general problems of the 2004 Subaru Forester

Floor mat detached from floor; rides up under and traps accelerator.

Accelerator took off at high rpm and continued at high rpm even in park. Fortunately, I noticed that lifting my foot off the accelerator did not slow the car when driving in low traffic conditions at less than 40 mph and was able to overcome acceleration with braking with sufficient control to get to the dealership about 1 mile away. Most definitely not the accelerator pedal; the mat was no where near the pedal. Had an oil change two days prior, both otherwise nothing to report concerning the car.

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as he started the vehicle, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact turned the ignition off and turned it back on and the vehicle independently accelerated a second time. The third time the contact turned the ignition off and when restarting, the failure did not recur. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 38,530.

Vehicle abruptly accelerated while stopped with foot on brake in a residential neighborhood. Vehicle jumped a curb and clipped a tree at high speed cutting across two home lawns. Driver had no control of car and brakes did not work. Vehicle finally came to a rest after brake pedal had been pushed all the way to the floor. Significant damage to vehicle where it made contact with the tree. Thankfully no one was outside at the time (3:00 pm) because someone could have easily been killed by the out of control vehicle also had it not been for clipping the tree, the vehicle would have likely gone forward into a home.

Consumer is unable to see the speedometer while driving during day time when the sun is out. The sun light is obstructing consumer's view to see if he is complying with the speed limit. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that they were unable to change or correct the problem. The vehicle complied with the dot specs.