2008 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.

Engine overheating and causing multiple problems

NHTSA ID

11660719

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

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 VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ID

11635238

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

Mileage

144,000 mi

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 corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the front driver’s side control arm was fractured, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that the failure was caused by corrosion of the front lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); to prevent the failure from occurring; however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ID

11624168

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

116,000 mi

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 is going to conduct a more thorough investigation once more photos of interior and exterior are provided by retailer. It is, of course, available for inspection. Fortunately, I was not driving the vehicle at the time of deployment. No one was in the car at the time of deployment. Vehicle was parked in my garage and deployed overnight. The dealer has confirmed deployment, but as stated above, has not been able to determine cause of deployment. Dealer’s mechanics and a Corporate engineer are only ones to my knowledge that have inspected the vehicle. As there was no accident, police and insurance representatives were not notified. No warning lights, messages or symptoms that I’m aware of. I, as stated, was not in the car at the time of deployment. Did not discover the deployment until the following morning when I went to garage to move the vehicle. I was shocked when I saw the airbag draped over the steering wheel and called dealership immediately. Car was towed to dealership and has been there for a month as of December 10, 2022.

NHTSA ID

11496909

Incident

Nov 8, 2022

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 lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they inspected the vehicle and confirmed the front control arm failure. The dealer informed him that the recall was already serviced on the vehicle prior and provided him with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided him with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11474441

Incident

Jul 8, 2022

Mileage

136,000 mi

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 repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

NHTSA ID

11454414

Incident

Feb 26, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

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 occurred -1 Dec 2021. Have not had reply as yet. This caused uncontrollable steering as it was not controllable by the steering wheel. Fortunately this failed as I was backing out of a parking spot and not at speed on the highway. Car was not drivable. I inspected the left front control arm and it too seems to be also affected by rust.

NHTSA ID

11442453

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

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 vehicle without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home where he began to repair the vehicle himself. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000

NHTSA ID

11436596

Incident

Oct 11, 2021

Mileage

97,000 mi

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.

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

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