MYRModel Year Report

2006 Subaru Forester

▲ Better than typical
2006 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:48:23.362Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Forester Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1998: 101 complaints 1998 1999: 131 complaints 2000: 75 complaints 2001: 139 complaints 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 189 complaints 2004: 219 complaints 2005: 93 complaints 2006: 88 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2009: 178 complaints 2010: 262 complaints 2010 2011: 147 complaints 2012: 105 complaints 2013: 77 complaints 2014: 403 complaints 2014 2015: 611 complaints 2016: 405 complaints 2017: 579 complaints 2018: 487 complaints 2018 2019: 831 complaints 2020: 592 complaints 2021: 207 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 69 complaints 2024: 28 complaints 2025: 78 complaints 2026: 11 complaints 2026
2006: 88 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998101
1999131
200075
2001139
200288
2003189
2004219
200593
200688
200772
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012105
201377
2014403
2015611
2016405
2017579
2018487
2019831
2020592
2021207
202293
202369
202428
202578
202611

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 23%

23% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 20 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

AS I WAS WAITING TO PULL INTO A SMALL PARKING LOT, AN AUTO WAS PULLING OUT. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR HIM TO EXIT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121227

EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TWICE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070624

I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN THE STREET, MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. PERHAPS I TURNED A LITTLE TOO SHARPLY. THERE WAS A SUDDEN SURGE AND ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070608

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231127

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE PASSENGER CONTROL ARM FAILED, SNAPPING IN HALF AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. UPON LOOKIN UNDER MY CAR I COULD SEE THE SNAPPED CONTROL ARM, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201124

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

SITTING IN THE CAR, ENGINE RUNNING; HAD PULLED OVER FOR A COUPLE MINUTES TO LET PASSENGER OUT. NOTICED SMOKE STARTED TO SEEP OUT FROM ENGINE. CHECKED TEMP GAUGE AND SAW IT WAS COOL. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND MOVED AWAY FROM THE CAR IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190617

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231127

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20070309 — air bags

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE WIRING HAD BEEN INCORRECTLY ROUTED UNDER THE SEAT BRACKET. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPAIR ANY DAMAGED WIRING, REROUTE AND SECURE THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE CORRECT LO

Campaign 07V043000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110923)

Front suspension control arm failure

R 20111231 — suspension

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGI

Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE W

Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07V043000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2015 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Subaru Forester is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Forester have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.