Faults:

The ozone detector failed at 17000 miles causing "engine warning" light -- left me on the shoulder of highway in remote PA. Repaired under warranty.

Seal between the engine and transmission failed. First detected and patched at 19000. Failed and patched again at 29000, 33000, and 46000. Finally dismantled and replaced entirely under warranty.

Both rear wheel bearings failed at 48000 -- not covered by warranty.

General Comments:

Good in snow and ice.

Faults:

Continuous problem on the engine. Got 2 major services done to repair leaks, including oil and coolant leaks. Same leak at the same spot keep happening after 2 replacements of gaskets.

General Comments:

Good car with nice features and performance, but lousy reliability. May be just bad luck. But on NHTSA site there are a few similar compliants from other Forester owners as well.

Faults:

Wheel bearing problem at 41500 miles. These were straight highway miles (no off-road) In a facility of 200 workers I'm the third with wheel bearing problems in a Forester. All have occurred between 40,000 and 50,000 miles. By calling different Subaru dealers in my region of the country and speaking to the Parts Department (people who are a little more free with their information), I have found that many will not put Forester wheel bearings back on a Forester----they install Legacy bearings.

General Comments:

This is a Subaru problem and should not be passed down to the customer. There appears to be one of three scenarios. 1. Subaru is being supplied with bad or poorly designed parts. 2. Subaru has a design problem (using undersized bearings etc.). 3. Subaru has an installation problem. I think probably scenario no. 1 is the culprit. In any event this should be completely handled by Subaru with no cost to the customer. Wheel bearings do not wear out at 40,000 miles.

Faults:

Needed new rear rotors and pads at 36k miles.

General Comments:

I can't really say enough good stuff about this car. I can't blame the brakes on Subaru, it may have been the previous owners fault. Rotors were pitted and rusty when I got the car in Sept 2001. Subaru refused to cover them, even though I was still under the factory 3yr 36k warranty. Regardless, the car is FLAWLESS in the snow and a joy to drive fast on the highway! Standard features are options for other cars. Can't beat it. I commute 100 miles a day, and it's not let me down yet.

Faults:

Collapsed rear self leveling suspension unit (fixed under warrantee).

General Comments:

I commute 120 km per day and this car is very comfortable, reliable and economical.

It handles as though on rails in all conditions & with its dual air bags & ABS, should be very safe in an accident.

Off road the car is also a dream, the independent suspension is far superior on light dirt roads to most traditional 4X4s, but will not handle the more serious stuff as well. The major limitation being entry & exit angles due to the big plastic bumpers (Subaxtreme in QLD do some nice metal ones), a body lift kit would help.

Silly little things: The sun visors are too short, the rear accessories socket needs the key in the ignition to work.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

An excellent, solid, comfortable car that is a pleasure to drive. My last car was a Skoda Octavia 1.8 turbo petrol, fast and totally reliable, but the Forester is even better.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I use this car to commute 65 miles one-way, from 3,000 feet and into town 4x week. It has incredible traction in my 4 months of snow and ice. Super responsive and reliable.

Faults:

Nothing! It's a Subaru.

General Comments:

Got a bit of a drink problem. Don't often get over 25mpg. It also hides its speed very well. I go into corners far too fast. The AWD system is one of the best. Going round a corner once with sheet ice across the whole of it and in the ditch there was a Land Rover Discovery and a few other cars. The Forester was the only one to get through alive.