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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2008 Subaru Forester Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
12%of 50 total for the year
Median mileage
27,094miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2008 Subaru Forester, 12% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,094 miles. 2 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.

“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 miles

“2008 Subaru Forester the drive by wire accelerator system surges between acceleration and deceleration when one tries to hold a steady highway speed. This is true whether it is being controlled manually or if cruise control is engaged. It also accelerates in cruise control when going downhill. Subaru has made an improvement in the computer engine control mechanism for the legacy model but have ignored the Forester customers. All dealerships are aware of the problem from customer complaints but do not have a remedy from Subaru.”

NHTSA complaint #10305487, filed 2010-02, 6,966 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 5 MPH out of a parking space the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the brakes failed. In order to stop the vehicle the contact was forced to shift into neutral gear. The dealership informed the contact that the failure could not be reproduced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 37959. Updated 03/10/10. Updated 07/07/10”

NHTSA complaint #10306523, filed 2010-02, 37,959 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While backing into a driveway at 5 MPH in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven. No one was injured and the police were not notified. There was damage to the rear bumper. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, after a diagnostic test they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. A claim was filed with the Subaru manufacturer who stated that they would send a field agent to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 13,838. Updated 2/17/10 updated 02/22/10.”

NHTSA complaint #10299881, filed 2010-01, 13,838 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While driving 7 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact engaged the brakes but the vehicle would not slow down. He shifted into neutral and although the rpms increased, it eventually idled back to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there were no failures found when the vehicle was inspected. The contact had not called the manufacturer directly when the complaint was filed. He stated that the dealer called the manufacturer regarding the failure. The dealer later found that the floor mats were not anchored to the hooks. …”

NHTSA complaint #10323377, filed 2010-04, 16,228 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202555%
202413%
202368%
202299%
2021126%
2020244%
2019273%
2018306%
2017336%
2016379%
20157011%
20144210%
201379%
20121817%
2011139%
2010249%
20091911%
2008612%
2007811%
20062023%
20051718%
2004125%
2003158%
20022326%
20012921%
200045%
199965%
19981414%

Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Forester

Suspension
11 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Air bags
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 30, 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