Subaru Forester 2009–2013 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (SH)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026770 complaints, 539 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2009 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 57,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 178
- Recalls naming this year
- 17
Most reported on the 2009
- Airbag system40 reports
- Engine27 reports
- Electrical system22 reports
Recall areas Seat belts · Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 262
- Recalls naming this year
- 17
Most reported on the 2010
- Seats76 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Airbag system42 reports
- Engine34 reports
Recall areas Seat belts · Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 147
- Recalls naming this year
- 16
Most reported on the 2011
- Engine60 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Airbag system29 reports
- Brakes17 reports
Recall areas Seat belts · Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 43,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 105
- Recalls naming this year
- 15
Most reported on the 2012
- Engine27 reports
- Airbag system20 reports
- Throttle and speed control18 reports
Recall areas Seat belts · Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 78
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine27 reports
- Airbag system13 reports
- Brakes9 reports
Recall areas Seat belts · Air bags — frontal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2010; earliest: the 2012, and the 2010 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2009–2013 Subaru Forester reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 59,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 120,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 539
- Recalls
- 20
Most reported
- Engine22.7% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Airbag system18.7% of complaints · median 44,000 mi
- Seats12.7% of complaints · median 78,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine (FB25 Oil Consumption)2011–2013
- Head Gaskets (EJ253)2009–2010
- Airbags (Takata Inflator)2009–2013
Owners filed 770 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2013 Subaru Forester; the engine leads with 22.7% of them, and half of the 539 that record an odometer reading came by 59,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 26,000 to 89,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2009–2013 Subaru Forester last?
On the 2009–2013 Subaru Forester, half of the 539 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 59,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
19 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 3 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Forester reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Subaru Forester 2009–2013 · 539 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 78 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 3 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,000
- 25%
- 26,000
- Median
- 59,000
- 75%
- 89,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 78 | 14.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 31 | 5.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 43 | 8.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 43 | 8.0% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 39 | 7.2% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 39 | 7.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 48 | 8.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 37 | 6.9% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 50 | 9.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 27 | 5.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 28 | 5.2% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 18 | 3.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 24 | 4.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 8 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 3 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 3 | 0.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Forester problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Forester 2009–2013
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control81 reportsmedian 30,000middle half 7,000–66,000
- Brakes76 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 25,000–75,000
- Airbag system144 reportsmedian 44,000middle half 30,000–99,000
- Electrical system59 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 31,000–87,000
- Seats98 reportsmedian 78,000middle half 51,000–91,000
- Engine175 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 60,000–108,000
- Problems owners could not categorise50 reportsmedian 89,000middle half 55,000–125,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 175 | 22.7% | 85,000 | 60,000–108,000 |
| Airbag system | 144 | 18.7% | 44,000 | 30,000–99,000 |
| Seats | 98 | 12.7% | 78,000 | 51,000–91,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 81 | 10.5% | 30,000 | 7,000–66,000 |
| Brakes | 76 | 9.9% | 38,000 | 25,000–75,000 |
| Electrical system | 59 | 7.7% | 60,000 | 31,000–87,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 50 | 6.5% | 89,000 | 55,000–125,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 43 | 5.6% | 59,000 | 10,000–99,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 29 | 3.8% | 65,000 | 50,000–107,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 27 | 3.5% | 8,000 | 3,000–34,000 |
Known problems with the 2009–2013 Forester
Engine (FB25 Oil Consumption) 2011–2013
The FB25 introduced for MY2011 consumes oil excessively due to piston ring design, in some cases a quart every 1,000-1,200 miles, with owners reporting oil starvation risk between service intervals. Subject of a class action settlement covering the affected build window; Subaru extended coverage and offered a short-block ring repair.
Head Gaskets (EJ253) 2009–2010
External head gasket coolant seepage on the carry-over SOHC EJ253 in the first two model years, before the FB25 replaced it.
Airbags (Takata Inflator) 2009–2013
Takata ammonium-nitrate inflator recall population; rupture risk propelling metal fragments into the cabin.
Before you buy a 2009–2013 Forester: the 3-minute check
Generated from 539 mileage-tagged complaints, 20 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 20 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine (FB25 oil consumption) on 2011–2013 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check head gaskets (EJ253) on 2009–2010 cars.
- Check airbags (Takata inflator) on 2009–2013 cars.
- Years differ here: from 78 to 262 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Forester problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi51% below | At 90k mi76% below | At 120k mi89% below | At 150k mi96% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 60,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 30,000–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Seats | 51,000–91,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 7,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 25,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 31,000–87,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 55,000–125,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Forester 2009–2013 · 539 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 51% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 76% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2009–2013 Subaru Forester recalls (20)
NHTSA records 20 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (12), the seat belts (2), the electrical system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2022 · 2009–2013 · Seat BeltsThe seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
What can happen. The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer…
Jan 2020 · 2009–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2009–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2009–2013 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7…
Apr 2019 · 2009–2013 · Electrical SystemThe engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition…
What can happen. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2013 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2018 · 2009 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2010 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2013 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Jan 2017 · 2009 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.…
Jan 2017 · 2009–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.…
Oct 2016 · 2009–2013 · Electrical SystemIf the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air…
What can happen. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
May 2016 · 2009–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may…
Dec 2014 · 2009–2013 · Service Brakes, HydraulicBrake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts…
What can happen. Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may…
Jun 2014 · 2009–2013 · Service Brakes, HydraulicBrake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana…
What can happen. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be…
Dec 2012 · 2009–2012 · Exterior LightingOver time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a…
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650…
What can happen. Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the…
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Mar 2012 · 2009–2012 · Seat BeltsAn insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
The defect. Subaru is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Forester vehicles manufactured from november 26, 2007, through march 13, 2012. The automatic locking retractor in the seat belt assemblies located in the rear center seating of the affected vehicles do not meet…
What can happen. An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a newly modified automatic locking retractor, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on march 26…
Sep 2008 · 2009 · Engine and Engine CoolingVibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would…
The defect. Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 Forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
What can happen. Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly will…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 770 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 89 (11.6%)
- Fires
- 27
- Injury reports
- 34
- Fatality reports
- 1
Forester problems by model year
The 2010 drew the most complaints of this generation, 262, most of them about seats, and the 2013 the fewest, 78. A typical year drew about 147.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 178 | 121 | 57,000 | Airbag system (40) | 17 |
| 2010 | 262 | 200 | 65,000 | Seats (76) | 17 |
| 2011 | 147 | 96 | 60,000 | Engine (60) | 16 |
| 2012 | 105 | 67 | 43,000 | Engine (27) | 15 |
| 2013 | 78 | 55 | 50,000 | Engine (27) | 12 |
What Forester owners reported
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the brake pedal was inoperative. The contact then discovered that there was brake fluid leaking underneath of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined…
2012 · 80,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic…
2013 · 150,000 miles · Engine
The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while idled in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated in reverse on its own, colliding with a deck, after which the vehicle shifted into drive and continued to accelerate on its own, colliding with a brick wall, only then coming…
2013 · 66,000 miles · Throttle and speed control
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, and the vehicle began to fill with smoke, prompting her to immediately stop and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact observed that the…
2011 · 102,000 miles · Engine
Built from 539 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Forester generations
- Forester 1998–2002 230 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Forester 2003–2008 582 reports with mileage, most about the fuel and propulsion system
- Forester 2014–2018 1,489 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Forester 2019–2024 801 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper