ENGINE AND STABILITY ISSUES.
2009 Subaru Forester engine problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
AT 9610 MILES MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTERS ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE CAME; AS BEST I COULD TELL; IN ABOUT 20MILES OF OPERATION. ENGINE STARTED TO SOUND LOUDER FROM CABIN. IF I WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DOOR OPEN THE NOISE WAS VERY LOAD MULTI TONE METAL BANGING EMANATING FROM ENGINE BAY. BURNING SMELL ALSO OCCURRED. AS I DROVE THE LAST 20 MILES ENGINE WOULD BARELY STAY RUNNING AT …
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, IT ALSO HANDLED ROUGHLY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS FLASHING, ALONG WITH VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL WARNING LIGHT. I HAD MY CAR TOWED, AS IT WASN'T DRIVABLE. MY LOCAL GARAGE REPAIRED MY CAR, I RECEIVED 4 NEW SPARK PLUGS, AND AN AIR FILTER. 9 DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT, AN…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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