2008 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Subaru Forester. This model year has 50 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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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 2008 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Considering a 2008 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 2008 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | 3 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | 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 2008 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 50 most recent complaints
Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the V…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosio…
The airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. It is currently at local Subaru dealer. Mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. An engineer from Corporate Subaru inspected. Another team of engineers from Corporate…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front low…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. The contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or rep…
Right front lower control arm failed due to rust (safety recall WVX34 and NHTSA campaign 11v464000). Part of arm completely detached from connection to frame. Dealer states the recall is closed and there is nothing they will do. I notified Subaru by Email last night on the day it…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact then stated that upon turning into a driveway, the front lower control arm detached from the vehic…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. Additionally, the passenger’s side front wheel was shaking, and the vehicle was drifting to the right. The contact who is an independent mechanic noticed that …
I was getting on the highway in Minnesota doing 55-60 mph when the car started violently shaking and I lost steering with cars whizzing by me at 65-70+ mph. I was finally able to get the car just off the road and called for roadside assist. Once the car was left at my house I e…
I was driving to work and my Subaru stalled at an intersection. I restarted the car and continued to work. It is raining heavily. I arrived at work and the parking lot is full of water. I was slowly pulling up forward in the parking spot. I had my foot on the brake trying to…
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, AT 10:30 PM, GOING 75MPH AND AL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD POP. I HAD LOST ALL CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELT LIKE IT COMPLETELY GAVE OUT ON ME. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND TRIED TO GET IT ON THE RIGHT SIDE …
MY ENGINE STARTED FAILING. THE COMPRESSION STARTED RAPIDLY DECLINING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS. MY ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH AND JERKY. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED WITH A NEW ALTERNATOR AND HAD MY EMISSIONS TESTING DONE FOR MY REGISTRATION. THE NEXT DAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TO A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE WHEELS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT GOLICK MOTOR COMPANY (600 7TH ST, PITCAIRN, PA 15140, (412) 372-7420), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (GARY LANG SUBARU, 1121 STATE RTE 31 BUILDING 3, MCHENRY, IL 60050, (815) 788-6506) INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…
I OWN A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X, VIN. [XXX], WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BROWN'S SUBARU, 960 HILTON HEIGHTS ROAD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES WERE METICULOUSLY UPHELD. VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS EXPERIENCED DURING ACCIDENT: 1. RAPID RPM SURGE…
SECONDARY AIR PUMP MALFUNCTION. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IT COSTS $2,000 TO GET IT REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND IT CANCELS OUT TRACTION CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL. I CAN HEAR IT TRYING TO WORK AND HOPE IT DOES NOT CAUSE A FIRE RISK.
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIGH-SPEED CRASH ON I-35 IN DENTON TX. THE CAR WAS REAR-ENDED. BOTH CARS WERE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50-60 MPH). THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WERE RESTRAINED AND BOTH SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. THEY WERE TA…
MY CAR AS BEEN SEEN BY SUBARU DEALERSHIP SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT IN 2012. I PAID FOR 5 YEARS. AFTER I FINISHED PAYING IN JULY, I JUST DISCOVERED THAT IS AN OIL LEAK , ALL MY ENGINE FROM FRONT TO BACK IS DIRTY WITH OIL, A SECOND OPINION MECHANIC STATED THAT HE DOES NOT KNOW HOW …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2008 Subaru Forester
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 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.
2008 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2008 Subaru Forester has 50 NHTSA owner complaints, 5 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (11 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (11 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (9 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (6 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2008 Subaru Forester has 5 crash-related complaints and 3 fire reports out of 50 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2008 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 2008 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2008 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures 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 2008 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.