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
2010 model year · 45,700 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Electrical System

THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHANGE THE OIL FOR APPROX 14,00 MILES...HOWEVER....NO WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON TO REMIND ME. NO OIL LIGHT, NO ENGINE LIGHT...NOTHING. NOW I AM FACING A POSSIBLE BIG EXPENSE IN REPAIR...WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SHOP AS I TYPE THIS. THESE WARN…

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THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. TOOK TO THE DEALER. TURNS OUT I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHANGE THE OIL FOR APPROX 14,00 MILES...HOWEVER....NO WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON TO REMIND ME. NO OIL LIGHT, NO ENGINE LIGHT...NOTHING. NOW I AM FACING A POSSIBLE BIG EXPENSE IN REPAIR...WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE SHOP AS I TYPE THIS. THESE WARNING SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION. HAD IT WORKED PROPERLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REMINDED TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466620

2011 model year · 22,241 miles · Mar 6, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I AM BEING TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES. I CHANGED THE OIL ON 7/6/11 AT 10,639 MILES. THE ENGINE THEN FAILED AT 22241 ON 2/1/12. THE ENGINE HOLDS 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL BUT PER THE MANUFACTURER HAD NONE IN IT AT THE ENGINE FAILURE. HOW DOES A NEW VEHICLE BURN 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN 11602 MI…

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I AM BEING TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CHANGES. I CHANGED THE OIL ON 7/6/11 AT 10,639 MILES. THE ENGINE THEN FAILED AT 22241 ON 2/1/12. THE ENGINE HOLDS 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL BUT PER THE MANUFACTURER HAD NONE IN IT AT THE ENGINE FAILURE. HOW DOES A NEW VEHICLE BURN 5.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN 11602 MILES? THERE WAS ALSO NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANY KIND TO TELL ME THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LOW. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE OIL LEVEL HAD TO BE LOWER THAN 2 P.S.I FOR THE LIGHT TO GO OFF AND WARN ME AND AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE WOULD ALREADY BE DAMAGED. I GOT NO ADVANCE WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE OR THE OIL LEVEL. THE ENGINE SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL IN EXCESS OF $9500.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE. HOW CAN A MANUFACTURER HAVE AN ENGINE THAT DOES NOT WARN THE CONSUMER THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM? I AM VERY PUZZLED BY THIS AND THE FACT THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOIDED IS THE SAME DEALERSHIP CHARGING ME EXORBITANT RATES FOR A NEW MOTOR? PLEASE HELP OR GIVE ME A SUGGESTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450420

2007 model year · 95,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. NO OTHER ENGINE SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THE FRONT CONVERTER IS DAMAGED IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SENSOR BEING BAD. ENDED UP HAVING THEM ALL REPLACED AT SUBSTANTIAL…

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. NO OTHER ENGINE SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES. TOOK VEHICLE TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THE FRONT CONVERTER IS DAMAGED IN ADDITION TO THE FRONT SENSOR BEING BAD. ENDED UP HAVING THEM ALL REPLACED AT SUBSTANTIAL COST OF APPROX. $2,000.00. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH DONE IN A SUBARU FORESTERS OWNERS FORUM SHOWS THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING COSTLY AND UNNECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY O2 SENSORS, NOT BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. ANY EXPENSES CURRENT OWNERS HAVE HAD TO INCUR SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY SUBARU TO THOSE OWNERS, AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO OTHER OWNERS TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY AND COSTLY REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449433

2010 model year · 26,277 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE NINE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO THE TRACTION CONTROL, CRUISE CONTROL AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE NINE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,433 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,277.

NHTSA ODI #10449071

2010 model year · 5,000 miles · Sep 7, 2011
Electrical SystemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND ADVISED THAT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A SUITABLE REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN YEARS, WITH CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10424173

2007 model year · 57,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN PARK WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN PARK WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MECHANIC CUT THE WIRES AND RECONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART. ON A LATER DATE, THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE WIRES HAD OVERHEATED AND FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REAPPLY THE WIRES BUT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10351583

2009 model year · 3,411 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Electrical SystemFire

2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED AN WITHIN SECONDS, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT, MELTING SOME PLASTIC PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS …

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2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS REMOTE STARTED AN WITHIN SECONDS, THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT, MELTING SOME PLASTIC PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS GOING TO THE SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS AND OTHER COMPONENTS HAD BURNED OUT. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10340035

2009 model year · 3,411 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

FIRE ERUPTED WITHOUT WARNING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE PANEL BELOW THE TRUNK COVER ON 2009 SUBARU FORESTER WITH LESS THAN 3,500 MILES. THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT. THIS HAPPENED ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO AND SUBARU IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INSURANCE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291595

2009 model year · 7,064 miles · Jun 20, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

VEHICLE: 2009 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED, ON 6/20/09 I EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. BEFORE OUR EXIT I CANCELED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT LEFT IT "ON". ON THE RAMP, I LET THE CAR SLOW. AT ABOUT 40 MPH I MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO 'SPORT' MODE, DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, THEN 2…

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VEHICLE: 2009 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED, ON 6/20/09 I EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. BEFORE OUR EXIT I CANCELED THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT LEFT IT "ON". ON THE RAMP, I LET THE CAR SLOW. AT ABOUT 40 MPH I MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER INTO 'SPORT' MODE, DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, THEN 2ND, THEN BRAKED TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS STOPPED, IN GEAR, IDLING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE RACED AND THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT; IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED BUT I INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE ENGINE, WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND IN GEAR, RAN UP OVER 2000 RPM. I IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO REGULAR DRIVE MODE AND THEN INTO NEUTRAL. ONCE IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE BRIEFLY RACED HIGHER BUT THEN DROPPED TO IDLE AT ABOUT 700 RPM. I SWITCHED THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF. PLEASE NOTE: TO STOP THE CAR I DID NOT MOVE MY FOOT; IT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE, AND I MERELY PRESSED HARDER. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF PEDAL CONFUSION. THE FLOOR MATS ARE IN PLACE. THIS IS NOT A CASE OF A FLOOR MAT INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, WE WERE NOT MOVING. I WAS NOT ON THE PHONE. I WAS NOT LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER. I WAS NOT OTHERWISE DISTRACTED. I WAS SITTING STILL, WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, WITH MY FOCUS ON THE TRAFFIC STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. IN MY VIEW, THIS REPRESENTS A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE, AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE ADVISE REGARDING YOUR PROPOSED RESOLUTION. I HAVE ADVISED SUBARU VIA THEIR WEBSITE TODAY BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. I AM HAPPY TO BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER DETAILS IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274421

2009 model year · 4,615 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Electrical System

IGNITION DOESN'T RECOGNIZE VALET KEY, "SECURITY" LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON, KEY WON'T TURN AND CAR WON'T START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251120

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.