The Lemon Index2006 Subaru Forester.
The 2006 Subaru Forester is about average by owner complaints: 32 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 90, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Forester year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 88 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Forester year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 98K miles on the car (69 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- speed control complaints mostly came at 8K–67K miles
Recalls 2
- suspension 2011
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRE…
- airbags 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 142 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rubbing mark on timing belt
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront suspension control arm failure2011
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
On cold start the engine races uncontrollaby up to approximately 3500 rpms after clutch was depressed. It raced up and down until it warmed fully up. It sometimes races like this after high speed driving when you come to a stop.
2006 Subaru Forester owner · NHTSA complaint 10187200
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Subaru Forester reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 90; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Forester year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2006 Subaru Forester problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (31%), engine (19%) and fuel system, gasoline (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Forester have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Subaru Forester get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Subaru Forester problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,100 and 98,100 miles. The middle report was at 51,000 miles, from 69 complaints.
Does the 2006 Subaru Forester have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Subaru Forester cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Subaru Forester have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Forester year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2011 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works