IllustrationTHE ENGINE TURNS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. I STARTED MY CAR AND THEN IT SHUT OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000.
2009 Subaru Forester
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 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
290–25K
2025–50K
2650–75K
1975–100K
18100–150K
9150K+
121 reports with mileage · 57 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
22 reportsMY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDLES AT THE STOP LIGHT AND DURING THE ACCELERATION IT STALLS! I TOOK IT …
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MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDLES AT THE STOP LIGHT AND DURING THE ACCELERATION IT STALLS! I TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS AND THEY TELL ME MY GAS IS TO RICH???? WHAT IS THAT???? I'M UPSET WITH THIS CAR AND IT SUCKS. I'VE HAD THIS CAR NOT EVEN A YEAR.
THE FUNCTION OF THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INTERMITTENT. UPON START THESE DEVICES DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ELECTRICAL POWER AND DO NOT FUNCTION. I SUSPECT THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS THAT DO NOT WORK EITHER, BUT I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THEM. THEY BOTH FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIO…
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THE FUNCTION OF THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INTERMITTENT. UPON START THESE DEVICES DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ELECTRICAL POWER AND DO NOT FUNCTION. I SUSPECT THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS THAT DO NOT WORK EITHER, BUT I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THEM. THEY BOTH FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS OVER A 1 WEEK PERIOD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IN A RAINSTORM, THE VISIBILITY WOULD BE NIL. OTHERWISE THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONS NORMALLY.
3 INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TURN ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED: ABS, HILL ASSIST, VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL AND REMAIN LIT UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE 3 INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON TOGETHER INTERMITTENTLY DURING SUBSEQUENT DRIVING. SUBARU BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION SHOWS UP ON DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. REPLACED BRAKE …
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3 INSTRUMENT LIGHTS TURN ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED: ABS, HILL ASSIST, VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL AND REMAIN LIT UNTIL CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE 3 INDICATOR LIGHTS TURN ON TOGETHER INTERMITTENTLY DURING SUBSEQUENT DRIVING. SUBARU BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION SHOWS UP ON DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. REPLACED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE WITH SUBARU BRAND PART. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ADJUSTED TWICE SUBSEQUENTLY BY DEALER REPAIR SHOP. DEALER REPAIR SHOP REPORTED FIRST SUBARU BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THEY ADVISED SECOND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DID NOT STAY IN PROPER PLACE AND ARE NOT CERTAIN WHY. ISSUE PRESENT OVER APPROXIMATELY PAST 6 MONTHS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS SOME WARNING INDICATORS, WIPERS, AND THE DEFROSTER, CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD CORRECT THEMSELVES ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. AUTO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS SOME WARNING INDICATORS, WIPERS, AND THE DEFROSTER, CEASED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD CORRECT THEMSELVES ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUALLY RESTARTED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. AUTONATION SUBARU IN SPOKANE VALLEY, WA COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
THREE SEPARATE TIMES MY WIPER BLADES WOULD NOT WORK, WHICH IS DANGEROUS DURING A DOWNPOUR. I'VE BROUGHT THE 2009 FORESTER IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE AS IT WAS WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. ALSO THE RADIO DID NOT WORK DURING THESE TIMES. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FUSE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CAUSE. THIS IS…
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THREE SEPARATE TIMES MY WIPER BLADES WOULD NOT WORK, WHICH IS DANGEROUS DURING A DOWNPOUR. I'VE BROUGHT THE 2009 FORESTER IN FOR REPAIR AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE AS IT WAS WORKING WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. ALSO THE RADIO DID NOT WORK DURING THESE TIMES. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FUSE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CAUSE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NOW I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL SEEM TO RESOLVE, FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, SO YOU THINK THE PROBLEM RESOLVED, BUT 6 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN...THESE THREE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN TRAFFIC DRIVING, AND IT WAS RAINING.
MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, AND STOPPED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIP…
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MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE DROVE IT FOR A WHILE, AND STOPPED TO HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IT. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE HAVING TO DRIVE ON A RAINY NIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM HAD A SHORT IN THE ODS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM HAD A SHORT IN THE ODS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER WORKED ON THE BATTERY TERMINALS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, TWICE. UPDATED 07/14/16.*JB
THE PAST MONTH OR SO I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER DIDN'T SEEM TO FEEL RIGHT ON MY BUTT. THE SEAT SEEMED TO ALMOST BURN ME IN ONE SPOT. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD, BUT DIDN'T LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. JUST THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT ONLY THE BACK HEATER WAS WORKING. WHILE CLEANING THE CAR OUT TODAY I NOTICED A VERY SMA…
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THE PAST MONTH OR SO I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER DIDN'T SEEM TO FEEL RIGHT ON MY BUTT. THE SEAT SEEMED TO ALMOST BURN ME IN ONE SPOT. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD, BUT DIDN'T LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. JUST THIS PAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT ONLY THE BACK HEATER WAS WORKING. WHILE CLEANING THE CAR OUT TODAY I NOTICED A VERY SMALL BURN HOLE IN THE CLOTH SEAT. I DECIDED TO REMOVE THE SEAT AND INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. DURING MY INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY A BURN MARK AND THERE WAS MELTED/BLACK AREAS UNDER THE CLOTH. I DID NOT DIG TOO DEEP INTO THE SEAT SINCE I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE AN ISSUE PUTTING IT ALL BACK TOGETHER. I HAVE TWO PICTURES. ONE OF THE HOLE AND ONE UNDER THE CLOTH. I DID THE BEST I COULD PHOTOGRAPHING UNDER THE CLOTH. I REMOVED THE POWER TO THE SEAT HEATER.
ON 12/19/2015 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CIGAR LIGHTER, TEMPERATURE/TIME, AND ELECTRONIC MIRROR CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON A SECONDARY STREET. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AGAIN. FUSES WERE CHECKED AND ALL FUSES SEEM TO BE IN TACT. THE I…
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ON 12/19/2015 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CIGAR LIGHTER, TEMPERATURE/TIME, AND ELECTRONIC MIRROR CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON A SECONDARY STREET. AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS BEGAN TO FUNCTION AGAIN. FUSES WERE CHECKED AND ALL FUSES SEEM TO BE IN TACT. THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE EXTERNAL MIRRORS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN.
Official recalls
1722V838000 · Seat Belts
Nov 10, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
20V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
20V002000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
20V003000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Apr 11, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
18V012000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.
18V013000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.
18V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.
17V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 11, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.
17V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.
16V738000 · Electrical System
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
16V358000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 25, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Saab owners may contact GM at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-16.
14V830000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Dec 31, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in 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 the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
14V311000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jun 10, 2014
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in 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 the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
12V602000 · Exterior Lighting
Dec 26, 2012
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
12V099000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Mar 13, 2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED IN THE REAR CENTER SEATING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DO NOT MEET LOCKABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION. SPECIFICALLY, THE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERMIT PROPER INSTALLATION AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A NEWLY MODIFIED AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON MARCH 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
08V460000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Sep 11, 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.