This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Forester steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Subaru Forester have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Forester | 9 |
| 2007 Forester | 3 |
| 2008 Forester | 4 |
| 2009 Forester (this page) | 3 |
| 2010 Forester | 5 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing the power steering pump, the relief valve is now available as a replacement part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REVISION TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION FOR VDC DTC C0071
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Revision to Troubleshooting Information for VDC DTC C0071
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU: REPLACING COOLANT PIPING LOCATED ADJACENT TO RADIATOR THAT'S CORRODED AND DAMAGED DUE TO ROAD SALT AND/OR SALT WATER ACCUMULATION AND NEW REPLACEMENT IS DOUBLE THICK TEFLON COATING. MODEL 2009-13 FORESTER AT, 20089-11 IMPREZA AT. UPDATED 08/05/2015
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 45,777 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.