Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • thecatthecat Member Posts: 535
    I just got a letter from my dealer about recall WWG90 for the mass air sensor. MySubaru.com has no info on this recall. Anybody else get one?

    Rod- Unless you're planning on "off roading" the rear diff. protector isn't really necessary. Having said that, it sure can't hurt anything and if it gives you peace of mind .. go for it. I have the auto dimming mirror in the WRX (it was part of a package) and really like it. I would never have purchased it alone, because I thought it was fru-fru for really lazy people. Turns out to be a nice feature. Kinda like heated seats. I would never have considered them before but having spent several winters with them I now see them as a necessity!
    - Hutch
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yep Frank, you're right. Did I ever tell you about my old CJ-5 with the inline V-6 btw?

    Steve
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  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    Dave, I also have posted about this. I tried, with No help, the tailpipe extension someone suggested. Then I was the one who after installing the Compass Mirror and disconnecting the battery, had that and the pulling out "bucking" all gone. Well 2K later, my startouts are still Smooth, and the backfire is only mild and only sometimes. No where near what it was when I took Delivery and Demonstrated it for the Service Dept. and was told to "live with it".
  • mdrileymdriley Member Posts: 3
    Thanks to all who replied to my original post ($6180).

    On the 2nd visit for service, the dealer was able to recreate the symptoms and diagnosed it as a bad oxygen sensor. The sensor was replaced under warranty and the ecu reset. So far so good.

    I'd like to do an informal survey. Anyone who has experienced this problem, please post your experience (ie. Was the problem fixed, and if so, what was done to fix it and did the repair last?).

    In addition to the hesitation, I've had two other warranty issues in less than 8 months of ownership. An improperly crimped heat shield was hanging where the exhaust banged against it and the right hand mirror had to be replaced after some of the internal retaining parts went their own direction. According to the dealer, this is the third time they've seen the mirror problem and expect it to become a recall.

    Other than these issues, I love my Subie. Hopefully the debugging phase is over and we'll have a long and happy life together.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    YetAnotherDave- I get the occasional muffled "pop" when shifting and you're right, it does seem to be more likely to happen when accelerating with "gusto". However, it's very infrequent and I've had other vehicles that did the same thing so I've not worried about it. Of course I'd be interested if you're able to determine the cause. Sorry that I can't be of more help.

    -Frank P.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Dave: I had only heard of back fire on cars with a non-stock exhaust. I wish I could tell you more. If it's running rich and unburned gasses get through, I'd think the CEL would go on.

    Rod: first congrats. I have the skid plate and can vouch for its sturdiness. It protects the two half shafts, the diffy, and the rear portion of the drive shaft. It also keeps that area clean and free of debris.

    -juice
  • carmarshelcarmarshel Member Posts: 10
    Ken, Hutch and Juice: Thanks for your comments and advice. (I don't even respond that quick to e-mail from my own family.) I'm going to go ahead and get the auto dimming mirror and rear differential protector. Sounds like I will appreciate them in the long and short run.

    -Rod
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You're welcome.

    Now call your mother! ;-)

    -juice
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    P0926 - I'll stick to plugging the chats or something :-)

    Steve
    Host
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  • brekkebrekke Member Posts: 304
    I sometimes hear a "click" when shifting as well, I wonder if that is the same noise you guys are hearing. Other OBS owners told me they hear it too, and I'm not worried about it.

    I got the differential protector because I figured even on the highway, sometimes debris falls off trucks, etc..
  • mrluthermrluther Member Posts: 23
    I have also had this noise from day one. My 2002L has 14k on it now and I have only made one mod to the car. I installed a K&N air filter and it has reduced this loud popping sound about 50%. The filter also gave me a much improved pedal feel and peppier acceleration......now about that clutch chatter.............Mike
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    So much for that idea.
  • rsunicorsunico Member Posts: 82
    Quote: "With regard to the turbo, there are no plans at this time to bring the turbo in, but we're studying the feasability of bringing it to the US."
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Or at least a hotter Legacy GT wagon, next go 'round.

    Ed
  • cat_and_bearcat_and_bear Member Posts: 67
    Kate,

    Good suggestion... but I am afraid that C&D receives hundreds of complaint letters everyday anyway. The 03 review is not a sole exception. I surely do not want to devote half of my life just to correct C&Ds errors. :) I love C&D's last page comic... this is really the main reason I still read that magazine.

    Juice,

    I know all of your points well... but I have tested quite a few cars myself, too. Sampling errors, test variations or whatever, to me, it is clear that C&D simply did not test the car seriously. For BMW or other hot cars, they would try it again and again and again until they find one great number then log it. This is how they got the 5.8s number for S2000.

    Also, it is the S which got the 4th ranking in the comparison test, not L. It is the same comparison test I mentioned earlier.

    -bear
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    lark6 Jun 20, 2002 6:13pm

    -Brian
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    /direct/view/.ef068ab


    -Brian

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    If that doesn't work, try the link at the bottom of the Owner's Club list (but it should be the same URL that Subearu gave above).

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Don't read into that comment too much, studying means it's coming as long as they don't change their minds.

    No engine oil cooler on the manual tranny, so we still cannot explain the 2400 lb towing, vs 2000 on the auto.

    Also, he said no shiftronic, that would be saved for the performance line. Forester turbo, maybe?

    -juice
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    juice: just read his additional comment re no turbo unless "enough people keep asking him." Feh.

    Ed
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Well, Ed, looks like we'll be driving WRX wagons then!

    Ken
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    Just caught from juice that Mike said there'll be no shiftronic in the AT WRX wagon, which is what I'd been eyeing. Better be a hot Legacy wagon coming then!

    Ed
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    If so, he just sold 4 WRX wagons (Ken, Ed, Frank, and myself).

    XS = Crossover Sport, he said.

    Mike Whelan used to sell Ferraris, interesting.

    -juice
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    but he wouldn't spill any info on the '05 Legacy when I asked. NOt that I expected him to do so ;-)

    -Brian (still wishing for a b4)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They are tight-lipped about the '03!

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    No MT, Ed? I'd have a hard time choosing an AT WRX without the sport-shift too.

    Mike has been trained well in the dungeon!

    Ken
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    is probably due to the Hill-Holder clutch (less clutch abuse) and 5 cogs vs. the 4 in the automatic.

    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Well, the only delta (change) is the hill holder, so that must be it. The previous manual also had 5 gears and was rated for 2000 lbs.

    -juice
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    interest (in the chat) about dual-range trannys, and turbos tonight. I hope Mike W. remembers that...

    Bob
  • capybaracapybara Member Posts: 10
    I missed the chat about the 03 Forester tonight! Anyone want to summarize what was said? Or is there a way to view the transcript?
    Thanks, capybara
  • joe_sinjoe_sin Member Posts: 32
    I just had my front O2 sensor replaced under warranty because of a continuing problem with poor mileage and rotten egg smell. They would seem to be linked, since rotten egg smell is usually from unburned fuel hitting the catalytic converter (also replaced a month ago). My car had some hesitation, which seemed to go away after the O2 fix and an ECU reset. The car seems to be showing symptoms again; Subaru is having me try different gas after this tank. If it persists, we're back in the shop.

    Have the dealer check the output voltage of the front O2 sensor. When you goose the gas, it should change state immediately. After the repair, the output values fluctuated very quickly in response to reving the engine at different speeds. If it lags, it may be on the edge of failing. Not enough to throw a light, but enough to make the car run rich. Most of that gets cleaned up by the converter, so the rear O2 sensor doesn't see a problem. Hesitation and/or backfire could both be caused by too much fuel in the system.

    Subaru's rep was able to see the problem right away, and show me what he was refering to on the Subaru diagnostic device that plugs into the ODBII port under the dash. It was pretty impressive the amount of detail he could call up.

    Hope this helps.
  • kajkokajko Member Posts: 70
    now THAT would be a nice Forester (and i am thinking 2.5L). Bob, I also hope that he remembers turbo and Lo gears. He raised a good point about how hard it is to get cars to comply with US standards (reasons we don't have the "regular" Land Cruiser). But I can't imagine that Lo gearing affects emissions. I tried to ask questions about off-road etc. in hopes of getting a hint about future developments. If any, I think Subaru is focusing on the Sport and not the Utility (as in 4WD) part of SUV. Nothing wrong with that, i'll take a turbo anyday, just as long as it comes with lo gearing and enough clearance (to drive over a bunny and not harm it).

    I was hoping to find out more about the manual transmission dipstick. What is the advantage of it? Other than being able to monitor the level of fluids... Why do most cars NOT have it? Can you increase performance / life of your tranny by pouring aftermarket products??
  • joe_sinjoe_sin Member Posts: 32
    I'm not getting the kind of mileage that I got from my former 2001 Forster AT. I'm averaging a little less than 21 mpg with 50/50 mixed driving. Can anyone else out there in the NY metro area give me an idea what they're getting for mileage? Under what conditions?

    Thanks in advance...

    For those that have noticed my previous posts, Subaru's regional district manager had a look at the car and found a faulty front O2 sensor. Not very faulty, but enough to make the car run rich. Very knowledgeable and courteous; took the time to show me what he'd found and why he thought it was the problem. They replaced the sensor and plugs and performed an ECU reset.

    I'm on my second tank of gas since the fix (last Monday) and I'm starting to get smell again. I'm supposed to drive this tank of gas out and see if gas purchased elsewhere gives up the same smell. Although I'm not thrilled with the mileage, I have to concede that's it's better than two months ago (as low as 10 mpg).
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,765
    so, was the smell initially gone after the sensor replacement? Maybe something is making the sensor go bad? Well, if they find that it is the sensor they just replaced, then maybe they'll track down what is causing it.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Argh! I was planning to make the chat (yes I realize that would be unusual for me) and something came up. Double argh! No turbo Forester in 04? When do the 03 WRXs hit the showrooms and should I get a black or silver one?

    -Frank P.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wouldn't write off the turbo Forester just yet. Mike W. just refused to give any info about future product, despite all our best efforts.

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Bob- Perhaps, but it sounds certain that it won't happen in 04. In the meantime, I've been drooling over the WRX wagon but had held off buying on the hopes of an eminent turbo option on the Forester. Since that doesn't appear to be in the cards for the immediate future (MY-06?), I may just go ahead and get the WRX.

    -Frank P.
  • entropy5527entropy5527 Member Posts: 24
    I have owned Turbo equipped cars in the past, and they always require expensive repairs in relation to this device. How long do turbo units last these days? Wouldn't a larger engine do the same thing at a better mean time between failure?
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    I wouldn't call that a total loss, a WRX wagon that is. ;)

    I still think we will see a turbo Forester for '04. There are just too many good sources reporting that news. Remember, Mike "can't" talk about future products, no matter how much he may have wanted to. So, if it hasn't been "officially" announced by SOA—it doesn't exist...

    Bob
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Now there you go getting my hopes up again. If you're wrong I'm gonna scatch you off my Christmas card list!

    Entropy5527- Good question. Only time will tell for sure but in general, cars today are built better and last far longer than those manufactured back in the 80s when turbos were last popular.

    -Frank P.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Dungeon - Dank - Dark - Dangerous - Doom - Doh!

    Ross
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    If I'm wrong I'm gonna scratch myself off my Christmas card list!

    Bob
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Like Mike mentioned yesteday, emissions is the biggest hurdle in getting some of these models to the US. It's obvious that we'd see the turbo Forester a lot sooner if those restrictions didn't exist.

    My guess is that the 2.0T Forester would be the next easiest thing for Subaru to bring to the US from a logistics standpoint (again, ignoring emissions). One, it already exists and two, it shares a lot of common parts with the WRX.

    Ken
  • nypaulnypaul Member Posts: 35
    Yesterday I had the opportunity, no, necessity to put my cars brakes to the test. There was an accident right in front of me and I had to stop RIGHT NOW. I'm glad to say that my Forester stopped on the proverbial dime and made 9 cents change to boot. I don't know if the ABS kicked in or not but I stopped quick and straight.
    Have a good weekend everybody.

    Paul
  • roopower2roopower2 Member Posts: 13
    Hi. Just returned from a 2800 mile trip (Georgia to Iowa to Nebraska to Kansas to Georgia) in our 03 Forester XS. Trip went great-mileage was excellent 24-29 mpg per tank at 75-80 mph on interstates. Handling and ride superb. 2 miles from our house, I notice a 7 inch crack in the lower left windshield. A small rock must have hit it-our insurance deductible is $1000 and the estimated cost to replace ($980). Georgia doesn't have the no deductible glass policy, I found out, and Allstate doesn't let you specify a separate glass versus comp/coll deductible. Arghh!!!!
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    That's terrible! As you live in Georgia, have you considered having the glass from the X fitted instead. Not having the heating element should not be much of a sacrifice and the cost should be substantially lower.

    Ross
  • roopower2roopower2 Member Posts: 13
    Ross, great idea. I just was going to replace what was on there-hate to waste my money since that was one of the features the XS model had. But I will check and see how much lower the non-heated one is. One shop said the XS windshield alone was $800 plus the labor and tax ($180).
    John
  • rochcomrochcom Member Posts: 247
    There are several advantages to a turbo aside from the additional power:

    1. They give the higher power only when needed, so that they do not increase fuel consumption as much as an engine that gets the additional power from increased displacement, or a constantly driven supercharger.

    2. They produce a quieter exhaust stream, and thus can profit from a less restrictive exhaust system without violating noise regulations. That gives even more power.

    3. They are fun, making cool whining sounds like a jet engine and giving loads of power when needed, not to mention the joy of seeing the boost gauge jump (Subaru seems to have gotten this last part only as an afterthought).

    4. If properly designed, there is little or no turbo power lag.

    5. They can be cleaner than conventional engines. When Saab introduced its newer turbo engine control system in the early 1990's, they tested one of their cars in London, known for its bad air. The exhaust air was actually cleaner in several of the emissions test parameters than the air going in to the engine!
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