2010 Subaru Forester: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2010 Subaru Forester? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 262 complaints, with Seat-Related Issues as the top reported area.
2010 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2010 Subaru Forester trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2010 Subaru Forester Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated17.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
17.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2010 Subaru Forester has 262 owner complaints, 21 crash-related complaints, and 17 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Seat-Related Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Forester
- Model year
- 2010
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 262
- Crash-related complaints
- 21
- Safety recall campaigns
- 17
- Top reported component
- Seat-Related Issues
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2010 Subaru Forester Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Seat-Related Issues
Airbag Malfunctions
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Seat-Related Issues, Airbag Malfunctions, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2010 Subaru Forester?
The 2010 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2010 Subaru Forester
Inspection Focus
- Inspect seat mechanisms and adjustability for any reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and brake system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect seat mechanisms and adjustability for any reported issues.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and brake system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2010 Subaru Forester, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2010 Subaru Forester are concentrated in seat-related issues, airbag malfunctions, and engine problems. Crash-related complaints are relatively few, but the overall confidence in this data is low due to the limited sample size.
- Seat-related issues account for the highest number of complaints among the 2010 model year.
- Airbag malfunctions and engine problems are the next most frequently reported components.
- Unintended acceleration and brake system issues also appear in the complaint data.
- Seat-Related Issues
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Engine Problems
All 2010 Subaru Forester Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Subaru Forester. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat-Related Issues | 76 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 42 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 40 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| Brake System | 38 | 5 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 24 | 11 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 13 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 12 | 2 | 2 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The 2010 Subaru Forester when the Subaru was in reverse while being parked it accelerated (lunged) forward at a high speed and I DID NOT put the gear shift in forward! The 2010 Subaru Forester crashed into the back of a neighbor's Honda. My personal safety was put at risk due t…
The engine in my 2010 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a sudden and complete mechanical failure on November 15, 2025. While driving, the vehicle abruptly lost power without any warning lights or messages. I was able to pull off the roadway, but the loss of power posed a sig…
In brief: I purchased a used 2010 Subaru Forester in Nov. 2022. Because the vehicle gave me many problems, I decided to purchase another vehicle. In June 2025 I went to Fred Beans in Mechanicsburg, PA. They ran a Car Fax on my 2010 Subaru & found, among other things, the odometer…
Had a collision with another vehicle and my airbags never deployed. The other vehicles airbags did deploy.
Subaru of America refuses to authorize dealer Beyer Subaru of Alexandria Virginia to do the stipulated safety repair
The bracket on the front right side of the drivers seat (if you're looking at the seat from the sunroof) that connects the seat (where you sit) to the seat frame (which moves the seat forward and back) has separated from the seat frame. The two tack welds have failed so the seat …
Left front of drivers seat collapsed while driving 60mph on freeway. This caused a surprise that could have resulted in an accident. This has been reported numerous times as can be referenced here: [XXX] and appears it will be an expensive replacement at my cost for a known iss…
On 5/24/2023 while driving with a front passenger, the passenger seat belt warning light, chime and airbag warning came on for no reason. Stopped the car at a red traffic light and turned ignition off and then on to hopefully clear the warning. There was no power to any system. T…
My 2010 Subaru Forester's driver seat does not raise up on with the power buttons. I can hear the motor but the front of the seat will not move. Last week, the right side was not moving and now both sides are not. I can physically move the front half of the seat up and down. …
The weld on the left side of the seat broken causing the seat cushion to be loose. After quick internet searching, this seems to a be a somewhat common occurrence. I weight 170 Lbs and the car has 140K miles. This issue makes it lean far left causing an unsafe seating position an…
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing out of a garage parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into several other parked vehicles before coming to…
Power adjustment of Driver's seat front left corner does not raise in synch with right side. This causes the seat to be uneven, resulting in an unsafe driving position. Apparently the weld of the adjustment arm breaking is a well known and documented issue based on even a cursory…
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the rear brakes were replaced by an independent mechanic. After 6 months, the contact noticed that the brakes needed to be replaced again. The mechanic stated that the automatic braking system was not releasing the …
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised him that the fuel tank was rusted and needed to be repaired as well as fuel lines. The vehicle was repaire…
The left side of drivers seat collapsed. Upon inspection, the metal tab that was spot welded to the seat frame failed. The metal tab connects the left front of the seat to the power seat motor components and rail. The power seat no longer works and the seat sags noticeably to the…
The Subaru Bracket for the Sun Visor and the Rod on the Sun visor itself are made very poorly and will break very often, I had to replace my driver side once a year because I went to use it when the sun was glaring in my face on the highway and it just fell off onto my hands and …
I bought a 2010 Subaru Forester vehicle on 05/22/2021 from AutoFair Subaru dealer at 503 Broadway, Haverhill, MA 01832. The car engine was making noises from the day 1 of this purchase. I reported this to the dealership but they denied the facts. Rather they said that I did not k…
The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as she attempted to park her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward at a high rate of speed without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped on its own before hitting another vehicle. The…
Head gasket suddenly failed on the highway. This is a known problem Subaru has yet to address and has been present on all their models up to 2010. This is something that Subaru should have addressed years ago but are allowing people to put the safety at risk due to negligence
Fuel pump failed (connection wiring harness burned up) inside the fuel tank. If this had happened a little later, we would have been in the middle of the interstate and could have been in a horrific wreck. Or if there had been any oxygen in the fuel tank, the car would have bur…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2010 Subaru Forester.
2010 Subaru Forester Recalls
17 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2010 Subaru Forester. 17 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2010 Subaru Forester Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2010 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 262 owner complaints, 21 crash-related complaints, and 17 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2010 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Seat-Related Issues (76 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (42 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (40 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2010 Subaru Forester?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2010 Subaru Forester, NHTSA complaints include 21 crash-related reports and 6 fire reports out of 262 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2010 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes. 17 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2010 Subaru Forester. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 17 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2010 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2010 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Seat-Related Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2010 Subaru Forester based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.