Subaru Forester owners have reported 3 problems related to automatic transmission park/neutral start switch (under the power train category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the Forester.
When vehicle was turned on it suddenly accelerated backwards very fast, crashing into two vehicles. Consumer has contacted dealer. Cause of the problem has yet to be determined. While vehicle was in park and consumer had foot on the brake and turned on ignition the vehicle accelerated very fast in reverse and caused accident, consumer is also having various electrical problems with the vehicle, such as the battery draining, security system goes off while parked, and the doors lock by themselves.
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all problems of the 1998 Subaru Forester
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Yesterday aft. My car drove itself into a store window with me at the wheel. Fortunately no one was hurt but it could have been a real disaster. I was already parked there, put the car in reverse and it took off without my touching the accelerator. In fact, my foot was on the brake the whole time (automatic transmission). My braking wouldn't stop it, so I managed to get it into a forward gear. Had I not, the car might well have driven further into the store and hurt the several shoppers. Once in a forward gear, the car then it took off forward on a wild ride; again, I was merely the passenger. I managed to steer the car for a short distance before it decelerated, my foot on the brake all this time, while I cleared a light post and two cars on either side, as well as traffic in the road.
Consumer parked vehicle on a 5-degree incline, and in in 1st gear. 10-15 minutes later, consumer heard car alarm going off & saw vehicle had rolled backwards, down slope into bushes.
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all problems of the 2000 Subaru Forester
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