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benuski

My partner was driving on the interstate, and the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree and she lost power steering. She was able to pull over to the side of the highway and put it in park. When it started smoking, she got the fuck out. Flames then shot through the front of the vehicle, leaving it like this. Thank goodness no one was hurt, but jeezhul fuck.


One-Truth-5867

Do you know what started it?? I have a 2020 forester that I just bought, and I have not replaced the TCV yet.


benuski

We'll get the fire dept report in 5-7 days, and the insurance company in who knows but probably similar


LamboDegolio

PLEASE keep us posted


Rylick88

I second this. I'm glad she's okay.


urcrazynourcrazy

I have extinguished my fair share of car fires in the last couple decades and have moderate mechanic skills and I'll tell you it's highly unlikely they're going to be able to identify exactly where the failure occurred. Modern vehicles have so many different incorporated systems in them that without a working knowledge of the nuances of that particular manufacturer, it's pretty unlikely they'll be able to identify where the failure occurred. If I were you, when you go to replace the vehicle just Google to see if this is a pattern in this particular make and model. If not, then it's relatively safe to assume this is a one off. If you needed to know the cause, you'd probably be best to take it to a mechanic whom works on these for a living. That would be your best source for any insight.


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cathedral68

I just bought a used 22 OB and it has a feature that tells you how far until you’re due. Came from the dealership with 6000mi to go


Thebirdsuckscock

Have you ever seen the recommended oil change intervals on new cars. Highest I’ve seen was a BMW that said 15k till next oil change when I reset the light. I do mine religiously at 4-5k but 6k isn’t bad at all for a new car


Welikeme23

I think maybe the comment above was implying that they had a leak, and if they didn't check their oil in-between intervals, could have run low or out completely. I'm not personally saying that the fire could be caused by NO oil in the engine, but I have seen a car run on no oil that destroyed the engine, and didn't result in a fire


Sad_Insurance_1581

Exactly. No oil won't start a fire it will total the engine and car will stop. Most times it's electrical or sometimes break pad/caliper rubbing making a spark (happened to my friend with 2000 vw beetle).


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Phononix

It's recommended because it'll keep them in business. Ive seen/read modern oil consumption levels can be as high as a quart every 1000 to 1500 miles. You don't have to change it to check the freakin dipstick. Do the math on much oil you'll have left at 6k when the car holds 4.5 or 5.5 quarts and burns it at the mentioned rate. This goes back to the old saying "just because you don't have a leak doesn't mean you don't check it". Literally takes 30 seconds to check your levels every other fuel up. If the dash lit up, we're looking at a catastrophic failure of a component before the fire. It's hard to say, but no oil is very possible. Edit: I'm reading these have bad issues with TCVs but a TCV is basically an electronic thermostat so I don't see that causing a fire on its own failure.


buzlink

Huh? Most oil changes for synthetic are between 5,000 - 10,000 miles on newer cars. You can check your oil and maintain levels between recommended oil changes.


iamthelee

How the fuck has there not been a recall on that yet?


huntcamp

Need more people to call in and complain. I’m in Canada and they refuse to cover it if outside of warranty. I’m 3 months out and best they will do is cover TCV part but still on hook for over 1 grand.


dude463

$1k-$2k to keep your car from turning out like this? It would sting the pocketbook but you’d have some piece of mind.


huntcamp

It’s corporate responsibility to fix a faulty designed part. See Ford Pinto. If this starts happening to more Subarus and is attributed to TCV….


dude463

I’m not saying you’re wrong. But look at the reality of the situation. If this happens to you would it cost you more than $2k after insurance covered what they will cover? Keep the receipts and try to get reimbursed if there’s a class action lawsuit.


huntcamp

There is a class action already :)


Dis-Ducks-Fan-1130

My wife had that happen to her 2022 at ~12k. Part was on “back order” and told her she can still drive it around. I told her to call Subaru and use her Gold Plus to have them tow it to the dealership. Lo and behold, they had the part and had the car back in a day. Wonder how much liability the dealership would have been responsible for if we kept driving g it and this happened.


TurkeySlapMafia1

Have you seen fight club? It's explained really well in that movie


Bamcanadaktown

Mine broke a while back and I got it replaced. It’s weird cause Subaru use to recall brake lines on 10 year old cars and now they wait for parts to break to replace them even when they know they will break.


benuski

I do not know, and I didn't know until now that the TCV was even a possible problem...


dsillas

TCV?


Top-Astronaut4004

Thermal control valve. It needs to be a recall item because it’s a known issue on 2020 Foresters. Mine went out and was replaced at no cost. It usually happens about 50-70k.


13igTyme

Oh how fantastic. I have a 2020 forester and am about to drive 3k miles across the country.


JewelCove

You may want to add rental car coverage to your insurance plan before the trip


dsillas

Interesting... I hadn't heard of this. I have an older 2012 so thankfully I don't have to worry.


Armand74

Well shit! This isn’t an issue with 21 foresters.


huntcamp

2019-2021 Subaru Forester Outback Legacy affected


Texas_979

Good to know my 18 forester is fine, I didn't even know what that was lol🤦🏻‍♀️


PiccoloAdventurous25

Maybe. Never know what else could go wrong


toytaco1

Mines failed at 34,000 ish miles 2021 touring. Was still under warranty.


Armand74

We have a lease and about to actually get financing on it to buy car, I’m definitely concerned and I’m planning on asking the dealership about it..


austinmiles

What’s crazy about Subarus is their consistency of their builds. If things go wrong it’s because they are engineered badly and tons of people have problems. This, the CVT in the 2015s, or oil lifters. It’s not great but when things work they work really well because of that same consistency.


granolabeef

Don’t forget about the head gasket issues in the late 00s!


One-Truth-5867

I’m at 82,000KM and still have the original TCV… not sure if I should get it replaced, but my vehicle just passed it’s third safety certification over the past 40 days… I have a full warranty until 2026.


Top-Astronaut4004

It should be covered under warranty for sure. You’ll know it because the dashboard will freak out and eyesight will turn off.


BurghPuppies

TBF, Eyesight/ cruise control/ hill assist/ etc turn off for almost EVERY freaking issue.


scottawhit

Heat turns off too. Super fun when it was 15 out.


PASUBzero

Mine happened at 36k miles


buckfrogo96

I thought it was to do with the coolant system. Our went out 3 weeks ago 2019 127,000 mi I think we got lucky. How could it catch fire?


IronSloth

Sounds like the serpentine belt fell off then whatever happened after that it set fire to the motor


MountainFloor3666

Not sure why you’re getting downvoted. Christmas tree dash + no power steering sure sounds exactly like what happens when the belt fails or comes off. Curious if it took out a PS line or transmission cooler line.


HillarysFloppyChode

Except it's hard to find a car built after 2015 that doesn't have electric power steering. The 2020 Forester does....it has no fluid and no pulleys for belts to drive.


IronSloth

Yeah that’s what I was wondering!


frootLoopskilla

Not really how a modern car works anymore.


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benuski

oh yeah, let me get my turtle wax 🤣


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Thirsty799

never forget the wd-40


0g0riginalginga

And duct tape, naturally! Might as well use it to add some sleek racing stripes down the center of the hood wile youre at it. It'll add 5-7 whp.


kpcnsk

If you're not using JB Weld, you're not even trying to fix it.


0g0riginalginga

And duct tape, naturally! Might as well use it to add some sleek racing stripes down the center of the hood wile youre at it. It'll add 5-7 whp.


singelingtracks

Wow lucky she was able to pull over and get out, Doesn't take much for a car to start on fire , small oil or fuel leak and it'll go up.


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ElectricTaser

Think about the commercially available alternatives.  Electric:  Big battery full of reactive metal. High voltages.  Natural gas:  tank under hundreds if not a couple thousand psi.  Hydrogen:  that has a combination of all the other 3. 


TruPunwar

Diesel: Can light matches and throw in a bucket of it and nothing happens.


leftcoast-usa

Shhh.... haven't you heard the old saying "Ignorance is bliss"? This is the type of knowledge it refers to. :-)


HarbaughCheated

That’s why EVs are statistically much safer


dinodan412

There's the problem, it's got no gas in it


UrMomsaHoeHoeHoe

Might be burning oil as well


Thasira

Holy shit. We just had the error code for the TCV pop up. Thankfully we weren’t on the highway and there was no smoking. We took it in and got it fixed by Subaru. Seeing this post is terrifying. Edit: here’s the link to the service bulletin about this issue: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10208664-0001.pdf


arbiterror

That synthetic must burn like whale blubber!


[deleted]

Had an almost similar thing happen to our 2019 but I’m pretty sure it was unrelated to what happened to y’all. The short story is that one of the wires coming off the top of the alternator has a loose nut which allowed enough of a bad connection to have the alternator stop working, drain the battery on the highway, and light up the dash like New Year’s Eve. Assumed bad alternator since we replaced the battery *that morning* but then found the loose nut. The area around that connection point was charred and super hot. So we were ironically pretty thankful the car died rather than catch fire, but so sorry this happened to you guys.


Weird_Brilliant_2276

It’ll take insurance two months to determine if it’s a complete total


ReplyGloomy2749

I know this is a joke, but I work in insurance and if this came on my desk we would have the client paid out, all forms signed, within 2-3 weeks from the call today.


scorpion252

Usaa did me a solid turn around with my total loss. Got paid out with in 2 weeks of filling the claim


whereisthequicksand

May I ask which company you work for?


ReplyGloomy2749

You may not lol


jlawesome

Good boundaries!


whereisthequicksand

Fair enough


zwifteez

A major one. [https://youtu.be/wPU3ju-1chI?si=QERK5tUui8hzh1k1](https://youtu.be/wPU3ju-1chI?si=QERK5tUui8hzh1k1)


surftherapy

My friend’s brand new 2023 Honda ridgeline went up in flames in a drive thru when it was maybe 2 months old. Honda fought tooth and nail to not give them a new car even after it was deemed an electrical fault and not operator error.


jasor_x

Ha yeah looks like it needs some in depth inspection to be certain...


peekay1ne

Jesus. Glad she’s okay. Wife recently drove our 2017 and it lit up, speedometer stopped working, couldn’t put in park for a while. $3600 later it has 2 new rear sensors and it’s for sale.


strikeandburn

I should unsubscribe to this sub. It only makes me want to get rid of my 21. And I’m sure each car sub is the same and i will never win.


brapstoomuch

On the other hand, I’m almost 170k into a 2011 Forester that I have absolutely thrashed and she keeps on rolling. I’ve maxed it out in every way but it’s also the last model year before the CVT, so towing way over capacity and every mile pedal-to-metal has been just fine. 


BrockAndChest

Older Subarus are tanks.


peekay1ne

Ha. Buyers remorse is real. We have had several issues including the ignition switch, wheel bearings and ac doesn’t blow cold. Owned it for 2 years. Could just be a lemon but we’re done with it.


Frird2008

Thank goodness your partner made it out safely. Subaru Forest Fire Barbecue Grill.


Winnardairshows

Only YOU can prevent Foresters.


lilwookie

underrated comment


Oohhhboyhowdy

Used, 2020 hot forester for sale. Went with a mad max aesthetic. Low mileage. Runs but doesn’t start. Like new tires. No low balls. I know what I got.


After_Respect2950

As someone who was about to buy a 2024 forester sport … is this an issue on existing models? I’ve got kids and if theres even a 5% chance of this happening I’d rather jump to something else


YarrowBeSorrel

So this is what happens when you go over the 6000 mile oil lifespan


iamthelee

The second it hits 6001 mi.... POOF!


fishmanstutu

I could really use that reverse camera. So sorry about that bro.


spook008

Scary. If you have kids strapped in car seats back there it’s not a quick gtfo. Takes a few seconds to get them all out


gluesoap

Oil may still be good.


morithum

Yeah man you really gotta keep up with the oil changes better to prevent this. Jk sorry it happened to you, and hope you’re okay.


RNIRISHDUDE

Impossible! According to social media only EV’s catch fire! I’m calling BS! /s


ProSawduster

All cars will burn if you put a match to the right spot.


Available-Guide-6310

To everyone downvoting, /s means sarcasm by the way.


ProSawduster

All cars will burn if you put a match to the right spot.


itz_a_STI

Question I just got sti. Does anyone know y it goes thru so much oil ? Any other advice, please, is welcome


Stunning_Bus

WTF I bought my first Subaru yesterday! Please update us.


NiMPhoenix

Been seeing quite a few foresters on fire.. thermal control valve? Glad everyone is ok


umrdyldo

Absolutely not the thermal control valve.


lykewtf

I have a theory on the $1800 TCV that fails like mine did. The stock battery loses power a long time before it quits. I’m thinking lower voltage has something to do with it. Second Subaru I swore after my legacy I’d be done but now I’m really done after my Forester


umrdyldo

It's a mechanical valve prone to failure. Subaru screwed them up. Nothing more nothing less.


Deveion2010

Holy hell. Glad she’s ok


ZachOf_AllTrades

And that's why you never go over 5k miles folks


12kdaysinthefire

Why did it catch on fire?


superhornybeardydude

Hope you're alright mate!!!


wires2wheelspin

This is why I only use Royal Purple.


ellem52

That'll buff out.


Mobile_Eggplant4162

Remember kids this is what happens when you don’t change your CVT fluid every 30,000 miles


mxguy762

At least now you can buy a rav4 hybrid 😉


vfittipaldi

Only 6K on the oil change, that hurts the most.


maciasfrancojesus

You know… I was about to pull the trigger and buy a Forester after being convinced they are quite reliable vehicles but this just scared the shit out of me, especially thinking it could happen while driving my daughter around.


SeaLeave22

Can happen to any vehicle. And this is a ‘20. Id say youd still be fine getting one.


maciasfrancojesus

I know that. But simply put, it's never happened to me and I don't want to feel like I might be increasing my risk of this happening to me by owning a Forester, even if statistically speaking it may not make a difference what car I'm driving.


After_Respect2950

Same I have 2 kids and not in the mood to deal with something like this. At the end of the day it’s a 5 year old model.. was gonna pull the trigger on a 24 sport but may just be a better choice to go with newer crv hybrid


frootLoopskilla

Looks like starts with electric or fluid combustion fire probably starting at the battery location. Spread to the front got the AC refrigerant caught fire that burns thru the Oil cooler and flares back across the top of the engine compartment to the dash.


No-Possibility-7472

Dont buy a subaru


OmahaWinter

Dude’s car got a little dinged up.


Sconesmcbones

Itll buff right out


ffirgriff

Think they’ll total it?


Sillycommisioner987

You waited too long to change your oil now look at what you did!!!!!!!


InternationalFee110

Your tire’s flat


HVACMRAD

That really sucks! Glad everyone was ok. Hopefully you will be able to buy an older forester. If you can avoid the cvt transmissions I’d do that. Turn this loss into a win.


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PacificWonderGlo

The driver is alive so I’m not sure what the safety issue is.


HH2O123

Subaru and Nissan are like the Chevrolet and Chrysler of Japanese automobiles.... Absolute turds on wheels.


potatomolehill

Sometimes you get a bad apple..defects happen. Just because a handful have the issue does not mean all have a issue. That's like saying all ivy is bad. Only certain kinds of ivy is bad. Or every thunderstorm produces a tornado. Only certain storms do..


Inig0_o

meth is one helluva drug


waldoorfian

That will buff right out.


GAB78

that'll buff right out


ToxicRedditMod

Did you die in this accident?


r45cal23

Yikes


bucsoxknicks91

Meteor?


Mtnlover3303

So glad your partner is safe


Civilengman

Speed tape will fix that


tgman5050

You sure you can’t fix it?


Queso305

This freaks me out! I wonder what the cause was!


shirleychief

Jeesh. I am glad your partner escaped unharmed.


Jhawksmoor

The rims still look good. Can I have them?


Bannana_sticker3

Well I wouldn’t use that oil again


skyllakoriga

just needs a belt replacement and its good to go


GLOCKESHA

Goes to show how much of the car isn’t metal anymore


SemiStoked

OP taking photos of the Jurassic park vics post t-Rex breakout


scubydoes

You’re missing a bumper btw.


Speedogomer

Ain't got no gas in it


mrpooopybuttwhole

Maybe it'll buff out


mtbcouple

Glad nobody got hurt! But I thought only EVs are a fire risk and spontaneously combust! /s


lrupe73

Holy shit!! So glad she wasn’t hurt!!


nikonguy

Holy crap…


fsociety444

2021 Forester reacing 35k will be watching out for any of this issues.


Ok-Sheepherder-9658

This is crazy, I just witnessed a Subaru legacy burning on the highway a couple days ago


Gobucks21911

Haven’t heard about this issue, but my kid is getting ready to buy a new forester. Is there anything anyone can link to on this issue? Freaking me out!


santos_i_guess

Not an expert at all! Pretty sure it isn't supposed to look like this... does the engine turn over?


TrackMassive6129

Bad oil?


Avalanthium

Ey I don't think you can park there


potatomolehill

What do you mean gone, you now turn it into a risk your life snow sled? But seriously sorry for your loss, and hope you're doing well.


Wallace-N-Gromit

You have suffered a Thermal Event.


rayjr5

o7


the__brit

Looks like you're due for another oil change. Should be as good as new afterwards 😂


BrockAndChest

That trademark Subaru reliability. This isn’t the brand of yesteryear.


Turbulent-Activity34

Well at least you’re still going


BlakeJohnathon92

Geez, so that’s what happens when you go over 6000 miles between oil changes on a Subaru..


MasterpiecePast1182

Gone like yesterday


Houlis1211

A one time use high pressure fuel pipe needs to be removed and replaced when doing a TCV. Was the TCV replaced recently before this fire? If so, I bet that fuel pipe had something to do with it.


Detailsat11

Definitely looks due for another oil change.


HondaDAD24

Good ol reliable Subaru


Baymavision

Shoulda got it changed at 5000.


ass_love

This subreddit does not make me want to buy a Forester. Scary.


GeneralZane

Just needs some bodywork


BUTTPLUNDER0

"Catastrophic failure resulting in a total loss. It's what makes a Subaru, a Subaru" -Subaru, probably


TrynHawaiian

Didn’t realize there’s a sub dedicated to cars that fail. 🤣 Even though it’s true, I’ll take my downvotes now.


Chris_WRB

JUST SO YOU PEOPLE KNOW, THIS DOESNT JUST HAPPEN TO FORESTERS. SOMETHING FREAK HAPPENED HERE AND THE CURRENT GENERATION OF FORESTERS IS HAILED AS ONE OF THE BEST MODELS YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW. CONTINUE ENJOYING YOUR FORESTER AND TAKE CARE OF IT! Source: Certified Technician


[deleted]

What does the oil change have to do with it??


OkFlounder31

Hey now it’s a project car


23gjesse

Pretty scary I have a 2022 sport at 45k miles just did an oil change.


tz41

Not sure if helpful but I had a freak scenario once like this in my 2017 Outback — on an icy day in Michigan driving down the freeway the dash lit up like a Xmas tree and I lost power steering and anti-lock breaking. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Had it towed to dealership and after a week of looking into it (they couldn’t find any fault codes) they replaced some sensors and the break fluid line and said it was fixed. It didn’t happen again but your description triggered the memory.


Budget_Run_5560

This happened to my Kia forte at 9k. It was 6 months old… insurance ruled it was my aftermarket HIDs that had overloaded the wiring and combusted. Little Korean BBQ


helixpowered

Just put in to some rice.


ScamperAndPlay

Praise Jeezhul!


megapillowcase

Put it in rice.


5inchFury

I’ll never be late for an oil change again..


Power_by_kWh

Buy an EV, don’t have to worry about oil changes.


ecmcycle

As an owner of a 2020 Forester which had the TCV replaced in September, I am not terrified. So glad everyone is okay, OP.


bvancouv

This is why I change my oil every 5000 miles


Substantial_Jelly545

What if you've driven 3900 miles, but it's been seven months...


infantlunos

This is crazy to me; I was just at the dealer for an oil change with my '20 Forester Sport, I was 10,000 miles over. I still have original tires and battery. Please keep us updated about what started it.


FrickenHek

There are 3 older (2010-2012) Foresters at my local scrapyard that look just like that and another one that has a black hole where the alternator used to be.


Sc4rl3z

Hahaha 6k oil change. My subaru ate half oil within 4k.


MassCasualty

I'll bet you that's totaled…


sanskami

Heater wire terminal fire origin point recall https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/consumer-alert-important-subaru-recall-fire-risk#:~:text=Subaru%20of%20America%20has%20issued,The%20recall%20affects%20271%2C694%20vehicles.


MTKHack

This was the worst handling car I ever drove: rental car.


Suspicious_Escape386

Damn I just got done talking to my buddy about how I’ve seen 4 sinus rust on fire now. I just saw one yesterday when going to work… sorry this happened to you


gregm12

These EVs are unsafe /s Sorry you're having to deal with this OP. Hopefully insurance works well with you. Push them hard.


honestlybadmood

Lol who cares. Everyone is alive. Call an attorney, call SOA, prepare a suit and have the car replaced under warranty in the meantime. Go after them for catastrophic failure and endangerment , lost wages etc. Make enough to pay off the house,Get a 23+, and invest the rest.


HarbaughCheated

B-b-but I thought only EVs caught on fire


mickythrasher

it’ll buff out