The Lemon IndexSubaru Forester recalls.
Every NHTSA recall campaign for the 2005–2025 Subaru Forester, newest first. Each one is listed once, with the model years it covers.
Check a VIN to see that car's model-year report and recalls.
Illustrations (AI-generated) of the cars shown, not photos of specific cars. Free to use under CC BY 4.0: credit The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Download and credit text
Every recall 38
1 filed in the last 12 months. A new recall has had the least time to be fixed, so it's the one most likely still open on a used car.
- Equipment · recall issued Jul 2026 · model year 2025 New: most likely still open
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
541,237 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 26V436000
- Child seat · recall issued Jun 2025 · model year 2025
The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
2,938 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V419000
- Wheels · recall issued Jan 2025 · model year 2025
The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
20,366 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 25V033000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Nov 2023 · model year 2022
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
95,830 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V755000
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued Nov 2023 · model years 2023–2024
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
4,701 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V754000
- Engine · recall issued Oct 2023 · model year 2024
The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
49 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 23V723000
- Seat belts · recall issued Nov 2022 · model years 2009–2013
The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
16 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 22V838000
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued Jul 2021 · model year 2018
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
175,968 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V587000
Show all 38 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued Apr 2021 · model year 2019
The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
408,271 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 21V263000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2020 · model years 2009–2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
258,813 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V001000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2020 · model years 2009–2013
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
127,547 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V002000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2020 · model years 2009–2013
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
111,562 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 20V003000
- Engine · recall issued Dec 2019 · model year 2019
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
51,613 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V856000
- Airbags · recall issued Oct 2019 · model years 2015–2018
An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
366,282 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V701000
- Electrical · recall issued Apr 2019 · model years 2009–2013
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
511 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V297000
- Lights · recall issued Feb 2019 · model years 2014–2016
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
1,303,530 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V149000
- Steering · recall issued Feb 2019 · model year 2019
A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
10,417 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V065000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2019 · model years 2010–2013
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.
43,394 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V007000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2019 · model years 2010–2013
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 equipm.
452,630 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V009000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2019 · model years 2010–2013
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or rep.
330,120 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 19V008000
- Tires · recall issued Jul 2018 · model year 2018
The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure.
3,654 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V455000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2018 · model year 2009
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.
72,150 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V014000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2018 · model years 2009–2010
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.
93,209 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V013000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2018 · model years 2009–2013
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.
64,179 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 18V012000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2017 · model year 2009
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as ori.
69,529 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V026000
- Airbags · recall issued Jan 2017 · model years 2009–2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
53,480 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 17V014000
- Electrical · recall issued Oct 2016 · model years 2009–2013
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
100,127 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V738000
- Airbags · recall issued May 2016 · model years 2009–2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
302,127 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V358000
- Engine · recall issued Mar 2016 · model years 2015–2016
The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
18,187 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 16V162000
- Brakes · recall issued Dec 2014 · model years 2009–2013
The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through.
200,064 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V830000
- Brakes · recall issued Jun 2014 · model years 2009–2013
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
461,338 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 14V311000
- Equipment · recall issued Apr 2013 · model year 2014
The backing for the carpeted floor mats was not manufactured to specification.
10,137 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 13V159000
- Lights · recall issued Dec 2012 · model years 2009–2012
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.
633,842 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V602000
- Seat belts · recall issued Mar 2012 · model years 2009–2012
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012.
326,014 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 12V099000
- Suspension · recall issued Sep 2011 · model years 2005–2008
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…
318,215 vehicles in the whole campaign · NHTSA 11V464000
- Equipment · recall issued Apr 2009 · model year 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 · recall issued Sep 2008 · model year 2009
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES.
- Airbags · recall issued Feb 2007 · model year 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION.
Recalls by model year. Campaigns that cover each year.
Tap a year for its problems, complaints and Lemon Index.
What they fix. Campaigns by system.
Is one open on your Forester?
A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car. NHTSA's public recall data works by make, model and year, so these lists cover every car of that model year, not one VIN. Whether a recall was already fixed on a particular car is in the automaker's records: type the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any dealer of that brand. The repair is free.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Questions
How many recalls does the Subaru Forester have?
38 recall campaigns across model years 2005–2025, from NHTSA. Many campaigns cover several model years; counted once for every model year they cover (the way each year's page counts them), that's 105.
Which Subaru Forester year has the most recalls?
The 2009, with 18 campaigns. 2010: 17, 2011: 16, 2012: 15.
What are most Subaru Forester recalls about?
Airbags: 14 of the 38 campaigns. Then engine (4) and equipment (3).
What is the newest Subaru Forester recall?
Equipment, filed Jul 2026 (NHTSA 26V436000): These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
What is the biggest Subaru Forester recall?
NHTSA 19V149000 (lights, Feb 2019) covers 1,303,530 vehicles in all, every model in that campaign. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has an open recall?
Use its VIN: type it at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask any Subaru dealer. Our VIN check decodes it and lists every recall for that model year. Recall repairs are free.
Subaru Forester: problems and best years · All Subaru recalls · Recall check
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), matched to the model names owners use in NHTSA complaints. Vehicle counts and the "park it" warnings come from NHTSA's recall file, which starts in 2010, so older recalls have no count. A campaign's count covers every make and model in it.
Know someone with a Forester?