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2008 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 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

39 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrash

I was driving to work and my Subaru stalled at an intersection. I restarted the car and continued to work. It is raining heavily. I arrived at work and the parking lot is full of water. I was slowly pulling up forward in the parking spot. I had my foot on the brake trying to get as far forward in the spot to avoid as much o…

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I was driving to work and my Subaru stalled at an intersection. I restarted the car and continued to work. It is raining heavily. I arrived at work and the parking lot is full of water. I was slowly pulling up forward in the parking spot. I had my foot on the brake trying to get as far forward in the spot to avoid as much of the huge puddle in the lot as I could when suddenly the vehicle lurched forward over the concrete stop in the parking spot, onto a raised concrete sidewalk and then smashed into my work's building. It happened in a split second and I can hardly believe what has happened myself. After searching on the internet, I can see that newer models are having this problem so I came here to let someone know that at least a 2008 model had this problem too.

NHTSA ODI #11419667

150,000 miles · Oct 6, 2020
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I COULDN'T. IT SENT ME ON THE LEF…

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT I COULDN'T. IT SENT ME ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, THE FAST LANE, RIGHT UP AGAINST THE INTERSTATE DIVIDER WALL, MY CAME TO A STOP INA COUPLE SECONDS. I WAS SITTING FLUSH WITH THE WALL, I COULDN'T OPEN MY DOOR, AND I DIDN'T WANT MY PASSENGER IN THE CAR TO OPEN HIS DOOR ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TURNED MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON AND PROCESSED TO CLIMB OUT OF MY WINDOW ONTO THE CONCRETE WALL. I STARTING LOOKING AT THE FRONT END OF MY CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I SAW BOTH OF MY FRONT TIRES HAD POPPED, THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BLEW OUT AND HAD HOLES IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. IT WAS DRIVING ON THE WHEEL OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS ALL CURBED AND SCRAPED. I NOTICED IT WAS LEANING LOWER ON THE GROUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THAN DRIVER SIDE. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ALL THAT GREAT WITH THE WHEELS TURNED THE WAY THEY WAS. I STARTED LOOKING FURTHER AT THE CAR, GOT ON THE GROUND TO LOOK UNDER IT AND NOTICED AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF GREASE THAT WAS COVERING THE MAJORITY OF MY STEERING COLUMN AND MY EXHAUST. SO ONCE COPS CAME, FILED A REPORT AND HAD A FLAT BED TRUCK BRING IT TO MY HOUSE I WAS ABLE TO LOOK MORE IN DEPTH TO IT IN THE DAY LIGHT. IT HAD: SNAPPED MY CONTROL ARM INTO 2 PIECES ,BENT MY OUTER TIE ROD, SNAPPED MY CV AXLE, WHICH CAUSED ALL THE GREASE TO GET OUT, THE BALL JOINT BOOT WAS LEAKING LUBRICANT, POSSIBLY MESSED UP THE FRONT STRUT TOWER, AND SO ON WHAT I COULDN'T SEE OR TELL WAS BROKEN. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEEMS AND LOOKS INTACT. I'VE BEEN HAVING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS CAR, I BOUGHT IT FEB, 12, 2019

NHTSA ODI #11363012

80,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Unknown Or Other

SECONDARY AIR PUMP MALFUNCTION. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IT COSTS $2,000 TO GET IT REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND IT CANCELS OUT TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. I CAN HEAR IT TRYING TO WORK AND HOPE IT DOES NOT CAUSE A FIRE RISK.

NHTSA ODI #11073311

114,000 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT, ONLY NOTICED AFTER I FINISHED PAYING THE CAR, 60 MONTHS PAYING 283 DOLLARS, NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR IS FULL WITH SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THIS OIL LEAK, APPARENTLY ALL SUBARU CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A PAID CAR THAT BASICALLY DOES NOT HAVE VALUE AND OVER TH…

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THERE IS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT, ONLY NOTICED AFTER I FINISHED PAYING THE CAR, 60 MONTHS PAYING 283 DOLLARS, NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR IS FULL WITH SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THIS OIL LEAK, APPARENTLY ALL SUBARU CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A PAID CAR THAT BASICALLY DOES NOT HAVE VALUE AND OVER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT, OR MY CAR CAN BURN DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11048788

87,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Unknown Or Other

CODE P2441 - SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SOLENOID MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM OCCURED AT 87K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10892768

111,642 miles · Sep 6, 2015
Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. WEATHER WAS SUNNY, IN THE 20S, PAVEMENT WAS DRY BUT THERE WERE SHORT ICY PATCHES UNDER BRIDGES. EVERY TIME I PASSED OVER ONE OF THESE PATCHES I EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING. I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO UNDER 30MPH TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ME AT 60+ MPH.…

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THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. WEATHER WAS SUNNY, IN THE 20S, PAVEMENT WAS DRY BUT THERE WERE SHORT ICY PATCHES UNDER BRIDGES. EVERY TIME I PASSED OVER ONE OF THESE PATCHES I EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING. I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO UNDER 30MPH TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ME AT 60+ MPH. TIRES WERE NEW GOODYEAR ASSURANCE. THIS IS EXTREMELY NERVE WRACKING AND IS A FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM ON THE SUBARU ONLINE USER FORUMS SUCH AS: HTTP://WWW.ULTIMATESUBARU.ORG/FORUM/TOPIC/127473-GHOST-WALKING/ THE PROBLEM IS NOT EVIDENT WHEN DRIVING ON DRY OR ON SNOWY ROADS.

NHTSA ODI #10761874

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