After taking the Forester for its 75k full service, we noticed a low humming that was occurring at the start of the lower gears. We then took the car to Ladin Subaru of Thousand Oaks California and explained to them what we had experienced. After several days they contacted us and said that the ECM was mis-communicating to the transmission and that the transmission need to be replaced. They said that the transmission is valued at 8k. Fortunately we have an extended warranty and it only cost us $100. We had the Forester for 4 days before we had another issue. That Friday (4 days Later) we where driving up to Mammoth Lakes CA with the assumption that the car was in total working order. With a brand new transmission and a full go ahead from the authorized Subaru Dealer/Mechanics we felt like we had nothing to worry about. About 2 hours into the drive (Mojave Desert) we where cruising at about 70 mph when we felt a fairly violent stalling sensation. I let off the gas and and slowed down to about 60mph. No check engine light came on so I than gave the car a little more gas, and the stalling sensation occurred again. I than pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and started to smell some sort of chemical/overheating smell. I than shut the forester off and popped the hood. No smoking, and nothing seemed to be getting worse. Being in the middle of the desert I decided to turn the car back on and see if there was further symptoms. At a stand still, nothing. I than proceed to to drive the car. At this point the RPM's where going up to about 4k RPM's, but the car was not exhilarating. I turned on my emergency lights a drove into a gas station at about 10mph (luckily we where close to one) and shut the car off. I called to have the car towed. It cost me nearly $600. Oh yeah, this happened at 11pm. I had the Forester Towed to Ladin Subaru of Thousand Oaks. Apparently their master mechanic is out until Thursday, so I will have to wait until then to hear back. Hopefully Subaru is willing to fix the issue. Im not sure I even want the forester any more. Ill be curious to see what they say as it is costing them $16k to keep the car on the road. Unfortunately at this point I am losing faith in the vehicle just under halfway through its anticipated life-span. Not sure I feel confident driving further than the 100 mile radius that Subaru will cover for the towing. We will see.

I was driving the car with my friend this past weekend and tried to accelerate at approx 55mph and there was no response from engine. Car then chugged and stuttered with a loud clanking noise from the engine area. Finally the car's engine responded and I was able to accelerate. I had been telling my friend about this issue for some time now and now she has witnessed and felt it first-hand.

I've brought this issue up to the dealership (Timmons Subaru) on numerous occasions and they have no fix or seem concerned. Last time I was getting my car serviced, I overheard another customer who drives the exact same model having a very similar problem. I'm not happy and looking at buying another vehicle (not another Subaru).

During exaggerated acceleration, transmission feels as though it goes into neutral, rpm can be increased to red line by pushing the gas 1/4 of the way down and the car speed doesn't increase. The dealer first told me just punch it and watch what happens. I felt like I was about to blow the engine and the car was slowing down. I took it back to the dealer and took them on a test drive. They agreed it was wrong and then the shop tech and salesman took it and came back and told me it was the way I was pushing on the pedal. We're driving the car around afraid to accelerate too fast as not to hurt it. It surely could never pull anything.