Faults:

CV Joints and boots.

Overhead clock.

Some of the seals.

General Comments:

I live upstate NY in the snow, and bought our 2nd Subaru after my 1988 GL 10 rotted out. The 2000 Forester doesn't seem to have the same body issues. It's got 128K and still doing well. Any problems like CV boots, some of the seals and brakes were expected. My wife takes good care of it, so it keeps going.

Awesome in the snow and is one of the best handling autos I have every owned. It's very quick and jumps out there when the light turns green. We'll keep it as long as nothing serious going wrong with it.

Both dealers we have dealt with are absolute liars. We bring it to a trusted mechanic for maintenance. I recommend the Forester.

Faults:

The right ball bearings broke twice! The catalytic converter also went. The emergency parking brake will not hold anymore. The floor is wearing badly. I am now looking for a new car to purchase. This car is awful. Since the bearings had to be repaired twice I have looked into this with other Foresters and most of them have the same problem. Subaru should have recalled the cars and had the bearings repaired on all of them. Now the transmission is slipping. I will never purchase another Subaru again.

Faults:

I bought a 2000 Forrester from the dealer. It was a rental and had been maintained by the dealer.

I had previously owned a Subaru and loved it. All I ever had to do was change and oil and it ran great.

This car has been lemon. I have had wheel bearings changed.

The automatic transmission had to be replaced at 69,900 miles, just made it under the warranty.

The complete exhaust system had to be replaced at about 80,000.

Oxygen sensors have been replaced.

The head gasket was replaced at about 90,000.

Now the cat converter has to be replaced for $1,300.

I have had it with this car and will not buy another Subaru. My daughter has an old 95 Legacy with 120,000 miles and it still runs like a dream.

Faults:

Check engine light has been on since 50k miles.

Ignition wires and plugs replaced at 90k.

Clutch replaced at 120k.

It currently runs poorly; at low speeds it bucks and surges horribly, and my local wrench has been unable to diagnose the problem. I need help with a diagnosis.

General Comments:

Until the recent problems it has been a great automobile.

Faults:

Car was a LEMON from the Start. The check engine light came on 6 Different times in my first year and a half of ownership. They could never determine the problem. It was a different issue each time. The car bucked and stalled.

Via the LEMON LAW I got a 2002 as replacement. If you look at that review, I just traded that car for a HONDA. Clutch went, Wheel Bearing went and so did a O2 sensor.

General Comments:

Very disappointed in the Forester. Won't buy a Subaru again. I know others have success with them, but from my experience there are better 4x4s for the money.

Faults:

Transmission went at 58,000 miles.

Head gasket is leaking coolant at 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

The Forester has a good feel, drives well and we like it a lot; however was very disappointed in the performance the last year with the transmission having to be rebuilt and the Head Gasket leaking coolant.

Faults:

At 85,000 miles the clutch went out, and the right rear bearings (axle) had to be replaced. Total $1,800.

At 97,000 miles replaced left rear bearings (axle). Total around $400.

At 125,000 miles the check engine light stayed on with a code for catalytic converter failure.

Replaced the front O2 sensor before replacing the converter for $120. Then replaced the converter for around $500.

Now the check engine light indicates the converter again, and the rear bearings are hummingm so here we go again. I plan on driving this with the check engine light on for the rest of the cars life, and when it is no longer drivable, I will have it towed to the Subaru dealership with a nice billboard on it.

By the way, why does Consumer Reports still praise the Subaru Forester with all its repeat axle and emissions issues?

General Comments:

Pleasure to drive, but not at all worth the on-going problems.