COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Subaru Forester electrical problems

791 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

27 crash reports35 fire reports8 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

332 reports with mileage · 459 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 owners actually said

791 reports
2014 model year · 115,000 miles · Apr 27, 2021
Electrical System

THE IGNITION CYCLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE VEHICLE KEY. UPON TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST ON TO THE OFF POSITION. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OF CYCLING ON AND OFF BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, MOVING SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK EVENTUALLY AL…

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THE IGNITION CYCLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE VEHICLE KEY. UPON TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION THE KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST ON TO THE OFF POSITION. IT CAN TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OF CYCLING ON AND OFF BEFORE THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED. ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT, MOVING SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND BACK EVENTUALLY ALLOWS KEY TO BE REMOVED.

NHTSA ODI #11414175

2017 model year · 33,000 miles · Apr 23, 2021
Electrical System

2017 SUBARU FORESTER BATTERY DRAINS POWER AND LEAVES CAR TOTALLY DEAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASE (1/2017). BATTERY DIED IN 2018 TWICE: ONCE DURING SUMMER AND ONCE IN NOVEMBER. (ONE TIME SUBARU SERVICE ROADSIDE ASSIST WAS USED, 11/18, AND ONE TIME A FRIEND CHARGED BATTERY). THIRD TIME BATTERY DIED WAS 3/19. BROUGHT CARE …

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2017 SUBARU FORESTER BATTERY DRAINS POWER AND LEAVES CAR TOTALLY DEAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASE (1/2017). BATTERY DIED IN 2018 TWICE: ONCE DURING SUMMER AND ONCE IN NOVEMBER. (ONE TIME SUBARU SERVICE ROADSIDE ASSIST WAS USED, 11/18, AND ONE TIME A FRIEND CHARGED BATTERY). THIRD TIME BATTERY DIED WAS 3/19. BROUGHT CARE TO DEALER ON 4/29/19 WITH COMPLAINT OF BATTERY DRAIN. SUBARU TESTED BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS ALL GOOD AND WOULD NOT REPLACE BATTERY. IN 1/20 BATTERY AGAIN DIED AND ON 1/29/20 TOOK CAR AGAIN TO SUBARU DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF BATTERY DRAIN. SUBARU CHECKED THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND UPDATES. BATTERY FAILED TESTING AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 4/22/21 BATTERY AGAIN DIED. I CALLED SUBARU SERVICE MANAGER AND ASKED TO HAVE THE MY CAR TESTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE CAR THAT WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE MANAGER REPEATEDLY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING LEFT ON BY ME WHILE THE CARE WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11413541

2013 model year · 124,150 miles · Apr 23, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT CLAIMS TO BE REPAIRED- THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AGO WHILE DRIVING 65+ ON THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE OF IT. ZERO POWER WHATSOEVER. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES AND …

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I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT CLAIMS TO BE REPAIRED- THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AGO WHILE DRIVING 65+ ON THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE OF IT. ZERO POWER WHATSOEVER. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY A FEW TIMES AND RESTART IT. AFTERWARDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL, TIRE PRESSURE, SEATBELT LIGHTS ARE ALL ON, CRUISE CONTROL IS FLASHING (I DON'T USE CRUISE). I DON'T KNOW HOW THE INCLUDED PICTURE HELPS. I FEEL LIKE THIS ISSUE WAS EITHER ABSOLUTELY NOT ADDRESSED, OR IF IT WAS, THE REPAIR HAS DEFINITELY FAILED. EITHER WAY, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE, MY KIDS HAVE TO RIDE IN IT AND I CAN'T TRUST IT NOT TO KILL EVERYONE NOW.

NHTSA ODI #11413533

2015 model year · 107,008 miles · Apr 14, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control

SUDDENLY IT STARTED TO ACCURATE AND THE OTHER WAS ALL IN BORD CONTROL SYSTEM DEFAULT ARE LIGHTING UP

NHTSA ODI #11407997

2006 model year · 200,000 miles · Apr 10, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceCrashFire

RCN 07V043000

NHTSA ODI #11407383

2016 model year · 30,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Electrical System

IN SPITE OF CAREFUL MAINTENANCE AND USE I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 7 INSTANCES WHERE THE BATTERY HAD DIED. IN 4 OF THOSE INSTANCES I WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR AND CONTINUE USING IT. IN 3 INSTANCES I WAS UNABLE TO JUMP START IT, SO I HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE BATTERY 3 TIMES SINCE OWNING IT NEW IN LATE 2016. I HAVE LOST MY FE…

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IN SPITE OF CAREFUL MAINTENANCE AND USE I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 7 INSTANCES WHERE THE BATTERY HAD DIED. IN 4 OF THOSE INSTANCES I WAS ABLE TO JUMP START THE CAR AND CONTINUE USING IT. IN 3 INSTANCES I WAS UNABLE TO JUMP START IT, SO I HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE BATTERY 3 TIMES SINCE OWNING IT NEW IN LATE 2016. I HAVE LOST MY FEELING OF CONFIDENCE IN USING THE CAR OVERNIGHT IN REMOTE AREAS, SUCH AS WHEN CAMPING OR HIKING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO CORRECT, SO I THINK IT IS A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI #11407292

2021 model year · 400 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Electrical System

ON MARCH 2, 2021 I NEEDED TO GET TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, NOR WOULD MY FOB WORK TO EVEN OPEN THE DOORS. AFTER CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE THEY JUMPED THE BATTERY. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU WHERE THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NOV. 25, 2020, ONL…

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ON MARCH 2, 2021 I NEEDED TO GET TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, NOR WOULD MY FOB WORK TO EVEN OPEN THE DOORS. AFTER CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE THEY JUMPED THE BATTERY. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU WHERE THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NOV. 25, 2020, ONLY THREE MONTHS BEFORE! THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME KIND OF BATTERY. I WAS DISMAYED TO FIND THAT I HAD BEEN SOLD A NEW CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI #11406803

2017 model year · 38,000 miles · Apr 5, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY OCCASIONALLY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE SHIFTER SENSOR OR THE KEY SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY OCCASIONALLY SEIZED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO THE SHIFTER SENSOR OR THE KEY SENSOR. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.*DT

NHTSA ODI #11406547

2014 model year · 123,000 miles · Mar 28, 2021
Electrical System

THE HORN WOULD INTERMITTENTLY WORK THEN CEASED TO WORK AT ALL. IF YOU TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE HORN WOULD WORK BUT NOT WORK IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STATIONARY. THIS SYMPTOM MEANT IT WAS A HIGH PROBABILITY THE CLOCK SPRING/ ROLL CONNECTOR WAS BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11405226

2020 model year · 5,000 miles · Mar 27, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING UP AN EMPTY SUBURBAN ROAD AT 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT OFF, CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID TO A STOP. THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SAID THE PRE-COLLISION EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD AND NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY - THIS IS EXTREMEL…

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I WAS DRIVING UP AN EMPTY SUBURBAN ROAD AT 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT OFF, CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID TO A STOP. THE DASHBOARD SCREEN SAID THE PRE-COLLISION EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD AND NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY. THANK GOD I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY - THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11405177

Related Official recalls

2

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.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

0

No component-matched exact-year investigations in this snapshot.