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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Subaru ForesterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 88 owner complaints for the 2006 Subaru Forester. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (20) and suspension (12). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2011
Owner complaints
88
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.

SuspensionReported Sep 6, 2011NHTSA 11V464000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Air bagsReported Feb 12, 2007NHTSA 07V043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

88 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2005 – Nov 2023
  1. Vehicle speed control20
  2. Suspension12
  3. Engine11
  4. Engine and engine cooling11
  5. Steering9
  6. Fuel/propulsion system8
  7. Electrical system7
  8. Structure7
  9. Air bags6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forester model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998101
1999134
200075
2001142
200292
2003191
2004219
200593
200688
200774
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012106
201378
2014403
2015616
2016416
2017592
2018498
2019834
2020603
2021214
2022100
202374
202431
2025100
202634
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

20 reports6 crashes
“Five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. I took it to Suberu in Fort Worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. God new one but didn't help. This year when I went to get it checked for regisration they woudn't pass it. Took it to mechanic who installeda new Evaprotive Vapor Canister for $920. That didn't work but wouldn't try again. Later another mecanic said the problem was "Not enough driving". (less that 100 miles a month. I have been driving the car with the check engine on an no cruise control for 6-7 years with no trouble, so it is a fault of the car's systems. I can't get it registered because of this problem. I can disconnedt the negative battery post briefly and the light goes off for a day or two. So what can you do for me? I love the car but hate the problem. I am 90, but that's not the problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2021Vehicle speed control, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11431652

Suspension

12 reports2 crashes
“Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2023Steering, SuspensionCrash reportedODI 11557091

Engine

11 reports2 crashes2 fires
“As I was going down the road my car sped up and my foot was off the gas pedal as the pedal was stuck-I managed to stop my car but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 I was originally going 50”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2021Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11431144
All 2006 Forester problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900404
Forester AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182420$4,000444
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$4,000444
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 24 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Subaru Forester as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1786
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Forester questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Subaru Forester have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Subaru Forester problems?

Owners filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (20), suspension (12), engine (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Subaru Forester get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Subaru Forester at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026