The Lemon Index2009 Subaru Forester.
The 2009 Subaru Forester is better than average by owner complaints: 44 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 71, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 18 recalls, and it gets 21 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Forester year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 178 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Forester year. 2009 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 29K to 93K miles on the car (121 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 66K–132K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 38K–97K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 7K–67K miles
Recalls 18
- seat belts 2022
The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
Show all 18 recalls
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as ori.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2016
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- brakes 2014
The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through.
- brakes 2014
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- lights 2012
Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle.
- seat belts 2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- engine 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES.
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 228 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator
- Should you receive a customer concern of a loose windshield mounted auto-dimming compass…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Engine failure at 4,000 miles on Forester turbo. Loud engine banging on road trip lead to the need for a complete engine replacement. Dealer said that contaminated metal forging lead to weak engine components.
2009 Subaru Forester owner · NHTSA complaint 10272850
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 71; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Forester year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2009 Subaru Forester problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), engine (25%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?
18 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Subaru Forester get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Forester problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 29,000 and 93,000 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 121 complaints.
Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Subaru Forester cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Forester year is better than the 2009?
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