Table 1 shows one common other fuel system related problems of the 2021 Subaru Forester.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Other Fuel System problems |
While driving this car on April 4, 2026 at around 6pm, I experienced the distinct smell of gasoline. I had driven for about 5 minutes on our way to a local restaurant that is approximately an 8 minute drive from our residence. My wife said that she had just filled the gas tank that afternoon. After arriving at the restaurant, I checked the gas cap to ensure it was tightly sealed. I also checked to ensure no fuel was leaking from the car. After finishing dinner, we I drove the car back to my residence and once again, 5 minutes into the drive, I smelled gasoline. After we arrived home, I check the vehicle exterior for leaks and found no liquids under the car. The following day, April 5, 2026 at approximately 1115 am, having once again found no liquids or gasoline under my car, I drove the car to my local repair shop; an 8 minute drive. About 5 minutes into the drive, I smelled gasoline again. I parked the car at the repair shop, but while adjusting the parking to fit better between the painted lines, I saw and heard a large puff of smoke from the hood area. I immediately put the car into park, shut off the engine and ran from the car. After exiting, I saw that the car ignited with visible fire under the engine compartment. I called 911 to request fire department help. No damage to any structures or other cars occurred. Q1 above: no the car is totaled and unavailable for inspection as far as I know. Q2 above: I had to run from a burning car. Q3 above: no. Q4 above: yes, the car was inspected by my insurance company, usaa. Q5 above: no, there were no warning lights or any indictor that there was trouble. I would like to note that the car was brought in to my Subaru dealership service station (hyman brothers in midlothian, va) for a heater element safety recall several months ago.
On two separate occasions, less than one year apart after Subaru service replaced my battery with a “larger” battery without my knowledge my vehicle suffered sudden, catastrophic electrical failure while moving in active highway traffic, causing an immediate loss of propulsion and creating a life-threatening safety hazard. This has happened two times the second time less than a year after the “larger” battery replacement. This car has less than 50,000 miles on it and has a perfect service record all done at autonation Subaru carlsbad. We refuse to drive this car, even though it has been serviced and a new battery has, yet again, been installed. We have no faith in this car and are not willing to put ourselves in a life-threatening situation again. We also do not feel comfortable selling this car, even though we have received many above market offers. We do not feel that we can sell this car in good conscience to an unknowing next victim. It is unsafe to drive and can lose power at any moment while driving without any explanation given from Subaru. The first battery failure occurred prematurely in August 2025. Asked repeatedly why a car battery would fail while driving? could not get a straight answer except that someone finally said it could possibly be from the auto stop start system the new larger battery failed less than one year later in August 2026, so it didn’t even last a year and it was larger. The service department at autonation carlsbad told me my car passed all the test and I have nothing to worry about. This goes against any common sense. How could this happen 2 times where no issue has been disclosed. Both situations were extremely traumatic and dangerous and I feel lucky that I was able to come out of it. I’m not sure the next time would be the same. We are not able to drive this car because common sense tells us there is a bigger issue going on. So far we’ve communicated with Subaru of America and were denied California lemon law without reason.
Vehicle began surging during acceleration. Dealer stated that the engine intake valves had carbon deposits that were causing performance issues including poor fuel economy, increased emissions and running concerns. The valves required a cleaning to correct the issue. This is a 4 year old vehicle with only 38,000 miles, this is unacceptable for issues like this so soon. Estimated cleaning cost is $300 and is mentioned no where in the scheduled maintenance information.
Once or twice a day my vehicle hesitates from a light and I have to almost floor it to get it going again. I have brought it to 2 different Subaru dealers 3 times and they say they can't fix the problem.
Vehicle was parked and idling unoccupied for under 5 minutes when an extremely noxious, hot blast of fumes came from underneath the back. Black smoke immediately entered the passenger cabin through the vents and flames were visible in the engine compartment and running onto the ground. Entire vehicle was burned beyond recognition in a matter of minutes. Ten days earlier the tcv, a known problem, had been replaced at a dealership per TSB 09-80-21. The vehicle had been driven under 300 miles since the replacement. Afterwards, a manufacturer rep inspected the vehicle, indicated the fire started in right rear of the engine compartment, could have possibly been a fuel leak, but damage was too extensive to determine the exact cause. The referenced TSB explicitly requires a new fuel line for every tcv replacement.
I was coming out of my garaged ( car was facing forward) . The car seemed to hesitate as I tapped the gas pedal. I thought maybe this was because the car sensed the sides of the garage via the rear view mirror sensors. I am always careful when exiting my garage so as not to ding the rearview mirrors. I repeatedly tapped the gas lightly about three times but the car hesitated each time and did not want to seem to move forward. One last time I tapped the gas and the car bolted out of the garage jumped the curb across the street at an unexpected rapid speed. I did not have my foot on the gas pedal. The car lunged forward , crossed the street and hit the garage door and frame of the house across the street for me doing structural damage. I believe this to be unintended acceleration for which other Subaru models have experienced problems. The air bags did not deploy. . Read more...
This is for a car only 18 days driven. Windshield cracked from bottom, under retaining gasket, with no strike, impact, or previous ding. Car hood flexes up and down, more than 2-inches, when large trucks pass in opposite direction. Automatic fuel stop at pump did not work properly, causing fuel spill one time, and underfill another time. Windshield visibility and possibility of total failure. Car hood could fly up and obscure visibility and break windshield. Have not contacted dealer or insurance company yet about issues. Windshield problem is a known defect for Subaru, and subject of many lawsuits. No warnings before problems.