Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1270–25K
10125–50K
9750–75K
5175–100K
29100–150K
5150K+
410 reports with mileage · 203 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.
Engine. Review the 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
53 crash reports7 fire reports26 injury reports
What owners actually said
613 reports
100 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Air BagsSeats
THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES WITH THE PASSENGER SITTING ON A THIN PILLOW. WHEN ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT IS VERY DIFFICULT IF EVEN POSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE SUNSHINE, SO IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE IND…
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THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES WITH THE PASSENGER SITTING ON A THIN PILLOW. WHEN ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE LIGHT IS VERY DIFFICULT IF EVEN POSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE SUNSHINE, SO IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO AUDIBLE INDICATION THAT WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL WAS LATER READ WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AS THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, THAT A PASSENGER NEEDING A PILLOW MUST USE THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT THAT KNOWLEDGE BEFOREHAND AND A NON-NOTICEABLE LIGHT, A LIFE WAS ENDANGERED. THE SECONDARY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE MANUAL STATES TO WRITE TO "CONTACT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING MODIFICATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THAT MAY AFFECT THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM." I PROPOSE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE MANUAL AS A LEGAL SIDESTEP AND THAT HANDICAPPED PERSONS RIGHTS ARE ABUSED WITH THIS DESIGN. I RECOMMEND WRITING TO THAT ADDRESS TO SEE IF THERE IS A RESPONSE. (100 MILEAGE IS ESTIMATE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641030
2,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #10630298
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2014
Electrical System
I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND CANNOT BELIEVE THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS. THEY PRAISE THIS CAR FOR RELIABILITY, SO THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED THIS CAR. HOWEVER THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ARE SO SMALL YOU CAN'T READ THEM. ALSO, WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TURN PINK ON BLACK. WITHOUT THE RUNNING…
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I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND CANNOT BELIEVE THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS. THEY PRAISE THIS CAR FOR RELIABILITY, SO THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED THIS CAR. HOWEVER THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS ARE SO SMALL YOU CAN'T READ THEM. ALSO, WITH THE RUNNING LIGHTS ON THE LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TURN PINK ON BLACK. WITHOUT THE RUNNING LIGHTS THE NUMBERS ARE A PALE GRAY ON BLACK. WITH THE DIAL TO BRIGHTEN...THAT IS A JOKE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS OVERSIGHT. I WISH I HAD REALIZED THIS BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN, BUT I HAVE PRETTY GOOD EYESIGHT. *TR
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. 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 Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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