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2009 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

178 owner complaints analyzed

17 distinct recall campaigns

57,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 121 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 39 of 178 complaints (21.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2715.2%
Transmission and shifting137.3%
Electrical and battery issues73.9%
Engine operation52.8%
Steering behavior52.8%
Fuel system concerns31.7%

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.

Air Bags
39
Engine
27
Electrical System
22
Vehicle Speed Control
19
Seats
15
Power Train
11
Service Brakes
11
Unknown Or Other
11
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags39
Engine27
Electrical System22
Vehicle Speed Control19
Seats15
Power Train11
Service Brakes11
Unknown Or Other11

Air Bags: 39; Engine: 27; Electrical System: 22; Vehicle Speed Control: 19; Seats: 15; Power Train: 11; Service Brakes: 11; Unknown Or Other: 11

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
29
25,000 to 49,999
20
50,000 to 74,999
26
75,000 to 99,999
19
100,000 to 149,999
18
150,000 and above
9
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00029
25,000 to 49,99920
50,000 to 74,99926
75,000 to 99,99919
100,000 to 149,99918
150,000 and above9

Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 9

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 57 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.

2008
3
2009
15
2010
13
2011
3
2012
10
2013
18
2014
15
2015
13
2016
18
2017
29
2018
17
2019
8
2020
5
2021
5
2022
1
2023
2
2024
2
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20083
200915
201013
20113
201210
201318
201415
201513
201618
201729
201817
20198
20205
20215
20221
20232
20242
20251

2008: 3; 2009: 15; 2010: 13; 2011: 3; 2012: 10; 2013: 18; 2014: 15; 2015: 13; 2016: 18; 2017: 29; 2018: 17; 2019: 8; 2020: 5; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10228730 · 2008-05-23 (May 23, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION REVVED UP TO APPROXIMATELY 4000 RPM'S AND SEEMED AS IF IT WOULD SURGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 85% OF THE TIME. THE DEALER ALSO DUPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD WRITE A COMPUTER PROGRAM TO REMEDY THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER HAS NOT FOLLOWED UP WITH THE CONTACT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2200 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/30/08.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10228730 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10250442 · 2008-12-01 (December 1, 2008)

AT 9610 MILES MY 2009 SUBARU FORESTERS ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE CAME; AS BEST I COULD TELL; IN ABOUT 20MILES OF OPERATION. ENGINE STARTED TO SOUND LOUDER FROM CABIN. IF I WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DOOR OPEN THE NOISE WAS VERY LOAD MULTI TONE METAL BANGING EMANATING FROM ENGINE BAY. BURNING SMELL ALSO OCCURRED. AS I DROVE THE LAST 20 MILES ENGINE WOULD BARELY STAY RUNNING AT LOW RPMS; ENGINE BANGING BECAME WORSE; ENGINE POWER APPEARED TO DECREASE AND A LOUD METALLIC GRINDING NOISE INCREASED UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,610 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250442 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10251120 · 2008-12-08 (December 8, 2008)

IGNITION DOESN'T RECOGNIZE VALET KEY, "SECURITY" LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON, KEY WON'T TURN AND CAR WON'T START. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,615 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251120 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10255524 · 2009-01-19 (January 19, 2009)

THE SUBARU MOONROOF SYSTEM ROOF CAVITY IS COMPLETELY OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS, THERE IS NO CONTAINMENT OF RAIN WATER, LEAVES, OR ANY OTHER DEBRIS- LIKE INSECTS AND SMALL ANIMALS THAT CAN ALL END UP DOWN BETWEEN THE HEADLINER AND INTERIOR WALLS AND THE OUTSIDE BODY. THIS CAN RESULT IN ALL KINDS OF MOLDS AND FUNGI, STAINING, AND ALLERGY REACTIONS. ALSO WILL RESULT IN DECAY OF CAR INTERIOR AND BODY FROM THE INSIDE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED QUITE BY ACCIDENT WHEN COFFEE SPILLED ON THE MOONROOF WENT THROUGH TO SEATBELT ANCHOR IN THE VERY BACK, AND THE REARMO…

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255524 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10258195 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS SUDDEN, AGGRESSIVE, AND FORCEFUL ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE DRIVER PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS CO…

Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258195 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10263848 · 2009-04-01 (April 1, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD REST IN THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD REST WAS SO FAR FORWARD, THAT IT HELD HIS/HER DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO LOOK OUT OF THE TOP OF HIS/HER EYES TO SEE AHEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WAS TO REMOVE THE HEAD REST. UPDATED 04/24/09. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10263848 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10264047 · 2009-04-03 (April 3, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE STUCK UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND LOOSE BOLTS WERE DISCOVERED, WHICH NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264047 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10268753 · 2009-05-14 (May 14, 2009)

1. GREASY FILM ON WINDSHIELD, COULD NOT SEE WELL TO DRIVE, FILM CANNOT BE WIPED OFF. CANNOT BE CLEANED OFF WITH NORMAL HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS ONLY INDUSTRIAL CLEANERS. FILM EXPANDS TO GET ON ALL THE GLASS & MATERIALS IN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE REAR HATCH. FILM IS MORE VISIBLE AT NIGHT & WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. CHEMICAL POISONING. BREATHING THE SUBSTANCE(S) HAS CAUSED ME TO BE SICK SINCE THE END OF DECEMBER. BREATHING ISSUES, COUGH, LUNGS, NOSE PROBLEMS. 2. BEING POISONED BY CHEMICALS IN THE CAR THAT MAY BE LEAKING O…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,131 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268753 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

17 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V460000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Reported: 2008-09-11 (September 11, 2008)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
12V099000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other

Reported: 2012-03-13 (March 13, 2012)

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, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.” SPECIFICALLY, THE ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT PERMIT PROPER INSTALLATION AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Consequence: AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
12V602000 · Exterior Lighting

Reported: 2012-12-26 (December 26, 2012)

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).

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V311000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2014-06-10 (June 10, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V830000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2014-12-31 (December 31, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V358000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V738000 · Electrical System

Reported: 2016-10-13 (October 13, 2016)

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.

Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V014000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)

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.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V012000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V013000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V014000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V297000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2019-04-11 (April 11, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V001000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V002000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V003000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2020-01-02 (January 2, 2020)

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V838000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 2022-11-10 (November 10, 2022)

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.

Consequence: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

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