10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,885 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.

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problem #11

Jan 262021

Forester

  • 170,000 miles
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.

- Rutland, VT, USA

problem #10

Nov 112019

Forester

  • 0 miles
Weird things have been happening with my car, I know that someone is using the satellite radio port to tamper with the safety of my car. I took it to the shop it has a brand new engine in it, the steering light system flashing isn't even relevant to a problem that it could have. Everything listed on targeted cars, has happened with my car.

- Slc, UT, USA

problem #9

Jan 272018

Forester

  • 178,730 miles
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 major safety issues is now 'unsafe'

- Wakefield, MA, USA

problem #8

Feb 072017

Forester

  • 80,000 miles
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's the hydraulics that are weak, don't know if pads would make a difference. This is straight stops from all speeds.

- Desoto, KS, USA

problem #7

Jul 112016

Forester

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V358000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available so the contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The contact was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) but had not been notified of the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was unable to reach them for weeks due to a high call volume. The contact was not experiencing a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Rush, NY, USA

problem #6

Feb 122014

Forester

  • 34,000 miles
The brake line and brake caliper rusted, car has been maintained and checked regularly, while driving we lost rear brakes, almost caused an accident, spent at least $900 in repair, Subaru refused to refund money, even though there was a recall for brakes lines.please help.

- Bridgeview , IL, USA

problem #5

Feb 032014

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
Car has been going through oil since the catalytic converter recall was done in fall of 2013. First noticed around February of 2014 when oil light came on and no oil in engine. I complained to dealer and they found nothing. I kept complaining on my oil change or other appointments but they found nothing wrong. The car was going through 2-3 courts every 2-3 months, with "burn" time getting closer together - eventually checked oil every 3 weeks by summer and every week by October. When the car would not run I eventually bypassed the dealer after no solution and complained to Subaru. I had a difficult time finding a dealer willing to take the car (so did Subaru). Feeling it was a dealer workmanship issue I paid for the work and Subaru reimbursed me to replaced the head gaskets in December 2014 - stating it was out of warranttee so that is how it has to be done. The other day (February 6, 2015) engine light came on again and no oil was in the engine - this is 2 months after work done. This car has had issues since the beginning and I feel as a first year redesigned model it is a Subaru defect. I have had to replace the brakes 3 times in a short span - few years (3 maybe). It has never had good pick-up and since catalytic converter recall was done the gas mileage dropped - was 22/28 now 19/23. The dealer who replaced head gaskets made a notation on my bill (without telling me directly) that the sway bars need attention. My brother has a 2007 Forester and has had to replace all of these items as well within the last few years. I needs a reliable vehicle to earn a living.

- Armonk, NY, USA

problem #4

Nov 172014

Forester 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
I was going around a cup-de-sac to stop to a have my passenger exit the car to her house, I heard engine rev and push forward into her hollow tile wall, garden and down the other side of her property and stop on the wall before I thought of turning the engine off.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #3

Jun 022014

Forester

  • 30,000 miles
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 reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (brakes). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximately failure mileage was 30,000.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #2

Aug 082014

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
Regarding: Subaru recall campaign wqk-47 / NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 / July 2014. The remedy for this recall is inspection and testing of the brake lines. If there is no active brake fluid leak at the time of inspection, the lines/connections will be sprayed with anti-corrosion material. It is very clear in the documents that replacement will not be done under any other circumstances, regardless of how much rust/corrosion is already present in the brake line system. I find this absolutely appalling, and an extreme danger to unsuspecting drivers of these vehicles. These brake lines could be one day away from leaking, but if they are not leaking at the time of inspection, they will not be replaced. The owners of these vehicles should be protected from damage that has already occurred to the brake lines in the form of obvious corrosion. This remedy does not fix anything if rusted/corroded parts are going to be left in place, with most owners completely unaware of the hidden danger. I would like feedback from the government regarding this serious concern.

- Mason, MI, USA

problem #1

Apr 062011

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
Since from the beginning, I have to push my brake pedal too down to apply the brakes, I reported it several times to my Subaru dealer but they seems to be not serious in dealing this.

- Mission, SD, USA