2009 Subaru Forester Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 6%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 136,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 6% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 136,500 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.
“My 2009 Subaru Forester has been nothing but problems. In the past month I've put $3,000 in parts and maintenance. Radiator blew, coolant sensor, whole new exhaust, all new hub barings, 2 new catalytic converters and my main problem is not fixed!!! The car idles at the stop light and during the acceleration it stalls! I took it to 4 dealers and they tell me my gas is to rich???? What is that???? I'm upset with this car and it sucks. I've had this car not even a year.”
NHTSA complaint #11340821, filed 2020-07, 140,000 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 purchased a 2009 Subaru Forester through the kia dealership in west chester, pa. I paid $5,600 for this used car, believing it was a good deal based on the salesman's recommendation. During the process, they told me of the repairs that may be needed, but with no mention of the exhaust system specifically. Five weeks later, I was driving home on back roads and heard a loud sound. I discovered the car's exhaust system had broken off, due to severe rust. The entire system was rusted out and falling apart. …”
NHTSA complaint #11160795, filed 2018-12, 165,000 miles“You really need to reign in the new headlights and how bright they are. They might be ok in flat places, but I'm hilly areas, when an oncoming car is at a higher level, it's like getting high beamed in the face. It happens all the time here in new hampshire. It's going to get someone killed. Also, I don't know if new card have automatically changing high and low beams, but I have noticed that people are becoming very last in turning down there lights when approaching me. It's crossed my mind that it's probably a new automatic system that doesn't work very well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11389620, filed 2021-01, 175,000 miles“This vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that is faulty and unnecessary. When the tires are at the correct amount of pressure the TPMS light appears on the instrument panel during cold weather and will not turn off. If you want it to go away you have to pay a technician to reset it. I have been told that the manufacturer made it so it cannot be disabled. As I stated it is faulty and unnecessary and people should not have to continually pay to have it reset or replaced. As well I own a 2008 impreza with the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11175037, filed 2019-02, 133,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 21% |
| 2025 | 21 | 21% |
| 2024 | 9 | 29% |
| 2023 | 20 | 27% |
| 2022 | 18 | 18% |
| 2021 | 43 | 20% |
| 2020 | 108 | 18% |
| 2019 | 145 | 17% |
| 2018 | 85 | 17% |
| 2017 | 97 | 16% |
| 2016 | 70 | 17% |
| 2015 | 74 | 12% |
| 2014 | 46 | 11% |
| 2013 | 7 | 9% |
| 2012 | 9 | 8% |
| 2011 | 13 | 9% |
| 2010 | 12 | 5% |
| 2009 | 11 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 16% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 5 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
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 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 29, 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