2000 Subaru Forester L

Summary:

Good overall idea, but several small issues that could have been prevented with better parts used

Faults:

Passenger side wheel bearing failed at about 40,000 miles and cost about $400 to fix.

One of the CV grease protection boots failed at about 30,000 miles about $200 to fix.

The rear door seal (made of rubber) does not stay stuck to the car well and I had to glue it back on several times.

1 recall for an O2 sensor.

1 recall for the coolant conditioner that is supposed to help the head gasket.

General Comments:

Completely reliable car for me. Very roomy inside and can carry a lot of cargo.

The transmission is quirky. Sometimes while slowing to a stop and then accelerating quick the car doesn't know what gear it wants and hesitates slightly. But not a big deal.

Handling is responsive and snow and mud doesn't seem to be much of a problem.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th March, 2005

2000 Subaru Forester S 4.6

Summary:

Don't buy it

Faults:

I have had the car to the repair shop 3 times in a month. Both oxygen sensors have gone out & the catalytic converter had to be replaced. The dealership has been unhelpful and the car is not reliable. I would definitely not recommend buying a forester.

General Comments:

Not a recommended car. It's not reliable. The gas mileage is poor and it doesn't handle as well in the snow as it should.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th January, 2005

3rd Jul 2007, 13:24

Had the same O2/catalytic converter problems. However, that is a common problem on cars of this age (I have 112k). Be glad that's the only problem, 'cause competing small SUVs have numerous engine/drive-train and MPG problems. The engine/drive-train on these things is utterly amazing, it just keeps going and gets 22-25MPG on average. Such a pleasure to drive. I highly recommend it.

2000 Subaru Forester

Summary:

It's just an average car, nothing exceptional

Faults:

At about 26,000 miles the rear wheel bearing was replaced. At 40,000 miles the other side rear wheel bearing was replaced. At 49,000 miles the rear wheel bearing is worn, not sure which side yet, needs the be replaced AGAIN.

General Comments:

Subaru Forester is generally a good car, with two exceptions, the car has no real power and the rear wheel bearings are made of very poor quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th February, 2004

21st Sep 2004, 12:05

I couldn't agree more. My Subaru Forester (2001) has had the right rear passenger wheel bearing replaced 5...YES...I said FIVE times!! I'm not impressed. I love the car, but all I can say about the wheels are... they suck.

I'm not enthusiastic about buying another one. I bought this one because of Consumer Reports and friends that had had Subaru's. They are amazed... because the older subaru vehicles go and go... but these new ones... break and break... there should be a recall... this is ridiculous.

Cindy.

10th Nov 2004, 17:21

Nov. 2004...My Subaru Forester (L), has never needed one thing repaired. I have performed the required maintenance and it's been perfect. I leased a 1999 (same model), before this one, and had the same experience. No complaints!

31st Oct 2006, 09:40

The rear wheel bearing problem was the only weak point in the Forester, and it is easily solved since the first reports. All the owner or mechanic had to do was read a service manual, contact Subaru Technical Assistance for the recommended procedure and part, or look at any of the 100's of web sites with the same advice.

Funny how so many of the same people complain about wrecked tires and clutches in their cars. That says one thing: aggressive abuse.

Boohoo for all victims of their own ignorance or petulance, I say.

2000 Subaru Forester

Summary:

Don't buy subaru

Faults:

1st problem: My dueler bridgestone tires wore extremely quickly. I have replaced them several times with brand name tires, but have resorted to generic ones because of the short life span. I suspect alignment problems after reading some other posts on similar problems. I did have them realigned every time (at various non-Subaru) places.

2nd problem: Within the first year, my clutch started shuttered in the mornings for the first five minutes. Since the problem went away after the car warmed up, I ignored it. After doing some research I find that this problem has happened to others. The shuttering gradually became worst until I replaced it at 53k miles. Cost me $1500 because the fly wheel and pressure plate were scored. Dealer didn't help pay any cost.

3rd problem: Rear right wheel bearing was replaced at 47,000 miles. Then the same wheel bearing needed to be replaced again at 55,000 miles. I called Subaru corporate the first time and they paid for the parts (similar too many other customers with the same problems). The second time (55k) the dealership picked up 100% because it was within a year for the first repair (standard procedure). The dealer told me that they are now using a different type of bearings (taper), which the manufacture has deemed to correct the mistake. However since the taper bearing has gone bad within 7000 miles this can't be true. I don't know what could be causing these wheel bearings to defect so quickly other than bad design on the part of the manufacture. I am shocked that this problem is so widespread and I am intending to sell this car. Subaru corporate should recall their cars and fix these wheel-bearing problems once and for all.

General Comments:

Even if the Subarus seemingly score higher than other mini-SUVs in crash tests. I doubt they account for your wheel flying off due to repetitively bad wheel bearings and excessively bad tire wear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th November, 2003

15th Nov 2003, 12:39

UPDATE:

After Subaru replaced the 57k right wheel bearing, they heard the noise coming from the rear left one. They decided to replace it on "good will", probably because we gave them a huge hassle previously. I'm not sure if the new taper bearings will work, they are supposedly the same ones used on the legacy models, but the dealer claimed they have now changed their process for replacing wheel bearings and have received specialized equipment for doing so.

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