Subaru Forester problems
0 safety recalls. 178 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON A 2009 SUBARU FORRESTER. MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CRASHING THRU A BRICK WALL, OVER A LARGE A/C UNIT AND INTO A BUILDING. *TR
RECALL FOR PUDDLE LIGHTS--SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IN 2017--I TOOK CAR TO RAPID CITY SD COURTESY SUBARU. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PUDDLE LIGHTS HAD BEEN REMOVED, AND THERE WEREN'T ANY PUT BACK IN, NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL WHEN…
FAILS TO FUNCTION IN DRIVE WHEN PARKED OVERNITE AND THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEGREES. AFTER A WARM UP PERIOD THE DRIVE GEAR ENGAGES AND THE CAR IS DRIVABLE EXCEPT FOR A CLUNKING AND SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION, ALSO REVERSE APPEARS OK UNTIL YOU PLACE THE CAR IN…
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH ON A 2 LANE SECONDARY ROAD WHEN AN APPROACHING VEHICLE'S DRIVER GOT MY ATTENTION AND SAID MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I FOUND A PLACE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DIRECTED MY SPOUSE TO QUICKLY GET OUT, MOVE AWAY FROM OUR CAR AND CALL 911. THERE WAS SMOKE…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 39 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. 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 2009 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 178 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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 aren't always better value.