Subaru Forester problems
262 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Brakes: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–76,000 mi
- Engine: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,000–115,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Hesitates when driving off or slowing down ,goes dead when pulling into traffic.sometimes the engine jerks and shakes. Plugs have 30,000 on them after tuning up.yellow lights will not come on and nothing shows up on diagnostic check. Extremely dangerous.
Takata recall -- repair delays -- how worried should I be? My 2010 Subaru forester is subject to the takata airbag recall for its front passenger airbag. My Subaru was purchased new in california in august 2010; it is registered in california; and I have driven it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru forester. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v358000 (air bags). The part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a…
My brakes were checked by my regular mechanic/repair shop @ 21,788 miles. They indicated that I had 70% left on both front and rear units. When I took my car in for an oil change and check up @ 24,870 miles the same shop indicated that while my front brakes still had 65% left on…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Subaru Forester reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 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.
Should you avoid the 2010 Subaru Forester?
The 2010 Subaru Forester is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–76,000 mi; Engine: 29 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 70,000–115,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 41 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 67,689 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 67,689 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 2010 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 262 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.