This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Forester powertrain problems
critical 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1fire
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 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
No new NHTSA powertrain 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 powertrain 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 announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate. In a case of prolonged clutch pedal application, seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate. In a case of prolonged clutch pedal application, seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension housing area.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of hazardous powertrain failures. Transmission response delays appear early—cars lag when accelerating from stops, then suddenly kick hard. One owner had the dealer reset the computer; it worked for three days then failed again. Multiple owners experienced unexplained, uncontrolled acceleration—one while moving forward downhill (collision resulted), another while reversing (pedestrian fatality reported), and one while parked in neutral.
Cold weather exposes a separate transmission defect: drive gear won't engage after overnight parking below 40°F; after warm-up, the transmission clunks, slips, and sometimes revs into the red zone.
Cooling-line ruptures are documented. One owner's transmission cooling line burst and sprayed fluid onto the catalytic converter, igniting it while the vehicle was moving at 20 mph. A separate owner found severe corrosion and leaks along cooling-line weld seams.
Transmission failure occurred as early as 114,000 miles. When a center support bearing was identified as the failed component, the manufacturer refused to sell the $20 bearing separately, requiring a $700 driveshaft replacement instead. Undercarriage vibration and harmonic buzz at 25 mph plagued another owner despite two heat-shield replacements. These are unverified complaints, but the pattern of early failures and safety events warrants careful inspection on any used model year.
Failure modes owners describe
Delayed/Harsh Acceleration Response
Transmission lags when accelerating from stop or after light changes; car unresponsive to throttle input then kicks in hard. Owner reports it happens unpredictably across different driving scenarios. Dealer attributed to 'learning transmission' and attempted computer reset (worked 3 days then recurred).
When: 2 months after purchase; recurring throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Lag in shifting when accelerating from stop; No response to gas pedal, then sudden hard acceleration; Happens intermittently in various driving situations; Loud noises and rough idling reported; Burning smell from engine after driving
Repairs/costs cited: Computer reset by dealer; problem recurred. Dealer wanted to take vehicle home to evaluate transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suggested 'learning transmission' justification; no effective fix provided
Burst Transmission Fluid Cooling Line / Engine Fire
Transmission fluid cooling line ruptured, spraying fluid onto hot catalytic converter and igniting. Transmission function degraded immediately before fire. Fire broke out while vehicle was moving at low speed on secondary road.
When: Not specified; low-mileage vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stopped operating effectively; Smoke under hood; Flames above catalytic converter; Burning smell
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop identified burst transmission fluid cooling line. Vehicle towed.
Unexplained Acceleration / Loss of Control
Vehicle accelerated by itself downhill on curve, driver unable to brake or control vehicle. Resulted in collision with two vehicles and $4500 damage to own vehicle. Owner reported to Subaru 800 number but received no follow-up.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration downhill; Unable to stop despite braking attempt; Vehicle continued accelerating around curve
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle heavily damaged and towed from scene
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Information taken by Subaru 800 number; no follow-up contact
Engine Surge on Clutch Engagement (Manual Transmission)
Manual transmission revs to approximately 4000 RPM and surges when clutch engaged. Problem occurred 85% of the time. Dealer duplicated the failure. Manufacturer advised writing a computer program fix but dealer never followed up.
When: Very early in ownership (failure mileage ~100 miles, report at ~2200 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Revving to ~4000 RPM on clutch engagement; Surge sensation; Happens 85% of the time
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised dealer would write computer program to remedy issue; dealer did not follow up
Unexplained Engine Acceleration in Park
Engine suddenly accelerated to top RPM and surged while parked in neutral, prior to moving vehicle. No obvious cause found (floor mats confirmed in proper position). Issue resolved after engine shutdown and restart.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration to top RPM while in park/neutral; Surging engine; Wheels turned slightly left
Unintended Rapid Acceleration While Backing (Fatal Incident)
Vehicle accelerated rapidly while being backed up, causing loss of control and collision resulting in pedestrian fatality. Driver had no explanation; passenger suspected mechanical defect.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid uncontrolled acceleration while reversing; Loss of vehicle control
Transmission Cold-Start Failure
Drive gear fails to engage when parked overnight in temperatures below 40°F. After warm-up, drive engages but with clunking and slippage. Reverse also produces rattling clunk when shifted to drive. Transmission RPM goes into red zone at times while driving.
When: After overnight parking in cold conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Drive gear fails to engage in cold (<40°F); Clunking and slippage after warm-up; Rattling clunk when reverse shifts to drive; Transmission RPM enters red zone
Vibration/Harmonic Buzz from Undercarriage
Vibration and harmonic buzz heard from underneath vehicle at 25 MPH. Dealer diagnosed and replaced heat shield twice. Same problem recurred after second repair. No recall applies per manufacturer.
When: 85,000 miles; recurred by 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration harmonic buzz from underneath vehicle; Noise at 25 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Heat shield replaced twice; problem not resolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle not included in any recalls
Transmission Fluid Leaks at Cooling Line Weld Seams
Transmission cooling lines leak along weld seams due to severe corrosion. Owner incurred prior repairs for other leaking gaskets and spent $5K on vehicle before transmission failure occurred.
When: 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leaking from cooling lines; Corrosion visible at weld seams
Repairs/costs cited: Prior $5K spent on gasket leaks and other repairs
Transmission Failure / Inability to Source Parts
Transmission failed at 114,000 miles. Center support bearing identified as needed ($20 part) but manufacturer will not sell bearing separately—requires $700 driveshaft replacement despite driveshaft being functional. Owner questions if this is deliberate scam.
When: 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: Center support bearing needed but manufacturer only sells complete driveshaft assembly ($700) when bearing is $20 part
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer does not sell bearing separately
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 drive and you a rattling clunk. The transmission RPM goes into the red zone at times while driving the car . *tr
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 coming from under the hood so I opened it carefully and saw a wall of flame, just above the catalytic converter, and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, a vibration harmonic buzz was heard from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The technician stated the heat shield needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time for the same failure and same repairs were done. The manufacturer was…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 powertrain problem on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
It's a serious issue. 12 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 7,200 and 118,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,200; a quarter make it past 118,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2009/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.