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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-SUBARU-FORESTERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2008 Subaru Forester problems
The 2008 Subaru Forester has 50 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2008 Subaru Forester has 50 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is suspension at 11 complaints, typically surfacing around 128,171 miles (~$900 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Forester?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign 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 2008 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
suspension — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 128,171 mi · ~$900 to fix
engine — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 95,943 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 95,333 mi · ~$850 to fix
cruise control — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 18,748 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 95,333 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 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
2008 Forester· engine
My car as been seen by Subaru dealership since the day I bought it in 2012. I paid for 5 years. After I finished paying in july, I just discovered that is an oil leak , all my engine from front to back is dirty with oil, a second opinion mechanic stated that he does not know how…
In one miles time cruse light when on then engine light then died. Got extremely hot.. Blew gaskets and possible engine. I have never missed oil changes and have taken very good care of car. *tr
The airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. It is currently at local Subaru dealer. Mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. An engineer from Corporate Subaru inspected. Another team of engineers from…
Right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall WVX34 and NHTSA campaign 11v464000). Part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. Dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. I notified Subaru by Email last night on the day…
Had a problem with your 2008 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.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 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 2008 Subaru Forester?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Subaru Forester does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign 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 2008 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the suspension first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 11 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 128,171 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 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 2008 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 50 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is suspension. Typical failure occurs around 128,171 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 2008 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is suspension, with 11 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 128,171 miles. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The suspension is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $900 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 128,171 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 2008 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 50 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $900, 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/2008/Subaru/Forester.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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