2010 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 262 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,500 miles.
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.
“On november 2nd I started my car and began pulling out of my driveway when my car stalled out, as if I had stalled a manual. The brake locked up and the car was still on but wouldn't move. I turned the car off and turned it back on and it started working fine so I drove it back to my house. My dad said it probably happened because it was cold out and I didn't let my car warm up enough. I let it warm up for about 30 minutes and when I left I didn't have any issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11043344, filed 2017-11, 99,000 miles“When driving out of a parking lot at a low speed, the transmission cooler line split, causing the car to lose driving capability. I drove at low speeds until I could stop in a safe place.”
NHTSA complaint #10544147, filed 2013-09, 39,000 miles“Check engine light, cruise control light and oil light came on 10 miles outside of my destination to baltimore,md (65 mile from home to destination) had vehicle towed to a dealership. I was informed that my trans cooler line had rusted out and needed to be replaced.($707.86). Picked up vehicle on 9/15/2015 and drive approximately 10 miles and issues reoccurred and I returned the car back to the dealership, where they ran a second scan of the vehicle and told me that the 3 and 4th gear had gone out and that I needed a new transmission ($7000.00) and that may not fix the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10764541, filed 2015-09, 59,167 miles“2010 Subaru forrester. Consumer writes in regards to Subaru of america failing to properly diagnosing vehicle issues. The consumer stated the transmission lines needed to be repaired. The failure persisted. The vehicle stalled after reaching 40mph. All of the warning lights illuminated. The transmission needed to be repaired. The consumer requested to reimbursed.”
NHTSA complaint #11041232, filed 2018-01“The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that as she attempted to park her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward at a high rate of speed without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped on its own before hitting another vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home but had not driven the vehicle since the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and they informed her to tow the vehicle to a dealer for an inspection. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it remained in their possession and was not yet diagnosed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11438915, filed 2021-11, 73,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10133516Mar 6, 20182013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines, 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only), with 2.5L FB Engines…
- 10234910Sep 2, 2014Replacement AT Oil Cooler Piping
- 10092742Sep 2, 2014Replacement at oil cooler piping - this bulletin will provide information regarding a change to the automatic transmission (at) fluid cooler piping and an addition to the service…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 16 | 7% |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% |
| 2019 | 38 | 5% |
| 2018 | 23 | 5% |
| 2017 | 46 | 8% |
| 2016 | 51 | 12% |
| 2015 | 95 | 15% |
| 2014 | 41 | 10% |
| 2013 | 6 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 8 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 11 | 15% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 16 | 18% |
| 2001 | 23 | 17% |
| 2000 | 21 | 28% |
| 1999 | 32 | 24% |
| 1998 | 23 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2010 Subaru Forester
76 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsEngine
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSeat 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 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