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2008 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

About this comparison →
50Owner complaints

Model-year median: 131

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
93
200588
200672
200750
2008178
2009262
2010147
2011
Compare all Forester years →

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

What owners reported most

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

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
107,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I OWN A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X, VIN. [XXX], WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BROWN'S SUBARU, 960 HILTON HEIGHTS ROAD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES WERE METICULOUSLY UPHELD. VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS EXPERIENCED DURING ACCIDENT: 1. RAPID RPM SURGE WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTIVATION FROM IDLE TO APPROXIM…

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I OWN A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X, VIN. [XXX], WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BROWN'S SUBARU, 960 HILTON HEIGHTS ROAD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES WERE METICULOUSLY UPHELD. VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS EXPERIENCED DURING ACCIDENT: 1. RAPID RPM SURGE WITHOUT OPERATOR ACTIVATION FROM IDLE TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000+ RPMS 2. RAPID UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATION, PLOWING THE VEHICLE THROUGH MULTIPLE LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURES 3. FAILURE OF DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS AFTER MULTIPLE HEAVY IMPACTS, LAST OF WHICH AN EXTREMELY HARD IMPACT WHICH COMPLETELY STOPPED AND DISABLED VEHICLE, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. ACCIDENT DESCRIPTION: I HAD A MAJOR MALFUNCTION OF MY SUBARU FORESTER, WHICH RESULTED IN A VERY SEVERE AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL CAR ACCIDENT. IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING SLOWLY INTO A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE, WITH ONE FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE'S RPMS SURGED AHEAD RACING OUT OF CONTROL. AT THAT TIME, I APPLIED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKES. THE CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED INTO A BUSINESS, THROWING US BACK IN OUR SEATS AND COMPLETELY DEMOLISHING MULTIPLE EXTERIOR LOAD BEARING STRUCTURES AS WELL AS INTERIOR STRUCTURES. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE CAR BECAME LODGED AGAINST A KIOSK COMPLETELY INSIDE THE BUILDING, THAT IT STOPPED, ALTHOUGH BRAKES WERE APPLIED FIRMLY FOR THE DURATION OF THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, AS THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL, THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING UNCONTROLLABLE EVENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TRAGEDY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SERVICES. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11075763

67,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

IN JULY OF 2012 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CANCELING MY CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO REPAIR GARAGE I WAS USING AND THE EVAP CODE INDICATED A LEAK OF .002. THE CAR WAS SMOKE TESTED AND THE GARAGE RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE GAS CAP, WHICH I DID WITH GENERIC CAP. THE AGAIN IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 THE …

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IN JULY OF 2012 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CANCELING MY CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO REPAIR GARAGE I WAS USING AND THE EVAP CODE INDICATED A LEAK OF .002. THE CAR WAS SMOKE TESTED AND THE GARAGE RECOMMENDED TO CHANGE GAS CAP, WHICH I DID WITH GENERIC CAP. THE AGAIN IN NOVEMBER OF 2012 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, AGAIN THE CODE WAS POSSIBLE EVAP LEAK. IN JAN 2013 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, HAD IT SMOKE TESTED FOR 3 HOURS AT THE GARAGE, NO LEAK WAS DETECTED. CHANGED GAS CAP AGAIN. THEN IN MAY 2013 AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AGAIN POSSIBLE EVAP LEAK, SUGGESTED TO GET "SUBARU" GAS CAP. SUBARU PARTS PERSONAL SAID THE ROLL OVER VALVE ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WAS USUALLY THE PROBLEM MOST OF THE TIME. IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, WILL PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE. SO IN JUNE AFTER COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE COMES ON. TOOK CAR TO SUBARU AND SAID COULD NOT BE CERTAIN IT WAS ROLL OVER VALVE, HOWEVER SUGGESTED TO REPLACE. CODE WAS P0456, WHICH WAS SAME CODE THAT APPEARED BEFORE IN MAY. IF THE SUBARU FORESTER HAS THIS PROBLEM ON THESE MODELS, SHOULDN'T THIS PART BE A "MAINTENANCE" ITEM TO PREVENT ENGINE TROUBLES? MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS HOW MANY SUBARU FORESTER'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE A WAY TO ASK SUBARU FOR HOW MANY SUBARU FORESTER'S HAVE HAD THIS PART REPLACED ON ALL SUBARU FORESTER'S TO EVALUATE IF MANUFACTURE DEFECT? TO CHANGE THIS PART, I WAS CHARGED $418.14 + TAX TO FIX PROBLEM I HAVE NO "SCHEDULED" MAINTENANCE FOR . THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524491

25,300 miles · Apr 17, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,399... UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING GASKET AND EVAP CANISTER. UPDATED 05/31/12

NHTSA ODI #10455558

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

Subaru Forester transmission problems →Subaru Forester electrical problems →