general problems of the 2006 Subaru Forester

Ten problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2006 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2006 Forester.

1 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 08/31/2021

As I was going down the road my car sped up and my foot was off the gas pedal as the pedal was stuck-I managed to stop my car but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 I was originally going 50.

2 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 07/30/2017

On July 30, 2017, while driving on a southeastern michigan freeway (m-14), our 2006 Subaru Forester's engine suddenly and without warning caught fire. Emergency personnel responded and vehicle is a total loss. Even older vehicles should not spontaneously catch fire without a reason. This was a very traumatic event for occupants of vehicle and one had to take anti-anxiety medication.

3 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2016

Upon start up in cold weather there is a very strong smell of fuel inside the cabin of the car. It made myself and my daughter feel very ill. Had to exit my 2006 Subaru Forester xt. Inspected engine under the hood to find leaking fuel lines. Googled the problem to discover it is reacurrent with this make/model/year as evident by similar complaints in Subaru forums, google search, and fb pages. This is a danger to health and safety and should be recalled. Vehicle is under 100,000 miles. Leaking fuel drips directly onto the engine cylinder and close proximity to the turbocharger on the passenger side. There is significant risk of engine fire! health and safety risk also from the fuel fumes in the engine cabin. Subaru dealership quoted $1,300. To fix.

4 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2016

Vehicle has 44,000 miles on may 20th while in traffic, car suddenly surged forward striking vehicle in front, car then bounced off and hit the other vehicle again. On may 25th while driving to work the car suddenly accelerated; I had to hit the guardrail to get it to stop. Both times the brake pedal went to the floor. Both times the Subaru service could find no cause. Neither did a rep from the manufacturer.

5 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 04/21/2016

Purchased in ak in 2006. Approximately 13,000 miles on engine. Paperwork listed entry-point: hawaii. Current 2016 mileage: less than 60,000. Well-maintained vehicle. ----- upon acceleration, the engine sometimes lurches and revs too high too fast, and then settles into how it is supposed to feel and sound. Other times, it suddenly loses power instead, lurching down like we've taken our foot off the gas (but we haven't because we are on a highway or freeway!), very briefly and then recovers. One time, just a few weeks ago, it felt like I'd lost all power and the car was going to stop in the middle of the busy highway, but it immediately recovered and then felt normal.

6 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2015

Five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. I took it to suberu in fort worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. God new one but didn't help. This year when I went to get it checked for regisration they woudn't pass it. Took it to mechanic who installeda new evaprotive vapor canister for $920. That didn't work but wouldn't try again. Later another mecanic said the problem was "not enough driving". (less that 100 miles a month. I have been driving the car with the check engine on an no cruise control for 6-7 years with no trouble, so it is a fault of the car's systems. I can't get it registered because of this problem. I can disconnedt the negative battery post briefly and the light goes off for a day or two. So what can you do for me? I love the car but hate the problem. I am 90, but that's not the problem.

7 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2014

Purchased in ak in 2006. Approximately 13,000 miles on engine. Paperwork listed entry-point: hawaii. Current 2016 mileage: less than 60,000. Well-maintained vehicle. --- in cold weather, despite being garaged, intermittent strong smell of fuel in garage and upon start-up. Sometimes the odor is present before startup. Other times odor not present until engine starts. Goes away when engine warms. Used to be in only very cold weather, then in 2015 it happened in cold but not as cold weather. Recently, in 2016, it happened in garage in warm weather state, so cold weather no longer necessary variable. Again, it is intermittent. This issue first became noticeable in winter of 2014.

8 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 10/09/2013

The bus had just dropped off my son. I turned on the car and proceeded to roll down the hill to the corner where I was going to make a right turn. (about 4 car lengths from my original parked spot) all of a sudden the car was not responding to my foot or stealing commands. I rolled onto the front lawn of the corner property. As soon as we cam to a stop I shut the engine and put the car in park. I opened the door, took a look at the car and then tried to start the car again. I started the car and it was making like a reving noise. I when to put the car in reverse to back off the lawn (all the while my foot is on the brake. ) and all of a sudden the car lurch backwards with such force and speed. I was almost standing in place with the force I was trying to brake. The car would not respond and I came to a full stop after crossing the road and into another front lawn and crashing in to the porch of that property. Totaled vehicle !!!.

9 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2009

Engine light, failure of cruise control. Dealer replaced air pump (part #14828aa030) and engine control modulator. Dealer discount 50% "goodwill. " part was 4,611 out of warranty. One week later same problem returned, dealer states car needs oxygen valves and there is a national back order on parts. Subaru is offering the parts for free (indicating there is a known problem) but wants to charge labor ~$500. Parts may be unavailable for several weeks. First service failed to properly diagnose problem.

10 Engine And Engine Cooling problem

Failure Date: 06/19/2006

: the contact stated while pulling out at various speeds the vehicle hesitated without warning. The hesitation occurred intermittently each time. Upon inspection the dealership was unable to remedy the problem. The manufacturer was not alerted.



Safety Ratings of Forester Cars
Fuel Economy of Forester Vehicles
Forester Service Bulletins
Forester Safety Recalls
Forester Defect Investigations