Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Subaru Forester problems

Owners filed 88 complaints about the 2006 Subaru Forester with NHTSA between Nov 2005 and Nov 2023. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (20).

Complaints
88
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Fuel system, gasoline5
  11. Power train4
  12. Tires4
  13. Exterior lighting4
  14. Wheels3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20055
20066
200712
20086
20093
20104
20114
20125
20133
20143
20155
20168
20171
20184
20198
20202
20214
20224
20231

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 crashes1 related recall
“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

Engine and engine cooling

11 reports1 fire
“WHEN THE TEMP GETS INTO THE TEENS OR LOWER GAS LEAKS IN AND AROUND THE ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS!! I HAVE FOUND FUEL NEAR AREA THAT GET VERY HOT, AND I AM WORRIED ABOUT MY FAMILY STARTING ON FIRE. SOA RECALLED A FEW YEARS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, BUT NOT ALL THAT ARE AFFECTED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2015Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10684241

Steering

9 reports1 crash
“Front control arm failed on car. Which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. Found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. Waiting to see if they will cover repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2022Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11494619

Fuel/propulsion system

8 reports
“WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WHETHER, THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GAS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH AND TALKING TO A MECHANIC, IT IS CLEAR THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I ALSO SEE THAT MANY MORE OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT NOT OPENNED AS AN INVESTIFGATION. THE GAS LINES (SOME SAY GASKETS TOO) SHRINK IN COLD WHETHER AND FUMES OR GAS LEAK. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP, THE RUBBER COMPOUNDS EXPAND AND THE SMELL THIS GOES AWAY. THIS CAN TAKE 10-15 MINUTES. IT SEAMS LIKE MOST PEOPLE JUST LIVE WITH THIS BEACSUE IT GOES AWAY AT WARM UP, BUT I HAVE A PREGENANT WIFE AND THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH GAS FUMES IN THE CABIN AT ALL, NOT TO MENTION THERE IS NO TELLING IF SOME OF THOSE FUMES ARE ACTUALLY GAS LEAKING NEAR THE CYLINDER. THIS COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS EVERYWHERE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11271353
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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