Warning problems of the 2021 Subaru Forester

My Subaru Forester has a significant safety defect. If my web searches are representative this software problem affects multiple models and years of Subaru. I have addressed this problem with the local dealer, Subaru America, and Subaru japan and have been told "that is the way it was designed and it is supposed to do that. " as you may imagine that is not a satisfactory answer to a significant safety issue; I can only imagine Ford saying the pinto was designed with a gas tank that explodes in a collision or a more recent takata claiming that their seatbelts were designed that way. So here is the problem in a nutshell (and I have a host of emails from various levels of Subaru if you want the details of how I have attempted to get them to address the issue. ) there is a sensor on the gas cap that detects if it is not fully closed since that is a pollution control issue. (more on that later) when that sensor is activated, it disables the Subaru eyesight system and when the eyesight system is disabled it disables every safety feature except the seatbelt and it lights up the dash with a dozen alarms none of which have anything to do with the gas cap. That takes down collision avoidance, lane changing, and autodim headlights among others. It also wants you to check the engine and consult the users manual. None of that has anything to do with the actual situation. Now I have taken the car to the dealer who assures me it is operating as designed and there is no fault in the sensor. When you close the gas cap there are audible clicks and as a 190 pound man I can assure you that the cap is fully closed when I close it. But on a random basis the dashboard lights up despite the fact that the gas cap is fully engaged and the safety systems become disabled. Usually it stays lit up until I refill the tank, but its behavior is not predictable - occasionally it just resets as I drive. Besides the obvious hazard of having safety systems which do not work, havi.

While driving on I-17 southbound near mile marker 311 at approximately 75 mph, I experienced a sudden and dangerous malfunction of the lane keep assist (auto-steer) system in a 2021 Subaru Forester. The feature was active at the time and unexpectedly veered the vehicle sharply toward the concrete wall on the left shoulder of the highway. I attempted to regain control, but due to the abrupt nature of the malfunction, I overcorrected and collided with the wall on the rear driver side. There were no vehicles in the immediate vicinity, or this could have resulted in a multi-vehicle collision at high speed. I hit my head during the impact but did not require emergency medical services at the scene. Road conditions were dry and clear, with no visible debris or extreme weather factors. There were no warning lights or error messages from the vehicle prior to or during the incident. The auto-steer system did not disengage on its own before veering off course. This was the first time driving this particular vehicle, which was a company car, and I immediately reported the incident to my employer. The damage was reported and the vehicle is seemingly available for inspection. At the time of this report, the issue has not yet been formally diagnosed by a dealer or service technician. The failure of this driver-assist feature significantly endangered my safety and potentially the safety of others had there been nearby traffic. I am filing this report so the issue can be investigated, and similar malfunctions prevented in the future.

Braking system sometimes is activated by a sign on the side of the road, by a tree if we are turning, or nothing at all. Nearly in 2 rear end collisions when the system activated incorrectly. We cannot drive into our garage with the system activated. . . Brakes keep slamming on. The only safe way to operate this Subaru is to manually turn it off every time we start the car. Subaru dealership states it cannot recalibrate the eyesight system as it does not have that ability. Dealership is in corvallis oregon. Lane notification system also has issues in construction zones (it tries to steer the car into the water barriers marking the lane changes. At least the side warning system can be permanently disabled. We have filed many complaints with Subaru to no avail. Promised return phone calls never happen, phone transfers to their technical department result in dropped calls. This system is dangergous!!!.