2009 SUBARU FORESTER

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    airbag system

    21 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    22
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 60,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY WIFE WAS IN COLLISION ON AUGUST 26, 2009, THAT DAMAGED THE ENTIRE FRONT CAP OF HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER, WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW AND WITH APPROXIMATELY 11, 000 MILES ON IT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WRECK WAS AT APPROXIMATE 35MPH. I FILED A COMPLAINT…"~11,000 mi, complaint #736876
    • "TAKATA RECALL LAST WEEK, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA TELLING ME THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIR BAG. HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALER (LANDERS MCLARTY SUBARU, HUNTSVILLE, AL) SAYS THAT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THEY C…"~52,000 mi, complaint #1338586
    • ""TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE ATTEMPTED THROUGH 3 SEPARATE SUBARU DEALERS TO COMPLETE MY AIR BAG RECALL COMPLETED. ONE DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT OBTAIN THE PART, ANOTHER STATED IT WAS BACK ORDERED FOR MONTHS & WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN PART WAS AVAILABLE, ANOTHER ST…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1351231
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK A DEER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE IS…"~81,904 mi, complaint #1236561
    • "TAKATA RECALL : I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, CALLED THE ONLY SUBARU DEALER IN THE AREA, AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET MORE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND I AM UPSET ABOUT THE HARDSHIP NOT H…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1456224
  2. #2

    unintended acceleration

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents
    Typical range: 7,000–51,000 mi

    Median 17,000 mi, based on 25 reports (4% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY [REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITIONS, THERE WAS SUDDEN, AGGRESSIVE, AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE DRIVER PLACED TH…"~650 mi, complaint #707688
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND. THE ENGINE WENT TO IDEL. THE CONTACT WAITED A…"~3,100 mi, complaint #726666
    • "SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON A 2009 SUBARU FORRESTER. MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING THRU A BRICK WALL, OVER A LARGE A/C UNIT AND INTO A BUILDING. *TR"~14,000 mi, complaint #832702
    • "IN A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER WHILE IN A SMALL PARKING LOT, AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND PREPARING TO MOVE FORWARD, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SHOT ACROSS THE LOT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR WHICH WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE DRI…"~38,437 mi, complaint #978481
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHI…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1001653
  3. #3

    other

    5 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    12
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "THE SUBARU MOONROOF SYSTEM ROOF CAVITY IS COMPLETELY OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS, THERE IS NO CONTAINMENT OF RAIN WATER, LEAVES, OR ANY OTHER DEBRIS- LIKE INSECTS AND SMALL ANIMALS THAT CAN ALL END UP DOWN BETWEEN THE HEADLINER AND INTERIOR WALLS AND THE OUTSIDE BODY…"~600 mi, complaint #704621
    • "1. GREASY FILM ON WINDSHIELD, COULD NOT SEE WELL TO DRIVE, FILM CANNOT BE WIPED OFF. CANNOT BE CLEANED OFF WITH NORMAL HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS ONLY INDUSTRIAL CLEANERS. FILM EXPANDS TO GET ON ALL THE GLASS & MATERIALS IN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE REAR HATCH. FILM…"~6,131 mi, complaint #720017
    • "AFTER A DAY OF HEAVY RAIN WE FOUND A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR, WITH ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS CLOSED. NO SUNROOF. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE WITH HEAVY RAIN AUGUST 2011. *TT"~57,000 mi, complaint #919806
    • "ENGINE SQUEEKING, HOOD POPS UP, SKIPS GEARS, BRAKES SCHREETCH, ELECTRICAL LIGHTS ALL ON, WINDOW FELL DOWN, LEAKS HORRIBLY, HEAT AND AIR ALTERNATE, CONCERN FOR FAMILY SAFETY. DEALER GUARANTEED VERIFIED ALL SAFE, CLEAR CAR FAX, AND SUBARU SERVICE VERIFIED MANY M…"~178,730 mi, complaint #1464114
  4. #4

    seat mechanism

    10 unsafe, 2 broken

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 72,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON 95 INTERSTATE I NOTICE A CRACK SOUND AND THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED, RATHER DANGEROUS! THIS IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE SCOLIOSIS. I AM SITTING AT A DIAGONAL POSITION WHILE DRIVING AND THIS IS VERY DISTRACTI…"~46,345 mi, complaint #1249150
    • "POWER DRIVER SEAT BRACKET COLLAPSES DUE TO POOR DESIGN FLAW."~51,000 mi, complaint #1503919
    • "I AM 195 LBS AND BEGAN ENTERING THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE AND SAT DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SEAT AND HEARD A SOUND FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE SEAT. FELT THAT THE SEAT WAS LOWER THAN THE RIGHT SIDE AS WELL. INSPECTED TO FIND THAT THE FRONT LEFT BR…"~72,000 mi, complaint #966116
    • "SPOT WELDS ON THE LEFT SIDE SCISSOR BRACKET FOR SEAT ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BROKEN ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, RESULTING IN A LEANING SEAT WHICH NO LONGER RESPONDS TO SEAT ADJUSTMENTS AND IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM EXIST ON THE INTERNET.…"~93,000 mi, complaint #1324971
    • "I WAS DRIVING AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED. SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT WITH MY SEAT."~208,000 mi, complaint #1509983
  5. #5

    engine internal

    4 stranded, 7 unsafe

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 68,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ENGINE FAILURE AT 4,000 MILES ON FORESTER TURBO. LOUD ENGINE BANGING ON ROAD TRIP LEAD TO THE NEED FOR A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. DEALER SAID THAT CONTAMINATED METAL FORGING LEAD TO WEAK ENGINE COMPONENTS. *TR"~4,000 mi, complaint #722535
    • "LOUD KNOCKING SOUND NOTED COMING FORM ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PULLED OFF OF HIGHWAY THEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD FLICKERED ON AND ENGINE DIED. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER. INFORMED THAT A ROD HAD KNOCKED LOOSE RELATED TO FAULTY BEARINGS HAD TO…"~30,387 mi, complaint #975361
    • "MY NEW SUBARU FORESTER HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT 45,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS WHATSOEVER THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS DRIVING NORMALLY AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON TO ALERT ME THAT MY ENGINE WOULD SEIZE. I WAS…"~46,000 mi, complaint #770886
    • "OUR SON BOUGHT A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON 7/13/18 FROM THE DAN PERKINS SUBARU DEALERSHIP IN MILFORD, CT. HE WAS DRIVING IT HOME AT NOON ON 8/16/18 WHEN HIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE, AND WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE ENTIR…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1495697
    • "ENGINE AND VEHICHLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVING HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 3.5 HOURS. HAD JUST REFILLED WITH FUEL ABOUT 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. PROCEEDED TO NEXT EXIT. CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE DESTROYED."~188,000 mi, complaint #1491048
  6. #6

    brake hydraulics

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "SINCE THE PURCHASE - WE NEEDED TO PUSH BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TOO FAR TO APPLY BRAKES. WE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU - THEY CHECKED BUT SAID NOTHING WRONG. BUT I AM UNHAPPY. *TR"~5,000 mi, complaint #1082568
    • " 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ENCOUNTERED REAR BRAKE FAILURE AT 22555 MI.. BRAKE PADS DESTROYED BY CALIPER HARDWARE THAT WOULD NOT DISENGAGE DUE TO CORROSION. BRAKE ROTORS SCORED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT BECAUSE FAULTY WEAR SENSORS DESIGN FAILED TO ALERT TO PROBLEM.…"~22,555 mi, complaint #905920
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE R…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1103091
    • "The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that he had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V830000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced. Recently, the contact state…"~76,340 mi, complaint #1852512
    • "BOUGHT USED WITH 46K MILES ON IT. BRAKES HAVE BEEN WEAK EVER SINCE I GOT IT. HAS NEVER CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT SURE HAS HAD ME WORRIED ABOUT GETTING STOPPED NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALERS BLOW ME OFF WHEN I ASK ABOUT FIXING IT. MAYBE PREMIUM PADS? I THINK IT…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1358019
  7. #7

    wiring harness

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 91,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FIRE ERUPTED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL BELOW THE TRUNK COVER ON 2009 SUBARU FORESTER WITH LESS THAN 3,500 MILES. THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO AND SUBARU IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INSURANCE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A TOT…"~3,411 mi, complaint #743350
    • "WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED THE CENTER DASH DISPLAY WAS DARK: RADIO AND CD CHANGER, OUTSIDE TEMP, AVE MPG, CLOCK. THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTING, EVERYTHING WORKED OK. THERE HAS BEEN A T…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1002843
    • "ON 12/19/2015 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CIGAR LIGHTER, TEMPERATURE/TIME, AND ELECTRONIC MIRROR CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON A SECONDARY STREET. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS BEGAN TO FUNCTI…"~98,613 mi, complaint #1246577
    • "WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, NOTICED SIDE LIGHTS WERE ON, CAR WAS NOT ON. AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNED PLASTIC. TRIED MULTIPLE WAYS TO SHUT OFF THE SIDE LIGHTS, COULDN'T DO IT. FINALLY TRACED THE SMELL OF THE BURNING PLASTIC TO THE…"~103,000 mi, complaint #1038227
    • "MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, AND STOPPED TO H…"~127,000 mi, complaint #1351138
  8. #8

    engine head gasket

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT COMPETITION SUBARU OF SMITHTOWN ([REDACTED ADDRESS], ST JAMES, NY 11780, [REDACTED PHONE]), IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING AND THE HEAD GASKET NE…"~54,000 mi, complaint #1545044
    • "UPON RETURNING FROM A SHORT DRIVE WE PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I ASSUMED THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLY SOME TYPE OF OVERHEATING ISSUE, BUT UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED IT WAS ENGINE OIL DRIPPING ONTO THE EXH…"~73,000 mi, complaint #992681
    • "FAIRLY RECENTLY I HAD MY RADIATOR REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. COUPLE WEEKS INTO MY NEW ONE, I WENT TO START MY CAR AND A PROOF OF WHITE SMOKE SHOT OUT THE EXHAUSTS WHICH I NEW WAS NOT OK. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE IT WAS IN LIMO M…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1535203
    • "TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS; STAGE 4 BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS AND COULD HAVE B…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1735635
  9. #9

    transmission automatic

    6 unsafe, 1 broken

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "BOUGHT THE 2009 FORESTER IN DECEMBER 08. DROVE FINE FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS. THEN IT STARTED TO LAG IN ITS SHIFTING. IF I WAS ABOUT TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND THE LIGHT CHANGED, I PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE GAS AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I GIVE IT MORE GAS AND…"~2,000 mi, complaint #730043
    • "FAILS TO FUNCTION IN DRIVE WHEN PARKED OVERNITE AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES. AFTER A WARM UP PERIOD THE DRIVE GEAR ENGAGES AND THE CAR IS DRIVABLE EXCEPT FOR A CLUNKING AND SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION, ALSO REVERSE APPEARS OK UNTIL YOU P…"~59,800 mi, complaint #896248
    • "I STARTED THE CAR FROM A PARKED POSITION ON A FAIRLY LEVEL DRIVEWAY(SLIGHT UPGRADE), IN ORDER TO BRING IT INTO MY GARAGE--APPROXIMATE DISTANCE 20 FEET. STARTED ENGINE AND WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL WHICH IS REQUIRED, I ENGAGED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FROM PARK T…"~99,062 mi, complaint #1172386
    • "TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING. TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES HAVE LEAKS ALONG WELD SEAMS. WELD SEAMS HAVE SEVERE CORROSION."~118,000 mi, complaint #1302366
    • "WAS DRIVING ABOUT [REDACTED ADDRESS] SECONDARY ROAD WHEN AN APPROACHING VEHICLE'S DRIVER GOT MY ATTENTION AND SAID MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I FOUND A PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DIRECTED MY SPOUSE TO QUICKLY GET OUT, MOVE AWAY FROM OUR CAR AND CALL 911. T…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1525284
  10. #10

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 5 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "2009 FORESTER BOUGHT IN JULY '08. LESS THAN A YEAR AND 20,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED. I WAS DRIVING LONG DISTANCE, AND HAD STOPPED AT A SIGN WHEN I NOTICED A LOAD BANGING NOISE FROM HOOD. AS I PLACED PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR DIDN'T REACT APP…"~20,000 mi, complaint #725528
    • "I AM WRITING TO YOU TODAY WITH GREAT REGRET. AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCHING AND THOUGHT, I PURCHASED THE SUBARU FORESTER ON AUGUST 2008 FROM DUNNING SUBARU ANN ARBOR MI 48103. WHAT DREW ME TOWARDS THE FORESTER WAS THE [REDACTED ADDRESS] SO I WAS VERY HAPPY TO PURC…"~21,000 mi, complaint #746627
    • "THEIR WAS A CLUNK AND DRIVER CAR PULLED OVER AND OFF HIGHWAY . HAD IT TOWED TO OUR INDEPENDENT GARAGE. THE ENGINE FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER WENT ON NOR DID THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT GO ON. *TR"~54,928 mi, complaint #1045959
    • "MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDL…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1678886
  11. #11

    fuel tank and lines

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS CAUSING HEADACHES,AND FEAR OF FIRE! *TR"~44,500 mi, complaint #844024
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1032515
    • "GAS TANK CORRODED AND IS LEAKING GASOLINE. CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN OFF ROAD, IS REGULARLY WASHED AND STORED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. CAR IS 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. ALTHOUGH OUT OF WARRANTY, SERIOUSNESS OF LEAKING GASOLINE WARRANTS A LOO…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1332896
  12. #12

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL AND OTHER REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DRIVE SHAFT AND FRONT SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ON A VEHICLE WITH 70,000 MIL…"complaint #1129722
    • "MY SUBARU FORESTER WAS RECENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR NORMAL SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED I NEEDED A NEW DRIVESHAFT CENTER SUPPORT BEARING. UPON CHECKING FOR THE PART(A $20 PART) HE WAS ADVISED SUBARU WILL NOT SELL THE PART WITHOUT REPLACING THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAF…"complaint #1271889
    • "CAR WAS SHAKING DURING ACCLERATION, STREET N HIGHWAY, ESP LOW GEARS, LESS AFTER GETTING UP TO ~50 MPH. CV BOOT LEAKING. REPLACED AXLE. CAR STILL SHAKING WITH ACCELERATION. MGT HAVE TO TRY REPLACING OTHER FRT AXLE. ONLY 82000. JUST HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION A…"complaint #1333236
  13. #13

    glass and windshield

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SNOW FELL FROM THE TOP OF A HEAVY TRUCK AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. SMALL LINES SOON MOVED TO ALL SIDES OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO…"~23,000 mi, complaint #766574
    • "HI - I OWN A 2009 FORESTER 56K MY WINDSHIELD HAS A VERY BIG CRACK BECAUSE OF A PEBBLE FROM A TRUCK. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I ALWAYS BELIEVED THIS CAR HAD THIN GLASS EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IT IS SAFETY GLASS. I ALSO OWN A HONDA AND IT HAS THICK GLASS AND THERE IS…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1060206
    • "THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED/SHATTERED. WHEN ENTERING THE CAR THE REAR WINDOW WAS IN ONE PIECE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE A CHUNK OF MY WINDOW FELL IN. THE PATTERN AROUND THE CRACKED WINDOW APPEARS AS A CLUSTER OF…"~118,800 mi, complaint #1671224
  14. #14

    interior trim

    1 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE PAST MONTH OR SO I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER DIDN'T SEEM TO FEEL RIGHT ON MY BUTT. THE SEAT SEEMED TO ALMOST BURN ME IN ONE SPOT. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD, BUT DIDN'T LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. JUST THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT ONLY THE BACK HEAT…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1264289
  15. #15

    wiper and washer

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE STUCK UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND LOOSE BOLTS WERE DISCOVERED, WHICH NEEDED T…"~3,500 mi, complaint #714722
    • "I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE TODAY; IT WAS OFF AND ON RAINY WEATHER, SO I HAD BEEN RUNNING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS A LITTLE. TURNED OFF CAR; WENT IN STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED CAR UP - I NOTICED THE TIME/TEMP/MILEAGE DISPLAY WAS BLACK, THEN, I NOTICED THE RADI…"~45,000 mi, complaint #936817
    • "THREE SEPARATE TIMES MY WIPER BLADES WOULD NOT WORK, WHICH IS DANGEROUS DURING A DOWNPOUR. I'VE BROUGHT THE 2009 FORESTER IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE AS IT WAS WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. ALSO THE RADIO DID NOT WORK DURING THESE T…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1414295
  16. #16

    alignment and pull

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "THE TIRE WELLS OF MY 2009 SUBARU FORRESTER FILL WITH SNOW AND ICE TO THE POINT THAT THE STEERING IS AFFECTED- IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THE SAME AREA FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH A VEHICLE (PREVIOUSLY I…"~9,000 mi, complaint #763526
    • "CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN NORTH ON I 83 WHEN THE CAR (SUBARU FORESTER 2009) STARTED SWAYING BETWEEN TWO LANES. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL TO STOP THE SWAYING UNTIL THE CAR SPEED LOWERED CONSIDERABLY. OTHER CARS ALONG SIDE AND BEHIND MY CAR TOOK EVASIVE…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1109510
  17. #17

    brake pads and rotors

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL INDEPENDENTLY WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE BUT DID NOT COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXHIB…"~40,000 mi, complaint #816769
    • "I HAVE LOVE IN TOWN AND HAVE BEEN REPLACING ROTORS AND PADS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2018 AND HAVE PUT UNDER 30000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS CONSTANTLY."~170,000 mi, complaint #1722463
  18. #18

    catalytic converter

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, IT ALSO HANDLED ROUGHLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING, ALONG WITH VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL WARNING LIGHT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED, AS IT WASN'T DRIVABLE. MY LOCAL GARAGE REPAIRED M…"~52,500 mi, complaint #950708
  19. #19

    engine turbo supercharger

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "2009 SUBARU FORESTER. PRODUCTION DATE: 02-14-08. INITIAL DIAGNOSIS IS INTERNAL TURBO FAILURE. THE CAR HAS 34,000 MILES ON IT AND OIL AND FILTERS ARE MAINTAINED. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR 2YR. OLD IN THE CAR WHEN IT STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND.…"~34,000 mi, complaint #899839
    • "TURBO FAILURE CAUSED BY DESIGN FLAWS IN LUBRICATION DELIVERY SYSTEM IDENTIFIED BY MULTIPLE TSB WVF-16, TSB#02-103-07, TSB # 02-97-05. MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE TSB AND CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ABOUT 2.5 LITER TURBO CAR. LEADING $3500.00 REPAIR BEING FOR…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1692366
  20. #20

    evap system

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND STAYED ON. THAT MEANT SOMETHING WAS AMISS WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM, PROBABLY A LOOSE GAS CAP. I CHECKED THE CAP, TOOK IT OFF AND RETIGHTENED IT UNTIL I HEARD THE PROPER CLICKING SOUND. THE LIGHT REMAINE…"~34,000 mi, complaint #983489
    • "THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP IN FORESTER/WRX AND OTHER SUBARU, TURBO MODELS ACCUMULATES MOISTURE, AS A RESULT OF WHICH, IN MANY VEHICLES THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM BECOMES INOPERATIVE WITH ENGINE MALFUNCTION CODES P2444, P2444B, P0410, P2440 AND OTHER SUCH CODES. THIS APP…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1177402
  21. #21

    lighting exterior

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS THE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF CARGO INSIDE AND IF IT IS DARK YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING BUT THE REFLECTION OF WHAT IS IN THE CARGO AREA DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHT BEING INSIDE RATHER THAN ON THE OUTSIDE LIKE OTHER MODELS I FEEL THIS IS VERY DA…"~675 mi, complaint #751177
    • "YOU REALLY NEED TO REIGN IN THE NEW HEADLIGHTS AND HOW BRIGHT THEY ARE. THEY MIGHT BE OK IN FLAT PLACES, BUT I'M HILLY AREAS, WHEN AN ONCOMING CAR IS AT A HIGHER LEVEL, IT'S LIKE GETTING HIGH BEAMED IN THE FACE. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. I…"~175,000 mi, complaint #1721962
  22. #22

    mirror

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS A WARPED DRIVERS SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR. AS THE WEATHER GETS COLDER, THE PROBLEM WORSENS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND IN SUB FREEZING TEMPS IT LOOKS LIKE A FUN HOUSE MIRROR BENDING STRAIGHT LINES AND DISTORTING DISTANCES. BACKING UP AT NIG…"~8,000 mi, complaint #750747
    • "COMPASS DISPLAY IN REAR VIEW MIRROR WENT OUT, NO LONGER DISPLAYS DIRECTION. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND HIS WENT OUT ALSO. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE IT HELPS TELL THE DRIVER WHAT DIRECTION HE'S TRAVELING WHEN TRAVELING IN UNFAMILIAR PLA…"~80,000 mi, complaint #988128
  23. #23

    stability and traction control

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "I HAVE A SUBARU 2009 THAT I BOUGHT LAST YEAY WITH AROUND 25000 MILES UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY . VIN [XXX] . AND THIS AS HAPPENED TE TIMES SO FAR . WHILE DRIVING OR JUST STARTING OF THE CAR SHAKES VERY HARD , AND THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THE CHECK…"~41,312 mi, complaint #1133777
    • "AT APPROX 40 MPH, ON WET ROAD (NO STANDING WATER) VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND BEGAN SWERVING UNCONTROLLABLY ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE WITH STEERING MANEUVERS. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE INCIDENT, DRIVER COULD FEEL TRACTION LOSS…"~73,332 mi, complaint #1161325
  24. #24

    timing belt or chain

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "THIS PAST APRIL, I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER FROM BYERS SUBARU AND EAGERLY ANTICIPATED THE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE SUBARU PROMISES AND PROUDLY BASES ITS REPUTATION. CONTRARY TO THE SUBARU PROMISE, MY EXPERIENCE OVER THE FIRST 3 MONTHS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1197832
    • "I KEEP GETTING A TIMING OVER-ADVANCED CODE WITH A BAD CAT CODE."~224,000 mi, complaint #1564622
  25. #25

    tire failure

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE ARE 15,000 MILES INTO 4 NEW (APRIL 2012 PURCHASED, MOUNTED MAY 2012) P225/55ZR -17 PIRELLI P6 ALL-ROAD 2007 PRODUCTION TIRES. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED AND BALANCED AT REGULAR SERVICE INTERVALS AND ON THIS OCCASION (FEB2013) WAS ASKED HOW OLD MY TIRES…"~62,893 mi, complaint #963278
  26. #26

    brake booster

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "3 INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TURN ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED: ABS, HILL ASSIST, VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL AND REMAIN LIT UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE 3 INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON TOGETHER INTERMITTENTLY DURING SUBSEQUENT DRIVING. SUBARU BRAKE L…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1477163
  27. #27

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE SUPERLATCH LOOSENS AS SOON AS YOU TOUCH THE ADJUSTER OR BUMP THE SEAT. IT DOES NOT LOCK AT ALL IN MY VEHICLE. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2009, MAKE=SUBARU, MODEL=FORESTER). *TR"complaint #852884
  28. #28

    engine oil consumption

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CAR RAN OUT OF OIL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, UNTIL CAR DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD BEEN MOSTLY KEEPING UP WITH MY OIL CHANGES, AND WAS ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES OVER RECOMMENDED LIMITS. ENGINE SEIZED AND HAD TO BE TOWED.…"~86,526 mi, complaint #1184475
  29. #29

    exhaust system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER THROUGH THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN WEST CHESTER, PA. I PAID $5,600 FOR THIS USED CAR, BELIEVING IT WAS A GOOD DEAL BASED ON THE SALESMAN'S RECOMMENDATION. DURING THE PROCESS, THEY TOLD ME OF THE REPAIRS THAT MAY BE NEEDED, BUT W…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1522986
  30. #30

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY PROBLEM IS WITH MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER, PURCHASED NEW. THERE IS SOME SORT OF RESIDUE THAT FORMS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN WE USE THE DEFROSTER (WHICH WE USE A LOT DUE TO MONTANA WINTERS). IT CANNOT BE CLEANED OFF. WE'VE USED MULTIPLE PRODUCTS TO ATTEMPT TO RE…"~45,000 mi, complaint #768042
  31. #31

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "IGNITION DOESN'T RECOGNIZE VALET KEY, "SECURITY" LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON, KEY WON'T TURN AND CAR WON'T START. *TR"~4,615 mi, complaint #699255
  32. #32

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A VIBRATION HARMONIC BUZZ WAS HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE HEAT SHIELD NEED…"~85,000 mi, complaint #952229
  33. #33

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE . YOU HAVE TO KEEP WORKING WITH IT & PULLING ON IT TO FINALLY GET IT TO RELEASE . THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AT 0 MPH . THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS .I FELL THIS IS VERY UNSAFE INCASE OF FIRE, OR…"~62,000 mi, complaint #970226
  34. #34

    suspension struts shocks

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND POT HOLES, I HEARD A SOUND COMING FROM THE CARS SUSPENSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU DRIVE YOU HEAR IT ANYWAYS. *TR"~35,000 mi, complaint #995258
  35. #35

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH NORMAL BRAKE DEPRESSION; VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH, NO BRAKES AND THE DASH CONTROL CENTER COMPLETELY LIT UP. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WAS BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE.…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1103614
  36. #36

    tpms

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) THAT IS FAULTY AND UNNECESSARY. WHEN THE TIRES ARE AT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE THE TPMS LIGHT APPEARS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING COLD WEATHER AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IF YOU WANT IT TO GO AWAY Y…"~133,000 mi, complaint #1537717
  37. #37

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REVVED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 4000 RPM'S AND SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD SURGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 85% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER ALSO DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER…"complaint #670980

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for SUBARU FORESTER directly.