subaru Forester problems
0 safety recalls. 262 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The left side of drivers seat collapsed. Upon inspection, the metal tab that was spot welded to the seat frame failed. The metal tab connects the left front of the seat to the power seat motor components and rail. The power seat no longer works and the seat sags noticeably to…
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…
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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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.