While backing up (car in reverse) at about 5 MPH, acceleration occurred making the car go backwards very fast. Pressing the brake pad to the ground had no affect. The car, reversing out of control, side-swiped another vehicle and a piece of equipment. Car finally backed up into a huge forklift which went through the rear window and stopped the car. Luckily no one was hurt but the Subaru forester…
2011 Subaru Forester cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
9crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three distinct acceleration defects. Most common is sudden forward or backward acceleration during parking and low-speed maneuvers—foot off the gas, brake pressed hard, vehicle still accelerates into other cars, buildings, poles, and embankments. Crashes occurred at 5 mph in traffic, while parking, and while reversing; some vehicles were totaled, others hit structures or other vehicles. Braking and hand brakes did not stop the acceleration in several cases.
One owner documented a separate throttle control issue: while cruising uphill with cruise control active, the transmission downshifted causing engine to rev excessively (4,000+ RPM). When check engine, traction control, and blinking cruise control lights came on together, the accelerator became completely unresponsive on a steep mountain road at 65 mph—a hazardous loss of power. The owner pulled diagnostic code P2138 (Throttle Pedal Position Sensor Switch D E Voltage Correlation). That same code appeared in the downshift scenario.
Incidents ranged from 400 miles to later in vehicle life. One owner experienced two separate reverse-acceleration events days apart. A dealer repair for brake service (NHTSA campaign 14V311000) did not resolve the problem in one case. Dealers and independent shops could not replicate or fix the issue; Subaru offered no assistance in most cases reported.
Same Subaru Forester cruise control reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration During Braking and Parking
Vehicle accelerates suddenly while driver is applying brakes or has foot off accelerator, typically during parking or low-speed maneuvers. Braking appears unable to override the acceleration in several cases. Occurs both in forward and reverse.
When: Low speed (5 mph), mostly during parking and reverse maneuvers; one case at approximately 11,000 miles; one case at 400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver input or pressure on gas pedal; Braking does not stop the acceleration; Hand brake ineffective in some cases; Occurs during parking, reversing, and low-speed city driving
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported that a dealer repair for brake service (NHTSA campaign 14V311000) was not effective; another dealer was unable to duplicate the failure; some owners took vehicles to independent mechanics with unknown results; most cases show manufacturer offered no assistance or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) referenced in one complaint; manufacturer contacted in multiple cases but offered no assistance; one dealer unable to replicate issue; no recalls mentioned for cruise control or throttle system issues
Throttle Control Loss with Cruise Control Active
While cruise control is active on hills, transmission downshifts inappropriately causing high engine RPM. When warning lights appear (check engine, traction control, blinking cruise control), the accelerator stops responding entirely on one documented case, creating a hazardous loss of power on an uphill grade.
When: Occurred on mountain pass (Colorado) while driving uphill with cruise control active; intermittent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control triggers automatic downshift on hills; Engine revs excessively (4,000+ RPM); Check engine light, traction control light, and blinking cruise control light appear together; Accelerator becomes unresponsive when warning lights are active; Issue intermittent and recurs after turning vehicle off and on
Codes mentioned: P2138
Repairs/costs cited: Code P2138 pulled by owner using scanner (Throttle Pedal Position Sensor Switch D E Voltage Correlation); no repair noted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner stated no official documentation from Subaru found on the issue; forums show other owners with similar questions but few answers
Sudden Acceleration in Reverse
Vehicle accelerates rapidly backward during low-speed reverse maneuvers without driver input. Brake application ineffective. Multiple incidents reported by same owner on separate occasions within days of each other.
When: During backing up maneuvers at low speed (approximately 5 mph); one owner experienced two separate incidents days apart
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerates backward at high speed; No driver input on accelerator; Brake pedal pressed hard with no effect; Occurs multiple times for the same owner; Rapid acceleration without warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle was totaled; vehicles towed but diagnostic results and repairs not documented in narratives
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 cruise control problem on the 2011 Subaru Forester?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 34,529 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2011/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.