Problem Reports

Subaru Forester

Report: Check Engine Light Due to Failed Catalytic Converter

Subaru Forester Problem

54 Reports

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Model Years Affected: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

Average Mileage: 105,862 mi (103 mi - 202,000 mi)

The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of low catalytic converter efficiency. This same issue may cause the car to fail the State Smog Test if one is required.

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Visitor, 2002 Subaru Forester, 166,000 mi

P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank

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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 116,500 mi

The second time the Cat. converter went. First time it was covered by Subaru. Not this time

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Visitor, 2007 Subaru Forester, 140,000 mi

Forester: check engine light (and cruise light) on after replacing the timing belt. Mechanic says it is the catalytic converter and cost to replace is about $1000 (upstate NY)

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Visitor, 2001 Subaru Forester, 202,000 mi

Check engine light has been on for several years. Techs have told me I needed a new catalytic converter and yesterday one said that I need a new oxygen sensor to fix it. I will do neither because I understand that it is a reoccurring problem causing owners hundreds of dollars. I won't throw good money after bad especially since this issue is not affecting the operation of the car.

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Visitor, 2004 Subaru Forester, 44,000 mi

THE SUBARU DEALER SAID THEY COULDNT FIGURE A REASON FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL. MY GAS MILEAGE STARTED DECREASING WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAS REMAINED ON UNTIL NOW AT 140000 MILES , AFTER I FINALLY COULD AFFORD TO REPLACE TEH CONVERTER. THEY NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FAULT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN AT 44000 MILES AND I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL THEN.

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Ped87, 2001 Subaru Forester, 134,178 mi

Enthusiast
The check engine light has been on for a while and we are waiting to replace the catalytic converter until we are sure that will solve the problem. It is more an annoying than problematic at this point

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Visitor, 2000 Subaru Forester, 185,420 mi

light is on and i dont think its my cat. think it might be the O2 sensors.. checking it out

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Visitor, 2006 Subaru Forester, 49,000 mi

Cruise was flashing and the check engine light came on at the same time. Dealership told me they replaced the catalytic converter; still under warranty so it was free.

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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 107,000 mi

Kept getting the "cat converter below threshhold" code several times over last 3 months(along with CEL on w/flashing Cruise Control light on dash). Didn't notice any performance problem or change in mileage. Went to AutoZone, used their code reader, and cleared the code several times; code kept coming back. Finally took to Subaru dealer to look at; diagnosis = needed new Cat Conv; checked O2 sensors, etc.; was told that it was definitely the Cat Conv. Replaced; cost of Cat Conv = $1100, plus $200 to install. Car does seem to run better. Not pleased, but satisfied that replacement was probably needed.

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Visitor, 2009 Subaru Forester, 78,000 mi

check engine light plus flashing cruise control light..... the catalytic converter was replaced by subaru because of being under warranty, but...less than 60,000 miles later the same problem has shown up again. this time no warrenty because the replacemnet part in only good for 12 months. now they (Subaru dealer) wants 95$ to tell me what another local mechanic has already diagnosed (for free) plus it will cost me 800-900$ for the part plus labor to install (approx. 1600-1800$.....come to find out my car will continue to run properly without this "new " part but, the flashing lights wil continue. does anyone know if this sensor can be disconnected?

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Visitor, 2006 Subaru Forester, 110,000 mi

Cruise control flashes and the check engine light stays on. Dealership states that I need a new catalytic convertor.

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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 110,000 mi

Check engine light is on and was told it is a failed catalytic converter. I've not been getting good gas mileage (around 19 mpg around town) and this could be part of the cause. Was quoted $1600 to repair.

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Visitor, 2005 Subaru Forester, 70,000 mi

Over the past 2 years my Forester starting at 45,000 mi. has had repeated problem of Cruise light flashing and the Check engine light came on at the same time. First time was told that the gas cap just had to be adjusted. Then the O2 sensor was fixed, also had ignition coil replaced. But same problem (Cruise and Check Engine lights) has reoccured intermittently over 2 years, now at 72,000 miles. Recently, 10 days after supposedly fixed, happened again and was told the per computer check the cat converter was at fault and should be replaced. When I took for a second opinion, was told just to put some dry gas and additive to gas. In PA, no emissions inspection so decided not to repair cat. Should I bother to pursue a recall? Dealer never informed me of one even when I reported these problems.

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tammyindiana, 2005 Subaru Forester, 103 mi

Rookie
check engine on all the time
diagnosed and repaired by Subaru....light returned on again a year later
Local repairman replaced the second one.
No trouble since. 145k

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Visitor, 2003 Subaru Forester, 133,000 mi

system bank one failed... the front most cat has failed needs replaced..looks to be 900.00 my price at dealer cost.... not happy

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Visitor, 2008 Subaru Forester, 54,150 mi

check engine light on. Computer read that catalytic converter is running wide open and o2 sensors are not reading correctly

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Visitor, 2006 Subaru Forester, 105,000 mi

check engine light comes on and goes off at intervals of approx 100 --200 miles. reset and goes for about 7000 miles and comes on again.

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Visitor, 2003 Subaru Forester, 170,000 mi

check engine lite for failed stage 1 cat converter @170,000 mi.

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Visitor, 2002 Subaru Forester, 102,000 mi

mechanic said it was probably do to catalytic converter being plugged He reset the light for me and it has not come back on for the last 1,000 miles of driving.I hope it's a false reading because that's an expensive repair of about 800.00 bucks.

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Visitor, 2002 Subaru Forester, 65,000 mi

replaced catalytic converter less than 1 yr ago. now faced with same problem.

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Subaru Forester

Report: Check Engine Light Due to Failed Catalytic Converter

Subaru Forester Problem