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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-SUBARU-FORESTERNHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Subaru
2009 Subaru Forester problems
The 2009 Subaru Forester has 9 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 178 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Subaru Forester has 178 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 39 complaints, typically surfacing around 68,767 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
9
Critical
9
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Forester?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
Engine: 28 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–92,000 mi
Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average
18 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 2009 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
airbags — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,767 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
engine — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,202 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,564 mi · ~$850 to fix
cruise control — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,070 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 68,767 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 18 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.0/10 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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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Forester· cruise controlCrash
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…
Had a problem with your 2009 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 out of 10 based on 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Subaru Forester has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Subaru Forester?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Subaru Forester is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Engine: 28 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 20,000–92,000 mi; Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average; 18 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 2009 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 39 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,767 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2009 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 178 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 68,767 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 2009 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 39 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,767 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 64,675 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 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Subaru/Forester.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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