2006 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (20) · Suspension (11) · Fuel/Propulsion System (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
69 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2011-09-06 · campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
Defect: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT L
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Service bulletins (142)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-09-14 · 15-304-22R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of infotainment concerns. this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · 15-308-23R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service information bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.this is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 142 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-11-27 · Suspension · 💥 crash“front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. and car was damaged hitting a post. vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied. …”
2022-11-23 · Suspension · 189,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 subaru forester. the contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he discovered that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension). the contact then took the vehicle a dealer where he was informed that the recall was serviced. less than two months later, the contact stated that while driving …”
2022-11-22 · Suspension“front control arm failed on car. which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. waiting to see if they will cover repairs. …”
2022-10-11 · Air Bags“it just the airbags light turn on …”
2022-03-08 · Suspension“i was made a turn at roughly 15mph and the front passenger side control arm sheared in half causing me to lose control of the vehicle and then abruptly come to an immediate stop. my family was in the car and at a higher speed this could have been fatal. had there been any vehicles behind me that could have caused an accident with unknown results. h…”
2021-09-03 · Vehicle Speed Control“five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. i took it to suberu in fort worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. god new one but didn't help. this year when i went to get it checked for regisration they woudn't pass it. took it to mechanic who instal…”
2021-08-31 · Vehicle Speed Control“as i was going down the road my car sped up and my foot was off the gas pedal as the pedal was stuck-i managed to stop my car but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 i was originally going 50 …”
2021-08-23 · Wheels“i was traveling down a steep two lane road (california route 32) on my way to chico, ca when my rear drivers side wheel came off. with some difficulty, i was able to pull the car off to the left side of the road (steep embankment on the right side, 50-60 foot ravine on the left side). i had my car safety inspected before i left on this trip at the…”
2020-11-24 · Suspension · 123,000 mi · 💥 crash“while driving my car the passenger control arm failed, snapping in half and i lost control of my vehicle. upon lookin under my car i could see the snapped control arm, which was completely rusted out. i also observe the driver side control arm is also very rusty. both control arms are the only isolated rusted parts under my car, the rest of my car …”
2020-02-26 · Steering · 51,000 mi“tl* the contact owns 2016 subaru forester. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to brattleboro subaru (1234 putney rd, brattleboro, vt 05301) to be serviced for an unknown manufacturer recall. the contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the vehicle was started and the power steering was inoperable. the contact stat…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.