his turn, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and unintendedly, and crashed into a concrete brick wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a whiplash, laceration on the left arm, muscle injuries in the back, skin abrasion on the upper arm, Skull laceration. The contact was pinned in his seat by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of the emergency units. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was totaled. No police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Corrective Action:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the car wash waiting for his turn, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and unintendedly, and crashed into a concrete brick wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a whiplash, laceration on the left arm, muscle injuries in the back, skin abrasion on the upper arm, Skull laceration. The contact was pinned in his seat by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of the emergency units. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was totaled. No police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Additional Notes:
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a complete stop at the car wash waiting for his turn, the vehicle accelerated suddenly and unintendedly, and crashed into a concrete brick wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a whiplash, laceration on the left arm, muscle injuries in the back, skin abrasion on the upper arm, Skull laceration. The contact was pinned in his seat by the shoulder strap of the seat belt. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of the emergency units. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was totaled. No police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.
Mfg Campaign: 11459168
Recall Date: Mar 31, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Corrective Action:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Additional Notes:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Mfg Campaign: 11458603
Recall Date: Mar 28, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Potential Consequences:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Corrective Action:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Additional Notes:
Battery keeps on dying and doesn’t hold charge. Vehicle has less than 8000 miles on it. 3 weeks ago my vehicle was parked in my garage for one week while I was on vacation and the battery was dead and needed to be jump started. Last week My vehicle was in the garage for 8 days and would not start again and needed to be jump started. Then 4 days had passed since the vehicle was jump started and this morning would not start again. Each time it was parked in my garage with nothing running inside, but the battery keeps failing. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow to review.
Mfg Campaign: 11458603
Recall Date: Mar 28, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Potential Consequences:
The windshield on my 2019 Subaru has cracked for the second time. This has taken away many of the safety features that comes with the car due to the cameras not working properly or not at all. This second time it cracked its cost me money through my insurance company. No one has physically seen my windshield except me. I currently have photos with Progressive and they’re still reviewing my claim. This happened once before when a cement crew had sawed cement fibers into the side of my car and just so happened to crack the windshield in the process. But the angle from which they were spraying the cement fibers didn’t make sense at the time. Then it cracked a second time and I looked online. I found the lawsuit and other people complaining online about their windshields as well. The second time it cracked, I do not know how. I came out to my car to find an impact point and spider cracks coming from it. I’m thinking a rock hit it on the highway but didn’t fully crack until it snowed or something.
Corrective Action:
The windshield on my 2019 Subaru has cracked for the second time. This has taken away many of the safety features that comes with the car due to the cameras not working properly or not at all. This second time it cracked its cost me money through my insurance company. No one has physically seen my windshield except me. I currently have photos with Progressive and they’re still reviewing my claim. This happened once before when a cement crew had sawed cement fibers into the side of my car and just so happened to crack the windshield in the process. But the angle from which they were spraying the cement fibers didn’t make sense at the time. Then it cracked a second time and I looked online. I found the lawsuit and other people complaining online about their windshields as well. The second time it cracked, I do not know how. I came out to my car to find an impact point and spider cracks coming from it. I’m thinking a rock hit it on the highway but didn’t fully crack until it snowed or something.
Additional Notes:
The windshield on my 2019 Subaru has cracked for the second time. This has taken away many of the safety features that comes with the car due to the cameras not working properly or not at all. This second time it cracked its cost me money through my insurance company. No one has physically seen my windshield except me. I currently have photos with Progressive and they’re still reviewing my claim. This happened once before when a cement crew had sawed cement fibers into the side of my car and just so happened to crack the windshield in the process. But the angle from which they were spraying the cement fibers didn’t make sense at the time. Then it cracked a second time and I looked online. I found the lawsuit and other people complaining online about their windshields as well. The second time it cracked, I do not know how. I came out to my car to find an impact point and spider cracks coming from it. I’m thinking a rock hit it on the highway but didn’t fully crack until it snowed or something.
Mfg Campaign: 11457930
Recall Date: Mar 23, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
I purchased a used 2019 Forester in the summer of 2020. By September 2021, I was having electrical issues - the car wouldn't start and the battery died. I had the car taken to a dealership, they replaced the battery and the alternator (they told me that the alternator was defective and broke the battery). I got the car back in October 2021. In December 2021, I had just driven for 2 hours and stopped to get gas. When I got back in, the car wouldn't start - the battery was dead again. This time, the AAA person who came to get me took a look at it and said that he thought it might start if he tightened the bolts for the electrical wires leading to the battery. That seemed to fix it. It's now March 2021. Yesterday, I walked outside to find my car battery dead again! I jumped it, and drove it around to allow the battery to recharge. I went in somewhere for dinner, came back out over an hour later, and it started. Today, it's dead again! This appears to be a consistent problem with Subaru vehicles.
Corrective Action:
I purchased a used 2019 Forester in the summer of 2020. By September 2021, I was having electrical issues - the car wouldn't start and the battery died. I had the car taken to a dealership, they replaced the battery and the alternator (they told me that the alternator was defective and broke the battery). I got the car back in October 2021. In December 2021, I had just driven for 2 hours and stopped to get gas. When I got back in, the car wouldn't start - the battery was dead again. This time, the AAA person who came to get me took a look at it and said that he thought it might start if he tightened the bolts for the electrical wires leading to the battery. That seemed to fix it. It's now March 2021. Yesterday, I walked outside to find my car battery dead again! I jumped it, and drove it around to allow the battery to recharge. I went in somewhere for dinner, came back out over an hour later, and it started. Today, it's dead again! This appears to be a consistent problem with Subaru vehicles.
Additional Notes:
I purchased a used 2019 Forester in the summer of 2020. By September 2021, I was having electrical issues - the car wouldn't start and the battery died. I had the car taken to a dealership, they replaced the battery and the alternator (they told me that the alternator was defective and broke the battery). I got the car back in October 2021. In December 2021, I had just driven for 2 hours and stopped to get gas. When I got back in, the car wouldn't start - the battery was dead again. This time, the AAA person who came to get me took a look at it and said that he thought it might start if he tightened the bolts for the electrical wires leading to the battery. That seemed to fix it. It's now March 2021. Yesterday, I walked outside to find my car battery dead again! I jumped it, and drove it around to allow the battery to recharge. I went in somewhere for dinner, came back out over an hour later, and it started. Today, it's dead again! This appears to be a consistent problem with Subaru vehicles.
Mfg Campaign: 11457536
Recall Date: Mar 20, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
SERVICE BRAKES
Potential Consequences:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Corrective Action:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Additional Notes:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Mfg Campaign: 11456404
Recall Date: Mar 12, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
POWER TRAIN
Potential Consequences:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Corrective Action:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Additional Notes:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Mfg Campaign: 11456404
Recall Date: Mar 12, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Consequences:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Corrective Action:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Additional Notes:
The failure is affected by the braking system and control logic of the ignition key switch, gear shift and emergency break button. A coffee cup at the drive through collapsed spilling coffee. Through a sequence of moves I found myself rolling out of the drive up line, across the parking lot right towards the sidewalk and highway on the other side. The engine was off, the brakes would not function, I could not move the shift lever and the ignition key would not re-start the car! I had no control or ability to change anything in the span of 10 seconds. Only the landscaped run of bushes at the edge of the parking lot saved us. At the drive up window the car was in neutral. I could not change the position of the shifter if I had my foot on the break as we were rolling. Nor could I restart the engine with my foot off the break and rolling. At the end of the roll when stopped I think the shift lever was in the reverses R position. Despite several tries I could not operate the emergency break. There were no warnings from the smart car system. I was able to test out a few sequences that would cause the same circumstances. I did not go to the dealer yet, there were no police involved or damage done other than hot coffee on me and my front seat. Engineers designing "smarts" in new vehicles have over-engineered the controls creating a major overall hazard because the systems are too complicated. More training for new car owners is not a solution. Up until the 21st century cars had a true emergency break that could be operated by hand or foot to apply the rear emergency brakes. Now they are all operated electronically with a button, which is not available unless the car is running. This is not just a problem with our car. It is a problem with most autos built today, domestic and foreign. Somewhere along the line we lost our focus on what an emergency brake is for.
Mfg Campaign: 11456404
Recall Date: Mar 12, 2022
Subaru Of America, Inc.
Defect Description:
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Potential Consequences:
In June 2020 a rock on the highway hit my windshield and by the time I had arrived at my destination, the crack had grown to over 6 inches in length, so a replacement was required. It was replaced by safelite in July 2020 (limited staff due to COVID). In April of 2021 my windshield was again struck by a rock from the highway and, while it started as less than 4 inches in length, quickly grew to over 6 inches within a matter of days. Since this would be the second time replacing my windshield and I still needed to commute 30 minutes to work via the highway for another couple months, I withheld reaching out to Safelite to get my windshield replaced until I could move residence and not have to take the highway every day. It was replaced in July of 2021. This ended up being the wise decision, as between April 2021 and July 2021 the windshield sustained two more cracks, for a total of 3 well over 6 inches each. Yesterday, March 10, 2022 my windshield was once again struck. This time it looks like if it were hit with a baseball bat, but I was on the highway, so it may have been a bird. I am aware of a current lawsuit against Subaru for weak windshields on 2017-2020 vehicles, which my 2019 Forester falls into, so I can't help but wonder if it's just really bad luck, or a bad lot of weak/defective windshields. I know Safelite fixed them instead of Subaru, but I am under the impression that they were made by the same manufacturer that supplies the windshields to Subaru.
Corrective Action:
In June 2020 a rock on the highway hit my windshield and by the time I had arrived at my destination, the crack had grown to over 6 inches in length, so a replacement was required. It was replaced by safelite in July 2020 (limited staff due to COVID). In April of 2021 my windshield was again struck by a rock from the highway and, while it started as less than 4 inches in length, quickly grew to over 6 inches within a matter of days. Since this would be the second time replacing my windshield and I still needed to commute 30 minutes to work via the highway for another couple months, I withheld reaching out to Safelite to get my windshield replaced until I could move residence and not have to take the highway every day. It was replaced in July of 2021. This ended up being the wise decision, as between April 2021 and July 2021 the windshield sustained two more cracks, for a total of 3 well over 6 inches each. Yesterday, March 10, 2022 my windshield was once again struck. This time it looks like if it were hit with a baseball bat, but I was on the highway, so it may have been a bird. I am aware of a current lawsuit against Subaru for weak windshields on 2017-2020 vehicles, which my 2019 Forester falls into, so I can't help but wonder if it's just really bad luck, or a bad lot of weak/defective windshields. I know Safelite fixed them instead of Subaru, but I am under the impression that they were made by the same manufacturer that supplies the windshields to Subaru.
Additional Notes:
In June 2020 a rock on the highway hit my windshield and by the time I had arrived at my destination, the crack had grown to over 6 inches in length, so a replacement was required. It was replaced by safelite in July 2020 (limited staff due to COVID). In April of 2021 my windshield was again struck by a rock from the highway and, while it started as less than 4 inches in length, quickly grew to over 6 inches within a matter of days. Since this would be the second time replacing my windshield and I still needed to commute 30 minutes to work via the highway for another couple months, I withheld reaching out to Safelite to get my windshield replaced until I could move residence and not have to take the highway every day. It was replaced in July of 2021. This ended up being the wise decision, as between April 2021 and July 2021 the windshield sustained two more cracks, for a total of 3 well over 6 inches each. Yesterday, March 10, 2022 my windshield was once again struck. This time it looks like if it were hit with a baseball bat, but I was on the highway, so it may have been a bird. I am aware of a current lawsuit against Subaru for weak windshields on 2017-2020 vehicles, which my 2019 Forester falls into, so I can't help but wonder if it's just really bad luck, or a bad lot of weak/defective windshields. I know Safelite fixed them instead of Subaru, but I am under the impression that they were made by the same manufacturer that supplies the windshields to Subaru.
Mfg Campaign: 11456307
Recall Date: Mar 11, 2022
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Barry Edzant
Edzant Price LLC
Valencia, CA • 36 yrs
Focus: Lemon Law, Personal Injury