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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

Tires complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
35,000 miles · Feb 24, 2009
TiresCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WITH A YOKOHAMA DONUT SPARE TIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION WITH THE ROAD SURFACE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID SIDEWAYS. HE SLID INTO A SNOWBANK AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOWMOBILE TR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WITH A YOKOHAMA DONUT SPARE TIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION WITH THE ROAD SURFACE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID SIDEWAYS. HE SLID INTO A SNOWBANK AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOWMOBILE TRAILER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A TIRE. THE SNOWMOBILE TRAILER WAS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. HE BELIEVES THAT THE DONUT SPARE TIRE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN VEHICLES AND ARE SAFETY HAZARDS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10259764

10 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

CONSTANT VIBRATION FROM TIRES AT 65MPH OR FASTER, GETS WORSE AS THE SPEED INCREASES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216988

15,763 miles · Dec 28, 2007
TiresCrash

THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED TIRES THAT WEAR AT AN EXCESSIVELY RAPID PACE, RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING TRACTION WHILE DRIVING OVER SAND/GRIT USED FOR TREATING THE ROAD DURING SNOW. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLATIRONS IMPORTS, AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP, NEVER ADVISED US ON THE DEGREE OF TREAD LOSS. ON SUNDAY DECEMBER …

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THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED TIRES THAT WEAR AT AN EXCESSIVELY RAPID PACE, RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING TRACTION WHILE DRIVING OVER SAND/GRIT USED FOR TREATING THE ROAD DURING SNOW. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLATIRONS IMPORTS, AN AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP, NEVER ADVISED US ON THE DEGREE OF TREAD LOSS. ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 AT NOON, MY HUSBAND WAS COMING DOWN LEFT HAND CANYON TRAVELING AT 35MPH WHEN HE LOST TRACTION WHILE DRIVING INTO A RIGHT-TURN BEND. THE CAR LEFT THE ROAD AND LANDED NOSE-FIRST ABOUT 30 FT INTO AN IRRIGATION DITCH. THE BOULDER COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT AND DETERMINED THAT HE WAS NOT AT FAULT (REGRETTABLY NEITHER THEY NOR THE STATE POLICE HAVE FILED A REPORT). THE ROAD SURFACE WAS FREE FROM SNOW AND/OR ICE BUT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SAND/GRIT UPON WHICH THE CAR LOST TRACTION. IN SPITE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE REGAINED TRACTION HAD NOT THE CONDITION OF THE TIRES BEEN DEFECTIVE, THE PRINCIPLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, WE BELIEVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLATIRONS SUBARU ON AUGUST 21 AT 9,142 MILES. THE MECHANICAL REPORT INDICATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE TIRES WAS AT 8/32; ON OCTOBER 19 AT 13, 182 MILES THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A REGULAR SERVICE AS WELL AS TO CHECK A RADIATOR LEAK, AND THE MECHANICAL REPORT INDICATED THE TIRE TREAD AT 5.2/32, 5.9/32 (3/32 TREAD LOSS IN 2 MONTHS). AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE TREAD WAS AT 1.2/32 AT 15,763 MILES (REPRESENTING A 4/32 TREAD LOSS IN 6 WEEKS AND APPROX 2,500 MILES!). WE FEEL THIS REPRESENTS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213023

5,000 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215 55R17 TIRES. WHEN ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY FROM A STOP, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ABS ACTIVATED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP FOR 100 FEET. THERE WERE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215 55R17 TIRES. WHEN ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY FROM A STOP, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ABS ACTIVATED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP FOR 100 FEET. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS WITH THE TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,400. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AT HIS EXPENSE ON DEC 9, 2007. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP IN LIGHT SNOW. UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ODI #10210684

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 →