Faults:

Catastrophic engine failure due to blown head gasket ($6,500.00) at 190,000 Km.

Multiple brake rotors replacements, this car is 95% highway driven.

Clock quit working.

Cruise control quit working.

Multiple indicator lights failures (Air conditioning, cruise control, fog lights).

Air conditioning system failure that could not be fixed by dealer, they wanted to change everything, eventually taken to a reliable garage, they found a bad sensor, works like a charm.

Rear window wiper motor burned out.

Starter is about ready to pack it in.

Alternator started to overheat.

New engine oil and coolant levels going down, no sign of any leakage on the engine itself, can only go out through the exhaust system.

I have invested over $11,000.00 in upkeep in the last 5 years.

General Comments:

This car of mine is a typical example of a lemon. I have had no (zero) support from Subaru Canada.

Faults:

The rear wheel bearing have failed 6 times.

Engine crank cover leaking oil at 68,000, repaired and leaking again.

General Comments:

I never had a auto before that the car Dealer could not fix it problems.

Faults:

Front crank seal, twice, 120,000 kilometers and 160,000 kilometers. Dealer refused to fix under warranty.

Extremely loud heater fan - makes a chirping noise. No solution according to dealer.

Internal cam shaft belt tensioner replaced at 120,000. Dealer refused warranty.

Loud piston slap noise - no solution, according to dealer.

Replaced rear brake rotors, 75,000 kilometers.

Replaced front brake rotors, 150,000 kilometers.

Clock fixed once under warranty, broke a second time.

Low fuel warning light quit functioning.

Air conditioning "on" indicator light quit functioning.

General Comments:

No rust yet in our hostile Montreal climate.

In the future, I'll stick to Honda or Toyota. Both of these makes have given me outstanding performance and reliability.

I bought a first year model, always a risky venture.

Roomy car that handles well, but reliability and dealer services are below what I expect from Japanese automakers.

Faults:

I have mixed feelings about this car and feel that I must have acquired a "bad one".

I bought it in Feb 2000 and have had;

A) four complete brake jobs

B) to replace both front axles.

There has also been problems with the trim both interior and exterior...

The "shocks" holding up the rear hatch quit.

The interior plastic lining on the inside of the lower hatch door disintegrated.

One of the exterior side trim pieces between the rear door and the rear window (the largest one) flew off on the highway!

General Comments:

That said, the car has been very pleasant to drive in snow/mud/rain, both on the highway and off. It handles remarkable well in Colorado snow.

There is a little more engine noise on the highway than I would have expected from a car in its class, granted it isn't a Mercedes and I do also drive a Austin-Healey and that is loud.

Faults:

Nothing! It's a Subaru!!!

General Comments:

This is a great car. I have had no problems whatsoever with this vehicle thus far.

The AWD system is great in rain and I haven't found a "crack in its armor" yet.

It's a very sporty vehicle on the road. It drives like a convertible. This car is everything I could every want... (SUV capabilities with the intelligence of a car).

If you're considering a RAV4, Sportage, CR-V, Tracker, or Grand Vitara; reconsider. The Subaru Forester is all that and more.