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2013 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

55 reports with mileage · 22 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.

  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. 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.

13 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

77 reports
280 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Air BagsService Brakes

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO RECALLS FOR BRAKES. BOTH RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF BY THE LOCAL DEALER. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAGS AND I BELIEVE THE DEALER, OR MANUFACTURER, CLAIMING MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED, IS NOT TRUE. I NEED TO FIND OUT, FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE, IF MY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11016213

50,000 miles · Apr 27, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

GOES THROUGH INSANE AMOUNTS OF OIL. NEED TO CHECK AND ADD OIL ALMOST EVERY TIME I FILL WITH FUEL. CARE HAS ONLY ABOUT 50K MILES

NHTSA ODI #10981048

50,000 miles · Mar 9, 2017
Exterior Lighting

HAD TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 4 TIMES IN A YEAR. ONE TIME I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH JUST MY BRIGHTS ON BECAUSE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT BULBS BLOWN OUT AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10959759

20,500 miles · Nov 7, 2016
StructureUnknown Or OtherCrash

I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE, PUT CAR IN PARK BUT LEFT IGNITION RUNNING AND HEADLIGHTS ON. I HAVE PARKED IN THIS SPACE SEVEN YEARS AND WAS NOT IN HABIT OF PULLING THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAD A VISITOR WHO NEEDED TO SEE DECK STEPS AS IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WE BOTH GOT OUT, WENT UP THE STEPS AND I RETURNED TO TURN…

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I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE, PUT CAR IN PARK BUT LEFT IGNITION RUNNING AND HEADLIGHTS ON. I HAVE PARKED IN THIS SPACE SEVEN YEARS AND WAS NOT IN HABIT OF PULLING THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAD A VISITOR WHO NEEDED TO SEE DECK STEPS AS IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WE BOTH GOT OUT, WENT UP THE STEPS AND I RETURNED TO TURN OFF CAR. WHEN I LEAVE KEYS IN IGNITION I KEEP DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR TO PREVENT UNWANTED LOCKING. I OPEN DOOR, LEAN IN TO TURN OFF KEY. BEFORE I CAN REACH THE KEY, THE CAR STARTS ROLLING BACKWARDS. I THROW MYSELF SIDEWAYS TO AVOID CAR ROLLING OVER ME. BECAUSE OF INCLINE, CAR GATHERS SLIGHT SPEED AS IT ROLLS ABOUT 40-50 FEET DOWN DRIVEWAY (I LIVE ON A HILL AND DRIVEWAY INCLINE IS MORE PRONOUNCED FARTHER DOWN). IT VEERS SLIGHTLY TO LEFT AND I HEAR A "THUD." ENGINE STOPS, HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, AS BEST I RECALL. CAR WAS STOPPED BY A SIX-INCH DIAMETER TREE. WHEN I GET BACK IN, I HAVE TO ROCK THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE IGNITION STARTED AND DRIVE CAR BACK TO PARKING SPOT. ODD THING IS THAT WHEN I GET IN THE CAR TO MOVE IT FROM TREE, THE GEAR IS IN "PARK." DAMAGE IS SUBSTANTIAL, NEARLY $10,000 BECAUSE OF WHERE IT HIT IN THE BACK AND INVOLVED THE EXPENSIVE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. I HAVE TRIED TO RECREATE THIS, PUTTING GEAR IN BOTH NEUTRAL AND REVERSE AT SAME PARKING SPOT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE IF I HAD UNKNOWINGLY LEFT IT IN REVERSE, IT WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD; IF I'D LEFT IT IN NEUTRAL, THE WEIGHT SHIFT OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND SLAMMING CLOSED ONE OF THE DOORS WOULD HAVE STARTED IT ROLLING BACKWARD AT THAT TIME, NOT LATER. USSA TOLD ME SUBARU HAS NOT OWNED UP TO ANY ROLLBACK PROBLEMS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND ON A SLIGHT INCLINE BUT I FOUND A SIMILAR ROLLBACK IN A SUBARU FORUM FOR A CAR THAT WAS SAME YEAR, SAME MODEL AND LOW MILEAGE, AS MINE IS. I NOW USE PARKING BREAK ALL THE TIME, NO LONGER TRUSTING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10924905

43,000 miles · Aug 24, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

IN JUNE WHILE DRIVING TO LA FROM YOSEMITE, MY OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING, ENGINE HAD ABOUT 46K, THEN CAME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LA. SUBARU TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY OIL SWITCH. REPLACED WITH AUTOZONE PS309. DROVE FROM DENVER TO BISMARCK ND TO DRIVE MY COUSINS KID WITH A TUMOR ON HIS HEART AND SPINE TO MAYO…

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IN JUNE WHILE DRIVING TO LA FROM YOSEMITE, MY OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING, ENGINE HAD ABOUT 46K, THEN CAME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LA. SUBARU TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY OIL SWITCH. REPLACED WITH AUTOZONE PS309. DROVE FROM DENVER TO BISMARCK ND TO DRIVE MY COUSINS KID WITH A TUMOR ON HIS HEART AND SPINE TO MAYO CLINIC TO ROCHESTER, MN FOR CHEMO 2 TIMES TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF OF THE FAMILY. IN THE MIDDLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER. OIL LIGHT STILL ON, EVEN THOUGH TOTALLY FULL OF OIL, ENGINE IS STILL VERY HOT. DID NOT SLEEP ALL NIGHT, WORRIED ABOUT CAR. I WENT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TO SUBARU DEALER IN BISMARCK ND, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NEW OIL SENSOR, NO PROBLEMS, DRIVE ON, WOULD COST $175 TO CHANGE SENSOR (MY ENGINE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). MY MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 30 MPG TO 25.5 MPG AFTER DEALERSHIP VISIT ON WAY TO ROCHESTER, AND 27 MPG BACK TO BISMARCK. CALLED SUBARU DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING. CALLED SOA, BASICALLY WASTE OF TIME. CHANGED OIL AND FILTER AGAIN. DROVE TO ROCHESTER, SLIGHTLY BETTER GAS MILEAGE, LOW OIL LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE WAY BACK. ADDED 1/2 QT. CALLED SUBARU DEALER ABOUT GAS MILEAGE DROP TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS. DROVE FROM BISMARK TO MISSOURI TO DENVER ABOUT 1200 MILES. OIL LIGHT ON AFTER ABOUT 10 HOURS. SMELLED BURNT TAR SMELL NEAR ENGINE. CHECKED OIL IN DENVER. OIL AT LOW LEVEL OF STICK. ADDED ABOUT A QT. GOING TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

NHTSA ODI #10898293

27,000 miles · Feb 14, 2016
Visibility/wiper

I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW AND USING THE HEATER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHICH IS BUILT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE ICE AND SLUSH CONTINUED TO BUILD ON THE WIPERS AND I CONTINUED TO USE THE HEATER. AT ONE POINT, THE SNOW HAD BUILT UP ON THE LOWER WINDSHIELD AND THE HEATER WAS ON. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL OF THE WAY A…

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I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY SNOW AND USING THE HEATER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WHICH IS BUILT INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE ICE AND SLUSH CONTINUED TO BUILD ON THE WIPERS AND I CONTINUED TO USE THE HEATER. AT ONE POINT, THE SNOW HAD BUILT UP ON THE LOWER WINDSHIELD AND THE HEATER WAS ON. SUDDENLY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED ALL OF THE WAY ACROSS, ABOVE THE HEATER AND BELOW THE SNOW. THE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE MUST HAVE CAUSED THIS CRACK, AS I WAS TRAVELING ONLY ABOUT 10 MPH (AS WAS EVERYONE ELSE) AND NO TRUCKS OR ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME THAT MIGHT HAVE KICKED UP A STONE. I TOOK THE CAR TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE A PREVIOUS STONE CHIP. I DISAGREED VEHEMENTLY BUT THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE HAD TO PAY $325 TO GET IT FIXED. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. PERHAPS THE WIPER HEATER SHOULDN'T BE ACTIVATED WHEN SNOW IS ON WINDSHIELD. I DO KNOW THAT TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE IS USED IN GLASS MANUFACTURING TO FACILITATE BREAKING AT A CERTAIN POINT

NHTSA ODI #10826048

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2015
Service Brakes

MY CAR WAS RECALLED AND I NEVER GOT THE NOTIFICATION THAT I COULD GET IT FIXED - IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR!

NHTSA ODI #10794820

28,000 miles · Jul 9, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD DID NOT SEE A UPS TRUCK PARKED ALONG SIDE OF. ROAD . REAR ENDED THE TRUCK HAD SEAT BELT ON AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HEAD STILL HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHY DIDN'T. THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT PREVENT THIS?

NHTSA ODI #10732890

4,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
Power TrainStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY UP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORMAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WOULD CATCH ON THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY UP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORMAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WOULD CATCH ON THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10702935

21,000 miles · Mar 8, 2015
Unknown Or OtherCrash

CAME OUT OF A CAR WASH AND SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE SUBARU FORESTER ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS. STARTED PUMPING BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOTHING. STEERED CAR THRU PARKING LOT NEXT TO CAR WASH AND SIDE-SWIPED THREE CARS AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO STEER THRU THE REST OF THE PARKING LOT WITHOUT HITTING A…

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CAME OUT OF A CAR WASH AND SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE SUBARU FORESTER ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS. STARTED PUMPING BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOTHING. STEERED CAR THRU PARKING LOT NEXT TO CAR WASH AND SIDE-SWIPED THREE CARS AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO STEER THRU THE REST OF THE PARKING LOT WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE. DROVE CAR INTO A SNOW BANK AND IT STOPPED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. IT'S A MIRACLE NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692813

Official recalls

12

22V838000 · 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.

19V007000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 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 has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

19V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester 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 is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

19V009000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 9, 2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester 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 is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

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.

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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems