NHTSA Complaint #10268187 — 2003 SUBARU FORESTER

I PURCHASED A NEW SUBARU FORESTER XS IN JULY 2003 AND HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY AT NOW DEFUNCT SUBARU DEALERSHIPS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR SUDDENLY OVERHEATED. THE FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC AUTO SERVICE MECHANIC I WAS ABLE TO REACH SHOWED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN 3 PLACES, REQUIRING A COSTLY REPAIR OF THE HEAD GASKET. I LEARNED FROM HIM THAT THIS HEAD GASKET FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARUS. I HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY WITH SUBARU FOR 60,000 MILES. AT NO TIME WAS I NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE CAR OR BY ANY SUBARU SERVICE CENTER, THAT SPECIAL COOLANT WAS REQUIRED TO MITIGATE THIS DEFECT. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000. *TR