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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-SUBARU-FORESTERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2006 Subaru Forester problems
The 2006 Subaru Forester has 88 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Subaru Forester has 88 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 58,351 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Forester?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Subaru Forester? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,351 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
cruise control — 15 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,134 mi · ~$600 to fix
steering — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 113,594 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,583 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 58,351 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Forester· engine
I have a hesitation when accelerating from a stop caused by my vehicle's drive by wire throttle body. This hesitation is ongoing despite an ECM reprogramming done by the dealer on 12/16/08. It is bad enough that I'm afraid I'm going to get into a collision sometime. *tr
This is a repeatable event that could lead to an injury: purchased a new 2006 Subaru forester 2.5x end of october 2005. After approx. Two weeks car began to experience unexpected engine RPM increases immediately after a "cold start." when car is first started, engine rpms…
As I was waiting to pull into a small parking lot, an auto was pulling out. I had my foot on the brake waiting for him to exit. As soon as I released the brake the car lurched forward full speed towards the exiting car and I turned sharply to the right to avoid a collision but…
Head gasket leak on the driver's side cylinder head of a 2006 Subaru forester x. Mom's car (also a 2006 Subaru forester x) has identical head gasket leak but on the passenger's side cylinder head. There is the possibility of oil dripping on the hot exhaust manifold. My car…
Had a problem with your 2006 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production
The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct location, and re-calibrate the occupant detection system as necessary. The recall began on march 9, 2007. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Subaru Forester is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Subaru Forester?
The 2006 Subaru Forester is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,351 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 88 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 58,351 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,351 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 58,351 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 88 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Subaru/Forester.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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