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2008 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Subaru Forester, most often about the suspension (22% of complaints, typically around 136,000 miles). It is 25th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Subaru Forester problems
Suspension
11 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 136,000 miles.
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 loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to…
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While attempting to exit the driveway, the driver's side lower control arm fractured and the wheels separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the control arm fractured and the passenger side…
Engine
9 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance at golick motor company (600 7th st, pitcairn, pa 15140, ([phone]), the contact was informed that the head gasket was blown and there was an oil leak. The dealer repaired the timing belt. The manufacturer was not made aware…
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 emissions testing done for my registration. The next day the engine light came on to alert for the problem. I brought it back…
Speed control
6 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles.
Tl 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 although the rpms increased, it eventually idled back to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there were…
Tl contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 5 MPH out of a parking space the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the brakes failed. In order to stop the vehicle the contact was forced to shift into neutral gear. The dealership informed the contact that the failure could…
Air bags
6 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While the contact was seated in the front passenger seat the air bag deactivation light on the dashboard illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician checked the sensors and stated that it was set to the appropriate weight according to manufacturers…
A fire broke out in the interior of our car while parked. The passenger door was destroyed and the interior of the car was ruined with smoke damage. Insurance declared it a total loss and both the adjuster and fire department suspect it was a wiring issue. While arson was not ruled out, there was no other damage to…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 111,500 miles.
This happened while driving on a freeway. Weather was sunny, in the 20s, pavement was dry but there were short icy patches under bridges. Every time I passed over one of these patches I experienced severe fishtailing. I had to reduce speed to under 30mph to retain control of the car while traffic was passing me at 60+…
There is an oil leak from the cam shaft, only noticed after I finished paying the car, 60 months paying 283 dollars, now there is a problem. My car is full with smoking under the hood due to this oil leak, apparently all Subaru cars have the same issue. Now I am left with a paid car that basically does not have value…
Electrical
5 complaints · 10%A fire broke out in the interior of our car while parked. The passenger door was destroyed and the interior of the car was ruined with smoke damage. Insurance declared it a total loss and both the adjuster and fire department suspect it was a wiring issue. While arson was not ruled out, there was no other damage to…
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 devices attempted to start again, engine started ran normally no caution lights. Started to drive home, entered the on…
Steering
4 complaints · 8%I have problem with my 2008 Subaru Forester. When I quickly turn steer wheel for changing lane, the car seems lost control and can only go all the way to the left. Then when you have to turn the steer wheel to the right to return straight, the car would go all the way to the right. I have to keep this balance until…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an abnormally strong gasoline fuel odor while parked. The contact had not noticed a leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the fuel pump housing gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Subaru Forester recalls
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
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, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Questions about the 2008 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (11 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles); engine (9 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); speed control (6 complaints, typically around 27,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Forester have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 6, 2011 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is 25th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints, with 50 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.