Nice car, Subaru needs to address the Stalling / Diesel Particulate Filter issues ! – Comfortable economical small wagon, AWD is great to drive and holds the road and its line in corners extremely well. We love driving it. 6l / 100 since new, done 16,000km to date - mostly counry Km's.
I wouldn't tell a mate to buy one without telling them in detail about the DPF problems others are having and its inexpicable stalling on us that can leave you exposed to other moving traffic. . .very unhappy with this characteristic of the car. IT IS NOT DRIVER ERROR. Sort that out Subaru Aus. and I'd give the car a 4.5 to 5 rating.
Subaru says nothing wrong.
We have both been diesel drivers for close on 30 years and our other vehicle is also a diesel.
1st gear is a little on the high side.
It does not have dual range. Economy, plenty of power/torque, comfort, fittings. The diesel has stalled three times after sitting at lights idling, is difficult to restart and needs ignition turned completely off, then restarts. Not at all happy with this aspect of the car.
Now has 53,000km on the clock, the stalling hasn't happened in the last 25,000km or so. Great little wagon.
Ours doesn't stall but it's been back to Subaru more times than I care to remember for the DPF, it's also had the suspension replaced, has an oil leak and twice had a hose for the intercooler replaced. Regret purchasing this car now.
The diesel Forester is now at 68,000 Km and hasn't missed a beat. Been Vic/ Mt Isa/ Vic and averaged 6.2l / 100km. We both like & enjoy driving it, just about ready to change tyres for the first time.
Have same issue with stalling and this is potentially deadly. Just last week it stalled at a busy intersection with oncoming traffic - it was scary. I drive mine for 100km+ a day on long stretches.
July 2011, VDC & Check Engine dash lights and Cruise u/s......they replaced 2 glow plugs on warranty, wouldn't replace the other two. Cracked ceramic was ID'd as prob.
Now 4 years later, VDC & Check Engine dash lights and Cruise u/s......odds on it will be the glow plugs failing, maybe the original two, time will tell......hoping it isn't.
Out of Warranty now, only has 82 1/2 thous. K's on it and always Subaru serviced.
Today SUBARU AUSTRALIA is telling me if it is glow plugs that's bad luck......................they wear out like spark plugs etc (??) I had of course mentioned that I wanted the four glow plugs replaced in 2011, the dealer at Traralgon at that time refused.
Subaru couldn't go wrong could they, if the glow plugs faulted within warranty they replace them, if not then left for owner replace them down the track, maybe out of Warranty. Win / Win for them by putting it off in 2011....even after widespread problems throughout Australia and 50% of them failing in our diesel Forester.
Despite being trouble free since 2011 this will be a deal breaker for us if SUBARU AUS. won't stand by its product, could be last Subaru for us, other prospective buyers beware.
Will report back after next weeks service visit ...........................
p.s. Private - Have owned Toyota Diesels since 1982, a couple for 200 Thous. K.s and 13 or 14 years, never touched a glow plug on them !!!!!
Work - Diesel Toyotas, over 1,000,000 KM's, never touched a glow plug on them !!!!!
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yes - we have the same problem of stalling when going slow - 2009 Forester Petrol - very dodgy