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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 →

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

What owners actually said

50 reports
114,000 miles · Nov 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT, ONLY NOTICED AFTER I FINISHED PAYING THE CAR, 60 MONTHS PAYING 283 DOLLARS, NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR IS FULL WITH SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THIS OIL LEAK, APPARENTLY ALL SUBARU CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A PAID CAR THAT BASICALLY DOES NOT HAVE VALUE AND OVER TH…

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THERE IS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE CAM SHAFT, ONLY NOTICED AFTER I FINISHED PAYING THE CAR, 60 MONTHS PAYING 283 DOLLARS, NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. MY CAR IS FULL WITH SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO THIS OIL LEAK, APPARENTLY ALL SUBARU CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. NOW I AM LEFT WITH A PAID CAR THAT BASICALLY DOES NOT HAVE VALUE AND OVER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT, OR MY CAR CAN BURN DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11048788

65,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11030515

90,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WOULD NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST DUE TO A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP BEING STUCK OPEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WOULD NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST DUE TO A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP BEING STUCK OPEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE BURNED OUT ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ..UPDATED 01/04/17 *BF ...UPDATED 01/23/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED THE RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. UPDATED 12/5/2017*JS UPDATED 7/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928747

140,000 miles · Aug 7, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

DRIVING 2008 SUBARU FORESTER LL BEAN PULLING INTO PARKING PARK. VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, PARKED, ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART SOUNDED LIKE A LOW BATTERY TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, ENGINE STARTED RAN NORMALLY NO CAUTION LIGHTS. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME, ENTERED THE ON RAMP OF HI…

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DRIVING 2008 SUBARU FORESTER LL BEAN PULLING INTO PARKING PARK. VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, PARKED, ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART SOUNDED LIKE A LOW BATTERY TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES ATTEMPTED TO START AGAIN, ENGINE STARTED RAN NORMALLY NO CAUTION LIGHTS. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME, ENTERED THE ON RAMP OF HIGHWAY. NOTICED WHITE SMOKE IN REVIEW MIRROR PULLED OFF OF HIGHWAY STOPPED VEHICLE TURNED OFF, SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT SAW FLAMES UNDER CAR CALLED 911 FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED EXTINGUISHED FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10893871

87,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
Unknown Or Other

CODE P2441 - SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM SOLENOID MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM OCCURED AT 87K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10892768

90,700 miles · Apr 29, 2016
Seats

I WAS CLEANING INTERIOR OF CAR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT LIFTED UP. CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE INTERIOR WELD BROKE. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. NOW 5 DAYS LATER, AFTER NEW SEAT CAME IN I AM TOLD THE TRACK IS BROKEN. A COST OF $600 PLUST LABOR TO FIX. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED THE SEAT AND WELD. I HAVE CONTAC…

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I WAS CLEANING INTERIOR OF CAR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT LIFTED UP. CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE INTERIOR WELD BROKE. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL SUBARU DEALER. NOW 5 DAYS LATER, AFTER NEW SEAT CAME IN I AM TOLD THE TRACK IS BROKEN. A COST OF $600 PLUST LABOR TO FIX. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED THE SEAT AND WELD. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS 90,700 MILES ON IT. I AM 6 FT 2" @ 240#'S SOLO OWNER AND DON'T ABUSE MY VEHICLE. I THOUGHT SUBARU'S WERE BETTER BUILT. IN 2014 I HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD (GASKET) WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKES. 2015 THE COMPETE SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED IN 2010 UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY THE SWITCH FOR MOON ROOF AND THEN 2 MONTHS LATER THE MOTOR FOR THE MOON ROOF WAS REPLACED. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SEAT ISSUE I HAVE SEEN ON LINE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WHO OWN FORESTER'S.

NHTSA ODI #10862207

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, THE KEYLESS LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10845807

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE TECHNICIAN ONLY APPLIED A RUSTPROOF COATING ON THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SINCE THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND THE TECHNICIAN ONLY APPLIED A RUSTPROOF COATING ON THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS SINCE THEY DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE COMPLETED RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10713138

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2014
Engine

IN ONE MILES TIME CRUSE LIGHT WHEN ON THEN ENGINE LIGHT THEN DIED. GOT EXTREMELY HOT.. BLEW GASKETS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE. I HAVE NEVER MISSED OIL CHANGES AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664469

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