COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Subaru Forester electrical problems

791 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

27 crash reports35 fire reports8 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

332 reports with mileage · 459 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 owners actually said

791 reports
2005 model year · 160,000 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND THEN IDLED FAST AND SLOW BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PRODUCED A FAILURE CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND THEN IDLED FAST AND SLOW BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PRODUCED A FAILURE CODE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10968199

2014 model year · 18,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Electrical System

WHEN PARKED FOR A TWO WEEK PERIOD, THE BATTERY GOES DEAD. HAS LEFT US STRANDED AT A PARKING GARAGE AT THE AIRPORT. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SUBARU SERVICE CLAIMS THAT IT IS "NORMAL" FOR A CAR BATTERY TO GO DEAD WHEN IT HASN'T BEEN RUN FOR TWO WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI #10967424

2010 model year · 80,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Electrical System

ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AT ONCE . THE NON SKID, CHECK ENGINE , CRUISE LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OFF . I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY MADE OUT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING . I TOOK IT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES THEY ENDED UP CHARGING ME $500 DOLLARS AND NEVER FIXED ANYTHING. IN A MONTHS TIME THEY CAME BACK ON. I'VE HAD THEM TURNE…

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ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AT ONCE . THE NON SKID, CHECK ENGINE , CRUISE LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OFF . I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY MADE OUT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING . I TOOK IT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES THEY ENDED UP CHARGING ME $500 DOLLARS AND NEVER FIXED ANYTHING. IN A MONTHS TIME THEY CAME BACK ON. I'VE HAD THEM TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON IN 2 DAYS TIME. I JUST RECENTLY PUT IT BACK IN THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE SCANNER FOUND VARIOUS CODES. THEY CLEARED ALL CODES , BUT CODE P0057 KEPT COMING BACK FOR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANTILOCK BRAKES AND ECM. POSSIBLE CAUSE- WIRING, ABS MODULE,OR ECM.

NHTSA ODI #10967427

2015 model year · 14,000 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Electrical System

WHEN I STOP MY CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE I CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE IN-DOOR SILVER DOOR LATCH. THE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EVEN WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK IT USING THE UNLOCK ROCKER SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR ARM REST. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED AND OPENED …

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WHEN I STOP MY CAR, PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE I CAN NOT OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE IN-DOOR SILVER DOOR LATCH. THE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EVEN WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK IT USING THE UNLOCK ROCKER SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR ARM REST. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED AND OPENED WHEN I UNLOCK IT USING THE BLACK IN-DOOR LOCKING LATCH. THERE IS AN APPARENT ELECTRICAL OR SOFTWARE PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10954202

2009 model year · 127,000 miles · Jan 24, 2017
Electrical System

MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, AND STOPPED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIP…

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MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, AND STOPPED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE HAVING TO DRIVE ON A RAINY NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947387

2012 model year · 65,235 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND BATTERY FAILED. THERE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND BATTERY FAILED. THERE WAS ALSO TOO MUCH FUEL IN THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,235.

NHTSA ODI #10938488

2008 model year · 90,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WOULD NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST DUE TO A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP BEING STUCK OPEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WOULD NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST DUE TO A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP BEING STUCK OPEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE BURNED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ..UPDATED 01/04/17 *BF ...UPDATED 01/23/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. UPDATED 12/5/2017*JS UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928747

2015 model year · 22,000 miles · Nov 3, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/16/17*LJ UPDATED 7/3/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10923971

2012 model year · 800,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHICH DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH... WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE BRAKES AND ALL POWER. I SAT IN THE FAST LANE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO SAFELY EXIT MY CAR FOR ALMOST AND HOUR UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHI…

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WHICH DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR AT 65 MPH... WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING OR WARNING LIGHT MY CAR STALLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE STEERING WENT OUT ALONG WITH THE BRAKES AND ALL POWER. I SAT IN THE FAST LANE OF TRAFFIC UNABLE TO SAFELY EXIT MY CAR FOR ALMOST AND HOUR UNTIL HELP ARRIVED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEIL HUFFMAN IN LOUISVILLE KY WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW 4 YEARS AGO. I WAS TOLD THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR HAD FAILED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH WITH NO WARNING. I PAID THE 403.00 REPAIR AND CONTACT SUBARU USA DUE TO MY CONCERNS. ALTHOUGH I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS ON HOLD EACH TIME FOR UP TO 10 MIN AND ALSO EMAILED.. STILL NOT RESPONSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR.. AND PLAN TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR SOON.. BUT AM CONCERNED SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE MY CAR AND BE IN DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919796

2014 model year · 61,222 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Electrical SystemPower Train

I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DIDN'T START MY CAR FEW ABOUT TEN DAYS. WHEN I COME BACK THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMP STARTED. AS I WAS LEAVING THE LOT AND GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE - THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I COULD NOT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO PARK WITH A DEAD BATTERY. F…

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I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DIDN'T START MY CAR FEW ABOUT TEN DAYS. WHEN I COME BACK THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I HAD IT JUMP STARTED. AS I WAS LEAVING THE LOT AND GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN DRIVE - THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I COULD NOT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO PARK WITH A DEAD BATTERY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED WITH ANOTHER JUMP. IN THE MEANTIME THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS UNTIL I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.. SO THERE WERE TWO ISSUES, YOU CANT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO PARK IF THE BATTERY IS DEAD AND THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARD IN DRIVE (WHICH I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON OTHER OCCASIONS). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10919749

Related Official recalls

2

19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Apr 11, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

16V738000 · Electrical System

Oct 13, 2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

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

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.