vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2010 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 76 of 262 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior4918.7%
Transmission and shifting176.5%
Fuel system concerns83.1%
Steering behavior62.3%
Engine operation51.9%
Electrical and battery issues51.9%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seats76
Air Bags41
Engine34
Service Brakes28
Vehicle Speed Control24
Electrical System13
Unknown Or Other12
Fuel/Propulsion System10

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00038
25,000 to 49,99943
50,000 to 74,99940
75,000 to 99,99943
100,000 to 149,99929
150,000 and above8

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.

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
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20093
201013
201118
201210
201316
201425
201519
201631
201748
201822
201920
202013
202110
20223
20236
20241
20253
20261

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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10276709 · 2009-07-14 (July 14, 2009)

I HAVE A NEW 2020 SUBARU FORESTER THAT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO START----I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THIS IS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSED TO START DUE TO THE NEW EMISSIONS ON THE CAR--I HAD A FORESTER BEFORE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM--BUYER BEWARE--I CALLED THE HEAD OFFICE AND THEY PROMISED TO RETURN MY CALL--AS USUAL NO ONE CALLED--I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT 4 MESSAGES AND NO ONE CALLED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276709 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10292838 · 2009-11-18 (November 18, 2009)

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT STORAGE SPOOL WILL NOT RELEASE. THE SHOULDER PART OF THE BELT WAS ACROSS THE FRONT SIDE OF THE BACK REST AND THE LAP PART OF THE BELT WAS FLIPPED TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE BACK REST AND THEN BUCKLED TO KEEP THE WARNING LIGHT FROM FLASHING WHILE MY DOG WAS RIDING IN THE SEAT. THE BELT WAS LEFT IN THIS POSITION AFTER THE DOG VACATED THE SEAT. LATER, MY FATHER SAT IN THE SEAT , UNBUCKLED IT, AND SLIPPED UNDER THE SHOULDER PART OF THE BELT ONLY AS THE LAP PART WAS STILL AROUND THE BACK OF THE SEAT. HE THEN BUCKLED IT. …

Owner-reported narrative. 7,560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292838 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10295550 · 2009-12-14 (December 14, 2009)

I HAVE A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER AND THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FOG UP CONSTANTLY. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE 3 WEEKS AND LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED IT, ONLY BECAUSE OF WORK OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK EVERY DAY. ON THE LAST VISIT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED ON 12/17/2007 DUE TO A DESIGN CHANGE THE HEAD LENS AND TAIL LENS FOG UP AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ,AND WON'T BE FIXED. THE BULLETIN DOES NOT MENTION YEAR 2010. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 241 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295550 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10303780 · 2010-02-02 (February 2, 2010)

I PURCHASED A 2010 SUBRAU FORESTER IN AUGUST 2009,,I BOUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER CITY SIDE SUBRAU FOR THE 3500 MILE CHECKUP, AND TO HAVE E.C.M. ADJUSTED UNDER A RECALL. THIS WAS DONE ON 1/14/2010 THE NEXT DAY I WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAR BACK TO DEALER ON1/16/2010 THE FACT THAT I HAD NO PROBLEMS BEFORE ADJUSTING THE E.C.M.TELLS ME THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IS COMPUTER BASED PROBLEM NOT FLOOR MATS OR STICKING GAS PEDALS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10303780 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10304306 · 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND TWO RESIDENTIAL BACKYARDS BEFORE TRAVELING OVER A THICK PATCH OF SNOW WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 4500.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10304306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10306874 · 2010-02-06 (February 6, 2010)

WHEN I START MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5L NON-TURBO IN THE MORNING, THERE IS A DISTINCT SMELL OF GAS. IT ONLY HAPPENS AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT IT. HE SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER WHICH AFFECTED THE METAL FUEL LINE TO ALLOW A SMALL AMOUNT OF VAPOR TO BE RELEASED, AND I SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT UNLESS IT GETS WORSE THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, THE MORE I REALIZED THAT I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT IN ANY OTHER CAR I HA…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10306874 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10327317 · 2010-04-25 (April 25, 2010)

I BOUGHT A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER IN SEPT. OF 2009. AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR HAD A DISTORTION IN THE GLASS WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT IN PASSING AND BACKING UP. THE BEST WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT IS LIKE LOOKING INTO A "FUN HOUSE MIRROR" AT AN AMUSEMENT PARK. I TOOK MY FORESTER BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT HE NOTICED THE DEFECT ALSO AND HE HAD ME COME IN TO HAVE THE MIRROR REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT THE DEFECT IS STILL THERE, AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SU…

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10327317 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 ↗

Recall history

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

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 ↗
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 ↗
19V007000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 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 has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V008000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester 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 is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V009000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-01-09 (January 9, 2019)

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester 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 is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗