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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.

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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

Suspension complaints

11 reports
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144,000 miles · Jan 10, 2025
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an i…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #11635238

116,000 miles · Nov 8, 2024
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact state…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the front driver’s side control arm was fractured, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that the failure was caused by corrosion of the front lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); to prevent the failure from occurring; however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #11624168

136,000 miles · Jul 18, 2022
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they inspected the vehicle and confirmed the front control arm failure. The dealer informed him that the recall was already serviced on the vehicle prior and provided him with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided him with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11474441

140,000 miles · Feb 28, 2022
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. The contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failur…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. The contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #11454414

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2021
Suspension

Right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall WVX34 and NHTSA campaign 11v464000). Part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. Dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. I notified Subaru by Email last night on the day it occurred -1 Dec 2021. Have not had reply as yet. …

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Right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall WVX34 and NHTSA campaign 11v464000). Part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. Dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. I notified Subaru by Email last night on the day it occurred -1 Dec 2021. Have not had reply as yet. This caused uncontrollable steering as it was not controllable by the steering wheel. Fortunately this failed as I was backing out of a parking spot and not at speed on the highway. Car was not drivable. I inspected the left front control arm and it too seems to be also affected by rust.

NHTSA ODI #11442453

97,000 miles · Oct 13, 2021
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contac…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home where he began to repair the vehicle himself. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000

NHTSA ODI #11436596

180,000 miles · Oct 4, 2021
Suspension

The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. Additionally, the passenger’s side front wheel was shaking, and the vehicle was drifting to the right. The contact who is an independent mechanic noticed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The dea…

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The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. Additionally, the passenger’s side front wheel was shaking, and the vehicle was drifting to the right. The contact who is an independent mechanic noticed that the front lower control arm was fractured. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11435345

140,000 miles · Feb 27, 2019
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOWED EVIDE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOWED EVIDENCE OF SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). VOLKSWAGEN SUBARU FORT WALTON BEACH (LOCATED AT 130 HOLLYWOOD BLVD SW, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, (850) 243-3171) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #11182786

88,900 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (GARY LANG SUBARU, 1121 STATE RTE 31 BUILDING 3, MCHENRY, IL 60050, (815) 788-6506) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (GARY LANG SUBARU, 1121 STATE RTE 31 BUILDING 3, MCHENRY, IL 60050, (815) 788-6506) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11011 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,900.

NHTSA ODI #11120628

111,642 miles · Sep 6, 2015
Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. WEATHER WAS SUNNY, IN THE 20S, PAVEMENT WAS DRY BUT THERE WERE SHORT ICY PATCHES UNDER BRIDGES. EVERY TIME I PASSED OVER ONE OF THESE PATCHES I EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING. I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO UNDER 30MPH TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ME AT 60+ MPH.…

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THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. WEATHER WAS SUNNY, IN THE 20S, PAVEMENT WAS DRY BUT THERE WERE SHORT ICY PATCHES UNDER BRIDGES. EVERY TIME I PASSED OVER ONE OF THESE PATCHES I EXPERIENCED SEVERE FISHTAILING. I HAD TO REDUCE SPEED TO UNDER 30MPH TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ME AT 60+ MPH. TIRES WERE NEW GOODYEAR ASSURANCE. THIS IS EXTREMELY NERVE WRACKING AND IS A FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM ON THE SUBARU ONLINE USER FORUMS SUCH AS: HTTP://WWW.ULTIMATESUBARU.ORG/FORUM/TOPIC/127473-GHOST-WALKING/ THE PROBLEM IS NOT EVIDENT WHEN DRIVING ON DRY OR ON SNOWY ROADS.

NHTSA ODI #10761874

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.

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