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Subaru Forester

2008–2012 only

864 classified complaints 20 recalls

380,161 sold in the US for 2008–2012.

19 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2008–2012 Subaru Forester models have 864 classified complaints on record for these years specifically, plus 20 recalls. The most common issue in this range is Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically surfacing around 56,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2008–2012 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Subaru Forester report for every year combined.

Where this range fits

1998–2002

2003–2007

2008–2012

2013–2017

2018–2022

2023–2026

Complaints filed per 5-year model-year window — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2008–2012 only

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 160 complaints · 4.2/10k sold

Median onset: 56,000 miles. 6.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in newer model years.

Doors, windows, latches, seats and trim · Body and interior 123 complaints · 3.2/10k sold

Median onset: 70,000 miles. 3.3% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Oil consumption and leaks · Engine 90 complaints · 2.4/10k sold

Median onset: 86,526 miles. 3.3% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Which other vehicles have oil consumption problems? →
Stalling and no-start · Engine 71 complaints · 1.9/10k sold

Median onset: 41,156 miles. 5.6% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 68 complaints · 1.8/10k sold

Median onset: 32,000 miles. 4.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in newer model years.

Calipers, hoses and lines · Brakes 34 complaints · 0.9/10k sold

Median onset: 50,500 miles. 2.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$880 nationally.

Master cylinder and booster · Brakes 32 complaints · 0.8/10k sold

Median onset: 39,031 miles. 9.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years.

Head gasket and cylinder head · Engine 29 complaints · 0.8/10k sold

Median onset: 86,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $1,620–$3,010 nationally.

Which other vehicles have head gasket failures? →

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

How does 2008–2012 compare with other Forester years? Every model year ranked by complaints per 10,000 sold. See years →

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2008–2012 model years. See the full Subaru Forester report for every year and full specs/safety data.