2009 SUBARU FORESTER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Subaru Forester. This model year has 178 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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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 2009 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2009 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 2009 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 40 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 39 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 22 | 1 | 3 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 19 | 12 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 17 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 16 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 11 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 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 2009 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 178 most recent complaints
Airbag lights have been going on and off ever since I took it into to get my airbags recalled and Subaru will not take a look at it with out me signing a form saying I am liable to pay 200 dollars if it happens to be anything else unrelated to the recall warranty.
- I bought a set of 4 Cooper Adventurer P225 55 R17 tires from Pep Boys in La Habra , CA on [XXX]. - On [XXX], I had to replace one due to a flat, and they noticed that I had a serious bulge in another. I replaced those two tires, putting the new ones in the front. - On around…
No local dealer to complete recall NHTSA Recall Number 20V002000. Vehicle is too old, too high miles to be trusted to take on an extended road trip to a dealer. Contacting Subaru wasn’t any help.
fuel tank leaking gasoline from tanks seams and hose nipple, second owned vehicle with same problem. now the vehicle has strong gas smell and is leaking gasoline when driven in a incline. It threw a p0442 "evap leak small" thats why i checked the fault. All these steel tanks seem…
* Fuel tank leak * Could have exploded or caught fire * Confirmed at independent service center * Inspected by independent service center * Check engine light and gas tank icon on dash. Appeared 1/31/2023 This car has had so many recalls and has been a problem for a long t…
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that he had initially received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V830000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was serviced. Recently, the contact stated that while going d…
Sudden collapse of drivers seat bottom cushion. Now lower on one side.
TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF THE ROAD AND WAIT 3 HOURS FOR A TOW TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS; STAGE 4 BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR SYMPTOMS AND COULD HAVE BEEN A GREATER DANGER…
2009 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH AIRBAG. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG IS ON RECALL AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS ON THE ISLAND OF HAWAII. THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO SEND A CERTIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIAN TO THE CONSUMERS. INSTEAD, THE MANUFACTURER S…
I HAVE LOVE IN TOWN AND HAVE BEEN REPLACING ROTORS AND PADS EVERY 6 MONTHS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2018 AND HAVE PUT UNDER 30000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS CONSTANTLY.
YOU REALLY NEED TO REIGN IN THE NEW HEADLIGHTS AND HOW BRIGHT THEY ARE. THEY MIGHT BE OK IN FLAT PLACES, BUT I'M HILLY AREAS, WHEN AN ONCOMING CAR IS AT A HIGHER LEVEL, IT'S LIKE GETTING HIGH BEAMED IN THE FACE. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT'S GOING TO GET SOM…
TURBO FAILURE CAUSED BY DESIGN FLAWS IN LUBRICATION DELIVERY SYSTEM IDENTIFIED BY MULTIPLE TSB WVF-16, TSB#02-103-07, TSB # 02-97-05. MANUFACTURE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE TSB AND CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ABOUT 2.5 LITER TURBO CAR. LEADING $3500.00 REPAIR BEING FORCED ON CONSUMERS IN …
THE ENGINE TURNS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. I STARTED MY CAR AND THEN IT SHUT OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS AFFECTED BY RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V297000.
MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE PUT $3,000 IN PARTS AND MAINTENANCE. RADIATOR BLEW, COOLANT SENSOR, WHOLE NEW EXHAUST, ALL NEW HUB BARINGS, 2 NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND MY MAIN PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED!!! THE CAR IDLES AT THE STOP LIGHT…
THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED/SHATTERED. WHEN ENTERING THE CAR THE REAR WINDOW WAS IN ONE PIECE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE A CHUNK OF MY WINDOW FELL IN. THE PATTERN AROUND THE CRACKED WINDOW APPEARS AS A CLUSTER OF THERMAL BREAKS. I HA…
SUBARU DEALER (MARK SHAW SUBARU 1650 W 104TH AVE, DENVER, CO 80234, PHONE (720) 724-9280) REFUSES TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT IS ON RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS DEPLOYED. THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION ON WHY OR WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THEM TO PERFORM THE RECALL …
WEIRD THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH MY CAR, I KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS USING THE SATELLITE RADIO PORT TO TAMPER WITH THE SAFETY OF MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IT HAS A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT, THE STEERING LIGHT SYSTEM FLASHING ISN'T EVEN RELEVANT TO A PROBLEM THAT IT COULD HAVE.…
THE FUNCTION OF THE RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS INTERMITTENT. UPON START THESE DEVICES DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ELECTRICAL POWER AND DO NOT FUNCTION. I SUSPECT THERE ARE OTHER ITEMS THAT DO NOT WORK EITHER, BUT I HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THEM. THEY BOTH FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE EN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST…
I KEEP GETTING A TIMING OVER-ADVANCED CODE WITH A BAD CAT CODE.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Subaru Forester.
Recalls for 2009 Subaru Forester
18 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 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.
2009 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Subaru Forester has 178 NHTSA owner complaints, 19 crash-related, and 18 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (40 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (40 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (39 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (22 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2009 Subaru Forester has 19 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports out of 178 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes — 18 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2009 Subaru Forester has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions 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 2009 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.