2008 Subaru Forester Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 2%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the body and structure of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 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.
“A fire broke out in the interior of our car while parked. The passenger door was destroyed and the interior of the car was ruined with smoke damage. Insurance declared it a total loss and both the adjuster and fire department suspect it was a wiring issue. While arson was not ruled out, there was no other damage to the car to suggest a break-in, and no personal belongings in the car were tampered with.”
NHTSA complaint #10504069, filed 2013-03, 56,000 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)
- 10028526Feb 11, 2009Subaru: vehicle has a water leak in the front driver/passenger side of the vehicle, it may be coming from the body seam located behind the front inner fender well. To correct the…
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 2008 Subaru Forester
11 complaintsOther or unknown
8 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 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