2010 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
262 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 201 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 76 of 262 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 49 | 18.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seats | 76 |
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Engine | 34 |
| Service Brakes | 28 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 24 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
Seats: 76; Air Bags: 41; Engine: 34; Service Brakes: 28; Vehicle Speed Control: 24; Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 38 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 40 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 43 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 38; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 40; 75,000 to 99,999: 43; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 8
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 61 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 13; 2011: 18; 2012: 10; 2013: 16; 2014: 25; 2015: 19; 2016: 31; 2017: 48; 2018: 22; 2019: 20; 2020: 13; 2021: 10; 2022: 3; 2023: 6; 2024: 1; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Seats leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 49 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 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 10358556 · 2010-09-30 (September 30, 2010)
WHILE DRIVING A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER AROUND A CORNER UP A STEEP DRIVEWAY I ENCOUNTERED A VEHICLE COMING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FORESTER IS MANUAL AND THERE WAS A SHOULDER IN THE DRIVEWAY BEHIND THE CORNER I HAD ROUNDED; I APPLIED THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE WHEN I SAW THE VEHICLE AND RELEASED THE BRAKE WHILE CONTINUING TO HOLD THE CLUTCH WHEN I SAW THAT I COULD ROLL BACK ONTO THE SHOULDER DIRECTLY BEHIND ME TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE SUBARU DID NOT MOVE AND I BEGAN TO PANIC AS THE ONCOMING VEHICLE APPROACHED AND MY SERVICE BR…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358556 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367872 · 2010-11-26 (November 26, 2010)
WE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE TWICE ON A TRIP 11/4/10 - 11/6/10. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 11/4 WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL. TO SLOW FOR A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US, I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONSIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL REMAINED ACTIVE. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A FEW SECONDS DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE BRAKES RETURNED. THIS OCCURRED WITH A NOTICEABLE JERK. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 11/6 WHILE ON HEADING EAST ON RT 30 COMING DOWN SIDLING HILL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT IN USE. WHILE ATTEMPTING T…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,797 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350755 · 2010-08-20 (August 20, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH OR LESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIVE TIMES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FOR A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384455 · 2011-02-25 (February 25, 2011)
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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED, AGAIN UPON SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARD …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408816 · 2011-06-24 (June 24, 2011)
FUEL TANK DESIGN OF SUBARU FORESTER ALLOWS RODENTS TO CONSTRUCT NESTS ATOP THE TANK AND CHEW THROUGH PLASTIC FUEL LINES. LEAKING FUEL MAY PRODUCE EXPLOSIVE VAPOR ATMOSPHERES IN CLOSED GARAGES, WHICH COULD IGNITE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627627 · 2014-08-22 (August 22, 2014)
BRAKE WARMING LIGHT CAME ON WILL DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AFTER THE BRAKE LIGHT CAM ON I DROVE 2.5 MILES TO MY HOME ADDRESS. AFTER I PARKED THE CAR I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GARAGE FLOOR UNDER THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) REAR TIRE. I CHECKED THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE ON RECALLS AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 INDICATING SALT WATER COULD SPLASH ON THE BRAKE LINES THROUGH A GAP IN THE FUEL TANK PROTECTOR, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE CONSEQUENCE: BRAKE LINE CORROSION MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. FLUID LEAKAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353324 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTER, 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS SAID THEY WOULD ADJUST TIRE PRESSURE TO CORRECT. TIRE PRESSURE DOES NOT CORRECT ISSUE. OFF CENTER STEERING WHEEL CAN LEAD TO A CRASH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10360299 · 2010-10-13 (October 13, 2010)
I HAVE A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH (1) THE STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT, (2) THE ENGINE LOSES POWER INTERMITTENTLY AND (3) THE CAR SHAKES AND SHIMMIES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL THREE OF THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN WITH THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT AT 6 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE STEERING ISSUE IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT MAKES IT HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN 2 TIMES FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS STILL AT 2750 MILES. THE ENGINE ISSUE HAS BEEN WITH THE CAR SINCE THE BEGINNING…
Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10360299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10424173 · 2011-09-07 (September 7, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARD UNTIL CRASHING INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY AND ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A SUITABLE REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY THE INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN YEARS, WITH CONDITIONS. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041232 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
2010 SUBARU FORRESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUBARU OF AMERICA FAILING TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSING VEHICLE ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION LINES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER REACHING 40MPH. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO REIMBURSED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11041232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567182 · 2014-02-27 (February 27, 2014)
OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEKEND THE VDS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ON MONDAY, WENT TO START THE CAR FOR WORK AND HEARD A SLIGHT POPPING SOUND AND CAR WOULD NOT TURNOVER. SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC, BUT NO SMOKE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THAT EVENING DISCOVERED THE VINYL OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS BURN THEN REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE COVER TO DISCOVER A SMALL FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE WIRING HARNESS HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE THERE. THE CAR WAS WIRED FOR A TRAILER HITCH BY THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,517 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10967427 · 2017-03-21 (March 21, 2017)
ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AT ONCE . THE NON SKID, CHECK ENGINE , CRUISE LIGHTS WOULDN'T GO OFF . I TOOK IT TO THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THEY MADE OUT LIKE IT WAS NOTHING . I TOOK IT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES THEY ENDED UP CHARGING ME $500 DOLLARS AND NEVER FIXED ANYTHING. IN A MONTHS TIME THEY CAME BACK ON. I'VE HAD THEM TURNED OFF SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO COME BACK ON IN 2 DAYS TIME. I JUST RECENTLY PUT IT BACK IN THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THE SCANNER FOUND VARIOUS CODES. THEY CLEARED ALL CODES , BUT CODE P0057 KEPT COMING BACK FOR COMMUNICAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967427 at NHTSA ↗