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2009 Subaru Forester Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Subaru Forester, most often about the air bags (23% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 12th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints and has 17 recalls.
Most common 2009 Subaru Forester problems
Air bags
40 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
"takata recall" I have attempted through 3 separate Subaru dealers to complete my air bag recall completed. One dealer claimed they could not obtain the part, another stated it was back ordered for months & would contact me when part was available, another stated the repair would take 3-4d ays & I would be w/o my car.…
Takata air bag: I am writing to complaining about Subaru's inability to complete two NHTSA recall notices: in the fall of 2016 we got two recalls on our car, 16v738000 (air injection pump) and 17v026000 (passenger airbag). We have been working for over 16 months with their customer service personnel to get the…
Engine
39 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Upon returning from a short drive we pulled into my driveway and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I assumed this would have been possibly some type of overheating issue, but upon inspection I discovered it was engine oil dripping onto the exhaust heat shields and was burning off. I was stunned by this…
Takata air bag: I am writing to complaining about Subaru's inability to complete two NHTSA recall notices: in the fall of 2016 we got two recalls on our car, 16v738000 (air injection pump) and 17v026000 (passenger airbag). We have been working for over 16 months with their customer service personnel to get the…
Electrical
22 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles.
The past month or so I noticed that the driver side seat heater didn't seem to feel right on my butt. The seat seemed to almost burn me in one spot. I thought it was odd, but didn't look into it further. Just this past week I noticed that only the back heater was working. While cleaning the car out today I noticed a…
3 instrument lights turn on simultaneously while driving at highway speed: ABS, hill assist, vehicle dynamic control and remain lit until car is turned off. The 3 indicator lights turn on together intermittently during subsequent driving. Subaru brake light switch malfunction shows up on diagnostic check. Replaced…
Speed control
19 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
In a 2009 Subaru Forester while in a small parking lot, after backing out of parking space and preparing to move forward, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, shot across the lot and crashed into a parked car which was severely damaged and deemed totaled. The driver was only able to attempt to steer the out-of-control…
I have a Subaru 2009 that I bought last yeay with around 25000 miles under an extended warranty . Vin [] . And this as happened te times so far . While driving or just starting of the car shakes very hard , and the stability control light comes on the check engine ad cruise control and as the car tries to shift the…
Transmission
17 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline.
Fails to function in drive when parked overnite and the outside temperature is below 40 degrees. After a warm up period the drive gear engages and the car is drivable except for a clunking and slippage of the transmission, also reverse appears ok until you place the car in drive and you a rattling clunk. The…
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, a vibration harmonic buzz was heard from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The technician stated the heat shield needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second…
Seats
16 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
I am 195 lbs and began entering the vehicle in my garage and sat down on the drivers seat and heard a sound from the bottom of the left front side of the seat. Felt that the seat was lower than the right side as well. Inspected to find that the front left bracket that supports the bottom of the seat had broken. It…
Getting into my car I heard a crack and felt the driver's seat start to lean to the left. I have not been able to determine if it is the frame of the seat or just a spring/support for the seat. Any up/down adjustment via the power seat controls has unequal results between the left and right side of the driver's seat.
Brakes
16 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru forrester. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the brake pedal independently went to the floorboard abnormally and the vehicle began to decelerate but did not come to a stop. The contact stated the vehicle exhibited an unusually loud noise. The contact inspected the vehicle…
I was going around a cup-de-sac to stop to a have my passenger exit the car to her house, I heard engine rev and push forward into her hollow tile wall, garden and down the other side of her property and stop on the wall before I thought of turning the engine off.
Visibility and wipers
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, windshield.
My problem is with my 2009 Subaru Forester, purchased new. There is some sort of residue that forms on the windshield when we use the defroster (which we use a lot due to montana winters). It cannot be cleaned off. We've used multiple products to attempt to remove it, and not matter what, the result is a greasy film…
Hi - I own a 2009 Forester 56k my windshield has a very big crack because of a pebble from a truck. This should not happen. I always believed this car had thin glass even though I know it is safety glass. I also own a honda and it has thick glass and there is no holes in the windshield from pebbles. Have you had other…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Subaru Forester recalls
Seat belts
Risk: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is wrj-22.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (sti included), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming or "zone c." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Electrical: switch
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is wuf-91.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester vehicles, 2008-2011 impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 wrx vehicles, 2005-2014 legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 outback vehicles and 2006-2008 tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 legacy, forester, tribeca, wrx and outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 baja, 2009 forester, legacy and outback and 2006-2009 impreza (including wrx and sti models) and tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 subaru baja, 2006-2011 impreza (including wrx and sti models), 2006-2012 tribeca, 2009-2012 forester, legacy, outback, and 2012 wrx vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Saab owners may contact gm at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-16.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2009-2011 legacy, outback, forester, 2006-2011 impreza, tribeca, 2003-2006 baja, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." these vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wqq-52. Notes: this recall is specific to affected forester, impreza, wrx, and sti customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14v-311 prior to december 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected forester, imp
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 impreza, 2008-2014 wrx and sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia that were remedied under recall 14v-311 prior to december 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began july 2014 and second notifications will run through november 2014. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is wqk-47. Note: this recall super
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 outback and legacy, 2008-2011 impreza and 2008-2014 impreza wrx/sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 2012 forester vehicles sold before january 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
Fix: 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, 2012. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
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 in the rear center seating of the affected vehicles do not meet lockability requirements and fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, âoccupant crash protection.â specifically, the assemblies may not permit proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint in that seating position.
Engine
Risk: Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: 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 will be replaced with a modified part. The recall began on october 20, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
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 turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
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.
Questions about the 2009 Subaru Forester
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Forester?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (40 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (39 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (22 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?
- 17 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 10, 2022 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Subaru Forester?
- It is 12th of 27 Forester model years by number of complaints, with 178 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.