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2006 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

69 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports

Tires complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2019
TiresWheels

TWO FLAT TIRES ON BRAND NEW COOPER EVOLUTION TOUR 215-60R16 (@100 MILES), BOTH ON THE FRONT. ONE FLAT NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN BUT SAT FOR A FEW HOURS (NO VISIBLE DEFLATION UPON EXITING); THIS TIRE HAD NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES, THOUGH THERE APPEARED TO BE A BIT OF TEAR BETWEEN THE TREADS (SEE PHOTO). AFTER DRIVING H…

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TWO FLAT TIRES ON BRAND NEW COOPER EVOLUTION TOUR 215-60R16 (@100 MILES), BOTH ON THE FRONT. ONE FLAT NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN BUT SAT FOR A FEW HOURS (NO VISIBLE DEFLATION UPON EXITING); THIS TIRE HAD NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES, THOUGH THERE APPEARED TO BE A BIT OF TEAR BETWEEN THE TREADS (SEE PHOTO). AFTER DRIVING HOME ON A SPARE, ALL REMAINING TIRES SEEMED OK. THE NEXT MORNING THE OTHER FRONT TIRE WAS VISIBLY DEFLATED AND HAD A SIZABLE BULGE.

NHTSA ODI #11252762

12,700 miles · Dec 14, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215/60R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A 1.5 INCH HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL O…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215/60R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SMOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A 1.5 INCH HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,700. UPDATED01/08/08 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10211933

12,500 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Tires

YOKOHAMA TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TURNING A CORNER AT ABOUT 10 MPH. TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD 12,500 MILE ON IT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AS THE 06 FORRESTER IS AWD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206247

7,000 miles · Aug 31, 2006
Tires

WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAR WE NOTED THAT SUBARU INCLUDED YOKOHAMA TIRES TO WHICH WE COMPLAINED WE FELT THAT THESE TIRES WERE LESS THAN ADEQUATE. THE DEALER COUNTERED THAT THESE WERE GOOD TIRES AND THAT THEY WOULD SERVE OUR NEEDS. WE FOOLISHLY BELIEVED THE DEALER AND ON 29 JULY WE EXPERIENCED…

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WE PURCHASED A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAR WE NOTED THAT SUBARU INCLUDED YOKOHAMA TIRES TO WHICH WE COMPLAINED WE FELT THAT THESE TIRES WERE LESS THAN ADEQUATE. THE DEALER COUNTERED THAT THESE WERE GOOD TIRES AND THAT THEY WOULD SERVE OUR NEEDS. WE FOOLISHLY BELIEVED THE DEALER AND ON 29 JULY WE EXPERIENCED A SIDE WALL BLOWOUT. AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE WE TRAVELED TO A TIRE DEALER WHO AGREED TO REPAIR THE TIRE BUT AFTER DISMOUNTING THE TIRE THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIRE WAS NG AND COULD NOT BE RE-MOUNTED. HE THEN PLACED A USED TIRE ON THE CAR, ASSUMING THAT SUBARU WOULD TAKE YOKOHAMA TO TASK AND THE TIRE WOULD BE REPLACED. SUBARU REPORTED THAT THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE CAR, THAT THESE TIRES MATCHED THEIR SPECIFICATIONS, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRE OR TIRES AS REQUESTED AT TIME OF SALE. RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE YOKOHAMA TIRE AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZARD, THAT THERE CAN BE NO REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER THEN ADDED THAT HE DOES NOT STOCK THIS TIRE, THAT HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT TIRE TO A CUSTOMER BUT IF THE CUSTOMER INSISTED HE WOULD ORDER THE TIRE, HE DOES NOT KEEP THEM IN STOCK. SUBARU WAS WILLING TO HELP TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CONTACTED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY WERE WILLING TO MAKE THE DESIRED CHANGE IN TIRES. THE DEALER WAS WILLING TO UNDERWRITE A PORTION OF A NEW SET OF TIRES IF I WAS WILLING TO PAY A PART OF COSTS. YES, BUT THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS OUR DISAGREEMENT WITH THE SUBARU CO AND THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLACING A SAFE TIRE ON THEIR VEHICLE. THEIR CLAIM IS THEIR DESIRE TO PROVIDE A SAFE VEHICLE FOR THEIR CUSTOMER. OUR FIRST SUBARU FILLED THIS NEED COMPLETELY BUT OUR. WE ARE SEEKING FROM SUBARU AND YOUR AGENCY HOW THEY CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS A SAFE TIRE FOR THIS CAR? WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE SUBARU COMPANY IS FAILING THEIR CUSTOMER BY PLACING THE DOLLAR BEFORE SAFETY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167197

Official recalls

2

11V464000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Sep 6, 2011

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 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

07V043000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 12, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIR BAG COULD BECOME DISABLED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. ALSO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED UNDER THE SEAT BRACKET. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPAIR ANY DAMAGED WIRING, REROUTE AND SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE CORRECT LOCATION, AND RE-CALIBRATE THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11011 · Front Suspension Control Arm Failure

Opened Apr 7, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front:control Arm

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension:front

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Suspension

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

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