NHTSA Complaint #11142416 — 2004 SUBARU FORESTER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND BECAME JAMMED IN THE WHEEL BED. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AFTER CROSSING LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS SHREDDED AND THE CV AXLE AND ROTOR WERE ALSO DAMAGED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER ARM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (AUTONATION SUBARU WEST, 16351 W COLFAX AVE, GOLDEN, CO 80401, (303) 578-6120) AND A SEARCH WAS PERFORMED FOR THE RESULTS OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THE DEALER CONSIDERED THE REPAIR SUCCESSFUL; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND THE FAILURES WERE UNRELATED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,728. *TT