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2008 Subaru ForesterProblems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)

Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2008 Subaru Forester, ranked by the component that failed most.

Complaints on file

50

Recalls issued

1

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

3

What breaks most

  • Suspension11 complaints · 22%
  • Engine7 complaints · 14%
  • Air Bags6 complaints · 12%
  • Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints · 12%
  • Electrical System5 complaints · 10%

Recalls on this model year

  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm

    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 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK,

    Campaign 11V464000 · reported 06/09/2011 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer

What owners report

Suspension

  • The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research an
  • The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was exam
  • The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became l

Engine

  • Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
  • MY ENGINE STARTED FAILING. THE COMPRESSION STARTED RAPIDLY DECLINING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS. MY ENGINE WAS SLUGGISH AND JERKY. I PREVIOUSLY HAD THE CAR SERVICED WITH A NEW ALTERNATOR AND HAD MY EMISSI
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT GOLICK MOTOR COMPANY (600 7TH ST, PITCAIRN, PA 15140, (412) 372-7420), THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THA

Air Bags

  • Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
  • The airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. It is currently at local Subaru dealer. Mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. An eng
  • I OWN A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X, VIN. [XXX], WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BROWN'S SUBARU, 960 HILTON HEIGHTS ROAD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES WERE METICULOUSLY

Vehicle Speed Control

  • I OWN A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5X, VIN. [XXX], WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BROWN'S SUBARU, 960 HILTON HEIGHTS ROAD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES WERE METICULOUSLY
  • I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY OF 2008. ON FEB. 29, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I THOUGHT, WHY? I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR
  • TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ALTHO

Electrical System

  • Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WOULD NOT PASS THE SMOG TEST DUE TO A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP BEING STUCK OPEN. WHILE DRIVING VARIO
  • DRIVING 2008 SUBARU FORESTER LL BEAN PULLING INTO PARKING PARK. VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, PARKED, ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART SOUNDED LIKE A LOW BATTERY TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL

Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.

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