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 · 52,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

USUALLY WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WILL TURN OFF AND PUT AN ERROR CODE OUT THAT SAYS NOT ON EVEN WITH AN ADULT IN THE SEAT. RESETTING THE CODE CAN GET IT TO GO OFF BUT IT RETURNS. HAS TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN BEFORE AND COME BACK. TURNING CAR OFF AND ON DOES NOT RESET IT. *DT *DT *AS

NHTSA ODI #11256078

2016 model year · 55,000 miles · Sep 14, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

AIRBAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. SRS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON MOST OF THE TIME THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING. LIGHTS INDICATE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. DEALER HAS CHECKED COMPUTER; TOLD ME THAT I MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR, USUALLY WITH WATER. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN WET NOR HAVE WE DONE ANYT…

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AIRBAG SENSOR FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DEFECTIVE. SRS WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON MOST OF THE TIME THAT THE CAR IS RUNNING. LIGHTS INDICATE AIRBAG IS OFF EVEN WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT. DEALER HAS CHECKED COMPUTER; TOLD ME THAT I MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SENSOR, USUALLY WITH WATER. SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN WET NOR HAVE WE DONE ANYTHING THAT COULD DAMAGE THE SENSOR. GOOGLE SEARCH BRINGS UP NUMEROUS CASES OF SAME ISSUE, INDICATING A POSSIBLE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I AM ADVOCATING FOR A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11255486

2018 model year · 2,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Electrical System

WHILE IN REVERSE, AUDIO CONTROL IS LOST. ALTERATION TO CHANNEL OR VOLUME OR TURNING OFF AUDIO IS DISABLED - WHICH CAN BE HIGHLY DISTRACTING IF THE SETTING WERE LEFT EXTREMELY LOUD SINCE THE AUDIO WILL INITIALIZE SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER STARTING AND REVERSING IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11252849

2014 model year · 100,000 miles · Aug 30, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

JANUARY 2019. THE ISSUE STARTED AS CEL CAME ON. ROUGH IDLE, SURGE OF POWER AND THEN CAM TIMING BECAME ISSUE. WAS AT A STOP SIGN IDLING WHEN SURGE OCCURRED LURCHING VEHICLE FORWARD. TOOK TO DEALER WAITED WEEKS FOR A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GIVE ADVICE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK TO OTHER DEALER TO CONFIRM. THEY REPLACED TIMING CHAIN…

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JANUARY 2019. THE ISSUE STARTED AS CEL CAME ON. ROUGH IDLE, SURGE OF POWER AND THEN CAM TIMING BECAME ISSUE. WAS AT A STOP SIGN IDLING WHEN SURGE OCCURRED LURCHING VEHICLE FORWARD. TOOK TO DEALER WAITED WEEKS FOR A TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE TO GIVE ADVICE TO DEALERSHIP. TOOK TO OTHER DEALER TO CONFIRM. THEY REPLACED TIMING CHAIN., CAM PHASERS AND OTHER REQUIRED. DIDNT SOLVE ISSUE. NEXT STEP WAS INTERNAL OIL FILTERS THAT SUPPLY AVSC TIMING. NO FIX. REPLACED ECM AS FINAL STEP IN SUBARU MATRIX. RAN FOR 3 WEEKS AND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. AGAIN CEL, ROUGH IDLE, CAM ISSUES. SUBARU POINTS TO DEALER. DEALER POINTS TO SUBARU. AND I HAVE A INOPERABLE VEHICLE. I REPLACED ALL REQUIRED PARTS AND HAVE ONGOING ISSUE. SOA HAS BEEN INVOLVED BUT NOT RESOLUTION. IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS OF DISAPPOINTMENT. GREAT CAR BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH. THE XT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE ISSUES, RECALL ON POSSIBLE CYCLINDER CRACKING AND ISSUES RELATING TO ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11252410

2016 model year · 55,000 miles · Aug 27, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RED WARNING INDICATOR ICON FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO SUBARU OF ROCHESTER (4840 MAINE AVE SE, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA 55904, (507) 285-4777) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RED WARNING INDICATOR ICON FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO SUBARU OF ROCHESTER (4840 MAINE AVE SE, ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA 55904, (507) 285-4777) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11246651

2014 model year · 100,000 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

2014 SUBARU FORESTER. THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THE CAUSE IS A SENSOR WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT BEING BROKEN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED.

NHTSA ODI #11244791

2014 model year · 70,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Electrical System

TAKATA RECALL: THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY WHEN I TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND PUSH IT IN TO RELEASE THE KEY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I PARK THE CAR, HAVE TURNED OFF THE MOTOR AND PREPARE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11244417

2015 model year · 70,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN PRESSED. THE CONTACT CALLED COLONIAL SUBARU (761 E CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY 12401, 845-339-3330) AND WAS INFORMED THAT IF HE WERE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER THE EXTREME LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11243965

2015 model year · 84,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SEVENTY MILES STILL REMAINING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO WILLIAMS SUBARU OF SAYRE (222 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840, (570) 888-9691) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AN APPO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SEVENTY MILES STILL REMAINING ON THE FUEL GAUGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO WILLIAMS SUBARU OF SAYRE (222 SPRING ST, SAYRE, PA 18840, (570) 888-9691) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE DEALER FOR NEXT WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #11233416

2016 model year · 45,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION CARMUST BE LEFT UNLOCKED WITH KEY IN IT WHEN PARKED - THIS CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE CAR CAN BE STOLEN OR INTRUDER CAN COME INTO CAR. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAD A REVISED PART 35122FJ033 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DESPITE BEING A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS THERE IS…

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KEY STUCK IN IGNITION CARMUST BE LEFT UNLOCKED WITH KEY IN IT WHEN PARKED - THIS CREATES A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE CAR CAN BE STOLEN OR INTRUDER CAN COME INTO CAR. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND HAD A REVISED PART 35122FJ033 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DESPITE BEING A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT WITH SAFETY IMPLICATIONS THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE CONSUMER MUST PAY THE $400 FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11232866

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.