9 Subaru Forester Years To Avoid

In 2024 alone, over 175,000 Subaru Foresters were sold, yet a fair number of them were recalled due to reliability problems. That’s not to mention other recalls in previous years. Don’t you want to be an unfortunate owner whose car has been recalled? Then, keep in mind these years to avoid Subaru Forester!

In This Article:

9 Forester Years To Avoid

To ensure a reliable Subaru Forester crossover SUV, remember to avoid the 1998-1999, 2003, 2009-2011, 2013, and 2014-2015 models. They are plagued with defective airbags, engine failure, damaged transmission, malfunctioning vehicle speed control systems, and electrical problems.

1998-1999 Subaru Forester

As the pioneer of the Subaru Forester model line, the 1998 fell short of expectations regarding reliability. Although NHTSA has only recorded 112 complaints up to now, they all reflect major issues.

First, most owners reported the transmission problem revolving around the malfunctioning clutch. It either chattered or stayed in the depressed position, hindering these first-gen models from proper start-up or acceleration. The problem worsened when the engine was cold or in chilly weather.

In addition, mechanical issues also reared their ugly heads in the suspension system. The rear wheel bearings failed and caused relentlessly grinding noise, taking a toll on the car’s performance and sacrificing a comfortable ride.

Many drivers were also concerned about engine problems, especially faulty head gaskets and oil leaks. According to common complaints, drivers frequently spotted a clicking sound when driving at high speed. Then, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop without any warning, which was incredibly dangerous on crowded roads.

All these problems hurt their wallets real bad with costly repairs and replacements.

The 1999 Forester didn’t perform much better, if not worse. The vehicle accumulated 141 complaints on NHTSA as of this writing, sharing the common Subaru Forester issues with the previous model.

Safety remains a major point of concern here. Subaru recalled over 220,000 vehicles because defective service brakes extended the stopping distance, increasing the risk of accidents. Worse yet, some owners shared that the brake didn’t work despite how hard they hit the pedal, which ended up in a crash.

2003 Subaru Forester

Second-generation Foresters maintain fairly consistent quality, except for the 2003 model. Up to now, it has 3 recalls on NHTSA, more than any others in its class.

The first recall in 2002 was related to a defective transmission parking rod, which failed to engage and caused the vehicle to roll forward, posing a risk of collision. Another problem that led to a recall was the malfunctioning seat belt buckle. It could unlatch unexpectedly upon crash, potentially injuring drivers and passengers. The last recall was related to broken front power control arms, resulting in loss of control and putting drivers in danger.

These recalls didn’t fully reflect all the problems of the 2003 Subaru Forester, though. The biggest pet peeve that we, as well as many other owners, experienced was the fuel leaks, especially during cold weather. Our test drive took place in December when the ambient temperature was 18°F. As we sped up, a strong gasoline smell found its way into the cabin, which was exacerbated with acceleration.

Besides, other notable issues in terms of reliability, like airbags failing to deploy and grinding noise from suspension, are worth considering.

2009 Subaru Forester

The 2009 model kicked off the third generation of the Subaru Forester with a not-so-stellar reputation. As of 2025, a whopping 18 recalls and 178 complaints have been recorded on NHTSA. Among them, 9 recalls were related to defective airbags. The front airbag inflator on the passenger side could explode, shattering sharp metal fragments that could injure passengers and drivers. This is a tremendous safety concern that you want to keep in mind.

Adding to this concern was the sudden driver’s seat collapse that caught drivers off guard and led to a loss of control. The seat was then lower on one side, making it uncomfortable and hard to control the steering. Responding to this problem, Subaru did NOTHING! What they did was issue 2 seat-related recalls, yet none addressed this error.

Another major problem stems from the electrical system. The ignition switch might go off unexpectedly mid-road, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, some drivers also reported radios and wipers functioned intermittently.

2010 Subaru Forester

The 2010 Forester is nothing but problematic, currently with 17 recalls and 259 complaints on NHTSA. The airbag problem still echoed, evolving itself into an even more disastrous failure. This led to a whopping 10 recalls, all related to the potential explosion of frontal airbag inflators.

Furthermore, this model is plagued with a plethora of seat problems. Besides the driver’s seat collapse like previous models, owners also reported broken welds that caused the cushion to jiggle. We couldn’t even adjust the seat up and down to fit our build, affecting not only driving experience but also steering stability.

The 2010 Subaru Forester also experienced engine issues, such as the Check Engine light constantly flashing, oil leaks, and broken head gaskets. Our car has accumulated 85k miles, and it started leaking oil during our test drive. The dealer said it was due to the faulty head gasket, which cost us over $2,500 for replacement.

2011 Subaru Forester

The 2011 Subaru Forester inherited the serious airbag problem from its predecessor, contributing to 9 out of 16 recalls on the NHTSA. The remaining recalls revealed reliability issues with electrical systems, exterior lighting, seat belts, and service brakes.

First, many electrical problems, although minor, were reported, including sudden shut-offs when idling or slowing down, defective remote starters, locked ignition keys, and malfunctioning lighting.

Regarding the brake system, drivers shared that the pedal felt soft and spongy and sometimes stayed in a depressed position. Subaru also issued 2 recalls related to corroded brake lines, leading to brake fluid leaks and longer stopping distances.

Similar to earlier generations, broken head gaskets remained a nightmare for 2011 Forester owners. The leaks were the recipe for excessive oil consumption, poor fuel economy, and expensive head gasket replacements.

2013 Subaru Forester

The 2013 Forester didn’t fare much better, with 12 recalls and 76 complaints on NHTSA up to now. Although these numbers are lower than other problematic models, this car still ranks among the worst model years in its class.

It couldn’t bid farewell to common Subaru Forester problems, such as defective airbag inflators, sudden engine stalls, long braking distances, and other electrical problems with lighting, ignition, etc.

Recently, drivers also reported a major issue with the vehicle speed control system. In particular, their cars accelerated on their own when it was idling in reverse and the gas pedal was not engaged. Unexpected accelerations leave drivers unprepared, potentially resulting in a crash.

2014-2015 Subaru Forester

Unlike their predecessors, the 2014-2015 Forester cars were subjected to only 2 and 3 recalls, respectively. However, the number of owner complaints (390 and 586, respectively) is surely a red flag.

Reading the owner reviews reveal some common issues between the two models, mostly stemming from the engine, airbags, vehicle speed control systems, and electrical systems.

However, the 2014 Subaru Forester also witnessed a rising concern in the suspension. Drivers pointed out that the control arms were prone to wear and tear, requiring frequent replacements.

We’ve experienced this firsthand. As we sped up on a freeway, we clearly noticed the front tires wobbling, worsening at higher speeds. The mechanic said that it was due to worn-out control arm bushings. In addition, some owners reported other issues like damaged rear wheel bearings, cracked suspension struts, and broken coil springs.

As for the 2015 Subaru Forester, it was flagged with severe transmission failure. The reason originated from unexpected accelerations/slow-downs that forced drivers to downshift or upshift abruptly, causing damage to the transmission system. Some owners also reported they couldn’t shift gears or the clutch fork broke, taking a toll on the powertrain.

8 Common Problems With The Subaru Forester

Head gasket issues & oil leaks – A recurring issue in models from 1998 to 2011, this engine problem leads to overheating, loss of power, and expensive repairs. Oil often leaks externally or into the combustion chamber, with repair costs frequently exceeding $2,500.
Airbag defects – Especially prevalent in 2009–2013 models, airbags may fail to deploy or explode due to faulty inflators. These dangerous malfunctions have prompted multiple recalls and pose a serious safety threat.
Transmission issues – Notable in the 1998–1999 and 2015 models, drivers report clutches that chatter, fail to engage or remain depressed. Broken clutch forks and gear shifting problems often lead to powertrain damage.
Driver’s seat collapse – Common in 2009–2010 Foresters, where seat frames break or tilt unevenly, reducing ride comfort and steering control. Despite widespread reports, Subaru never fully addressed the issue.
Suspension failure – Found in models like 2003 and 2014, with worn control arms, rear wheel bearings, and cracked struts. These issues cause grinding noises, shaky handling, and unsafe high-speed driving.
Unintended acceleration – Seen in 2013 and 2015 models, where the car accelerates on its own in reverse or while idling. This behavior puts drivers at risk of crashes due to loss of control.
Electrical glitches – Widespread across several years, including numerous issues like sudden engine shut-offs, malfunctioning lights, and intermittent wipers. These faults compromise safety and driver convenience.
Brake system flaws – Present in years like 1999 and 2011, involving soft pedals, corroded brake lines, and unresponsive brakes. Extended stopping distances and total brake loss were frequently reported.