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Engine coolingPart report

2010 Subaru Forester Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
2%of 262 total for the year
Median mileage
1,412miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2010 Subaru Forester, 2% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,412 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 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.

“I have a new 2020 Subaru Forester that is almost impossible to start----I have had it to the dealer 2 times and they tell me this is the way it is supposed to start due to the new emissions on the car--I had a Forester before and never had a problem--buyer beware--I called the head office and they promised to return my call--as usual no one called--I called the dealership and left 4 messages and no one called.”

NHTSA complaint #10276709, filed 2009-07, 25 miles

“I have a 2010 Subaru Forester. The vehicle has an issue with (1) the steering pulls to the right, (2) the engine loses power intermittently and (3) the car shakes and shimmies when driving at highway speeds. All three of the issues have been with the car since I purchased it at 6 miles on the odometer. The steering issue is dangerous because it makes it hard to keep the car on the road. I have taken the car in 2 times for an alignment and the issue persists still at 2750 miles. The engine issue has been with the car since the beginning. …”

NHTSA complaint #10360299, filed 2010-10, 6 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact shifted into reverse and the vehicle abnormally accelerated backward, crashing into a building. A police report was filed and a bystander was reported as injured. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent repair shop where the body damage was repaired. Approximately one month later the failure recurred, again upon shifting the vehicle into reverse. …”

NHTSA complaint #10384455, filed 2011-02, 5,800 miles

“The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, she noticed that the temperature gauge was displaying a high reading and the temperature light began to illuminate on the instrument panel. In addition, the contact could also smell a burning odor. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the technicians stated that a bolt came loose in the engine while the vehicle was being manufactured. As a result, the engine overheated. Also, there was an engine coolant leak. The technicians replaced the engine short block. …”

NHTSA complaint #10413923, filed 2011-07, 1,412 miles

“Engine oil was below dip stick after 5500 miles odometer at 23566. Subaru did an oil consumption test, uses 1/2 pint per 1000 miles on clean oil. Subaru mechanic said that 1 qt per 1000 miles on engine is normal. Oil change recommendation is 7500 miles. Engine has less than 29000 miles and is in danger of seizing up if oil is not kept up. Subaru is aware of problem in engine, but refuses to fix the oil consumption problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10434327, filed 2011-11

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202311%
202041%
201951%
201710%
201551%
201431%
201222%
201175%
201062%
2009127%
200824%
200768%
20061113%
200578%
2004167%
20031910%
20021416%
20011612%
20001216%
19992519%
19981414%

Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Forester

Seats
76 complaints
Air bags
42 complaints
Brakes
37 complaints
Engine
34 complaints
Vehicle speed control
24 complaints
Electrical system
13 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Seat belts
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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