2011 Subaru Forester Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Subaru Forester, 5% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“When my head lights got turned on none of my taillights or my dash lights came in 1200 dollar repair. Also my head gasket went with 1500 dollar repair which Subaru in known for if you do your research.”
NHTSA complaint #11323891, filed 2020-05, 150,000 miles“My wife and I currently own a 2011 Subaru Forester we purchased new from hatfield Subaru in columbus, ohio. We have always had it serviced at byers dublin Subaru in columbus ohio. At the 25,000 mile mark both head gaskets were leaking so the mechanics at byers pulled the motor and replaced them. Just recently at the 33,000 mile mark I brought in my vehicle to byers for my 30,000 maintenance check also complaining of a strange noise. They informed me the head gasket was leaking again and the noise we heard was the transmission running low on fluid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10959866, filed 2017-03, 33,000 miles“On 5/24/11, while driving through an intersection, my Forester was hit broadside by another vehicle that ran a red light. The impact of the speeding vehicle caused the Forester to spin 360 degrees and flip-over on the driver's side. I was left trapped inside the Forester and witnesses pointed out that the engine and transmission continued to run after the Forester flipped over. Apparently there is no engine or transmission kill switch. Furthermore, there is no interior release of the rear hatch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430338, filed 2011-10, 2,837 miles“Catastrophic engine failure at 60,000 miles was due to valve spring failure. The valve spring failed due to fatigue. Fatigue initiated at a high stress location near a subsurface non-metallic slag particle. Surface cracking was noted on the valve spring at locations near the fracture origin.”
NHTSA complaint #11080619, filed 2018-03, 60,000 miles“Shift linkage corrodes causing loss of shifting ability, including putting into park and drive. They already had a recall on the same problem causing corrosion to the brake lines. This same issue is happening to the shift cable linkage”
NHTSA complaint #11171378, filed 2019-01, 59,000 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.
- 10188219Feb 19, 2021As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for…
- 10188218Feb 19, 2021As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for…
- 10186419Jan 26, 2021As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for…
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 15 | 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 2011 Subaru Forester
60 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 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