Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Subaru Forester is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?

18 recalls on file for this model year.

2009 Subaru Forester

◆ Worse than typical

2009 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:16:13.144Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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: 178
Recalls: 18
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2009: 178 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1998	101
1999	131
2000	75
2001	139
2002	88
2003	189
2004	219
2005	93
2006	88
2007	74
2008	50
2009	178
2010	262
2011	147
2012	105
2013	78
2014	403
2015	616
2016	414
2017	593
2018	497
2019	833
2020	604
2021	213
2022	100
2023	74
2024	30
2025	99
2026	33

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

22% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

Airbag lights have been going on and off ever since I took it into to get my airbags recalled and Subaru will not take a look at it with out me signing a form saying I am liable to pay 200 dollars if it happens to be anything else unrelated to the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-12

No local dealer to complete recall NHTSA Recall Number 20V002000. Vehicle is too old, too high miles to be trusted to take on an extended road trip to a dealer. Contacting Subaru wasnât any help.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-30

Engine

15% · 27 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Engine and vehichle caught on fire. Driving highway for about 3.5 hours. Had just refilled with fuel about 15 minutes prior to check engine light coming on. Proceeded to next exit. Check oil light came on and car was on fire. Vehicle destroyed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-14

Electrical system

12% · 22 reports

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

11% · 19 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Car was put into reverse. Without the driver stepping on the gas pedal, the car revved and suddenly accelerated. Attempt to brake did not stop the car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-23

File describes four separate incidents in 2017. Case opened with Subaru of america. All unintended acceleration. Two collisions, two close calls. All detail of all for is in pdf.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-11

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The driver of the vehicle sustained injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-13

Power train

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREDEATH

Safety timeline

18 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2008-10-20Engine and engine cooling08V460000 Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 Legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 Impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 Forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly…

Check if this car was fixed →
▮
2009Complaint volume 178 complaints filed for this model year.
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2009-04-17Equipment09E011000 Thule, inc. Is recalling 2,323 owner-installed roof-mounted fit kits, models 3068 and 3069, manufactured between January 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009 that are used with thule podium foot packs…

Remedy: Thule will mail a retro fit kit along with repair instructions to owners free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 13, 2009. Owners may contact thule toll-free at…

Check if this car was fixed →
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2012-03-26Seat belts12V099000 SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2012 FORESTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THROUGH MARCH 13, 2012. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR in the SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES LOCATED…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a newly modified automatic locking retractor, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on March 26…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2013-02-19Exterior lighting12V602000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-01-27Service brakes, hydraulic14V830000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-07-22Air bags16V358000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2017-03-06Air bags17V026000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2017-03-06Air bags17V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2018-02-09Air bags18V014000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2018-02-09Air bags18V013000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-12-01Seat belts22V838000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 40 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 27 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 08V460000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 09E011000 · Equipment
Recall 12V099000 · Seat belts
Recall 12V602000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 14V830000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 16V358000 · Air bags
Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
Recall 17V026000 · Air bags
Recall 17V014000 · Air bags
Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
Recall 18V014000 · Air bags
Recall 18V013000 · Air bags
Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Recall 22V838000 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Subaru Forester is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Forester?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?: 18 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2009 Subaru Forester

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Air bags

Engine

Electrical system

Vehicle speed control

Power train

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years