IllustrationIt just the airbags light turn on
2006 Subaru Forester
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Forester years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
200–25K
1325–50K
950–75K
1075–100K
13100–150K
4150K+
69 reports with mileage · 19 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports7 fire reports4 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
6 reportsI HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CRASH WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS HIT IN THE FRONT. THE CRASH WAS ON A MAIN ROADWAY IN LONG ISLAND NY.
I ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON 8/26/2012 AT 8:00 PM, PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO SLEEP. AT 2:00 AM I HEARD AN EXPLOSION, WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE TO VERIFY WHAT IT WAS AND FOUND MY FORESTER IN FIRE. WITH THE HELP OF MY NEIGHBORS WE CONTROL THE FIRE WITHIN AN HOUR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES CAME OUT OF THE FIRE; T…
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I ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON 8/26/2012 AT 8:00 PM, PARKED MY CAR IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO SLEEP. AT 2:00 AM I HEARD AN EXPLOSION, WENT OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE TO VERIFY WHAT IT WAS AND FOUND MY FORESTER IN FIRE. WITH THE HELP OF MY NEIGHBORS WE CONTROL THE FIRE WITHIN AN HOUR. SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES CAME OUT OF THE FIRE; THE CAR WAS DECLARED TOTAL LOSS, ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF THE FORESTER SUFFER A LOT OF DAMAGE, THE MOTOR OF THE GARAGE DOOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE PAINT OF THE HOUSE, VERTICAL BLINDS AND OTHER BELONGINGS OF THE HOUSE WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE. SUBARU/-FORESTER/2006 RECALL NO.WVC-13 RELATED TO THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIRBAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE WAY THAT MY CAR GOT IN FIRE HAS TO BE BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL.SHORT CIRCUIT, HAVING AS A RESULT THE FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR. THE VIN OF MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT I WILL APPRECIATE IF YOUR AGENCY COULD DO AN INVESTIGATION THAT AS A RESULT HAVE THE VIN OF MY CAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WVC-13. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO ACTIVATE AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. ON EACH OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ALSO DOES NOT ACTIVA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILS TO ACTIVATE AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. ON EACH OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ALSO DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONCE OUT OF 20-30 STARTS. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WEIGHS 120 LBS AND IS 5'5 INCHES TALL. SHE SITS ERECTLY WITH THE SEAT BACK NEARLY VERTICAL. THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE "OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM IS WORKING AS ITS DESIGNED INTENT AND AS SUCH WE ARE UNABLE TO RECOMMEND A REPAIR OR MODIFICATION". THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,421. UPDATED 01/03/08 *BF OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE AND SAG DURING SLIGHT DOWNGRADES WITH THE THROTTLE HELD JUST OFF IDLE AND SPEED HELD CONSTANT, THE SPEED CONTROL OVER AND UNDER SHOOTS ON SLIGHT GRADES, IT WOULD NOT GO TO FULL THROTTLE, OR TO CLOSED THROTTLE WHEN SPEED CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. UPDATED *JB
SINCE PURCHASING MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW ON 7/4/05, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILS TO ACTIVATE THE FRONT AIRBAG FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE BOTH LARGER AND HEAVIER THAN THE PURPORTED CUTOFF OF 80-POUND CHILDREN. THE PASSENGER IS 5'3", 105LBS, YET THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES TO THE "OFF" POSITION INTERMITTENTLY DESPITE TH…
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SINCE PURCHASING MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW ON 7/4/05, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILS TO ACTIVATE THE FRONT AIRBAG FOR PASSENGERS WHO ARE BOTH LARGER AND HEAVIER THAN THE PURPORTED CUTOFF OF 80-POUND CHILDREN. THE PASSENGER IS 5'3", 105LBS, YET THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES TO THE "OFF" POSITION INTERMITTENTLY DESPITE THE PASSENGER SITTING STRAIGHT. THE AIRBAG ALSO SOMETIMES FAILS TO ARM UPON START UP OF THE CAR, AND WILL REMAIN "OFF" FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. THE CAR WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SAFETY CAMPAIGN, IN WHICH MY PASSENGER SEAT WIRING WAS ALREADY CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND FOUND TO BE ROUTED PROPERLY, WHICH MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE AIRBAG IF ROUTED IMPROPERLY. THUS, THE WIRING IS A NON-ISSUE. THE FAULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SENSING EQUIPMENT. ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED WITH DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, ENDED IN BEING TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM IS "WORKING AS DESIGNED". I CONTACTED SUBARU CORPORATE AND LOCAL DEALER ON 10/18/07, WHO TOLD ME THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX/CHANGE THE SITUATION, AS THE SYSTEM CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, NOR DO THEY PERCEIVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. I ALREADY EXPLAINED TO SUBARU THAT A NUMBER OF OTHER KNOWN OWNERS OF 06-08 FORESTER MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT 130LB PASSENGERS STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT WHILE THE INTENT OF SUBARU'S DESIGN WAS GOOD, THE DESIGN IS FLAWED, AS THE SENSOR PAD IS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH FOR MANY PASSENGERS, AND THE INTERMITTENT-NATURE OF THE SENSOR IS QUITE DANGEROUS SHOULD A FRONTAL-IMPACT OCCUR. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED ON MY CAR FOR OVER A YEAR IN WHICH I STARTED TAKING NOTICE, AND THERE IS NO KNOWN FIX, NOR HAVE I BEEN TOLD THAT SUBARU IS ADMITTING TO A PROBLEM OR SEEKING A SOLUTION. THIS IS A BIG LIABILITY AND SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE, AND HOPE TO FIND SOME RESOLUTION. *TR
WHAT IDIOT DETERMINED THAT A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CONCERNING THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER-SEAT AIRBAG SHOULD BE ON 100% OF THE TIME? WHAT POSSESSED THAT SAME IDIOT TO REQUIRE THE COLOR YELLOW FOR SUCH LIGHT(S)? WHY CAN'T THE LIGHT BE DIMMED, OR EVEN ABLE TO BE SWITCHED OFF? AT NIGHT, SUCH A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS A VISUAL…
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WHAT IDIOT DETERMINED THAT A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT CONCERNING THE STATUS OF THE PASSENGER-SEAT AIRBAG SHOULD BE ON 100% OF THE TIME? WHAT POSSESSED THAT SAME IDIOT TO REQUIRE THE COLOR YELLOW FOR SUCH LIGHT(S)? WHY CAN'T THE LIGHT BE DIMMED, OR EVEN ABLE TO BE SWITCHED OFF? AT NIGHT, SUCH A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD IS A VISUAL DISTRACTION. IT CONSTANTLY PULLS THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD AHEAD. THE LIGHTS ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, NO ONE IS JUMPING IN. IF THERE IS A PASSENGER WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THAT SOUL IS NOT JUMPING OUT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMES TO A HALT. LOGICALLY, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME. *JB
Official recalls
211V464000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Sep 6, 2011
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
07V043000 · Air Bags:frontal
Feb 12, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIR BAG COULD BECOME DISABLED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. ALSO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED UNDER THE SEAT BRACKET. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPAIR ANY DAMAGED WIRING, REROUTE AND SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE CORRECT LOCATION, AND RE-CALIBRATE THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11011 · Front Suspension Control Arm Failure
Opened Apr 7, 2011 · Closed Sep 23, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension:front:control Arm
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension:front
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Suspension
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.