Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Subaru Forester problems

Owners filed 74 complaints about the 2007 Subaru Forester with NHTSA between Dec 2006 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (12).

Complaints
74
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension12
  2. Power train11
  3. Engine9
  4. Vehicle speed control8
  5. Fuel/propulsion system6
  6. Air bags6
  7. Fuel system, gasoline6
  8. Engine and engine cooling6
  9. Electrical system5
  10. Tires4
  11. Steering3
  12. Exterior lighting3
  13. Service brakes2
  14. Visibility2

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
20061
20076
20083
20093
201011
20114
20124
20138
20146
20154
20164
20171
20181
20191
20203
20212
20222
20235
20242
20251
20262

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

Suspension

12 reports1 crash1 related recall
“While driving in [XXX], the passenger-side front lower control arm on my 2007 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX]) fractured without warning due to severe internal rust corrosion. The structural collapse snapped the CV axle and sway bar link, causing an immediate loss of steering control that forced the vehicle to veer violently off the road—narrowly avoiding crossing the center median into oncoming traffic. Subaru service history confirms that Safety Recall WVX-34 (NHTSA Campaign 11V464000) was performed on this vehicle 14 years ago, where an anti-rust coating was applied instead of replacing the part. That factory recall remedy failed to prevent internal rust-through long-term, directly resulting in this crash and mechanical failure on a public road. Subaru of America Customer Advocacy has refused assistance, mischaracterizing an ineffective recall remedy as an expired standard warranty issue. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the failure and secondary damage were confirmed, and the fractured components are preserved for inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026SuspensionCrash reportedODI 11766352

Power train

11 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the gear shifter failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that while placing the vehicle in reverse the vehicle accelerated forward causing the vehicle to crash on top of a large rock. The contact stated that she sustained injuries to the face and the right eye. The contact stated that she had eye surgery due to the crash. The contact stated that Law Enforcement did not arrive on the scene and no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2023Power trainCrash reportedODI 11509760

Engine

9 reports
“The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2023EngineODI 11541938

Vehicle speed control

8 reports5 crashes
“I was parked at my banks' ATM to deposit a check into my account. The car was parked and I put the gear shift in the Neutral position and applied the emergency hand brake. When I finished with the deposit, I released the hand brake. Then I moved the shift from Neutral to Drive and the vehicle did a sudden unexpected acceleration (the car left the parking spot like a bullet/missile). I attempted to apply brake pressure with both feet and there was no response. I caused a collision with parked cars opposite a chain link fence. Fortunately, the cars that I collided with were not occupied.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11766514

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports1 crash
“There is a fuel line inside the car that had a pressure leak. An entire tank of gas emptied, mostly to the inside of the car where the fuel lines run inside the rear drivers side of car floor. My 18 year old daughter was driving and this can not be safely repaired or remove the harmful gas fumes in carpet and seats Unsafe still to drive, unsafe to have these lines run inside the car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11503889

Air bags

6 reports5 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE EXITING A CAR WASH FACILITY, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED, SPED ACROSS THE STREET, AND STRUCK A CURB. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 01/25/2017*CT UPDATED 7/2/18*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2016Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10919887
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.