2008 Subaru Forester Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 16%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,321miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 16% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,321 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“There is an oil leak from the cam shaft, only noticed after I finished paying the car, 60 months paying 283 dollars, now there is a problem. My car is full with smoking under the hood due to this oil leak, apparently all Subaru cars have the same issue. Now I am left with a paid car that basically does not have value and over thousands of dollars to fix it, or my car can burn down.”
NHTSA complaint #11048788, filed 2017-11, 114,000 miles“September 19, 2020, I was driving on the interstate, at 10:30 pm, going 75mph and al of a sudden I heard a loud pop. I had lost all control of my car and my front passenger side felt like it completely gave out on me. I slammed on the breaks and tried to get it on the right side of the road but I couldn't. It sent me on the left hand side, the fast lane, right up against the interstate divider wall, my came to a stop ina couple seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363012, filed 2020-10, 150,000 miles“This happened while driving on a freeway. Weather was sunny, in the 20s, pavement was dry but there were short icy patches under bridges. Every time I passed over one of these patches I experienced severe fishtailing. I had to reduce speed to under 30mph to retain control of the car while traffic was passing me at 60+ MPH. Tires were new goodyear assurance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10761874, filed 2015-09, 111,642 miles“Secondary air pump malfunction. I have read that this happens all the time and it costs $2,000 to get it replaced. Check engine light is on all the time and it cancels out traction control and cruise control. I can hear it trying to work and hope it does not cause a fire risk.”
NHTSA complaint #11073311, filed 2018-02, 80,000 miles“I bought the car in may of 2008. On feb. 29, the check engine light and the traction control light came on, as well as the cruise control light started flashing. I thought, why? I've only had it for almost 4 years and less than 50k miles. I checked my owner's manual, and the covered warranty is 5 yrs/ 50k miles, whichever comes first. I brought it to the dealership where I had bought the car from and an employee said that it is more than likely covered by warranty. On march 7th, 2012, I left my car at the dealership for diagnosis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453285, filed 2012-03, 47,600 milesRelated service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 21% |
| 2025 | 21 | 21% |
| 2024 | 9 | 29% |
| 2023 | 20 | 27% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 43 | 20% |
| 2020 | 108 | 18% |
| 2019 | 145 | 17% |
| 2018 | 85 | 17% |
| 2017 | 97 | 16% |
| 2016 | 70 | 17% |
| 2015 | 74 | 12% |
| 2014 | 46 | 11% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 9 | 8% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 16% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Forester
11 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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