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
2020 model year · 8,700 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Electrical System

WENT TO START CAR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3 HOURS. DOORS OPENED WITH FOB BUT KEYLESS IGNITION WOULD NOT START CAR AND ALL IDIOT LIGHTS CAME ON LOCKING STEERING WHEEL, BRAKES, GAS PEDAL, ETC. SUBARU SERVICE CAME AND JUMPED CAR; NOT SURE IF FOB HAD DIED; CAR ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD, UNDER 9000 MILES. TEMPERATURE IN HIGH 20'S, LOW 30'S. …

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WENT TO START CAR AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3 HOURS. DOORS OPENED WITH FOB BUT KEYLESS IGNITION WOULD NOT START CAR AND ALL IDIOT LIGHTS CAME ON LOCKING STEERING WHEEL, BRAKES, GAS PEDAL, ETC. SUBARU SERVICE CAME AND JUMPED CAR; NOT SURE IF FOB HAD DIED; CAR ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD, UNDER 9000 MILES. TEMPERATURE IN HIGH 20'S, LOW 30'S. KEYLESS IGNITION HAD BEEN WONKY EARLIER IN WEEK AND CAR HESITATED TO GET STARTED. EYESIGHT TURNED OFF BRIEFLY ON DRIVE HOME AFTER CAR WAS STARTED BY JUMPSTART.

NHTSA ODI #11396330

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2021
Electrical System

UNIDENTIFIED PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING THE SECOND BATTERY TO DRAIN IN MY SUBARU FORESTER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED JANUARY 02, 2021 AFTER IT WENT DEAD ON THE PARKING LOT BUT I HAD TO JUMP START THE CAR THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH AFTER THAT. SUBARU CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE BATTERY CH…

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UNIDENTIFIED PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CAUSING THE SECOND BATTERY TO DRAIN IN MY SUBARU FORESTER. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED JANUARY 02, 2021 AFTER IT WENT DEAD ON THE PARKING LOT BUT I HAD TO JUMP START THE CAR THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH AFTER THAT. SUBARU CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE BATTERY CHECK SHOWS BATTERY IS FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11395298

2017 model year · 114,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

PERIODICALLY UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS. KEY IS "LOCKED" IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO COMPLETELY "TURN OFF" KEY SWITCH AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. ONLY RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SHIFT THE GEARS AND REATTEMPT TO TURN CAR OFF …

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PERIODICALLY UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST 2 MONTHS. KEY IS "LOCKED" IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO COMPLETELY "TURN OFF" KEY SWITCH AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. ONLY RESOLUTION HAS BEEN TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND SHIFT THE GEARS AND REATTEMPT TO TURN CAR OFF AND REMOVE KEY. THIS IS ALSO, LIKELY, AFFECTING BEING ABLE TO USE THE REMOTE START FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11395156

2021 model year · 6,252 miles · Feb 7, 2021
Electrical System

THE CAR IS TWO MONTHS OLD AND THE BATTERY DIED (NOTHING WAS LEFT ON)!

NHTSA ODI #11395055

2019 model year · 18,000 miles · Jan 26, 2021
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO FULLY CLOSE WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY SUBARU (30275 WINNER BLVD, DELMAR, MD 21875, (410) 896-3800) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FAILED TO FULLY CLOSE WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GATEWAY SUBARU (30275 WINNER BLVD, DELMAR, MD 21875, (410) 896-3800) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #11390025

2020 model year · 70 miles · Jan 3, 2021
Electrical SystemLane Departure

VEHICLE HAS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE TPMS THAT LESS THAN A YEAR IN, ONE OF THEM IS SEEMS TO BE GOING OUT. THEE HEAD UNIT (INFOTAINMENT SYS) ALSO HAD CONNECTION ISSUE THAT WAS AWARE AND KNOWN BY SUBURA DEALER REP WHEN CALLED AND AS TO BRING IN FOR MAINTENANCE. BLINDS POT MONITOR ON THE RIGHT HAS TENDENCY TO NOT FLASH OR ALE…

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VEHICLE HAS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE TPMS THAT LESS THAN A YEAR IN, ONE OF THEM IS SEEMS TO BE GOING OUT. THEE HEAD UNIT (INFOTAINMENT SYS) ALSO HAD CONNECTION ISSUE THAT WAS AWARE AND KNOWN BY SUBURA DEALER REP WHEN CALLED AND AS TO BRING IN FOR MAINTENANCE. BLINDS POT MONITOR ON THE RIGHT HAS TENDENCY TO NOT FLASH OR ALERT EVERY SO OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI #11386233

2020 model year · 4,500 miles · Jan 2, 2021
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

ONE DAY I LOOKED UP AT MY WINDSHIELD AND THERE IS A SCRATCH/CRACK VISIBLE ON THE INSIDE. NOTHING HIT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11386180

2017 model year · 51,000 miles · Dec 31, 2020
Electrical System

INTERMITTENTLY, THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WOULD NOT GO TO THE "OFF" POSITION SO THAT I COULD REMOVE IT AFTER THE CAR WAS IN "PARK." I WOULD HAVE TO MOVE IT (THE KEY) BACK TO THE "ON" POSITION, THEN BACK AGAIN TO THE "OFF" POSITION (BEYOND THE "ACC" SETTING).

NHTSA ODI #11385772

2015 model year · 92,000 miles · Dec 22, 2020
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS WERE KNOWN TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF MORRISTOWN (175 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ 07960;…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT OTHER SUBARU VEHICLES WITH HEATED SEATS WERE KNOWN TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED SUBARU OF MORRISTOWN (175 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ 07960; (866) 910-3466) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #11384574

2012 model year · 146,000 miles · Dec 21, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

2012 SUBARU DASH LIGHT ALL COME ON AND THEN THE CAR STARTS TO STALL OUT. DEALER CAN NOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. THE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND IT RUNS FOR A COUPLE HOURS OR DAY AND THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11384365

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.