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EnginePart report

2008 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
14%of 50 total for the year
Median mileage
113,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 14% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles.

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 check engine light went on - flashing. I drove immediately to my local garage. When I turned off the engine, I smelled a strong burning oil smell, as did the mechanic. The oil was checked and I was down 2 quarts even though I had a recent oil change at that same facility. There had been no oil leaks, and no stain in my driveway previous to this. The mechanic saw no abnormal oil flow or leak when he checked.”

NHTSA complaint #10652111, filed 2014-11, 172,000 miles

“My car as been seen by Subaru dealership since the day I bought it in 2012. I paid for 5 years. After I finished paying in july, I just discovered that is an oil leak , all my engine from front to back is dirty with oil, a second opinion mechanic stated that he does not know how I am using this car for years like that. But the car just had last year a head gasket changed by charity , offer of Subaru factory to me and the dealership in moline, il did the change. How after pulling down the engine they never noticed the oil leak and smoking. …”

NHTSA complaint #11055018, filed 2017-12, 114,000 miles

“My engine started failing. The compression started rapidly declining these last few weeks. My engine was sluggish and jerky. I previously had the car serviced with a new alternator and had my emissions testing done for my registration. The next day the engine light came on to alert for the problem. I brought it back in and after some testing was told it was the compression to the engine that was not working properly. It is in the shop now. After further testing decompression was even worse than previously diagnosed at other mechanic and the engine was declared to be failing. …”

NHTSA complaint #11282975, filed 2019-11, 113,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While driving 30 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine and the vehicle ran out of oil. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist because there was no recall on the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11030515, filed 2017-09, 65,000 miles

“In one miles time cruse light when on then engine light then died. Got extremely hot.. Blew gaskets and possible engine. I have never missed oil changes and have taken very good care of car.”

NHTSA complaint #10664469, filed 2014-12

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202544%
202413%
202357%
20221111%
20213416%
20208113%
201910613%
2018326%
2017478%
20166014%
201513121%
20146917%
20132735%
20122725%
20116041%
20103413%
20092715%
2008714%
2007912%
20061113%
200533%
20042311%
2003126%
200211%
200121%
199932%
199811%

Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Forester

Suspension
11 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Electrical system
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 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