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.

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.

On 18 Mar 2007 19:15:26 -0700, fac257 (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:

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