2006 Subaru Forester Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 88 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 2006 Subaru Forester, 8% of the 88 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The hood latch will not engage all of the time. It has happened randomly since I bought the car. I've had my shop repair it more than once, but it never works for long. I never try to drive until I get a solid lock.”
NHTSA complaint #10837730, filed 2016-02, 30,000 miles“My Subaru Forester 2006 has spots of paint chip all over it. Sub dealer said a rep will call, no call yet. He says their rock chips I took it to a auto body paint shop one of the tech's said it's very odd for their to be rock chips all over the car we live in the city. I say it a bad paint job!!”
NHTSA complaint #10227530, filed 2008-05, 20,000 miles“Rear tailgate hydraulic struts fail and tail gate falls! This has happened 3 times on my 2006 Subaru forrester ll bean edition. The struts have been replaced twice since the original equipment failed each time with the authorized factory replacement part. The first time it failed the tailgate hit me in the head and almost knocked me out. The second and third times I was more aware and while the tailgate still hit me it was like the first time ( the rear tailgate is fairly heavy). …”
NHTSA complaint #10225880, filed 2008-04, 31,431 miles“The moon roof does not always close. All the way. At times it will go to a point where it just goes back and forth. It happened about 4 times prior to me bringing the car in for repair. I was told that it may need a need motor. When I picked up the car I was told it just needed an adjustment and to bring it in again if the problem recurs. It occurred twice the next day. I called for an appointment and was told that unless the roof currently was not closing they can do nothing about it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234507, filed 2008-07, 18,983 miles“I arrived at my house on 8/26/2012 at 8:00 pm, parked my car in the garage of my house and went to sleep. At 2:00 am I heard an explosion, went outside of my house to verify what it was and found my Forester in fire. With the help of my neighbors we control the fire within an hour. Serious consequences came out of the fire; the car was declared total loss, another car parked in front of the Forester suffer a lot of damage, the motor of the garage door had to be replaced, the paint of the house, vertical blinds and other belongings of the house were replaced because of the smoke from the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10515925, filed 2013-06, 92,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11022304Aug 11, 2025This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
- 10130277Jan 11, 2018( 2017-2018MY Impreza - 5 Dr Only)
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 9% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 25 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 11 | 3% |
| 2015 | 20 | 3% |
| 2014 | 27 | 7% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 7 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 2% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2006 Subaru Forester
20 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology