This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Subaru Forester engine problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 13 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Head gasket failures dominate the complaints. One owner experienced blown head gaskets at 54K miles with violent coolant ejection and sooty exhaust while highway driving; another reported leaking head gaskets at 60K miles with the dealer estimating $3,000 for repair; a third saw head gaskets fail again at 128K miles just 15K miles after a rebuild, following radiator failure and initial head gasket replacement at 115K. Owners report this as a common problem on 2007 Foresters without factory recall.
Engine shutdown without warning appears twice—once at 17K miles (failure at both 60 mph and 5 mph with dealer unable to diagnose), once on highway at unspecified speed with no diagnostic code found by the dealership.
Catalytic converter damage tied to emission control issues appears in multiple complaints. One owner paid $2,000 replacing converter and O2 sensors after check engine and flashing cruise control lights, though forum research suggested bad O2 sensors, not converter. Another owner's vehicle was subject to emission control valve recall; after alleged repair, a second emission control valve in the gas tank failed weeks later, and Subaru denied reimbursement claiming the incidents were unrelated. A third had check engine light at 90K miles and converter damage confirmed.
Secondary air pump and valve failure cost one owner approximately $2,000; Subaru denied emissions warranty coverage despite the component's emission-control purpose. One owner reported loose engine heat shields ($40 repair after 1.5 years ownership) and recurring burning smells the dealer couldn't diagnose.
Same Subaru Forester engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Head Gasket Failure
Cylinder head gaskets leak oil and coolant, often requiring replacement or resurfacing. Multiple instances reported at varying mileages.
When: 54K miles (violent failure), 60K miles (oil/coolant leaks), 115K miles (failure with radiator), 128K miles (failure 15K after previous repair)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine temperature gauge fluctuating and rising; Coolant forcefully exiting overflow tank; Coolant violently exiting radiator cap when engine off; Sooty exhaust; Oil and coolant leaks from head gaskets; Engine shaking
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer estimated $3,000 for both cylinder head gasket replacement with hose replacement. Head gasket replacement, head resurfacing, and radiator replacement performed at 115K miles; gasket failed again by 128K miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru customer service offered $500 assistance on $3,000 repair estimate (insufficient per owner). No factory recall issued despite owner reporting this as common on 2007 Foresters.
Engine Shutdown / Stalling Without Warning
Engine shut down unexpectedly while driving at various speeds with no warning signs or diagnostic codes present.
When: 17K miles (two instances); unspecified mileage (highway incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving at 60 mph; Complete engine shutdown in local traffic at 5 mph; Engine shutdown on highway without warning
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; dealer unable to determine cause in first incident.
Catalytic Converter Damage and O2 Sensor Failures
Check engine light illumination with damaged catalytic converter confirmed; multiple owner reports indicate faulty O2 sensors may be causing false converter damage diagnosis and unnecessary expensive repairs.
When: 90K miles (converter damage); mileage not stated for sensor failures
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination upon starting; Cruise control light flashing
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid approximately $2,000 to replace front catalytic converter and O2 sensors. Forum research by owner indicated O2 sensor failure, not converter damage, as root cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response noted in narratives. Owner called for recall and reimbursement of owners' repair costs.
Emission Control Valve Failure (Gas Tank)
Secondary emission control valve inside gas tank failed after original emission control valve recall repair was allegedly completed, with no factory acknowledgment of the secondary failure.
When: Several weeks after completion of emission control valve recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Emission control valve malfunction inside gas tank
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle was subject to emission control valve recall. After repair completion, second emission control valve failed. Subaru denied reimbursement claim, stating the two incidents were unrelated.
Secondary Air Pump and Valve Failure
Secondary air pump and emission control valve failed. Manufacturer disputed warranty coverage despite component's emission-control function.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Secondary air pump failure; Secondary air valve failure
Repairs/costs cited: Total repairs approximately $2,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru denied coverage under emissions system warranty, stating secondary air pump and valve are not part of powertrain, though their function is emission control (increasing airflow to dilute tailpipe emissions).
Loose Engine Heat Shield
Engine heat shield came loose, requiring replacement. Owner reported this as recurring issue across multiple Subarus.
When: After 1.5 years ownership (used vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell from engine area; Loose heat shield
Repairs/costs cited: $40 replacement cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to diagnose burning smell on multiple visits; advised owner nothing was wrong. Mechanic employee at independent shop (Midas) noted heat shield loosening is routine on Subarus.
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Subaru forester. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated upon starting. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter was damaged. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Blown head gasket. 2007 Subaru forester 2.5xt. 54k miles. Problem presented itself violently as I was driving on freeway. Suddenly engine temp-gauge fluctuates and starts to rise. Pull over, coolant is forcefully exiting overflow tank. Shut car down, temp gauge drops quickly. No external signs of leaking coolant with subsequent refill and testing. After coolant warms up (3 minutes idle)…
Head gaskets on engine started to leak. I was told that this is a very common occurrence on the 2007 foresters. Why was there no recall for this issue? *tr
Secondary air pump and valve failure. Subaru admits these are not part of power train, but denies these are covered by emissions system warranty though purpose of pump and valves is to increase airflow and thereby dilute emissions at tailpipe. Total repairs approx. $2000. *tr
Engine failed on highway without any warning and there was no dignostic code for the engine failure was found by Subaru dealership.
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 54,000 and 107,719 miles, with the median around 95,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 107,719. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.