10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,831 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Subaru Forester:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #2

Apr 052015

Forester 4-cyl

  • 99,062 miles
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 to drive. The engine roared, rpms soared, and with my foot still firmly planted on the brake pedal, the car ran through the garage, crashed into my atv, which was parked parallel to back wall of garage. The car hit the atv with such force, that the rear wheel of the atv was propelled over a 6" poured concrete footer and the through rear wall of my attached framed and drywalled garage(ground level). When the second rear wheel of the atv became pinned against the same footer and would not leap it, apparently because of the rear wall debris field, I was able to throw the transmission into park and turn ignition to off position. This all happened in a matter of seconds. I immediately left the vehicle and my first thought was to check floor mat positioning--- not a problem. Results of the crash so far is that I have a crumpled front end of the Forester and the hood won't close firmly. I have an atv that may have a bent rear axle, ruined wheel(s), dented plastic parts, and possibly the frame of the atv. There is a plow attachment which will also need to be checked on the atv. The garage rear wall has been taken out, and now sits about three feet into the backyard. All these items are currently being looked at by insurance adjusters and contractors, so I am unable to give final cost of damages. Fortunately, my wife and dog were not near the atv or behind the exterior wall when this happened, otherwise there would have been serious injuries, I'm sure. I called the NHTSA toll-free # yesterday, left message, but did not hear back. Thus, this report is 1 day later. Thanks in advance for your attention to this matter.

- Oil City, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 262008

Forester

  • 600 miles
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. This can result in all kinds of molds and fungi, staining, and allergy reactions. Also will result in decay of car interior and body from the inside. This was discovered quite by accident when coffee spilled on the moonroof went through to seatbelt anchor in the very back, and the rearmost window shrouds. The entire inside of the body is exposed to the elements even when the moonroof is closed. It is not designed water-tight, and has channels to lead off most water.

- Medical Lake, WA, USA