Subaru Forester problems and recalls by year

By model year

Years with 100+ complaints

39 recall campaigns since 2005

1. July 7, 2026 · 26V436000 · 2025–2026 · Equipment › Other › Labels

   These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.

   Remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge.

2. May 28, 2026 · 26V346000 · 2026 · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

   The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge.

3. December 18, 2025 · 25V889000 · 2026 · Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments

   These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge.

4. June 19, 2025 · 25V419000 · 2025 · Child seat

   The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge.

5. January 23, 2025 · 25V033000 · 2025 · Wheels

   The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge.

6. November 9, 2023 · 23V754000 · 2023–2024 · Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

   The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge.

7. October 26, 2023 · 23V723000 · 2024 · Engine and engine cooling

   The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.

   Remedy: Subaru’s independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts.

8. November 10, 2022 · 22V838000 · 2009–2013 · Seat belts

   The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.

   Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge.

9. April 15, 2021 · 21V263000 · 2019 · Suspension › Rear

   The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.

   Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge.

10. December 2, 2019 · 19V856000 · 2019 · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

    The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge.

11. October 3, 2019 · 19V701000 · 2015–2018 · Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

    An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge.

12. February 28, 2019 · 19V149000 · 2014–2016 · Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

    Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge.

13. February 6, 2019 · 19V065000 · 2019 · Steering › Electric power assist system

    A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

    Remedy: None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet.

14. July 10, 2018 · 18V455000 · 2018 · Equipment › Other › Labels; Tires

    The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected label, free of charge.

15. March 21, 2016 · 16V162000 · 2015–2016 · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger

    The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct.

16. December 31, 2014 · 14V830000 · 2009–2013 · Service brakes, hydraulic

    The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge.

17. April 24, 2013 · 13V159000 · 2014 · Equipment

    The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace each of the vehicle's four (4) carpeted floor mats with new ones.

18. March 13, 2012 · 12V099000 · 2009–2012 · Seat belts › Rear/other

    THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN THE REAR CENTER SEATING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT MEET LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.”…

    Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE.

19. September 6, 2011 · 11V464000 · 2005–2008 · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm

    THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

    Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS.

20. September 11, 2008 · 08V460000 · 2009 · Engine and engine cooling › Engine

    SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE.

21. February 12, 2007 · 07V043000 · 2006 · Air bags › Frontal

    ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED UNDER THE SEAT BRACKET.

Shared, in full on the sibling's page:

• Subaru Outback: 23V755000 (2022, power train); 21V587000 (2018, fuel system, gasoline); 20V001000 (2009–2013, air bags); 20V002000 (2009–2013, air bags); 20V003000 (2009–2013, air bags); 19V297000 (2009–2013, electrical system); 19V007000 (2010–2013, air bags); 19V008000 (2010–2013, air bags); 19V009000 (2010–2013, air bags); 18V012000 (2009–2013, air bags); 18V013000 (2009–2010, air bags); 18V014000 (2009, air bags); 17V026000 (2009, air bags); 17V014000 (2009–2012, air bags); 16V738000 (2009–2013, electrical system); 16V358000 (2009–2011, air bags); 14V311000 (2009–2013, service brakes, hydraulic); 12V602000 (2009–2012, exterior lighting)

Defect investigations

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