2008 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (10) · Engine (7) · Vehicle Speed Control (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
39 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 (158)
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 158 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-13 · Engine“engine overheating and causing multiple problems …”
2025-01-10 · Suspension · 144,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated while driving at approximately 5 mph, the transmission control valve detached. no warning light was illuminated. the contact did research and was made aware of nhtsa campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) however, the vin was not included. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic …”
2024-11-08 · Suspension · 116,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. the vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated that while backing…”
2022-12-10 · Air Bags“the airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. it is currently at local subaru dealer. mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. an engineer from corporate subaru inspected. another team of engineers from corporate is going to conduct a more thorough investigation once more photos of…”
2022-07-18 · Suspension · 136,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. the contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion. upon investigation…”
2022-02-28 · Suspension · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. the contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no furthe…”
2021-12-02 · Suspension“right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall wvx34 and nhtsa campaign 11v464000). part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. i notified subaru by email last night on the day it occurred -1 dec 2021. have not had reply as yet. this caused uncontro…”
2021-10-13 · Suspension · 97,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. the contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehicle without warning. due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle to…”
2021-10-04 · Suspension · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. the contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle was shaking. additionally, the passenger’s side front wheel was shaking, and the vehicle was drifting to the right. the contact who is an independent mechanic noticed that the front lower control arm was fractured. the dealer was not contacte…”
2021-06-24 · Steering“i was getting on the highway in minnesota doing 55-60 mph when the car started violently shaking and i lost steering with cars whizzing by me at 65-70+ mph. i was finally able to get the car just off the road and called for roadside assist. once the car was left at my house i examined the right front wheel which was cockeyed to discover the lower…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.