2008 Subaru Forester Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 8%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 8% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 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.
“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“Just like the just recent recall of Subaru's 2009-2013 Forester, my 1998 Forester steering rack and pinion system had rusted out tubing that leaked and needed replacement after steering just went out. How your organization can continue to allow car manufactures to use regular steel for many of the parts under a car (like the rack and pinion, brakes, etc) is beyond me. That should be a crime but oh no, the politician will bureaucrats will allow this to go on until a bunch of young people are killed. Then you might do something.”
NHTSA complaint #10608120, filed 2014-07, 1 miles“I have problem with my 2008 Subaru Forester. When I quickly turn steer wheel for changing lane, the car seems lost control and can only go all the way to the left. Then when you have to turn the steer wheel to the right to return straight, the car would go all the way to the right. I have to keep this balance until the car turn itself off. It happens to me twice. One time is on a bridge, one time is on the busiest interstate highway 95. I feel extremly lucky either time. I am still alive and did not kill anybody. But is that normal for a subura all wheel drive?”
NHTSA complaint #10282835, filed 2009-09, 32,000 miles“I was getting on the highway in Minnesota doing 55-60 mph when the car started violently shaking and I lost steering with cars whizzing by me at 65-70+ mph. I was finally able to get the car just off the road and called for roadside assist. Once the car was left at my house I examined the right front wheel which was cockeyed to discover the lower control arm steel body had disintegrated (see photos). Looking online I discovered there had been a recall on these arms 9 years ago. I sent a message to Subaru Customer Care and received no reply. …”
NHTSA complaint #11422196, filed 2021-06Related service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
- 10153183Nov 13, 2018This post was revised in error. It has been corrected back and removed from the posting list. The message was corrected on 04-13-14R posting dated 11/14/2018.
- 10093117Sep 18, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
- 10140549Jun 17, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 5% |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Forester
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 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 28, 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