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2007 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →
72Owner complaints

Model-year median: 131

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
219
200493
200588
200672
200750
2008178
2009262
2010
Compare all Forester years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
11Suspension
11Engine
9Vehicle Speed Control
7Air Bags
6
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
6Fuel System, Gasoline
6Fuel/propulsion System
6Electrical System
5Tires
4Exterior Lighting
3Steering
3Equipment Adaptive/mobility
2Seats
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

56 reports with mileage · 16 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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38,503 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THE CAR RUNS FINE. I HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANIC SAID GAS CAP PROBLEM AND RESET. AFTER THAT TIME I WAS VERY CAREFUL TO TURN THE GAS CAP UNTIL I HEARD 2 PLUS CLICKS (RECOMMENDED BY SUBARU). I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES SINCE THEN AND FINALLY WAS TOLD THE LAST TIME I HAD IT RESET …

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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THE CAR RUNS FINE. I HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANIC SAID GAS CAP PROBLEM AND RESET. AFTER THAT TIME I WAS VERY CAREFUL TO TURN THE GAS CAP UNTIL I HEARD 2 PLUS CLICKS (RECOMMENDED BY SUBARU). I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES SINCE THEN AND FINALLY WAS TOLD THE LAST TIME I HAD IT RESET WHILE AWAY FROM HOME THAT IT COULD BE A CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVE. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED 8 MONTHS AGO AND I HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER TO GET IT FIXED OR RESET THE CHECK ENGINE. BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE, TEXAS INSPECTION FAILED AND NOW DEALER WANTS OVER $900.00 TO REPLACE THE CRACKED VALVES. I THINK THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUBARU SINCE THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AND OCCURS BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART OR BAD DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555995

52,300 miles · Nov 19, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $900 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436462

43,115 miles · Sep 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

SUBARU FORESTER 2007 FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $700 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. WE PURCHASED THIS…

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SUBARU FORESTER 2007 FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $700 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND I BELIEVE IT MAY BECOME MORE COMMON AS THESE MODELS AGE FURTHER. THERE WAS ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEB SITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423182

42,000 miles · Apr 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SMELL LIKE RAW GASOLINE. HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 6 MONTHS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THESE ISSUES. CURRENTLY, STILL REPLACING VALVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325791

12,819 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JULY 2007 AND IN AUGUST OF 2009 SHE SMELLED FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL CUT ROLL VALVE SINCE IT WAS CRACKED, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTED PART; THEREFORE SHE COULD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AGAIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JULY 2007 AND IN AUGUST OF 2009 SHE SMELLED FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL CUT ROLL VALVE SINCE IT WAS CRACKED, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTED PART; THEREFORE SHE COULD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE AGAIN. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED HER $2,500 AS A DOWN PAYMENT TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. SHE DECLINED THE OFFER AND WANTS THE DEALER TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 1300 MILES ON IT SHE HAD THE FRONT AXLES REPLACED. SHE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 09/28/10

NHTSA ODI #10301942

59,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN JULY 2007 . SHE SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL COVER VALVE AT 13,000 AND 15,000 MILES; HOWEVER, SOME OF THE PARTS USED DURING THE REPAIR WERE THE FAULTY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN JULY 2007 . SHE SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL COVER VALVE AT 13,000 AND 15,000 MILES; HOWEVER, SOME OF THE PARTS USED DURING THE REPAIR WERE THE FAULTY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL; ALTHOUGH, BOTH FUEL COVER VALVES WERE CRACKED. THE AXLE WAS ALSO REPLACED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WILL RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT THEY WOULD PAY HER $2,500 TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE WANTS THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 09/28/10

NHTSA ODI #10301935

Official recalls

1

11V464000 · 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.

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

1

PE11011 · 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.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems

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