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2007 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →
72Owner complaints

Model-year median: 131

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
219
200493
200588
200672
200750
2008178
2009262
2010
Compare all Forester years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
11Suspension
11Engine
9Vehicle Speed Control
7Air Bags
6
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
6Fuel System, Gasoline
6Fuel/propulsion System
6Electrical System
5Tires
4Exterior Lighting
3Steering
3Equipment Adaptive/mobility
2Seats
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 16 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2023
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 sti…

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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 to have these lines run inside the car

NHTSA ODI #11503889

137,300 miles · Oct 19, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemCrash

DEAR SIR, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS SUBARU FORESTER CAR ([XXX]) IN GEORGIA, BUT HAD NOTICED THAT BEFORE ALLOWING IT TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION, THE MANCHESTER CENTER, VT/MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT VERMONT DIDN'T ENSURED THIS VEHICLE HAD PASSED ALL THE RECALLS REQUESTED BY YOUR SUBARU COMPANY FOR THIS MODEL OF FORESTER (I SEE AT LEAS…

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DEAR SIR, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS SUBARU FORESTER CAR ([XXX]) IN GEORGIA, BUT HAD NOTICED THAT BEFORE ALLOWING IT TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION, THE MANCHESTER CENTER, VT/MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT VERMONT DIDN'T ENSURED THIS VEHICLE HAD PASSED ALL THE RECALLS REQUESTED BY YOUR SUBARU COMPANY FOR THIS MODEL OF FORESTER (I SEE AT LEAST ONE OPEN RECALL NO.WVU31 REPROGRAM ECM NOW WHICH WAS NOT PASSED). BESIDE, ACCORDING TO CARFAX AND AUTOCHECK REPORTS, IT SEEMS THE CAR DIN NOT WENT THROUGH 2010 RECALL (WVN24: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAMMING & FUEL TANK ONE-WAY FUEL VALVE). I PRESUME BECAUSE OF THIS, THE ERROR CODE P1400 APPEARS CURRENTLY ON THE CAR DISPLAY. THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE ASKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING WHICH ENTITY IS BEARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE 2 PROBLEMS? I ASKED ALSO SUBARU INC. TO ALLOW SERVICING MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE FOR INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF ERRORS TO THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALER, BUT NOT REPLY YET. HOW IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CAR WAS ALLOWED BY VERMONT MOTORS DEPARTMENT TO BE SOLD OUTSIDE OF USA, EVEN IF RECALLS WERE ACTIVE? AS A CITIZEN OF EU MEMBER STATE, I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO START A CASE FOR ALLOWING SELLING OUTSIDE OF USA A CAR BEING UNDER SUBARU RECALLS. I MEAN SUBARU RECALLS NO. WVN24 AND WVU31, THE LAST EVEN HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED NEITHER TO CARFAX, NOR TO AUTOCHECK, WHICH REPORTS I PURCHASED BEFORE. HOPE YOU'LL OFFER ME ENTIRE ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10783189

67,893 miles · Apr 6, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE FAULT INDICATORS CAME ON AND THE ERROR CODE P2441 WAS PRESENT BOTH AT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AT 105,000 MILES. AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE PRICE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM WAS SET AT $2123. AT THIS PRICE AND GUESSING AT THE PRICE OF OTHER PARTS THE CAR'S REPLACEMENT VALUE SHOULD COME TO AROUND $200,0…

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THE FAULT INDICATORS CAME ON AND THE ERROR CODE P2441 WAS PRESENT BOTH AT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AT 105,000 MILES. AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE PRICE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM WAS SET AT $2123. AT THIS PRICE AND GUESSING AT THE PRICE OF OTHER PARTS THE CAR'S REPLACEMENT VALUE SHOULD COME TO AROUND $200,000. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PERVASIVE TO ALL SUBARUS, NOT JUST FORESTERS, FEATURING A TURBO CHARGED ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704014

101,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ROUGHLY 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, A STRONG FUEL ODOR FILLS THE CABIN. FLATIRONS SUBARU IN BOULDER, CO, COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT AN INDEPENDENT SUBARU MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM INSTANTLY. HE SAID THE FUEL LINE HAS A SMALL RUBBER MID-SECTION WHICH CONTRACTS WITH COLD WEATHER AND PRODUCES …

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WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ROUGHLY 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, A STRONG FUEL ODOR FILLS THE CABIN. FLATIRONS SUBARU IN BOULDER, CO, COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT AN INDEPENDENT SUBARU MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM INSTANTLY. HE SAID THE FUEL LINE HAS A SMALL RUBBER MID-SECTION WHICH CONTRACTS WITH COLD WEATHER AND PRODUCES A LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558574

48,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

EVAP CODE TESTED BY DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVE. THIS IS EMISSION RELATED AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY 8 YEAR 80K MILE WARRANTY. THEY SAY ITS NOT AND WANT $600 TO REPLACE THE VALVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493034

45,653 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE RECALL ITEMS (CAMPAIGN WVU-31 AND CAMPAIGN WVL-22). DURING ONE WAY FUEL VALVE REMOVAL, STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTED COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA. EVAPORATIVE LEAK WAS NOTED DUE TO CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVES. COST OF REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT CRACKED FUEL VALVES WAS $693.59.THE SERVICE ADVI…

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TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE RECALL ITEMS (CAMPAIGN WVU-31 AND CAMPAIGN WVL-22). DURING ONE WAY FUEL VALVE REMOVAL, STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTED COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA. EVAPORATIVE LEAK WAS NOTED DUE TO CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVES. COST OF REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT CRACKED FUEL VALVES WAS $693.59.THE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS VERY NICE AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE OF THE REPAIR (I AM VERY SATISFIED WITH HIS APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM). THIS MATTER SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY SUBARU AS A RECALL (CAMPAIGN) MATTER AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUBARU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478232

Official recalls

1

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.

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.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems

Subaru Forester transmission problems →Subaru Forester electrical problems →