This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Subaru Forester engine problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Subaru Forester have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 89,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Forester | 18 |
| 2007 Forester | 13 |
| 2008 Forester | 8 |
| 2009 Forester | 28 |
| 2010 Forester (this page) | 29 |
| 2011 Forester | 50 |
| 2012 Forester | 22 |
| 2013 Forester | 22 |
| 2014 Forester | 41 |
1crash
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 29 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
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 engine cluster shows two dominant failure modes: excessive, undetected oil consumption leading to catastrophic engine damage, and premature head gasket failure with persistent coolant leaks.
Oil consumption defects arrive with zero warning. Owners report driving normally, only to have the engine lose power or seize outright—one owner's engine had no oil on the dipstick after 5,500 miles of driving, while another ran completely dry between oil change intervals and lost power on the highway. Subaru issued a technical bulletin identifying improperly machined intake valve guide holes (#1 and/or #4) that allow oil to escape into the combustion chamber. Even after acknowledgment, Subaru has refused full recalls and denies warranty coverage outside of certain VIN ranges, offering token $500 goodwill credits against $5,000 engine replacement bills.
Head gaskets fail at 70,000–160,000 miles with little notice—coolant lights come on, then Check Engine and Traction Control lights begin flashing. Replacement runs $2,000–$2,600 at dealer shops. One owner received an engine block replacement after a gasket blew; two days after getting the car back, the Check Engine light illuminated again.
Additional findings include repeated catalytic converter failures before 50,000 miles, unexplained engine hesitation and stalling that diagnostic scans cannot pinpoint, and two documented incidents of sudden unintended acceleration, one involving property damage and a bystander injury. No warning lights preceded the oil starvation failures in multiple cases.
Same Subaru Forester engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Internal Oil Consumption / Oil Starvation
Engine consumes oil at abnormally high rates—ranging from 1 quart per 1000 miles to complete depletion between service intervals—leading to oil starvation, internal damage, and catastrophic failure. Owners report zero warning lights before sudden loss of power or engine seizing.
When: Between 23,566 and 99,552 miles; some failures sudden, others gradual consumption with engine failure at 71,662–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine loses power suddenly without warning lights; Oil level critically low or undetectable on dipstick; No external leaks visible despite low oil; Knocking sound before failure; Burning oil smell; Engine stalls or shuts down mid-drive
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (no specific codes reported for this failure mode)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report engine rebuild/replacement of short block required; one owner quoted $5,000 repair with manufacturer offering only $500 goodwill credit; some dealers proposed used engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued bulletin citing improperly machined intake valve guide insertion holes (#1 and/or #4) on 2010 Forester and 2011 Legacy/Outback/Impreza models; Subaru refused to apply fix outside of warranty and did not recall; offered $500 goodwill on $5,000 repair in some cases
Head Gasket Failure / Leaking
Head gaskets fail or develop leaks, often suddenly, causing coolant loss, overheating, oil leaks onto exhaust manifold, and rendering vehicle unsafe. Failures occur at low to moderate mileage and persist even after dealer repair.
When: 70,000 to 160,000 miles; some sudden, some discovered during routine inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant light illuminates; Low whistling noise from engine; Check Engine light, Traction Control light, Cruise Control light flashing; Oil leaking onto exhaust manifold; Overheating; Coolant level dropping after refill
Codes mentioned: Coolant warning light, Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of head gaskets costs $2,000–$2,600; one owner reports engine block replacement requiring 6 weeks labor; Check Engine light returned 2 days after repair completion in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledged as known problem affecting all models up to 2010 but declined to issue recall; Subaru provided partial cost assistance (goodwill credit) in some cases; one owner notes Subaru stated issue was not covered under warranty
Sudden Unintended Acceleration / Loss of Deceleration
Engine surges or accelerates without driver input, particularly when shifting into Reverse or while stopped in traffic. Two separate incidents with injuries/property damage reported. No consistent diagnostic findings; one ECM reprogramming recommendation noted.
When: Occurred at 5,800 and 5,900 miles (Reverse gear incident); at 96,300 miles (traffic light/waiting scenario)
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal backward acceleration when shifting to Reverse; Engine revs high during downshift without warning; Vehicle accelerates while stopped in gear at traffic lights or in congestion; Steering becomes difficult or locks during failure; Check Engine light on (misfire code on cylinder 4 in one case)
Codes mentioned: P0304 or similar misfire on cylinder 4
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer recommended ECM reprogramming; one suggested ignition coil replacement (completed but symptom persisted); independent mechanic suggested dropping exhaust and inspecting engine; no owner reported successful repair of acceleration issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer (Authorized) notified of ECM reprogramming; one dealer refused to examine vehicle after second incident
A/C Compressor Failure
Air conditioning compressor fails, causing the refrigerant valve to freeze and lock the serpentine belt. This jams the engine crankshaft, causing sudden engine stop and catastrophic internal damage (bent valves, damaged cylinder heads).
When: 43,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine jerks and stops suddenly while cruising; No warning lights or prior symptoms; Severe engine damage after A/C compressor locks up
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder heads required machining; many internal engine parts replaced; one owner reports A/C unit literally froze
Repeated Catalytic Converter Failure / Overheating
Catalytic converters fail or melt, requiring replacement multiple times before 50,000 miles. Linked to underlying engine issues causing overheating and incomplete combustion.
When: Below 50,000 miles; repeated failures (two replacements by this mileage; third failure at 115,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light, Traction Control light, Cruise Control light flashing; Burning smell from exhaust; Catalytic converter melting or clogging
Codes mentioned: Check Engine, Traction Control, Cruise Control warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple catalytic converter replacements required at high cost; one owner reports replacement didn't resolve issue—same lights returned within 3 weeks
Engine Overheating / Coolant Leak from Manufacturing Defect
Engine bolt came loose during manufacturing, causing internal coolant leak and severe overheating. Discovered at very low mileage.
When: 1,412 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge reading high; Temperature warning light illuminates; Burning odor from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Engine short block replacement performed by dealer
Intermittent Hesitation / Jerking / Stalling
Engine hesitates, jerks, shakes, or stalls during acceleration, gear shifts, or when pulling into traffic. Check Engine light may or may not illuminate; diagnostic scans often show no codes despite symptoms.
When: 96,300 miles (one case); ongoing issue across multiple cases starting early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine jerks and hesitates during acceleration; Vehicle stalls when pulling into traffic; Engine shakes or vibrates; Difficulty accelerating up hills or during normal driving; Check Engine light present or absent despite symptoms; Diagnostic scan shows no fault codes in some cases
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light (no fault codes found in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil replacement (3 times in under 3 years on one vehicle); spark plug and wire replacement; fuel system switched to top-tier gas—none resolved issue; one dealer recommended exhaust drop and engine inspection
Fuel System Rust / Corrosion
Fuel tank and fuel lines corrode or rust, requiring replacement. Check Engine light illuminates due to fuel system fault.
When: 99,552 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine warning light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Check Engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel tank and fuel lines replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided goodwill credit to offset repair cost
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.
Excessive oil consumption issue on 2010 Subaru forester. Last oil change @ 72,328 miles. Vehicle ran out of oil at 74,979 miles. [documentation available on consistent regular maintenance.] *tr
The engine in my 2010 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a sudden and complete mechanical failure on November 15, 2025. While driving, the vehicle abruptly lost power without any warning lights or messages. I was able to pull off the roadway, but the loss of power posed a significant safety risk. Had this occurred in traffic or at highway speeds, it could have caused a collision. The vehicle…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2010 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 70,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 89,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 70,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.