This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Subaru Forester electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Subaru Forester have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 66,466 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Forester | 6 |
| 2007 Forester | 4 |
| 2008 Forester | 5 |
| 2009 Forester | 21 |
| 2010 Forester (this page) | 12 |
| 2011 Forester | 9 |
| 2012 Forester | 9 |
| 2014 Forester | 35 |
1crash
2fires
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Subaru service and technical support line newsletter provides information on the next phase of TechShare.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Forester electrical complaints break into two broad categories: warning-light cascades and genuine wiring/power issues.
Multiple owners report sudden illumination of multiple dash lights simultaneously—check engine, traction control, cruise, and tire pressure warnings coming on together at highway speeds or idle with no actual performance problems. Disconnecting the battery temporarily clears the codes, but the lights return within days. One owner mentions finding code P0057 (ABS-to-ECM communication fault) persistently returning even after dealer clearing; another notes the dealer couldn't diagnose the underlying cause after three visits and $500 in charges.
Separate from warning lights, owners describe genuine electrical faults: one had a complete loss of electrical power while driving (ignition wouldn't work, transmission stuck in park), another experienced repeated door-lock failures where the driver's door immediately relocks after unlocking, and a third reported ignition lockup that worsens with each occurrence. One owner discovered a wiring harness fire in the spare-tire compartment following trailer-hitch installation by a dealer, with preceding VDS and ABS warning lights. Most critically, one 2010 Forester XT caught fire completely—multiple warning lights preceded it, then the engine caught fire 10–15 minutes after parking, totaling the vehicle and nearly threatening the owner's home.
An oil-pressure warning light also failed to illuminate, leaving the owner unaware of 14,000 miles of overdue service.
Same Subaru Forester electrical reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Multiple Warning Lights Illuminating Together
Check engine, traction control, cruise control, ABS, tire pressure, transmission overheat, and/or AWD lights come on simultaneously with no corresponding vehicle performance issues. Pattern repeats after battery disconnect or code clearing by dealer. One instance included persistent P0057 (ABS-to-ECM communication) code.
When: At highway speeds above 60 mph, while idling, or randomly on dry/wet roads; one case at 26,277 miles (27,433 current)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate at once; Lights return within 2 days after battery disconnect or code clearing; No actual drivability issues noted; Cruise control light flickering without pattern
Codes mentioned: P0057
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to fix after multiple visits; one owner charged $500 with no resolution; codes repeatedly clear and return
Complete Electrical Power Loss While Driving
Loss of all electrical power while vehicle is in motion, rendering ignition unresponsive, transmission stuck in park, and dashboard/hazard controls inoperable. Power restored when driver's door opened.
When: 2023 (specific mileage not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger seat belt warning light and airbag warning illuminated; No power to ignition, transmission, or dash systems; Transmission would not shift out of park; Hazard lights and other controls unresponsive; Engine required 4 attempts to start after power returned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated to return if recurrence happens; all radio settings and dash settings required reprogramming
Door Lock Mechanism Auto-Relocking
Driver's side door lock immediately relocks itself after being unlocked, preventing door from staying open. Owner reports multiple similar posts online.
When: No mileage or timing provided
Symptoms owners cite: Door immediately relocks after unlocking; Cannot keep door unlocked to close it normally; Requires holding door shut while driving
Ignition Lock Binding
Ignition key becomes increasingly difficult to turn and occasionally locks up entirely, with condition worsening over time with repeated occurrences.
When: Multiple occasions; one instance within the last day of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition locks up and won't turn; Increasingly difficult with each occurrence; Issue gets progressively worse
Key Recognition Failure
Ignition does not recognize the vehicle key, preventing engine start. Dealer had no remedy.
When: At 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition will not recognize key; Vehicle would not start
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered to pay insurance deductible and extend warranty 7 years with conditions; vehicle was not repaired
Wiring Harness Fire
Wiring harness fire occurred in spare-tire compartment following trailer-hitch installation by dealer. VDS and ABS lights preceded failure. Burning plastic smell noted before discovery.
When: Over weekend; found Monday morning when trying to start
Symptoms owners cite: VDS and ABS warning lights came on intermittently; Slight popping sound when attempting to start; Burning plastic smell; Vinyl in driver's side rear wheel well burned; Fire in spare-tire compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness caught fire; vehicle presumably totaled
Engine Compartment Fire
Complete engine fire occurring approximately 10–15 minutes after parking. Multiple warning lights preceded the fire. Vehicle caught fire at rest with engine off. Totaled vehicle; significant property and life-safety risk.
When: At 85,000 miles; 10–15 minutes after parking and engine shutdown
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated upon startup; Traction control light illuminated; Tire pressure light illuminated; Cruise control light flickered without pattern; Temperature gauge light illuminated; Engine fan spinning very fast; Pop sound heard from parked vehicle; Massive engine fire occurred
Repairs/costs cited: Engine and front end destroyed; vehicle totaled; fire department required to extinguish
Oil Pressure Warning Light Inoperative
Oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate despite engine operating 14,000 miles past recommended oil change interval, resulting in engine knock and potential major engine damage.
When: Unknown exact mileage; realized when engine began knocking
Symptoms owners cite: No oil pressure warning light illuminated; No check engine light; Engine knock developed after extended service interval
Repairs/costs cited: Engine damage resulting from oil starvation; repair cost pending
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2010 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 electrical problem on the 2010 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 30,517 and 86,700 miles, with the median around 66,466. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,517; a quarter make it past 86,700. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2010/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.