2007 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
72 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
56,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 72 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 13.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 10 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Suspension: 10; Engine: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Power Train: 6; Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 6; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 11; 2011: 4; 2012: 4; 2013: 8; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10210684 · 2007-12-03 (December 3, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215 55R17 TIRES. WHEN ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY FROM A STOP, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ABS ACTIVATED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP FOR 100 FEET. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE IS WITH THE TIRES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213024 · 2007-12-28 (December 28, 2007)
PROBLEM 1: DATE IN: 5/22/07DATE OUT: 5/23/07 PROBLEM: BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP; I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM 2: DATE IN: 6/22/07DATE OUT: 6/22/07 PROBLEM:BRAKES OR TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP. THE WAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP HANDLED THIS ISSUE IS BY DISENGAGING THE HILL HOLDER FUNCTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A FRONT-END COLLISION; YET THE IMPACT OF THE COLLISION WAS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO CAUSE $9,200 WORTH OF DAMAGES. FURTHERMORE, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE AC…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,740 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175042 · 2006-12-04 (December 4, 2006)
2007 SUBARU FORRESTER WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE SURGES WHEN DRIVING DOWN HILL (NOT UNDER LOAD) AND YOU ARE GIVING JUST ENOUGH THROTTLE TO KEEP UP SPEED. IT CAUSES THE CAR TO HAVE A JERKING BACK AND FORTH MOTION. SINCE PEOPLE PURCHASE THE CARS TO DRIVE IN SNOW I BELIEVE THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND SUBARU STATES THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVE BY WIRE THROTTLE IS TO BLAME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10175042 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331741 · 2010-05-27 (May 27, 2010)
2007 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS A RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA INC. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS A PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL VALVE RECALL WHICH COULD LEAD TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BEING TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER EMISSION CONTROL VALVE INSIDE THE GAS TANK FAILED. SUBARU DENIED THE CONSUMER'S REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM STATING THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE UNRELATED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10331741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10423182 · 2011-09-03 (September 3, 2011)
SUBARU FORESTER 2007 FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $700 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND DOES NOT HAVE RECORD OF THIS HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AND I BELIEVE IT MAY BECOME MORE COMMON AS THESE MODELS AGE FURTHER. THERE WAS ONE OTHER INSTANCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEB SITE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 43,115 miles reported. Look up ODI 10423182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10351583 · 2010-08-24 (August 24, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN PARK WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MECHANIC CUT THE WIRES AND RECONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART. ON A LATER DATE, THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE WIRES HAD OVERHEATED AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10364350 · 2010-11-07 (November 7, 2010)
I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM BULBS 3 TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE IN 11 MONTHS. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE DAY I BOUGHT IT A BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED BEFORE I EVEN DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. THEY ALWAYS BURN OUT WITH DAYS OF EACH OTHER. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THAT MY VEHICLE MAY CATCH FIRE OR THEY WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10364350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052045 · 2017-12-03 (December 3, 2017)
I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END CONTROL WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING PULLED FROM MY HANDS. I GET AN ALIGNMENT EVERY 6 MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052045 at NHTSA ↗