2009 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 9%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 9% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bought used with 46k miles on it. Brakes have been weak ever since I got it. Has never caused an accident, but it sure has had me worried about getting stopped numerous times. Dealers blow me off when I ask about fixing it. Maybe premium pads? I think it's the hydraulics that are weak, don't know if pads would make a difference. This is straight stops from all speeds.”
NHTSA complaint #10956398, filed 2017-02, 80,000 miles“I have love in town and have been replacing rotors and pads every 6 months. I purchased this vehicle in 2018 and have put under 30000 miles on the car. I have also been replacing wheel bearings constantly.”
NHTSA complaint #11389948, filed 2021-01, 170,000 miles“I was going around a cup-de-sac to stop to a have my passenger exit the car to her house, I heard engine rev and push forward into her hollow tile wall, garden and down the other side of her property and stop on the wall before I thought of turning the engine off.”
NHTSA complaint #10658934, filed 2014-11, 45,000 miles“Since the purchase - we needed to push brake pedal down too far to apply brakes. We complained to Subaru - they checked but said nothing wrong. But I am unhappy.”
NHTSA complaint #10607982, filed 2014-07, 5,000 miles“The brake line and brake caliper rusted, car has been maintained and checked regularly, while driving we lost rear brakes, almost caused an accident, spent at least 900.00 in repair, Subaru refused to refund money, even though there was a recall for brakes lines.please help.”
NHTSA complaint #10716956, filed 2015-05, 34,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V830000Dec 31, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, WRX 2008–2014, WRX STI 2008–2014 +1 more
- 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2013, WRX 2008–2014, WRX STI 2008–2014 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 11018903May 6, 2025"The repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin as been updated, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the…
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
- 10141514Apr 24, 2015Annoucment to UPDATE ? Subaru Recall Campaign WQQ?52 Brake Line Corrosion
- 10080880Jan 26, 2015This recall is being issued as a result of incomplete repair instructions provided in the impreza and forester repair procedure for the wqk-47 brake line corrosion recall.
- 10094206Dec 23, 2014Wqk-47r - brake line corrosion
- 10094203Dec 22, 2014Service memo announcement of subaru recall campaign: brake line corrosion wqq-52
- 10234896Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10234827Jun 10, 2014New Subaru Recall Campaign: Brake Line Corrosion WQK?47
- 10084243Jun 10, 2014New subaru recall campaign: brake line corrosion wqk]47
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% |
| 2016 | 29 | 7% |
| 2015 | 36 | 6% |
| 2014 | 31 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 12% |
| 2012 | 16 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 14% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 1999 | 19 | 14% |
| 1998 | 15 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Forester
40 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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