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
2017 model year · 33,400 miles · Jul 22, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY CANNOT BE FULLY TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT OUT IS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK. SUPPOSEDLY A SWITCH WITHIN THE SHIFTER THAT PREVENTS A SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN FROM OPENING. THIS IS …

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WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THEN TURNING VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY CANNOT BE FULLY TAKEN OUT OF THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT OUT IS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND SLAM IT BACK INTO PARK. SUPPOSEDLY A SWITCH WITHIN THE SHIFTER THAT PREVENTS A SOLENOID IN THE STEERING COLUMN FROM OPENING. THIS IS ALL COVERED ON TSB 16-112-18 AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ISSUE ONLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11340931

2009 model year · 140,000 miles · Jul 22, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDLES AT THE STOP LIGHT AND DURING THE ACCELERATION IT STALLS! I TOOK IT …

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MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDLES AT THE STOP LIGHT AND DURING THE ACCELERATION IT STALLS! I TOOK IT TO 4 DEALERS AND THEY TELL ME MY GAS IS TO RICH???? WHAT IS THAT???? I'M UPSET WITH THIS CAR AND IT SUCKS. I'VE HAD THIS CAR NOT EVEN A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11340821

2019 model year · 12,011 miles · Jul 18, 2020
Electrical System

VEHICLE COMPLETELY DEAD FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. NO WARNING. I TAKE 27 MILE EACH WAY TRIPS SEVERAL LIMES A WEEK AS WELL A DAILY SHORT 3MILE EACH WAY TRIPS. THIS SAME PATTERN OF DRIVING WITH BOTH A FORD ESCAPE AND A HYUNDAI FOR MORE THEN TEN YEARS. THIS SUBARU FORESTER HAS LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON. THERE…

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VEHICLE COMPLETELY DEAD FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. NO WARNING. I TAKE 27 MILE EACH WAY TRIPS SEVERAL LIMES A WEEK AS WELL A DAILY SHORT 3MILE EACH WAY TRIPS. THIS SAME PATTERN OF DRIVING WITH BOTH A FORD ESCAPE AND A HYUNDAI FOR MORE THEN TEN YEARS. THIS SUBARU FORESTER HAS LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. NO LIGHTS WERE LEFT ON. THERE WAS A SOUND THAT I HEARD LAST NIGHT THAT I OCCASIONALLY HEAR THE WHURR NOISE AND A KLUNK AS I EXITED THE FORESTER. I ALSO HEARD A WHIRRING SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT SOUND AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK THURSDAY. IT SOUNDS LIKE A VACUUM PUMP THAT I THOUGHT WAS A FUEL EVAPORATION RECOVERY SYSTEM. IT WAS A HOT DAY AND I HAD THE A/C RUNNING AS I DROVE.

NHTSA ODI #11340071

2016 model year · 53,000 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Electrical System

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT DISENGAGE AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF; VEHICLE HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #11337599

2015 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH WIRING IN THE CLUTCH, AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY SOMETIMES, BECAUSE THE CONDENSER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. EVERY CONDENSER BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE IS DESTINED TO FAIL, LEAVING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT…

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AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH WIRING IN THE CLUTCH, AS ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. BLOWS COOL AIR ONLY SOMETIMES, BECAUSE THE CONDENSER DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. EVERY CONDENSER BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE IS DESTINED TO FAIL, LEAVING THE DRIVER TO PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THAT SUBARU HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO BAD WIRING AND HAS CORRECTED IT. PER NHTSA ID NUMBER 10120975. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337338

2015 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2020
Electrical System

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INVOLVING TURNING THE MOTOR BACK ON AND PULLING THE KEY OUT AS I'M TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. IT MAY GO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BE FINE THEN DO…

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KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. CAR WILL START AND RUN BUT WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF YOU CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INVOLVING TURNING THE MOTOR BACK ON AND PULLING THE KEY OUT AS I'M TURNING THE MOTOR OFF. IT MAY GO A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BE FINE THEN DO IT SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW

NHTSA ODI #11337281

2019 model year · 7,000 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS WAS PROVIDING UNSAFE DIRECTIONS WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER SUBARU WATERTOWN, 795 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795, AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GPS WAS PROVIDING UNSAFE DIRECTIONS WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER SUBARU WATERTOWN, 795 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795, AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11330848

2017 model year · 39,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN "PARK", THE KEY COULD NOT BE EXTRACTED FROM THE IGNITION. PUTTING THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WAS OF NO HELP. I WAS SOMETIMES ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN EXTRACT THE KEY, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. MY CHOICES WERE TO RETURN HOME OR LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN IT WHILE…

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AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN "PARK", THE KEY COULD NOT BE EXTRACTED FROM THE IGNITION. PUTTING THE CAR INTO DIFFERENT GEARS WAS OF NO HELP. I WAS SOMETIMES ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN EXTRACT THE KEY, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. MY CHOICES WERE TO RETURN HOME OR LEAVE MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE KEY IN IT WHILE DRAINING THE BATTERY WHILE THIS MAY SEEM MORE AN INCONVENIENCE THAN A SAFETY ISSUE, ON SOME OCCASIONS THIS RESULTED IN MY BATTERY BECOMING SO WEAK THAT MY CAR WOULDN'T CRANK LEAVING ME STRANDED UNTIL I COULD FIND SOMEONE TO HELP ME JUMP OFF MY CAR. AFTER THREE OF THESE INCIDENTS, I BEGAN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES WHEN I COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SUBARUS OF VARIOUS MODELS. THEY SAID THAT THE GUIDE PLATE IN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY KEPT THOSE PARTS IN STOCK. THEY DID REPLACE THE GUIDE PLATE WHICH CORRECTED THE ISSUE. MY QUESTION IS: IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (WITH A CORRECTION COST OF $500) WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL? I PERSONALLY HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH COVERED ALL BUT $100 OF THE REPAIR, BUT PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL HAVE TO PAY THE FULL $500 JUST TO GET A KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SUBARU NOW USES A DIFFERENT GUIDE PLATE IN THE LATEST MODELS. SUBARU KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE CARS THAT ARE 2-3 YEARS OLD. THEY NEED TO BE HONEST WITH CONSUMERS SO THAT THEY DON'T RISK BEING STRANDED DUE TO A WEAKENED BATTERY BECAUSE OF FAULTY GUIDE PLATES AND THEY NEED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330706

2020 model year · 1,400 miles · Jun 21, 2020
Electrical System

POWER LIFT GATE OPEN WHILE PARKED DURING ALL-DAY SPORTING EVENT (TOTAL OF 8 HOURS). NO OTHER DOORS OPEN, NO AUXILIARY USE OF BATTERY WAS IN USE, BATTERY WAS DEAD AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI #11329928

2017 model year · 50,000 miles · Jun 15, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE KEY FOB GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CAN'T BE TAKEN OUT. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE CENTER CONSOLE DRIVE SHIFTER TO GO IN AND OUT OF PARK POSITION UNTIL IT FINALLY TURNS AND COMES OUT. PLEASE REFERENCE TSB 16-112-18R. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329083

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.