2010 Subaru Forester Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Forester most often report the driver's seat frame breaking at the front-left, followed by brake problems (corroded rear brake lines and rapid pad/rotor wear) and questions about the Takata passenger airbag recall. Many reports cluster in the 40,000-100,000 mile range, and the seat failures typically happen with an audible pop rather than after any collision.

1. 1
   Seats

   Driver's seat frame breaks at front corner

   • 67 complaints (26%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2023

   Owners describe an audible pop and the front-left corner of the driver's seat dropping, leaving that side unsupported so the seat leans toward the door. In some cases the height or tilt adjustment works on only one side. Complaints describe a failed weld or bracket on the seat frame; dealers and shops generally quoted a repair or replacement of the seat frame or bracket, sometimes done by re-welding, and several owners said the work was not covered under warranty or a goodwill plan. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 120,000 miles, often on power-adjustable driver seats.

   What to check: Sit in the driver's seat and press down on the front-left corner while checking for sag, a lean, or height adjustment that moves only one side. Ask whether the seat frame or welds have been repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The front left weld on the driver's seat broke around 90,000 miles. This is a problem that at least 40 other drivers have bothered to report on this website. I was driving about 35 MPH at the time the front left side of my seat sunk down and it's been stuck like that ever since.”

   NHTSA complaint #11051304, filed 2017-11, 95,000 miles

   “The seat on my Forester is broken. After looking online I found this to be an extremely common issue of the welds breaking due to insufficient quality or strength. This seems like an issue Subaru should have remedied by now. Car was adult owned and driven by a small female.”

   NHTSA complaint #11321344, filed 2020-04, 80,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake lines rust through at the rear junction

   • 18 complaints (7%)
   • median 50,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2020

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor and the car rolling through an intersection or down a hill when a rear brake pipe corroded and burst near the four-way junction. Several owners say the anti-corrosion treatment from earlier recall campaigns had been applied but the lines later failed anyway, and that they were quoted for replacement lines or a full repair. Others describe a front caliper overheating and seizing, or brakes that did not work properly in freezing weather. Reported from roughly 44,000 to 190,000 miles, often on older vehicles in road-salt states.

   Recall 14V830000Recall 14V3110001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the rear brake lines and the junction area inspected for rust before buying, and ask for documentation that recall 14V830000 and 14V311000 were completed, plus any later service on the lines.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My brakes failed while I was driving because Subaru did not properly address recall wqk47 on my car in 2018 even though they claimed it was completed. My brake lines are completely corroded and they are refusing to honor the recall that they improperly addressed 2 years ago. They knew in 2018 when they applied the anti-rust solution that the brake lines were rusted but they did not do any repairs. Thus, my car is currently non-functioning.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363617, filed 2020-10, 144,547 miles

   “In freezing weather, the brakes ice up and do not work properly. When I apply the brakes in a normal fashion, they do not work. If I pump them very gently over a long period of slowing down, I can get the car to stop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11056005, filed 2017-12, 66,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Warning lights and stalling from secondary air / engine

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2025

   Owners describe check engine, traction control, cruise, and AWD or AT oil temperature lights coming on together, sometimes at highway speed, with the car otherwise driving normally. Others report head gasket diagnosis after the engine light came on, or an engine that ran out of oil and quit. One owner reported trouble passing a smog check after a secondary air system fault. Reported from around 17,000 up to 200,000 miles, spread across the sample.

   Recall 16V7380002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have the car scanned for stored codes and check for a current smog or emissions pass. Ask whether the secondary air pump relay recall (16V738000) was completed and whether oil consumption has been noted between changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Hello- I am experiencing continued issues after recall: 16v-738. I began attempting to resolve this issue in september of 2016. The issue impacts the secondary air system and my vehicle would not pass ca smog. I have to have a passing smog to renew my ca registration. I failed smog and sent the vehicle to my mechanic. My mechanic performed diagnosis and determined stored p2441 and p2443 codes (secondary air valves open). Around the same time, october 2016, Subaru released recall: 16v-738. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10939754, filed 2017-01, 17,000 miles

   “Driving along freeway when check engine light came on, as well as, blinking cruise control light, traction light, and blinking between blue and red on temperature gauge light. Car started to accelerate oddly and make chirping noise. Noticed smoke billowing behind me and getting worse to the point of not being able to see behind me. Smoke started a light yellow, mostly white, became white and grey, and impossible to see through. Turned on hazards, pulled onto shoulder, turned off vehicle. Vehicle continued to smoke. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11076769, filed 2018-03, 125,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration while parking or reversing

   • 18 complaints (7%)
   • median 64,400 mi at 5.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2026

   Owners describe the car surging forward or backward at low speed in parking lots or driveways while braking, sometimes hitting parked cars or curbs. A few mention the accelerator or a floor mat as a possible contributor, while others say no cause was determined. Some owners report the dealer kept the vehicle for inspection, and at least one said the vehicle had already accelerated unexpectedly more than once. Reported from very low mileage up to around 140,000 miles, mostly at parking-lot speeds.

   What to check: Check that the correct floor mats are fitted and secured, and confirm the pedal moves freely and returns fully. Note any prior accelerator or throttle service in the vehicle history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2010 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated in reverse for the 3rd time. This last time it hit another vehicle damaging it and knocked down a person that required evaluation at the er. I was in a church parking lot this last time. I do not have any pictures as I was concerned about the person hit.”

   NHTSA complaint #11377399, filed 2020-12, 95,000 miles

   “While parking my 2010 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated causing it to jump over a curb sideswiping a hedge jumping another curb then hitting a large ram 150 truck. The whole time I was standing on the brakes trying to avoid parked cars. Upon impact the engine was still running at high RPM's. After shutting it off I looked to see if the mats were the cause and they were not. Could not determine what the cause of acceleration. There was over $12.000 damage to the Forester.”

   NHTSA complaint #10882115, filed 2016-07, 80,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brakes and rotors wearing out early

   • 17 complaints (6%)
   • median 31,500 mi at 3.7 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners report rear pads and rotors needing replacement well before expected, in some cases with a rotor coming apart, and repeat pad and rotor jobs at moderate mileage. One owner said a mechanic found the rear brakes were not fully releasing, and another had a front brake overheat and seize on the highway. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for brake service records and look at rear rotor condition and pad thickness on a test drive; uneven or fast wear may point to a sticking caliper.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2010 Subaru Forester has only 71656 miles and I need to replace the brake pads and rotors for the third time. What is wrong with your set up? I am not a kid with a heavy foot ,I am 71. I know brake systems, because I was an auto repairman be fore I retired.”

   NHTSA complaint #11018904, filed 2017-08, 71,656 miles

   “We were driving on a level interstate highway. A noise began. It was like we were on coarse pavement. I pulled over thinking there was a flat tire. Instead the front right brake was overheated and seizing. We completed our trip at greatly reduced speed because this occurred at night when we were unable to get service, and finding a motel which would allow our 100 lb german shepherd seemed unlikely. We did not drive the car again until we could get a service appointment with the dealer. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10501437, filed 2013-03, 18,960 miles

Buying note. Inspect the driver's seat base and the rear brake lines closely, since those are the failures owners report most on this model year, and confirm any open recalls by VIN are done. A maintenance history covering brakes and emissions-system work is worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.