Is the 2010 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Subaru Forester is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Forester have?

17 recalls on file for this model year.

2010 Subaru Forester

◆ Worse than typical

2010 Subaru Forester
BUILT 2026-10-10

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: 262
Recalls: 17
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Seats

Complaints per year

2010: 262 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	77
2014	403
2015	615
2016	413
2017	587
2018	497
2019	832
2020	601
2021	209
2022	98
2023	74
2024	29
2025	96
2026	25

Known problem areas

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

Seats

29% · 76 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

The bracket on the front right side of the drivers seat (if you're looking at the seat from the sunroof) that connects the seat (where you sit) to the seat frame (which moves the seat forward and back) has separated from the seat frame.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-24

Air bags

16% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Had a collision with another vehicle and my airbags never deployed. The other vehicles airbags did deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-09

Takata recall, the car was driving and hit a parked car in the city, and the airbag deployed to the size of a soccer ball, popped, and just sat there.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-04

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, he lost consciousness and the vehicle traveled into an embankment, crashing into a tree.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-07

Service brakes

15% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I had pulled into my company parking lot and was backing into my parking space. I pulled forward, applied the brake to shift into reverse. As soon as I took my foot off the brake pedal, the car zoomed backward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-18

Also filed under Engine

Engine

13% · 34 reports

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

9% · 24 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* 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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-02-25

The vehicle is a 2010 Subaru Forester. When stepping on the gas pedal to back up, the car accelerated as if the accelerator had been floored. The car shot up a snow bank and rested on a guard rail still running fast.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-12-13

Also filed under Fuel system, other

Safety timeline

17 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

▮
2010Complaint volume 262 complaints filed for this model year.
R

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 →
R

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 →
R

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 →
R

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 →
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 →
R

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 →
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

2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

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 →
R

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 →
R

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

2010 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Seats: 76 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 42 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

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 17V014000 · Air bags
Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
Recall 18V013000 · Air bags
Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
Recall 19V009000 · 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 2010 Subaru Forester reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Subaru Forester is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Forester?: The most-reported component is seats, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Subaru Forester have?: 17 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2010 Subaru Forester

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Seats

Air bags

Service brakes

Engine

Vehicle speed control

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