2007 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (11) · Vehicle Speed Control (8) · Engine (7)
🧭 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
56 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 (141)
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 141 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-23 · Suspension · 💥 crash“while driving in [xxx], the passenger-side front lower control arm on my 2007 subaru forester (vin: [xxx]) fractured without warning due to severe internal rust corrosion. the structural collapse snapped the cv axle and sway bar link, causing an immediate loss of steering control that forced the vehicle to veer violently off the road—narrowly avoid…”
2026-09-23 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“i was parked at my banks' atm to deposit a check into my account. the car was parked and i put the gear shift in the neutral position and applied the emergency hand brake. when i finished with the deposit, i released the hand brake. then i moved the shift from neutral to drive and the vehicle did a sudden unexpected acceleration (the car left the p…”
2025-03-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 120,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact's friend owned a 2007 subaru forester. the contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly violently accelerated and crashed into the retaining wall and unit across the street. the vehicle was then shifted into drive from reverse when the vehicle violently accelerated a second time where it was able to come to …”
2024-06-03 · Suspension“the contact owns a 2007 subaru forester. the contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the contact was notified of nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou…”
2024-01-23 · Suspension“ i was driving my car in upstate ny toward a border crossing wicket and the vehicle began to vibrate violently. i thought that it was a blown tire. i stopped to check and the tires looked fine. i continued for a few yards and it began again. i pulled over and called a tow truck. when the car was loaded onto the tow bed, the front wheel was pit…”
2023-10-02 · Suspension“started getting a vibration i thought was a tire problem. it would only show up after 30 minutes or so of driving. it happened several times while trying to have the tire store figure it out. on friday 15 sep 2023 we drove at highway speeds to dayton and back. noticed it occur twice. the next morning we were a few miles from home checking out a dog…”
2023-08-31 · Engine · 101,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 subaru forester. the contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 101,000.…”
2023-03-01 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (Prndl) · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2007 subaru forester. the contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifter failed to operate as designed. the contact stated that while placing the vehicle in reverse the vehicle accelerated forward causing the vehicle to crash on top of a large rock. the contact stated that she sustained injuries to the face an…”
2023-02-26 · Suspension“i was driving and heard bumping noise and thought it was just ice or snow stuck in some parts underneath the car, but the vehicle at one instant pulled over to the other side of the road and i almost lost control and slid off the road. i inspect myself and discover a problem with one of the rear wheel bearings, so i take it to my mechanic. my mecha…”
2023-01-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is a fuel line inside the car that had a pressure leak. an entire tank of gas emptied, mostly to the inside of the car where the fuel lines run inside the rear drivers side of car floor. my 18 year old daughter was driving and this can not be safely repaired or remove the harmful gas fumes in carpet and seats unsafe still to drive, unsafe …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.