7.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$200
Average Mileage:
19,550 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. more reliable battery system needed (2 reports)
  3. redesign electrical system (2 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.

problem #10

Dec 142023

Forester Premium

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,500 miles

Car frequently struggles to start, and has required jump start several times despite being driven almost every day. Battery and alternator tested good the first time it happened.

Most recent incident was the car completely dying while at a stoplight with the engine auto-shut off engaged for less than 30 seconds, after driving 30 minutes. Required jump start, and have been jump started the previous morning.

I tried pulling the DCM fuse to see if it was a parasitic battery drain but did not help. Going to the dealership next week to get diagnostics. Had the car less than 3 months after purchasing certified pre-owned.

- Madeline H., Cary, NC, US

problem #9

Oct 082020

Forester Limited 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 35,000 miles

I HAVE NOW HAD THIS BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES, IT GOES OUT EACH WINTER. EACH TIME IS HAS BEEN WARRANTIED BECAUSE IT DOESN'T LAST FOR AS LONG AS THE WARRANTY FOR EACH REPLACEMENT BATTERY. THE SYSTEM SHOWS NO DRAWS, SO IT IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BATTERIES OR NOT A GOOD ENOUGH CHARGING SYSTEM

- Tommy B., Tuscaloosa, US

problem #8

Oct 142022

Forester Touring 2.5L Dohc 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 24,450 miles

The battery goes dead overnight. I jump stated it and brought to the dealer (after all, it's only 3 years old). At first, the dealer found nothing wrong and said (after a lengthy test) that the battery tested OK. But if failed to start again, just two days later! The dealer told me this time to have the car towed in without jump-starting it. I used my roadside assistance provider do this (after much effort - 6 hours' worth).

The dealer called the next day and said the battery failed the test this time, and they installed a new battery. They also told me to keep the keys far from the car when it is parked, and to lock the car even when it is in our garage! Supposedly, this would prevent battery drain due to the key fob communicating with the vehicle. I did not like this answer, but I did this. However, now, after just 2 more days, the car will not start again. There is some voltage, but not enough to crank the engine. I'm now doubting if this problem will ever be properly diagnosed and fixed. I do not want to get another car, but in its present state, this car is unreliable and useless.

- Donald C., Berlin, US

problem #7

Sep 012022

Forester Limited 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,700 miles

Replaced the car’s battery after 18 months because it failed. The new battery lasted a year before it had the same difficulty. Something is draining the battery and the car regularly will not start, sometimes only a few days after being jumped with a portable charger. I always need to assume my car will not start when needed. There must be something we can do to correct this problem, but it seems the battery (even the quality replacement) can’t hold a charge. This is definitely an issue with the electrical system, not the battery.

- Nina R., Nazareth, PA, US

problem #6

Jan 262021

Forester Premium 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 2,860 miles

The car was dead when I tried to start it. I had the car jump started and drove to the dealership. They tested the battery and said it was fine. I said Not Fine. Replace the battery on a two year old car. Replaced under warranty.

- Lynne S., Tucson, US

problem #5

Mar 192021

Forester Premium 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

It is such an unnecessary problem for a car with such a great reputation. It is very annoying to try to leave in my vehicle and it will not start. Replacing batteries can get expensive.

- Tamara G., Sparta, US

problem #4

Mar 302022

Forester Premium 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 5,332 miles

The car was driven on Thursday, March 24, 2022 for over 30 minutes. On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the car was dead and I could not jump start it with my CJ1000CP Professional Jump Starter. I called Subaru Roadside Assistance and waited 2 hours for a jump. They did not show up. I called Subaru Roadside Assistance again and they contacted a different Towing company. This one showed up in less than an hour.

They jumped the car and I drove to Tucson Subaru, the only Subaru dealership in Tucson. They tested the car overnight and told me that they couldn't find anything wrong with the battery or the car. I was told to use a trickle charger and drive my car at least 30 minutes every 5 days which totally defeats the purpose of driving a compact car and bundling stops on each outing.

- Lynne S., Tucson, US

problem #3

Oct 162021

Forester LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

Had to wait with the dogs in the park in the

Heat. When tow truck guy came , he said try it again and it turned over. he laughed and said it happens a lot with Subaru.

- Susan S., Salem, OR, US

problem #2

Dec 242021

Forester LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

This has happened twice. ‘Once at the dog park with three dogs in the back and once at home with 4 dogs in the car the day before Christmas and both times had to call roadside assistance. My warranty ends in march 2022.

- Susan S., Salem, OR, US

problem #1

Mar 312021

Forester

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,600 miles

The first time this car died in my garage it was only 10 days old! One time it would not start when at the bank drive-through (where everyone banks because of COVID) and I stopped business for about 40 minutes before road-side assistance could jump it.

I took the car to the (Continental Subaru) dealership and they said that it was NORMAL for the car to die if I am in line and have the radio on!!!!! Or in my garage for a week or so without driving!

I bought this car new because I thought Subaru would be reliable. I wanted to go camping and off the beaten path with this car (like on the Subaru advertisements.) I live in Alaska where it is easy to be in the middle of no where and not have phone service. No one (including the few State Troopers we have IF I could call them) will drive a hundred or more miles to jump a car in the wilds (I am bear bait!)

Even in my garage in the biggest city in Alaska it takes almost an hour for someone to come jump this car. (When my old Astro van was stolen, it was found with the door open (for five days) and it started right up thanks to the toggle switch I always had on that shuts off the interior lights.) This Subaru needs a BIG redesign of its electrical system, or AT LEAST a switch just to park it in the garage!

I have used my portable jump starter on many vehicles many times, but it will not work on Subaru because not even the radio and other electronic stuff can be turned off before there is enough juice to start the battery. My trickle charger seemed to work until there was enough juice for the lights to start flashing and other noises that sounded like it was about to blow up! I wanted to love this car, but it is too DANGEROUS for me.

- Debbie H., Anchorage, US