NHTSA Complaint #11128069 — 2018 SUBARU FORESTER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SUBURBAN SUBARU, 1821 MAPLELAWN DR, TROY, MI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A BUILD UP OF DIRT AND DEBRIS IN THE WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO POWER WASH THE WHEELS AND WHEEL WELLS TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE IDLED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV HIGH AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DROVE FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS THE DRIVER WAS GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD NOT BEEN DEPRESSED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ROLL BACKWARDS ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. *TT CONSUMER STATED VIOLENT VIBRATION AND SHAKING AT 45MPH OR GREATER ESPECIALLY IN WINTER MONTHS WITH SNOW AND MUD BUILD UP. AUTOMATIC BRAKES SLAM FREQUENTLY WHEN IN REVERSE. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE ENGINE STARTS REVVING. VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS WHILE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. UPDATED 11/19/18*JB