2006 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Forester. This model year has 88 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2006 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Unintended Acceleration
Suspension Failures
Considering a 2006 Subaru Forester?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 22 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 20 | 6 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 88 most recent complaints
Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.
The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact then took the vehicle a dealer where he was informed that the recall was servic…
Front control arm failed on car. Which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. Found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. Waiting to see if they will cover repairs.
It just the airbags light turn on
I was made a turn at roughly 15mph and the front passenger side control arm sheared in half causing me to lose control of the vehicle and then abruptly come to an immediate stop. My family was in the car and at a higher speed this could have been fatal. Had there been any vehicle…
Five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. I took it to Suberu in Fort Worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. God new one but didn't help. This year when I went to get it checke…
As I was going down the road my car sped up and my foot was off the gas pedal as the pedal was stuck-I managed to stop my car but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 I was originally going 50
I was traveling down a steep two lane road (California route 32) on my way to Chico, CA when my rear drivers side wheel came off. With some difficulty, I was able to pull the car off to the left side of the road (steep embankment on the right side, 50-60 foot ravine on the left …
RCN 07V043000
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE PASSENGER CONTROL ARM FAILED, SNAPPING IN HALF AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. UPON LOOKIN UNDER MY CAR I COULD SEE THE SNAPPED CONTROL ARM, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I ALSO OBSERVE THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM IS ALSO VERY RUSTY. BOTH CONTROL ARM…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2016 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRATTLEBORO SUBARU (1234 PUTNEY RD, BRATTLEBORO, VT 05301) TO BE SERVICED FOR AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE VEHIC…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THOMAS SUBARU AT 814-623-813 (LOCATED AT 4003 BUSINESS 220, BEDFORD, PA 15522) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPA…
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WHETHER, THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GAS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND TALKING TO A MECHANIC, IT IS CLEAR THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I ALSO SEE THAT MANY MORE OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT NOT OPENNED AS AN IN…
TWO FLAT TIRES ON BRAND NEW COOPER EVOLUTION TOUR 215-60R16 (@100 MILES), BOTH ON THE FRONT. ONE FLAT NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN BUT SAT FOR A FEW HOURS (NO VISIBLE DEFLATION UPON EXITING); THIS TIRE HAD NO VISIBLE PUNCTURES, THOUGH THERE APPEARED TO BE A BIT OF TE…
CAR ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I NEEDED TO STEP HARD ON THE BRAKE TO CONTROL THE CAR. I PUT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND REVIVING ENGINE SOUND DID NOT STOP. I REMOVED ORIGINAL RUBBER FLOOR MAT, AND PROBLEM STOPPED. DANGEROUS! 2 KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME. …
EVERY TIME I REACH SPEED OF 80MPH IN THE FREEWAY MY STEERING WHEEL IS VIBRATING OUT OF CONTROL
SITTING IN THE CAR, ENGINE RUNNING; HAD PULLED OVER FOR A COUPLE MINUTES TO LET PASSENGER OUT. NOTICED SMOKE STARTED TO SEEP OUT FROM ENGINE. CHECKED TEMP GAUGE AND SAW IT WAS COOL. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND MOVED AWAY FROM THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, SAW FLAMES C…
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND MY LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CORROSION IN THIS MODEL YEAR. THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WITH WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH WAS ABLE TO BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL.…
2006 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES STATING THAT RUNNING HEADLIGHTS BEING A REQUIREMENT ON VEHICLES. *LD *TR
CONTROL ARM IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. I NEED TO FULLY REPLACE THE ENTIRE ARM. IT'S URGENT, AS THE ENTIRE WHEEL AND MECHANISM COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2006 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2006 Subaru Forester
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2006 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2006 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2006 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2006 Subaru Forester has 88 NHTSA owner complaints, 12 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (22 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Engine Problems (22 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (20 complaints). #3: Suspension Failures (12 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2006 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2006 Subaru Forester has 12 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 88 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2006 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2006 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2006 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2006 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.