2010 Subaru Forester problems
The 2010 Subaru Forester has 262 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2010 Subaru Forester has 262 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 41 complaints, typically surfacing around 67,689 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Forester | 72 | 0 |
| 2008 Forester | 50 | 1 |
| 2009 Forester | 178 | 2 |
| 2010 Forester (this page) | 262 | 0 |
| 2011 Forester | 147 | 0 |
| 2012 Forester | 105 | 2 |
| 2013 Forester | 77 | 3 |
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.
Buying a used 2010 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 — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 67,689 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- brakes — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 56,413 mi · ~$450 to fix
- engine — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 90,989 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- cruise control — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 49,637 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 67,689 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2010 Subaru Forester
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2010 Subaru Forester
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.
- ~41,000 micruise control~$600
- ~42,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~43,678 mibrakes~$450
- ~66,466 mielectrical~$850
- ~89,000 miengine~$3,100
"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
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 should I check before buying a used 2010 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 41 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 67,689 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 2010 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 262 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 67,689 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 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.