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Forester issues with vehicle speed control / surging / high idling

I am contemplating buying a 2007 ForesterXT sports auto. I test drove the vehicle and like it. But I have read some disturbing things about a surging problem, at least in 2006 Foresters. According to the complaints I've seen, this sometimes seems to occur when the Forester (trimline unspecified) is traveling downhill. Another driver indicated that occurred when he/she took his/her foot off the accelerator before slowing down. Others have indicated that the problem occurs when maintaining a constant speed. More about the problem appears in this news group under the posting "surging forester". There are also posts on the CarSpace.com web site under "Forums / Wagons / Subaru Crew / Subaru Forester / Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair / Subaru Forester Engine Issues", in particular, the posting thread titled "High idle" submitted by gman67.

It appears that Subaru has attributed the problem to a drive by wire system. One person who posted something about this a year or so ago indicated that it affected "thousands" of Foresters.

Can anyone tell me more about this problem and what, if anything, Subaru has done/does to address it? I know several people who own Foresters and love them. But this kind of report gives me reservations about buying the vehicle. Thanks in advance.

Reply to
fac257
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Mechanically problem free 2005 Forester XT here. My only complaint has to do with the design of the instrument cluster. The gauges are set down in mini tunnels. The slight depth of the tunnel, reduces the amount of cabin light that hits them, effectively shading them quite well. (I did have window film installed, but at least on the drivers/passenger windows, it is the lightest tint of the shades available). I think had the gauges been made with black lettering on a white background would correct the problem I have. Unfortunately, no one has a "sport" conversion kit available.

I live in the desert where extremely bright days are common. Once your eyes are adjusted to the outside brightness, the constriction of the pupils of the eye and the wearing of sunglasses, makes it extremely difficult to take a quick glance to read the gauges (because they are very much shaded). I don't experience the problem on other cars where the gauges are not shaded as much. Even turning on the dash lights is very little help. The day I test drove the car it was very overcast and there was no problem. I have to live with the problem now, but had I noticed it pre-sale, it may have been a deal killer.

Reply to
QX

It happens when engine braking. Either lightly apply the brakes or shift one gear higher.

Reply to
David

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