NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
613 reports29,000 miles · Mar 20, 2021
Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE AND I WERE LOOKING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 2014-2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WE LOOKED OVER 25 OF THE SAME CAR AND MOST OF THEM HAD THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE ONE WE BOUGHT WAS 27000 MILES ONLY AND DID NOT HAVE THE LOUD NOISE ON THE AC COMPRESSOR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, BUT ABOUT 2000 MILES LATER THE NOISE STARTED, A…
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MY WIFE AND I WERE LOOKING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE 2014-2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WE LOOKED OVER 25 OF THE SAME CAR AND MOST OF THEM HAD THIS NOISE COMING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR. THE ONE WE BOUGHT WAS 27000 MILES ONLY AND DID NOT HAVE THE LOUD NOISE ON THE AC COMPRESSOR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT, BUT ABOUT 2000 MILES LATER THE NOISE STARTED, AND AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT IS SUPER COMMON ON THOSE YEARS MODELS TO HAVE THE ISSUE, AND EVENTUALLY IT CAUSES AC COMPRESSOR TO FAILURE. I WOULD ATTACH A VIDEO IF POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11404029
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
I'M WRITING EVERY OFFICE I CAN THINK OF. THIS IS ABOUT THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES DECISION TO PUT SOY IN THE PLASTIC OF ALL MAKES AND MODEL CARS AFTER 2012. WHO EVER THE GENIUS IS THAT THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA SHOULD START PAYING FOR ALL THE DAMAGE THE RATS ARE DOING TO THE WIRING SYSTEMS, WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL LINES…
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I'M WRITING EVERY OFFICE I CAN THINK OF. THIS IS ABOUT THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES DECISION TO PUT SOY IN THE PLASTIC OF ALL MAKES AND MODEL CARS AFTER 2012. WHO EVER THE GENIUS IS THAT THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA SHOULD START PAYING FOR ALL THE DAMAGE THE RATS ARE DOING TO THE WIRING SYSTEMS, WIRING HARNESS AND FUEL LINES. I BOUGHT A 2015 SUBARU FORRESTER IN JUNE OF 2015. BY SEPT. I HAD MY FIRST OF 7 VISITS TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE BY RATS. I UNDERSTAND RATS HAVE BEEN CHEWING ON WIRING EVER SINCE CARS WERE INVENTED. BUT THE RATS HAVE NEVER CHEWED ON THE FUEL LINES BECAUSE THEY USE TO BE MADE OF STEEL BELTED CABLE COVERED IN THICK RUBBER. NOW, YOUR FUEL LINES RESEMBLE PLASTIC DRINKING STRAWS. I'VE HAD MY FUEL LINES REPLACED 3 TIMES, MY WIRING HARNESS 2 TIMES AND I'VE HAD A LITTER OF NEW BORN RATS BORN IN A NEST MADE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HINGE! I'VE PUT OUT EVERY RAT OR MICE TRAP KNOW TO MAN BUT THE RATS GO RIGHT AROUND IT AND GET INTO THE FUEL LINE BOX. I UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND THE SOY PLASTIC. MORE ECONOMICAL, MORE LIGHTWEIGHT AND COST LESS TO USE. THAT'S FINE BUT YOU SHOULD PAY FOR MY DAMAGE. YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED??? WE, THE CONSUMERS ARE STUCK WITH YOUR BRIGHT IDEA. WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT FAIR AND I'M ANGRY. I CAN'T SELL MY SUBARU AND BUY A TOYOTA OR FORD OR NISSAN BECAUSE THEY ALL ARE USING SOY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST EVERY MAKER. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. SOMEONE HAS TO PRESSURE THE CAR MAKERS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION. HONDA AT LEAST HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND COME OUT WITH RAT TAPE SOAKED IN CAPSAICIN. I BOUGHT THIS TO WRAP AROUND MY FUEL LINES. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 40 TO 50 DOLLARS A ROLL WHEN IT'S NOT MY FAULT? I ALSO SPRAY MY ENGINE AND TOP OF TIRES WITH COYOTE URINE. RAT PROBLEM STARTED IN 2015 AND STILL GOING ON TO THIS DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11403754
82,401 miles · Mar 17, 2021
Engine
VEHICLE HAD 82,401 MILES WHEN ON JANUARY 19, 2021 THE "ENGINE LOW LEVEL WARNING LIGHT" ILLUMINATED. OIL LEVEL ON DIP-STICK MEASURED AT VERY END OF STICK. ADDED 1QT 0-20W SYNTHETIC OIL, SCHEDULED A COMPLETE "LEAK-DOWN TEST" AT DAN O'BRIEN SUBARU IN VERMONT. THE SERVICE ALSO PERFORMED A 2K MILE "CONSOLIDATED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION…
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VEHICLE HAD 82,401 MILES WHEN ON JANUARY 19, 2021 THE "ENGINE LOW LEVEL WARNING LIGHT" ILLUMINATED. OIL LEVEL ON DIP-STICK MEASURED AT VERY END OF STICK. ADDED 1QT 0-20W SYNTHETIC OIL, SCHEDULED A COMPLETE "LEAK-DOWN TEST" AT DAN O'BRIEN SUBARU IN VERMONT. THE SERVICE ALSO PERFORMED A 2K MILE "CONSOLIDATED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST". THE RESULTS MEASURED NO OIL CONSUMPTION BUT THE "COMPRESSION & LEAK-DOWN TEST" MEASURED: CYLINDER #1 = 160PSI & 5%, #2 = 148PSI & 25%, #3 = 165PSI & 5%, #4 = 153PSI & 20%. THEY REPORTED MOST OF "LEAKAGE WAS GOING INTO BLOCK PAST PISTONS AND SOME WAS "LEAKING" BY INTAKE VALVES. RECOMMEND REPLACING SHORT-BLOCK". TO DATE, DUE TO THE "OIL CONSUMPTION TEST" AND NOT THE "COMPRESSION AND LEAK-DOWN TEST" RESULTS, THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR AND/OR REMEDY THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH, THE COMPRESSION AND LEAK-DOWN TEST INDICATES A "SEVERE" DEGRADATION TO THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 84,770 MILES. THIS IS WELL BELOW SUBARU'S ADVERTISED 100,000 MILE DRIVE-TRAIN WARRANTY PUBLICIZED. NOTE: THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY BY ONLY SUBARU DEALERSHIPS SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN 2017, AND THE CARFAX REPORT STATED IT WAS ONLY USED BY SUBARU DEALERSHIP AS A CORPORATE PERSONNEL RENTAL BEFORE THEN. ADDITIONALLY THE CURRENT CARFAX REPORT SHOWED NO INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS AND ALL VEHICLE SERVICES MAINTAINED PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #11403535
135,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other
AFTER 4HRS OF DRIVING WITH 2 PIT STOPS IN BETWEEN, I WAS IN 3 LANE TRAFFIC AND DOWN TO 1 BAR ON FUEL GAUGE STATING I HAD 50MI LEFT OF DRIVING REMAINING IN TANK.. LOW FUEL LIGHT HADN'T EVEN TURNED ON YET, ONLY TO FIND THAT THE CAR HAD LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHEN I USED HAS PEDAL. HOWEVER THE INTERIO…
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AFTER 4HRS OF DRIVING WITH 2 PIT STOPS IN BETWEEN, I WAS IN 3 LANE TRAFFIC AND DOWN TO 1 BAR ON FUEL GAUGE STATING I HAD 50MI LEFT OF DRIVING REMAINING IN TANK.. LOW FUEL LIGHT HADN'T EVEN TURNED ON YET, ONLY TO FIND THAT THE CAR HAD LOST POWER AND REDUCED SPEED AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHEN I USED HAS PEDAL. HOWEVER THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND POWER WINDOWS STILL WORKED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND NOTHING TO BE OUT OF SORTS. NO DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF EITHER SUCH AS BATTERY OR CHECK ENGINE. I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP IN 5MINS AND FUELED MY CAR UP. ALSO, DURING THE TRIP MY FUEL MILEAGE WAS CONSISTENTLY GOING DOWN WHICH THE LOWEST READING DAYS 17MPG WHEN NORMALLY 30MPG. THIS HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR NEW TIRES AT A CORPORATE TIRE COMPANY. 2 WEEKS LATER CAR HAVING TROUBLES STARTING. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT GOOD, SO SUSPECTED FUEL PUMP. CAR DEALERSHIP STATES FUEL FILTER INSIDE THE PUMP AND EVEN IF THERE WAS A WAY TO TEST THE PRESSURE IT MAY NOT BE ACCURATE BECAUSE IT COULD BE INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND DOESN'T RECOMMEND ME REPLACING IT. THEY WANTED ME TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN BEFORE LOOKING INTO IT ANY FURTHER. THEY CHECKED FOR DTC CODES AND FOUND NONE. ALSO SUGGESTED I JUST UPGRADE TO A NEWER VEHICLE AND I STATED THAT AT 138,000 THE CAR SHOULD STILL BE REPAIRABLE AND DRIVEABILITY OTHERWISE WHAT'S THE POINT OF PURCHASING TO OWN THE VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY THE SITUATION WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO A SLEW OF PROBLEMS SUCH AS STANDING, ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #11402857
17,400 miles · Mar 10, 2021
Visibility/wiper
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY SHATTERED. NOBODY WAS NEARBY, NO ROCKS, CAR WAS JUST LEAVING GAS STATION ON SURFACE STREET, TURNING LEFT TO ENTER FREEWAY IN A QUARTER MILE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO EXPLANATION. TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11400212
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING, IT TAKES COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE IT GOES UP AFTER FULL TANK. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO CRANK AFTER YOU TURN THE KEY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL SCARY. ALSO LEFT SIDE DRIVER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING, THE AUTO DOWN NOT WORKING AND WHEN YOUR PRESS UP THE WINDOW GOES UP 2 IN…
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FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONING, IT TAKES COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE IT GOES UP AFTER FULL TANK. SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO CRANK AFTER YOU TURN THE KEY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL SCARY. ALSO LEFT SIDE DRIVER WINDOW MALFUNCTIONING, THE AUTO DOWN NOT WORKING AND WHEN YOUR PRESS UP THE WINDOW GOES UP 2 INCHES AT A TIME TAKES AWHILE TO GO UP.
NHTSA ODI #11398669
45,000 miles · Feb 26, 2021
Steering
RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT SAYING TO CHECK POWER STEERING. NOTHING TO CHECK ON ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. LIGHT WENT OFF BY SWITCHING IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON. INTERNET SEARCH FOUND FAILURES WHILE DRIVING ON THE EPS SYSTEM, SO I TOOK CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. A CODE HAD BEEN STORED THAT LEAD TO A DIAGNOSIS OF BAD EPS GEARBOX. REPAIR NEC…
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RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT SAYING TO CHECK POWER STEERING. NOTHING TO CHECK ON ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. LIGHT WENT OFF BY SWITCHING IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON. INTERNET SEARCH FOUND FAILURES WHILE DRIVING ON THE EPS SYSTEM, SO I TOOK CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. A CODE HAD BEEN STORED THAT LEAD TO A DIAGNOSIS OF BAD EPS GEARBOX. REPAIR NECESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE STEERING RACK. NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS - LOSS OF STEERING!
NHTSA ODI #11398042
40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance
AT 40,000 MILES THE EYE SIGHT CAMERAS HAVE FAILED, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. THAT SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS NOR DO I HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $2,306.58.
NHTSA ODI #11398019
151,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021
Air Bags
I HAVE CONTINUALLY BEEN HAVING THE SRS LIGHT COMING ON TELLING ME THAT SOMEONE IS SITTING IN MY PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THERE IS NO ON THERE OR WHEN MY 15 YEAR OLD SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT IT DOES NOT REGISTER THAT ANYONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THEY WANT OVER 1600…
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I HAVE CONTINUALLY BEEN HAVING THE SRS LIGHT COMING ON TELLING ME THAT SOMEONE IS SITTING IN MY PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THERE IS NO ON THERE OR WHEN MY 15 YEAR OLD SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT IT DOES NOT REGISTER THAT ANYONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THEY WANT OVER 1600 TO FIX THIS ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11397737
134,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH AFTER LEAVING FROM A STOP LIGHT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER DOWNSHIFTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE SPEED TO INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH AFTER LEAVING FROM A STOP LIGHT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DRIVER DOWNSHIFTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AUSTIN SUBARU LOCATED AT 8100 BURNET RD, AUSTIN, TX 78757 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #11397488
Official recalls
3Oct 3, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ODS sensor mat harness, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUM-98.
Feb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Mar 21, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTA-62.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗