Front Suspension Wheel Bearing Problems of Subaru Forester - part 2

Dealer has had to replace front and rear wheel bearings three times. The problem has not been resolved at this time.

See all problems of the 1998 Subaru Forester 🔎.

Dealer had to replace front and rear wheel bearings three times. The problem has not been resolved at this time.

See all problems of the 2000 Subaru Forester 🔎.

The car is 4 years old with 24100 miles. At 16000 miles, right rear wheel bearing failed and was replaced under warranty. At 22000 miles, right rear bearing noise returned and the dealer 'adjusted' the bearing for 'free', even though the 3 year warranty had passed. At 24100 miles, the bearing failed with grinding and smoking while vehicle was on the highway. Dealer refused to cover the event under warranty. A technician at the dealership told consumer that other Foresters were having similar bearing problems,and that they we retold to stop using the oem ball bearings, and go to a roller bearing.

See all problems of the 1999 Subaru Forester 🔎.

2000 Subaru Forester s rear wheel bearings replaced at 19k under warranty then, at 67k, 70k, 80k and it needs replacement now again!.

Right rear wheel bearing needs replacing at 51,000. These should last much longer as they do in my other vehicles.

I have a 2001 Subaru Forester. In the fall of 2002, the right rear wheel bearing went bad and was replaced by the dealer (less than 30,000 miles on the car). In February 2003, the left rear wheel bearing went bad and was replaced by the dealer. In June 2003, the left wheel bearing went bad again and was replaced/repaired again by the dealer. There is a serious defect in these vehicles because the repairs are not even lasting six months. Dealers service dept. Has been courteous and all repairs have been covered at no charge.

See all problems of the 2001 Subaru Forester 🔎.

Complained to servicing dealer about excessive noise. Report was at 49,622 miles, both rear wheel bearings have failed. This component is not normally inspected or replaced in the ordinary schedule of manufacturer's recommended care. My web research shows quite a few reports of this same failure, indicating inadequate design or faulty components. Average miles to failure seem to be around 50,000. Increasingly, these cases will be showing up given the age and typical mileage of these cars. Anyone who ignores the sound level increase is liable to experience a complete failure on the road with definite safety implications. No one seems to be compiling statistics on this defect, except perhaps Subaru. There are indications that Subaru America is aware of the problem's frequency (a TSB on improved replacement method), but they have not regularly agreed to cover repair costs or alerted owners of the problem's existence. In my case, repair is scheduled six days from now. My complaint call to Subaru America resulted in a promise to look into the matter and call me back with a response on what action the company would take. It is now 2+ days awaiting response. Forester (and perhaps impresa) owners should be alerted to what is a very stealthy flaw. The manufacturer should be supplying good information and advice, as well as supporting their product.

I have had to replace rear wheel bearings on my 1999 Subaru Forester three (3) times. The left rear wheel bearings had to be replaced twice before 35k miles and the right rear wheel bearing just failed at 50k miles. Clearly Subaru has a design and/or manufacturing problem with the 1999 Subaru rear wheel bearings. I don't know if it is a serious safety issue but having a wheel bearing fail completely at highway speeds would seem like a bad thing. [I found out about your site on cartalk. Com]. Nlm.

The rear wheel bearing failed, however the manufacturer did not agree to correct the problem. .

Had to have wheel bearings on both sides of the rear replaced at only 44,000 miles on my 2000 Subaru Forester. Upon research have found wheel bearings to be a defective complaint among Subaru Forester and impreza owners. Some owners claiming that wheel bearings must be replaced every 30,000 miles.

While traveling, consumer noticed a grinding sound emitting from the rear wheel. Vehicle was serviced by dealer technician who notice the rear wheel bearings needed to be replaced and they caused damage to the hub assembly. Ts.

Dealer replaced wheel bearing at 29,000 miles under warranty. Went bad again 30,000 miles later, even though owners manual states that it doesn't need serviced until 60,000 miles. Dealer said that we drove on it too long and damaged the hub and housing, $700 repair bill. Dealer said that they had been having a lot of problems with these bearings and they replaced it with a legacy bearing. Service manager stated that we were 'lucky' to only have had bearing fail twice. We feel, after research, that it is a design problem and there needs to be a recall by Subaru to fix this problem and we should be reimbursed for our expense.

Consumer stated the left rear wheel bearing failed.

In left rear wheel there was a malfunction in bearings. Consumer had to replace bearings three times in past four years. Contacted dealer.

I took my Subaru in for an oil leak problem and was informed that my right bearing was bad. The oil seal was under warrenty, however the bearing cost nearly 500. 00. Drove it a month and started hearing a roaring noise. I took it in again and the bearing had caused the hub to go bad. I was not charged this second time. I was told they had other all wheel drive vehicles in with this problem.

The wheel bearings have failed three times so far, and I need to have them replaced again for the fourth time. The first time was at 60000 miles and then at 65000 and now at 74000 miles. I can not believe Subaru has done nothing for us up to this point. I feel fortunate we have not hurt someone as a result of this problem. Nlm.

Left rear wheel bearing failure at 65000 miles an unlikely occurance at this age .

From 14,000 miles to present 34,000 miles front wheel bearing is being replaced for fourth time by dealer. Feel free to provide any further information.

I own three Subaru vehicles one of which is a 2001 Forester-l. I have had to replace the r/r wheel bearing on my Forester twice @ 28017 miles and at 75375 miles. The first incident was covered under the vehicle warranty. I was reimbursed by Subaru for half the cost for second incident. In discussion with other Forester owners and local mechanics this appears to be a recurring problem (please see vq 7510621 and vq 7510621). I have also had to replace both front wheel bearings on my 1998 legacy l wagon, but in fairness this was at 112, 000 mi. My fear here is that I will also incur this repair on my 2002 impreza.

Premature wear of front wheel bearing. Dealer or manufacturer have not been notified. Please provide additional information.

Problems with wheel bearings on 1998 Subaru Forester. The rear wheel bearings on the right side were replaced twice.

Reapeaded wheel bearing failure.

Consumer states the left and right rear wheel bearingsfailed.

Consumer states the left and right rear wheel bearingsfailed.

While driving in city limits consumer heard a noise. As some time passed the noise became louder. Within two years the right rear wheel bearing was replaced twice. Several miles later, the left rear wheel bearing was replaced twice. Currently, noise recurred again with owner not sure which rear wheel bearing has failed.

I already had to change broken bearings in both rear wheels of my 2001 Subaru Forester. I am trained to monitor noise and vibration and was able to catch the problem in-time. The replacement was made by a Subaru dealer with no cost to me. I think that most drivers would not be able to catch the problem and the situation may be life threatening if the bearing finaly completely breaks at high speed and freeze the wheel. I sent acomplain to Subaru company. The company response (case # 332444): "the parts that you had replaced are mechanical. As you know, mechanical parts can fail. " I do not think that it is normal if wheel bearings fail in a new car in the first year.

Front right wheel bearing had to be replaced.

The right rear wheel bearing assembly has failed on three occasions causing a mild roaring sound, dealer has replaced the wheel bearings, hub, and housing. Nlm.

In June of 1999 right front wheel bearing was replaced because of a loud noise being made during operation of vehicle. Then, on 27-jul7-2001, left front wheel bearing was causing another loud noise, and was being replaced by the dealership. Mechanic informed consumer that a groove has been found in the front axle of the vehicle which could have caused the problem with the 2nd wheel bearing replacement. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

1. Wheel bearings have consistently needed replacement starting 4 years after car purchased new. At 450. 00 to 500. 00 each time. This is a design issues and Subaru needs to pay of each replacement. 2. Fuel line leak. This is very dangerous and again listed many many time on all Subaru fix web sites. Cost to fix 1600. 00 and more if fuel tank needs replacing. Again, Subaru needs to deal with this. These have been happening since car purchased. Car has been well maintained since purchase.

While driving there is a very loud banging noise coming from the right rear tire. Vehicle was towed to dealer, dealer is replacing the bearings.

See all problems of the 2003 Subaru Forester 🔎.

A noise could be heard while driving the vehicle. The dealer determined that the right rear wheel bearing must be replaced.

The wheel bearings have been replaced 3 times since the vehicle had 29000 miles.

There was a humming sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle due to right rear wheel bearing failure. It was replaced by the dealer.