2009 Subaru Forester Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,338miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,338 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Compass display in rear view mirror went out, no longer displays direction. My friend has the same vehicle and his went out also. I believe this is a safety feature because it helps tell the driver what direction he's traveling when traveling in unfamiliar place.”
NHTSA complaint #10521058, filed 2013-06, 80,000 miles“The 2009 Subaru Forester has the light at the top of cargo inside and if it is dark you cannot see anything but the reflection of what is in the cargo area due to the brake light being inside rather than on the outside like other models I feel this is very dangerous, you might run over anything or anybody when you can't see out your back window in the dark. Fortunately I just took a mailbox down, not a person. Now I have damage to my new Forester and don't want to keep it.”
NHTSA complaint #10298231, filed 2010-01, 675 miles“Recall for puddle lights--shortly after purchasing in 2017--I took car to rapid city sd courtesy Subaru. I was told that the puddle lights had been removed, and there weren't any put back in, nor did they have any and would have to order them. I was told they would call when they got them, but I have never heard from them.”
NHTSA complaint #11056115, filed 2017-12“The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact received a recall notice several months ago but was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified, but could not provide a date that the parts would be available. There are no failures at this time. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10520855, filed 2013-06Related recalls
- 12V602000Dec 26, 2012Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January…Covers: Subaru Forester 2009–2012, Tribeca 2006–2011, Outback 2010–2011 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11012260Dec 13, 2024This bulletin is for information purposes only.The bulletin adresses design changes of the headlamps and rear combination lamps, where moisture and or condensation may develop on…
- 10130273Jan 26, 2018This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above…
- 10085114Mar 15, 2013"the following information is intended to provide further clarification of the proper claims procedures to follow when a vehicle comes in to your service department for the…
- 10085003Mar 6, 2013"in order to remove the display of an open recall on the wqe99 program (optional puddle lights) that was used for vehicles that may or may not have puddle lights, the wqe99…
- 10083701Feb 19, 2013The optional genuine subaru puddle light recall has now been released. Owner notification letters were mailed today. Effective today, tuesday, february 19, 2013, all claims…
- 10083646Feb 19, 2013"subaru has determined that affected vehicles equipped with optional genuine subaru puddle lights may develop a short circuit and cause the related components to overheat and…
- 10235882Feb 1, 2013Optional Genuine Subaru Puddle Lights
- 10080094Jan 15, 2013Subaru has determined that affected vehicles equipped with optional genuine subaru puddle lights may develop a short circuit and cause the related components to overheat and…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Forester
40 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsSeats
16 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSuspension
6 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