2007 Subaru Forester

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints were associated with vehicles currently registered or originally sold in a salt belt state. Through a similar analysis of complaint and warranty data submitted to ODI by Subaru, ODI identified 18 consumer complaints and 6 warranty claims associated with failure of the left or right front lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these consumer complaints associated with vehicles either currently registered of originally sold in a salt belt state.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

I was parked at my banks' ATM to deposit a check into my account. The car was parked and I put the gear shift in the Neutral position and applied the emergency hand brake. When I finished with the deposit, I released the hand brake. Then I moved the shift from Neutral to Drive and the vehicle did a sudden unexpected acceleration (the car left the parking spot like a bullet/missile). I attempted to apply brake pressure with both feet and there was no response. I caused a collision with parked cars opposite a chain link fence. Fortunately, the cars that I collided with were not occupied.

NHTSA ID

11766514

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

While driving in [XXX], the passenger-side front lower control arm on my 2007 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX]) fractured without warning due to severe internal rust corrosion. The structural collapse snapped the CV axle and sway bar link, causing an immediate loss of steering control that forced the vehicle to veer violently off the road—narrowly avoiding crossing the center median into oncoming traffic. Subaru service history confirms that Safety Recall WVX-34 (NHTSA Campaign 11V464000) was performed on this vehicle 14 years ago, where an anti-rust coating was applied instead of replacing the part. That factory recall remedy failed to prevent internal rust-through long-term, directly resulting in this crash and mechanical failure on a public road. Subaru of America Customer Advocacy has refused assistance, mischaracterizing an ineffective recall remedy as an expired standard warranty issue. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the failure and secondary damage were confirmed, and the fractured components are preserved for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11766352

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

The contact's friend owned a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly violently accelerated and crashed into the retaining wall and unit across the street. The vehicle was then shifted into drive from reverse when the vehicle violently accelerated a second time where it was able to come to a stop in the driveway. The accelerator pedal had not been depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the back neck and had several cuts, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11646526

Incident

Jan 22, 2025

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11592157

Incident

Apr 24, 2024

I was driving my car in Upstate NY toward a border crossing wicket and the vehicle began to vibrate violently. I thought that it was a blown tire. I stopped to check and the tires looked fine. I continued for a few yards and it began again. I pulled over and called a tow truck. When the car was loaded onto the tow bed, the front wheel was pitched out at an angle rather than at 90 degrees. Very scary to think what could have happened if I had been driving at 60 mph on the interstate. The car was towed to the nearest garage. The mechanic believed it to be a faulty lower control arm on the front driver's side. Related to Recall #WVX34

NHTSA ID

11567232

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

Started getting a vibration I thought was a tire problem. It would only show up after 30 minutes or so of driving. It happened several times while trying to have the tire store figure it out. On Friday 15 Sep 2023 we drove at highway speeds to Dayton and back. Noticed it occur twice. The next morning we were a few miles from home checking out a dog boarding place. We went to leave and heard a loud pop. The lower right control arm broke. If it had happed the previous day it could have been fatal! This vehicle has been almost exclusively service by Busam Subaru at all recommended short intervals, 3,750miles. The recall for this was performed by Busam on1/31/2012. They always state they have performed a complete inspection and what needs attention. I am now having service done locally since all of their latest services have been dismal at best. I have counted on them to keep me, my family, and my Forester safe. Very disappointing considering how this could have turned out.

NHTSA ID

11547772

Incident

Sep 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000.

NHTSA ID

11541938

Incident

Aug 3, 2023

Mileage

101,000 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifter failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that while placing the vehicle in reverse the vehicle accelerated forward causing the vehicle to crash on top of a large rock. The contact stated that she sustained injuries to the face and the right eye. The contact stated that she had eye surgery due to the crash. The contact stated that Law Enforcement did not arrive on the scene and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11509760

Incident

Feb 20, 2023

This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.

This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)

Techtips newsletter locator index.

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.