Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1270–25K
10125–50K
9750–75K
5175–100K
29100–150K
5150K+
410 reports with mileage · 203 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 131 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
53 crash reports7 fire reports26 injury reports
What owners actually said
613 reports
43,500 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Engine
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ROUGHLY 70 MPH, ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THEN CAR ESSENTIALLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE DIDN'T SEEM CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, THEN ENGINE DIED. SHIFTED BACK TO PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP AND ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. HAD TO…
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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ROUGHLY 70 MPH, ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED AND THEN CAR ESSENTIALLY WENT INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE DIDN'T SEEM CONNECTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. COASTED TO THE SHOULDER, THEN ENGINE DIED. SHIFTED BACK TO PARK AND TRIED TO RESTART, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD LIT UP AND ENGINE TURNED OVER, BUT WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. FOUND MANY SIMILAR EXPERIENCES ONLINE. SOME FOUND FUEL PUMP AND PUMP RELAY FAILURE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DIAGNOSIS FROM THE DEALER YET. THIS WAS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #11331380
106,000 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Suspension
THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BOTH BROKEN. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR A LONG TIME DUE TO RUST ON BROKEN ENDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330366
102,000 miles · Jun 23, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330346
65,485 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Suspension
VEHICLE IN GARAGE, WITNESSED LOAD EXPLOSION. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE SAGGING WITH PIECE OF COIL SPRING BELOW VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF A RECALL THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE BASED ON THE LETTER SENT TO US BY SUBARU WHICH QUOTES "PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR COIL SPRING DOES NOT…
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VEHICLE IN GARAGE, WITNESSED LOAD EXPLOSION. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE SAGGING WITH PIECE OF COIL SPRING BELOW VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF A RECALL THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE BASED ON THE LETTER SENT TO US BY SUBARU WHICH QUOTES "PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE REAR COIL SPRING DOES NOT AFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF YOUR VEHICLE". THIS CLEARLY WOULD HAVE IMPACTED THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AND CERTAINLY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATAL CRASH AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THEREFORE IT SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330114
73,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
EnginePower Train
GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, WHEN THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR LOST POWER LIKE IT SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL. WE MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11327700
98,000 miles · Jun 2, 2020
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL INTERMITTENTLY DISABLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION FOR 2015 -2018 FORESTERS WITH HEATED SEATS. SOMEHOW THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2014 YET STILL USES THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT IN THE R…
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PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL INTERMITTENTLY DISABLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THIS SITUATION FOR 2015 -2018 FORESTERS WITH HEATED SEATS. SOMEHOW THE RECALL DOES NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2014 YET STILL USES THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES. THE RECALL SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL FORESTERS USING THIS DEFECTIVE SENSOR MAT. SUBARU CORPORATE REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326973
40,567 miles · May 31, 2020
Suspension
THE LEFT REAR COIL/STRUT BROKE. IT APPEARS TO BE RUST ISSUE. THERE ARE ABOUT 40000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. NO HEAVY LOADS. RELATIVELY GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 25 MPH. I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD SNAP. I STOPPED. THE CAR WAS SAGGING ON LEFT REAR. THE FENDER WAS NEARLY TOUCHIN…
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THE LEFT REAR COIL/STRUT BROKE. IT APPEARS TO BE RUST ISSUE. THERE ARE ABOUT 40000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. NO HEAVY LOADS. RELATIVELY GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 25 MPH. I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD SNAP. I STOPPED. THE CAR WAS SAGGING ON LEFT REAR. THE FENDER WAS NEARLY TOUCHING THE TIRE.
NHTSA ODI #11326676
52,084 miles · May 27, 2020
Suspension
I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. BOTH REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THIS LINK, THIS ISSUE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL IN JAPAN LAST YEAR: HTTPS://WWW.TORQUENEWS.COM/1084/ANOTHER-HUGE-RECALL-SUBARU-FORESTER-AND-CROSSTREK-COMING I CANNO…
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I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. BOTH REAR STRUT ASSEMBLIES HAD TO BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THIS LINK, THIS ISSUE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL IN JAPAN LAST YEAR: HTTPS://WWW.TORQUENEWS.COM/1084/ANOTHER-HUGE-RECALL-SUBARU-FORESTER-AND-CROSSTREK-COMING I CANNOT FIND A DIRECT LINK TO THE JAPANESE TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY RECALL, BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT COMMON, AND IS UNUSUAL FOR A 5 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE ATTACHED THE INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS, I DID NOT GET PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED PARTS, BUT THE MECHANIC MIGHT BE ABLE TO ELABORATE IF HE WERE CONTACTED.*DT*JB *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326210
45,000 miles · May 22, 2020
Air Bags
I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE WUM-98 RECALL BUT IS NOT LISTED AS ONE ON YOUR WEBSITE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325528
81,000 miles · May 19, 2020
Engine
AT THE MOMENT TO STOP ON A PARKING SPOT, PRESS BRAKES AND ENGINE RPM IDLES UP AND RUNS, CAUSING ME TO PRESS BRAKES HARDER AND SO I DON'T HIT WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
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.
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.
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 ↗
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