2007 Subaru Forester Owner Complaints

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

I was driving and heard bumping noise and thought it was just ice or snow stuck in some parts underneath the car, but the vehicle at one instant pulled over to the other side of the road and I almost lost control and slid off the road. I inspect myself and discover a problem with one of the rear wheel bearings, so I take it to my mechanic. My mechanic discovers rust all underneath and the rust has caused some serious mechanical problems. Front lower control arms and other parts of the suspension are damaged as well because of the rust. This car originally came from the "salt-belt" and Subaru said that the Front lower control arms recall had already been taken care of, yet I have the same issue at low milage for a Subaru Forester. Subaru of America is refusing to fix their screw up. The only warning lamps were ABS, Check Engine, and cruise control light flashing. If this instant happened while kids were in the car, Subaru of America would've gone to court. I hope that either Subaru will either fix their mistake or give me a settlement check.

NHTSA ID

11509200

Incident

Dec 29, 2022

There is a fuel line inside the car that had a pressure leak. An entire tank of gas emptied, mostly to the inside of the car where the fuel lines run inside the rear drivers side of car floor. My 18 year old daughter was driving and this can not be safely repaired or remove the harmful gas fumes in carpet and seats Unsafe still to drive, unsafe to have these lines run inside the car

NHTSA ID

11503889

Incident

Jan 21, 2023

On 7/19/2022 while backing out of a parking spot with a right hand turn we heard a loud noise and the car did not seem to want to continue moving. Upon further inspection the right front tire was sitting at an extreme and unusual angle. Tipped out at the top and no longer pointing in the same direction as the other front tire. Upon recovery of the vehicle and inspection the lower control has completely separated from its inboard forward attachment point due to corrosion. As a secondary result the right from CV axle was disconnected at the transmission CV joint. Due to the slow speed during the incident there was no injury or other vehicle damage. Had this broken at highway speeds the result could have been much different. The vehicle is in our home garage for repair. It has not been otherwise inspected. All parts are available for inspection and I also have pictures of the failed lower control arm. The vehicle is current on all recalls.

NHTSA ID

11475995

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

On Sunday 4/3/2022, driving in a semi highway at 50mph the front passenger suspension arm broke off causing a lose of control of the vehicle. Ended up resting at the road shoulder.

NHTSA ID

11460421

Incident

Apr 3, 2022

My forester has been used in salt belt for 12 years. Was on the list of recall for Front Suspension Control Arm Failure. We brought it to the dealership to have the car inspected and for a 4 year old car, they didn’t do anything. On 10/15/21, the front control arm broke right after we drove off highway. If the arm broke on the highway, then us and others might have been killed as the tire would have broke off. We highly doubt the job to correct the recall was done properly, if they did anything at all. After the accident, we had the car and component inspected by the East Forest Garage. There weren’t any warning signs before the accident.

NHTSA ID

11438437

Incident

Oct 15, 2021

Head gasket , radiator failed suddenly while going 65 on hwy (115K) . Had new radiator, heads resurfaced/HG replaced, etc. Now less than 15K later (128K) head gasket leaking again.

NHTSA ID

11419793

Incident

Jun 6, 2018

I WAS PREPARING TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. I DID MANAGE TO GET IT HOME BECAUSE I HAD ABOUT 2" OF BRAKE DOWN AT THE FLOOR AND I ONLY HAD ABOUT 4 MILES TO GET HOME. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO LIVES IN ANOTHER STATE HAS 3 SUBARUS AND IS AN EXCELLENT MECHANIC. ONE IS A 2007 FORESTER JUST LIKE MINE AND HE SUGGESTED IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND WERE BEGINNING TO BLEED THE BRAKES WHEN MY HUSBAND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTING OUT OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE LOOKED CLOSER AND THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE NEAR THE 4-WAY JOINT CONNECTOR AND BOTH WERE COVERED WITH CORROSION. I TOOK A PHOTO OF IT AND SENT IT TO MY FRIEND. HE FOUND THE RECALL INFORMATION AND SENT IT TO ME. THE PHOTO FROM THE RECALL ARTICLE LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I HAD SENT HIM OF MY CAR'S PROBLEM. I CALLED THE SUBARU DEALER NEAREST ME AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE THE RECALL COVERED FORESTERS FROM 2009-2013 BUT IT DID COVER LEGACY AND OUTBACK FROM 2005-2009 AND 2008-2011 SUBARU IMPREZA, WRX, AND STI. I FEEL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED, THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR IT AND REPAIR MY 2007 FORESTER BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER UP AND SHE GAVE ME THE NATIONAL SUBARU NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH 3 PEOPLE LAST EVENING AND ONE CALLED ME TODAY. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR. IT IS THE NEWEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I HAVE HAD IT A LITTLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS. CAN YOU HELP ME, PLEASE? I HAVE NO BRAKES, I AM NOT RICH, I NEED HELP PLEASE. HTTPS://NHOILUNDERCOATING.COM/SUBARUS-RECALLED-FOR-BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION/ HTTPS://SUBARU.OEMDTC.COM/62/WQK-47-BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION-2005-2014-SUBARU

NHTSA ID

11362281

Incident

Sep 23, 2020

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED KENNY ROSS SUBARU (11299 LINCOLN HWY, NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642, (724) 864-5100, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.*DT *BF CONSUMER STATED HAMILTON MAZDA SUBARU AND KENNY ROSS SUBARU ARE THE SAME.*JB

NHTSA ID

11328152

Incident

Jun 7, 2020

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LESTER GLENN SUBARU (1501 NJ-37 W, TOMS RIVER NJ) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID

11301195

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

129,000 mi

ON FEBRUARY 13, 2019 MY TRANSMISSION FLUID LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME. I STOPPED TO BY THE FLUID BUT COULDN'T FIND OUT WHERE TO FILL IT UP AT AND THE DIPSTICK WAS STUCK. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH.. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND ASKED HIM TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WASN'T THE FLUID THAT WAS THE PROBLEM IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. PREVIOUS TO THIS THE LIGHT NEVER FLASHED AND WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON I DO GET I CHECKED TO SEE IT ITS SERIOUS OR NOT. CHAT CONVERSATION START 76K PEOPLE LIKE THIS CARS 7:55 PM HI, I BOUGHT A USED 2007 SUBARU FORESTER AND IT HAS REQUIRED A COUPLE OF LARGE REPAIRS THAT YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT. IN 2015 I HAD TO REPLACE THE OIL HEAD GASKET AT RELATIVELY LOW MILES 70K AND NOW IN 2019 AT 104K MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IS COMMON IN THE SUBARUS? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11180683

Incident

Feb 13, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM NJ, AND RECENTLY RELOCATED TO WA. APPROX. 126K MILES, THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH, DROPPING THE CAR ONTO THE WHEEL, AND PULLING THE DRIVEAXLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT THE CONTROL ARM RUSTED FROM THE TOP SIDE, WHICH WOULD LIKELY BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW TO LOOK FOR IT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN FIRST BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING, LESS THAN 1 FOOT OF TRAVEL BEFORE I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I SPOKE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARM WAS "CLOSED" AND THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND WOULD NEVER ACCEPT THAT CATASTROPHIC CORROSION IN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE SUSPENSION COULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE DEFECT FOR WHICH THE END USER SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. IF THE CAR WAS INDEED "TREATED" FOR THIS CONDITION BY THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, THEN CLEARLY THE TREATMENT IS UNSATISFACTORY AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO A VERY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. MY ONLY BLESSING IN THIS SITUATION IS THAT IT DID NOT FAIL THE PREVIOUS EVENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME, OR LATER THAT MORNING HAD I BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11092313

Incident

May 6, 2018

Mileage

126,000 mi

I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END CONTROL WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING PULLED FROM MY HANDS. I GET AN ALIGNMENT EVERY 6 MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11052045

Incident

Nov 30, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. 2007 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5XT. 54K MILES. PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF VIOLENTLY AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. SUDDENLY ENGINE TEMP-GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND STARTS TO RISE. PULL OVER, COOLANT IS FORCEFULLY EXITING OVERFLOW TANK. SHUT CAR DOWN, TEMP GAUGE DROPS QUICKLY. NO EXTERNAL SIGNS OF LEAKING COOLANT WITH SUBSEQUENT REFILL AND TESTING. AFTER COOLANT WARMS UP (3 MINUTES IDLE) COOLANT BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY EXIT RADIATOR CAP (WHEN OFF) OR OVERFLOW TANK. EXHAUST VERY SOOTY. SHAKES MY CONFIDENCE IN SUBARU AND THEIR ENGINEERING TO HAVE A HEAD GASKET BLOW THIS EARLY. SUBARU COOLANT CONDITIONER IS A RE-BRANDED STOP-LEAK. WAS LOOKING AT THE NEW BRZ, NOW I WILL NOT BE BUYING AND DO NOT RECOMMEND SUBARU UNLESS MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES AND MAKES AN EFFORT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10929415

Incident

Nov 18, 2016

Mileage

54,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE EXITING A CAR WASH FACILITY, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, SPED ACROSS THE STREET, AND STRUCK A CURB. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 7/2/18*JB

NHTSA ID

10919887

Incident

Oct 20, 2016

Mileage

67,000 mi

ENGINE FAILED ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND THERE WAS NO DIGNOSTIC CODE FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS FOUND BY SUBARU DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

10919027

Incident

Jul 28, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10839173

Incident

Feb 29, 2016

Mileage

108,000 mi

DEAR SIR, I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS SUBARU FORESTER CAR ([XXX]) IN GEORGIA, BUT HAD NOTICED THAT BEFORE ALLOWING IT TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION, THE MANCHESTER CENTER, VT/MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT VERMONT DIDN'T ENSURED THIS VEHICLE HAD PASSED ALL THE RECALLS REQUESTED BY YOUR SUBARU COMPANY FOR THIS MODEL OF FORESTER (I SEE AT LEAST ONE OPEN RECALL NO.WVU31 REPROGRAM ECM NOW WHICH WAS NOT PASSED). BESIDE, ACCORDING TO CARFAX AND AUTOCHECK REPORTS, IT SEEMS THE CAR DIN NOT WENT THROUGH 2010 RECALL (WVN24: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAMMING & FUEL TANK ONE-WAY FUEL VALVE). I PRESUME BECAUSE OF THIS, THE ERROR CODE P1400 APPEARS CURRENTLY ON THE CAR DISPLAY. THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE ASKING YOUR ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING WHICH ENTITY IS BEARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE 2 PROBLEMS? I ASKED ALSO SUBARU INC. TO ALLOW SERVICING MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE FOR INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF ERRORS TO THE CLOSEST SUBARU DEALER, BUT NOT REPLY YET. HOW IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CAR WAS ALLOWED BY VERMONT MOTORS DEPARTMENT TO BE SOLD OUTSIDE OF USA, EVEN IF RECALLS WERE ACTIVE? AS A CITIZEN OF EU MEMBER STATE, I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO START A CASE FOR ALLOWING SELLING OUTSIDE OF USA A CAR BEING UNDER SUBARU RECALLS. I MEAN SUBARU RECALLS NO. WVN24 AND WVU31, THE LAST EVEN HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED NEITHER TO CARFAX, NOR TO AUTOCHECK, WHICH REPORTS I PURCHASED BEFORE. HOPE YOU'LL OFFER ME ENTIRE ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10783189

Incident

Oct 13, 2015

Mileage

137,300 mi

MY VEHICLE REGULARLY SHIFTS IN A VERY IMPRECISE WAY, AT THE WRONG TIMES, IN PARTICULAR AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO UNUSUAL DELAYS IN SHIFTING DOWN WHEN QUICK POWER IS APPLIED, SOMETIMES RESULTING IN DELAYS IN EMERGENCY OR QUICKLY NEEDED MANEUVERS. THE CARE BEHAVES IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAYS AS IN NHTSA COMPLAINTS #10480933 AND #10317114. I HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN OTHER FORA IN SPECIALIZED CAR WEBSITES, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECT ON THE PART OF SUBARU, WHICH HAS GRAVE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. I CALLED ONE DEALERSHIP AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AT SUBARU, AND WAS TOLD THAT NO BULLETINS OR RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECT. IN BOTH CASES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION, ABOUT $2,000 TO $3,000 WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. GIVEN THAT THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHICH HAS GROWN GREATER AS THE CAR AGES, SUBARU SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL AND REPAIR THE DEFECTS AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705935

Incident

Apr 1, 2013

Mileage

35,000 mi

THE FAULT INDICATORS CAME ON AND THE ERROR CODE P2441 WAS PRESENT BOTH AT THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE AT 105,000 MILES. AT THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE PRICE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM WAS SET AT $2123. AT THIS PRICE AND GUESSING AT THE PRICE OF OTHER PARTS THE CAR'S REPLACEMENT VALUE SHOULD COME TO AROUND $200,000. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM PERVASIVE TO ALL SUBARUS, NOT JUST FORESTERS, FEATURING A TURBO CHARGED ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10704014

Incident

May 3, 2012

Mileage

67,893 mi