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.
2010 Subaru Forester engine problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
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.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.