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
2018 model year · 7,100 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

THE EYESIGHT HAD BEEN MANIPULATED TO A WARNING EVEN WHEN THERE'S NO OBSTRUCTION WHILE DRIVING FORWARD, WHILE BACKING UP IT GIVES A WARNING THAT SOMEONE OR A VEHICLE IS ADJACENT TO MY CAR. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. I HAVE AN IDEA WHO'S BEHIND THIS. BUT I CANNOT PROVE IT. SOMEONE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN CO…

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THE EYESIGHT HAD BEEN MANIPULATED TO A WARNING EVEN WHEN THERE'S NO OBSTRUCTION WHILE DRIVING FORWARD, WHILE BACKING UP IT GIVES A WARNING THAT SOMEONE OR A VEHICLE IS ADJACENT TO MY CAR. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. I HAVE AN IDEA WHO'S BEHIND THIS. BUT I CANNOT PROVE IT. SOMEONE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN COMPUTER SECURITY WITHIN MY VICINITY. IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN BACKING UP IN MY GARAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11176202

2017 model year · 14,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

SCREEN BLACKED OUT EVERYTHING WENT OFF, NO LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NO DASH BOARD VISION. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ELECTRICAL CABLES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, JUST THIS WEEK MY VEHICLE, WHILE WAITING AT A LIGHT, TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. IT WAS SO SCARY, GOOD THING THE…

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SCREEN BLACKED OUT EVERYTHING WENT OFF, NO LIGHTS, NO RADIO, NO DASH BOARD VISION. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND ELECTRICAL CABLES WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER, JUST THIS WEEK MY VEHICLE, WHILE WAITING AT A LIGHT, TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. IT WAS SO SCARY, GOOD THING THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE BEHIND ME. A FEW MINUTES LATER I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON AND CONTINUE MY JOURNEY. NOW, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN I USE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11150690

2015 model year · 41,000 miles · Nov 8, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT…

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I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY DIED. WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR USING THE ACCESSORIES TO CHARGE MY PHONE, THE CAR BATTERY DIED AND I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK EITHER. THERE IS NO INSIDE HANDLE ON THE REAR HATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED A COUPLE TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES THE DOOR DID UNLOCK. WHAT IF THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD? WHAT IF I DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A CELL PHONE AND IT WAS COLD TEMPERATURES? I DO NOT THINK I WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO KICK OUT THE WINDOWS. I AM CONCERNED AND HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11150103

2016 model year · 42,000 miles · Oct 21, 2018
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY TOWARD THE END OF A DAY-LONG DRIVE, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, HILL ASSIST, EYESIGHT, AND OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM DISABLED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CLEAR WEATHER WHEN A DRIVER EXPECTS IT TO WORK. THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE WAS UNNERVIN…

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MY VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON UNEXPECTEDLY TOWARD THE END OF A DAY-LONG DRIVE, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT, HILL ASSIST, EYESIGHT, AND OTHER DASH WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE PROBLEM DISABLED THE EYESIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN CLEAR WEATHER WHEN A DRIVER EXPECTS IT TO WORK. THE REMAINDER OF THE DRIVE WAS UNNERVING, LATE ON A THURSDAY NIGHT, ON A HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, WHEN NOTHING WAS OPEN. TURNS OUT THIS PROBLEM IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IT DESERVES A RECALL!

NHTSA ODI #11141651

2018 model year · 800 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Electrical System

IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR HAS A POORLY DESIGNED/NOT-CURRENT-LIMITED USB JACK, WHICH FAILS TO PREVENT A PHONE CHARGING CABLE WITH SHORTED OR SHORTING-INTERMITTENTLY INTERVAL POWER WIRES FROM BURNING UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE DETAILS OF MY BURNT-CABLE EVENT: ON TUESDAY EVENING OCT. 9, 2018, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY GARAGE. I…

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IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR HAS A POORLY DESIGNED/NOT-CURRENT-LIMITED USB JACK, WHICH FAILS TO PREVENT A PHONE CHARGING CABLE WITH SHORTED OR SHORTING-INTERMITTENTLY INTERVAL POWER WIRES FROM BURNING UP AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE. THE DETAILS OF MY BURNT-CABLE EVENT: ON TUESDAY EVENING OCT. 9, 2018, I GOT INTO MY CAR IN MY GARAGE. I THEN STARTED THE CAR. THE USB PART OF MY IPHONE CABLE WAS ALREADY IN THE CAR'S USB PORT, I BELIEVE. WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL IDLING IN PLACE, I THEN PLUGGED THE LIGHTENING END OF THE CABLE INTO MY IPHONE'S PORT TO CHARGE IT. I WAS STILL IDLING IN PLACE WHEN I HEARD A SOUND SIMILAR TO A PLASTIC BOTTLE POPPING INWARD OR OUTWARD AND STARTED TO LOOK AROUND IN MY CAR FOR WHAT'S GOING ON. I THEN, WITHIN SECONDS, I BELIEVE, STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. I OPENED MY CENTER CONSOLE, SINCE THAT WAS THE MOST RECENT THING I HAD HANDLED, AND HAD PORTS IN IT, AND I SMELLED THE BURNING SMELL MORE. I QUICKLY PULLED OUT THE CABLE FROM THE USB PORT AND THE IPHONE ITSELF. I WENT ONWARD WITH THE NIGHT'S ACTIVITIES, AND THEN LATER THAT NIGHT, BACK AT THE CAR, INSPECTED THE CABLE AND SAW THAT THE LIGHTENING END (IPHONE END) WAS DISTORTED, WITH A WIRE PROTRUDING, AND A BROWN BURNT SPOT. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE TURNED INTO A FIRE IF I HADN'T QUICKLY REMOVED THE CABLE FROM THE USB PORT.

NHTSA ODI #11139907

2017 model year · 33,000 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON 9/29/18, 1:35 PM WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE AND INITIATING A TURN TO THE RIGHT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM IDLE TO FULL THROTTLE UNINTENTIONALLY AND LAUNCHED ITSELF TOWARDS A 12' X 20' WOOD FRAMED OUTBUILDING ON OUR PROPERTY WHICH HAS AN ATTACHED DECK. BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHUT OFF IT HAD JUMPED …

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ON 9/29/18, 1:35 PM WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE AND INITIATING A TURN TO THE RIGHT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM IDLE TO FULL THROTTLE UNINTENTIONALLY AND LAUNCHED ITSELF TOWARDS A 12' X 20' WOOD FRAMED OUTBUILDING ON OUR PROPERTY WHICH HAS AN ATTACHED DECK. BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE SHUT OFF IT HAD JUMPED UP ONTO THE DECK AND SMASHED INTO AND PARTIALLY PENETRATED THE FRONT OF THE OUTBUILDING. FORWARD PROGRESS WAS HALTED WHEN THE REAR PORTION OF THE CAR HAD BECOME HIGH CENTERED ON THE EDGE OF THE DECK. PRESENTLY THE CAR IS STILL ON THE DECK AND PARTIALLY IN THE BUILDING. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS I" OFF THE GROUND. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL DUG ITSELF 3" DOWN INTO THE GRAVEL. - NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED BY ONLY THE DRIVER. - THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR EXPERIENCED TWO (2) SIGNIFICANT IMPACT EVENTS. 1ST WHEN IT HIT A TEMPORARY WOOD STEP AND THE EDGE OF THE DECK (18" ABOVE GRADE) AND 2ND WHEN IT STRUCK THE BUILDING. MOST OF THE BUMPER WAS TORN OFF THE CAR WHEN IT HIT THE DECK AND IS NOW PINNED UNDER THE CAR. THE IMPACT SHIFTED THE BUILDING APPROX. 3/8" ON IT'S POST & PIER FOUNDATION. - THIS REPORT WAS WRITTEN & SUBMITTED ON 10/1/18. - A WRECKER IS SCHEDULED TO EXTRICATE THE CAR FROM THE OUTBUILDING ON 10/2/18. - THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKING AREA WHERE THIS OCCURRED IS CRUSHED ROCK/GRAVEL. - THE DISTANCE FROM WHERE THE CAR INSTANTLY ACCELERATED TO THE EDGE OF THE DECK WAS APPROXIMATELY 22 FEET. THE FACE OF THE OUTBUILDING IS 8 FEET FROM THE EDGE OF THE DECK. THE DISTANCE COVERED BY THE CAR DURING THIS ACCIDENT WAS APPROX. 30 PLUS FEET. - DURING THIS EVENT AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO CONTROL/STOP THE CAR WITH EXTREME APPLICATION OF THE FOOT BRAKE AND HANDBRAKE AND ULTIMATELY THE STOP BUTTON. - IT WAS A DRY, SUNNY, EARLY FALL DAY IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS IN WASHINGTON STATE.

NHTSA ODI #11132690

2017 model year · 47,800 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

VEHICLES BATTERY HAS SLOW CRANKING POWER, SINCE NEW CURRANT MILES ARE 47,800 TODAY VEHICLES SLOW TO START ,ONCE STARTED ALL ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW AND VEHICLE STARTED NORMAL AND STRONG, PUT INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE DROVE NORMAL, PUT I…

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VEHICLES BATTERY HAS SLOW CRANKING POWER, SINCE NEW CURRANT MILES ARE 47,800 TODAY VEHICLES SLOW TO START ,ONCE STARTED ALL ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON AND VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, REPLACED BATTERY WITH NEW AND VEHICLE STARTED NORMAL AND STRONG, PUT INTO DRIVE AND VEHICLE DROVE NORMAL, PUT INTO REVERSE AND AGAIN VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD OR REVERSES, VEHICLE IN IN DEALERSHIP REPAIR FACILITIES AT THIS TIME, PROBLEM UNKNOWN,

NHTSA ODI #11131707

2016 model year · 12,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WATER IS ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CARPET IS STARTING TO SMELL OF MILDEW. I AM AFRAID OF THE REACTION WITH THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WATER. I NOTIFIED MY DEALERSHIP AND AWAITING A RESPONSE. MEANWHILE, I TAKING MY CAR TO BE SERVICED.

NHTSA ODI #11129391

2018 model year · 4,200 miles · Sep 5, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO AN EXIT RAMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL IDLING EXTREMELY LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. RIMROCK SUBARU (324 S 24TH ST W, BILLINGS, MT 59102, (40…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO AN EXIT RAMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL IDLING EXTREMELY LOW AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. RIMROCK SUBARU (324 S 24TH ST W, BILLINGS, MT 59102, (406) 651-5200) REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND OFFERED A TRADE-IN FOR A 2018 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. **TR *JB

NHTSA ODI #11124519

2016 model year · 31,000 miles · Sep 1, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

I DROVE FROM NJ TO ME (BOUGHT IN 2017). I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE/PASS CARS FROM THE LEFT LANE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. AFTER 5 HRS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY & MADE A RIGHT ONTO A MAIN ST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT IT PULL BACK & MY WHEELS LOCK UP. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING OR GOT A FLAT & WAS RIDING ON MY…

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I DROVE FROM NJ TO ME (BOUGHT IN 2017). I NOTICED DIFFICULTY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE/PASS CARS FROM THE LEFT LANE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. AFTER 5 HRS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY & MADE A RIGHT ONTO A MAIN ST WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, FELT IT PULL BACK & MY WHEELS LOCK UP. I THOUGHT I HIT SOMETHING OR GOT A FLAT & WAS RIDING ON MY RIMS. FROM THE RIGHT LANE I MOVED ONTO THE SHOULDER-IT JERKED ROUGHLY BUT REMAINED STUCK. I WALKED AROUND IT & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG ON THE OUTSIDE. I WAITED 2.5 HRS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE ME 6 MINS AWAY TO OUR HOTEL. I CALLED A FEW LOCAL REPAIR SHOPS. NONE COULD SEE ME FOR A WEEK SO MY PLAN WAS TO BRING IT TO THE HOTEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID MY CALIPER WAS STICKING & RECOMMENDED I HAVE IT TOWED TO SUBARU SINCE NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVICE IT AT THE HOTEL. SUBARU CALLED/SAID SOMEONE PULLED MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL PLUG & IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THEY BLAMED THE OIL CHANGE GUY, SAYING HE MADE AN ERROR (THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS NEAR THE OIL DRAIN PLUG) & THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DIFF THEY MEANT WAS THE FRONT DIFF-THEY ARE CLOSE. THERE ARE 2 DIFFS & THE REAR DIFF IS WHERE MY ISSUE WAS-10 FT AWAY FROM OIL DRAIN. I'VE ONLY HAD OIL/BRAKE PAD CHANGES & NEITHER HAD A REASON TO TOUCH ANY DIFF. THAT WORK IS RECOMMENDED BETWEEN 30-50K MILES & I HAD 31K. I DROVE A RENTAL TO NJ WHILE MY CAR WAITS IN NH. I TALKED TO CORPORATE/SERVICE ALL WEEK BUT THEY WON'T LISTEN TO ME EVEN THOUGH I MAKE A VALID POINT. THEY ASKED WHO DID THOSE ROUTINE SERVICES. I SHARED THE INFO & ASKED WHY IT WAS RELEVANT. HE "HINTED" THAT IT COULD VOID THE WARRANTY. I ASKED IF THAT WAS WHY MY CLAIM WAS DENIED BUT HE SAID HE DIDN'T SAY THAT WAS THE REASON. IT'S ILLEGAL TO TELL CUSTOMERS ONLY SUBARU CAN SERVICE THEIR CARS. EXPERIENCED MECHANICS SAY IF ANYONE PULLED THE DIFF PLUG IN NJ I WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT TO ME-5 HRS AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11123966

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.