Two problems related to engine grinding noise have been reported for the 2009 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2009 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2009 Forester.
2009 Subaru Forester. Production date: 02-14-08. Initial diagnosis is internal turbo failure. The car has 34,000 miles on it and oil and filters are maintained. My wife was driving with our 2yr. Old in the car when it started making a horrible grinding sound. She described it as it sounded and felt like she was dragging something. She limps home with the car and I take it for a test drive. It sounded fine at start up. No tapping or grinding. As soon as I start up the road I could feel there was no acceleration. Like I was driving in mud. The check engine light, the traction control light and the cruise control light all stuck on. I have read many cases of this same thing happening with other 2. 5 turbo engines. There was a stop sale and a recall but, according to Subaru my car was not affected. The reports I've read indicate otherwise. The production date and the VIN# fall into the range of the stop sale. I am very worried about the outcome as the dealership I bought the car from and soa have not been helpful. I had to call Subaru myself to get them to respond to the dealerships case concerning my car. It's been a week now and just today I got a call from Subaru requesting permission to tear down the engine to find the source. A week and it's just sitting there. No offer of a rental. Nothing. This issue is not resolved yet and I hope Subaru does the right thing and lives up to its reputation of being a reliable, long lasting car.
At 9610 miles my 2009 Subaru Foresters engine failed. The failure came; as best I could tell; in about 20miles of operation. Engine started to sound louder from cabin. If I was parked with the engine running and the door open the noise was very load multi tone metal banging emanating from engine bay. Burning smell also occurred. As I drove the last 20 miles engine would barely stay running at low rpms; engine banging became worse; engine power appeared to decrease and a loud metallic grinding noise increased until check engine light went on. Approx 10-15 seconds latter. Engine completely stopped and never turned over again. Dealer told me today that car needs new engine.