Subaru Forester Complaints (2007)

74 consumer complaints on file.

#11766352September 23, 2026
SUSPENSION
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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766514September 23, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646526March 5, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact's friend owned a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly violently accelerated and crashed into the retaining wall and unit across the street. The vehicle was then shifted into drive from reverse when the vehicle violently accelerated a second time where it was able to come to a stop in the driveway. The accelerator pedal had not been depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the back neck and had several cuts, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11592157June 3, 2024
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567232January 23, 2024
SUSPENSION
I was driving my car in Upstate NY toward a border crossing wicket and the vehicle began to vibrate violently. I thought that it was a blown tire. I stopped to check and the tires looked fine. I continued for a few yards and it began again. I pulled over and called a tow truck. When the car was loaded onto the tow bed, the front wheel was pitched out at an angle rather than at 90 degrees. Very scary to think what could have happened if I had been driving at 60 mph on the interstate. The car was towed to the nearest garage. The mechanic believed it to be a faulty lower control arm on the front driver's side. Related to Recall #WVX34
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547772October 2, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION
Started getting a vibration I thought was a tire problem. It would only show up after 30 minutes or so of driving. It happened several times while trying to have the tire store figure it out. On Friday 15 Sep 2023 we drove at highway speeds to Dayton and back. Noticed it occur twice. The next morning we were a few miles from home checking out a dog boarding place. We went to leave and heard a loud pop. The lower right control arm broke. If it had happed the previous day it could have been fatal! This vehicle has been almost exclusively service by Busam Subaru at all recommended short intervals, 3,750miles. The recall for this was performed by Busam on1/31/2012. They always state they have performed a complete inspection and what needs attention. I am now having service done locally since all of their latest services have been dismal at best. I have counted on them to keep me, my family, and my Forester safe. Very disappointing considering how this could have turned out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541938August 31, 2023
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509760March 1, 2023
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11509200February 26, 2023
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
I was driving and heard bumping noise and thought it was just ice or snow stuck in some parts underneath the car, but the vehicle at one instant pulled over to the other side of the road and I almost lost control and slid off the road. I inspect myself and discover a problem with one of the rear wheel bearings, so I take it to my mechanic. My mechanic discovers rust all underneath and the rust has caused some serious mechanical problems. Front lower control arms and other parts of the suspension are damaged as well because of the rust. This car originally came from the "salt-belt" and Subaru said that the Front lower control arms recall had already been taken care of, yet I have the same issue at low milage for a Subaru Forester. Subaru of America is refusing to fix their screw up. The only warning lamps were ABS, Check Engine, and cruise control light flashing. If this instant happened while kids were in the car, Subaru of America would've gone to court. I hope that either Subaru will either fix their mistake or give me a settlement check.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503889January 26, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11475995July 26, 2022
SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
On 7/19/2022 while backing out of a parking spot with a right hand turn we heard a loud noise and the car did not seem to want to continue moving. Upon further inspection the right front tire was sitting at an extreme and unusual angle. Tipped out at the top and no longer pointing in the same direction as the other front tire. Upon recovery of the vehicle and inspection the lower control has completely separated from its inboard forward attachment point due to corrosion. As a secondary result the right from CV axle was disconnected at the transmission CV joint. Due to the slow speed during the incident there was no injury or other vehicle damage. Had this broken at highway speeds the result could have been much different. The vehicle is in our home garage for repair. It has not been otherwise inspected. All parts are available for inspection and I also have pictures of the failed lower control arm. The vehicle is current on all recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460421April 11, 2022
SUSPENSION
On Sunday 4/3/2022, driving in a semi highway at 50mph the front passenger suspension arm broke off causing a lose of control of the vehicle. Ended up resting at the road shoulder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11438437October 27, 2021
SUSPENSION
My forester has been used in salt belt for 12 years. Was on the list of recall for Front Suspension Control Arm Failure. We brought it to the dealership to have the car inspected and for a 4 year old car, they didn’t do anything. On 10/15/21, the front control arm broke right after we drove off highway. If the arm broke on the highway, then us and others might have been killed as the tire would have broke off. We highly doubt the job to correct the recall was done properly, if they did anything at all. After the accident, we had the car and component inspected by the East Forest Garage. There weren’t any warning signs before the accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419793June 6, 2021
ENGINE
Head gasket , radiator failed suddenly while going 65 on hwy (115K) . Had new radiator, heads resurfaced/HG replaced, etc. Now less than 15K later (128K) head gasket leaking again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362281October 1, 2020
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS PREPARING TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. I DID MANAGE TO GET IT HOME BECAUSE I HAD ABOUT 2" OF BRAKE DOWN AT THE FLOOR AND I ONLY HAD ABOUT 4 MILES TO GET HOME. A FRIEND OF MINE WHO LIVES IN ANOTHER STATE HAS 3 SUBARUS AND IS AN EXCELLENT MECHANIC. ONE IS A 2007 FORESTER JUST LIKE MINE AND HE SUGGESTED IT COULD BE THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND WERE BEGINNING TO BLEED THE BRAKES WHEN MY HUSBAND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTING OUT OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE LOOKED CLOSER AND THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE NEAR THE 4-WAY JOINT CONNECTOR AND BOTH WERE COVERED WITH CORROSION. I TOOK A PHOTO OF IT AND SENT IT TO MY FRIEND. HE FOUND THE RECALL INFORMATION AND SENT IT TO ME. THE PHOTO FROM THE RECALL ARTICLE LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I HAD SENT HIM OF MY CAR'S PROBLEM. I CALLED THE SUBARU DEALER NEAREST ME AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING SINCE THE RECALL COVERED FORESTERS FROM 2009-2013 BUT IT DID COVER LEGACY AND OUTBACK FROM 2005-2009 AND 2008-2011 SUBARU IMPREZA, WRX, AND STI. I FEEL SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEIR VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED, THAT THEY SHOULD HONOR IT AND REPAIR MY 2007 FORESTER BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME ISSUE. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER UP AND SHE GAVE ME THE NATIONAL SUBARU NUMBER. I SPOKE WITH 3 PEOPLE LAST EVENING AND ONE CALLED ME TODAY. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR. IT IS THE NEWEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I HAVE HAD IT A LITTLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS. CAN YOU HELP ME, PLEASE? I HAVE NO BRAKES, I AM NOT RICH, I NEED HELP PLEASE. HTTPS://NHOILUNDERCOATING.COM/SUBARUS-RECALLED-FOR-BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION/ HTTPS://SUBARU.OEMDTC.COM/62/WQK-47-BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION-2005-2014-SUBARU
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11328152June 10, 2020
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT CALLED KENNY ROSS SUBARU (11299 LINCOLN HWY, NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642, (724) 864-5100, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.*DT *BF CONSUMER STATED HAMILTON MAZDA SUBARU AND KENNY ROSS SUBARU ARE THE SAME.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11301195January 22, 2020
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LESTER GLENN SUBARU (1501 NJ-37 W, TOMS RIVER NJ) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11180683February 17, 2019
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
ON FEBRUARY 13, 2019 MY TRANSMISSION FLUID LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME. I STOPPED TO BY THE FLUID BUT COULDN'T FIND OUT WHERE TO FILL IT UP AT AND THE DIPSTICK WAS STUCK. I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH.. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND ASKED HIM TO CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WASN'T THE FLUID THAT WAS THE PROBLEM IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. PREVIOUS TO THIS THE LIGHT NEVER FLASHED AND WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON I DO GET I CHECKED TO SEE IT ITS SERIOUS OR NOT. CHAT CONVERSATION START 76K PEOPLE LIKE THIS CARS 7:55 PM HI, I BOUGHT A USED 2007 SUBARU FORESTER AND IT HAS REQUIRED A COUPLE OF LARGE REPAIRS THAT YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT. IN 2015 I HAD TO REPLACE THE OIL HEAD GASKET AT RELATIVELY LOW MILES 70K AND NOW IN 2019 AT 104K MILES I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IS COMMON IN THE SUBARUS? THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11092313May 7, 2018
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM NJ, AND RECENTLY RELOCATED TO WA. APPROX. 126K MILES, THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH, DROPPING THE CAR ONTO THE WHEEL, AND PULLING THE DRIVEAXLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT THE CONTROL ARM RUSTED FROM THE TOP SIDE, WHICH WOULD LIKELY BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW TO LOOK FOR IT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN FIRST BACKING UP FROM THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING, LESS THAN 1 FOOT OF TRAVEL BEFORE I STOPPED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I SPOKE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARM WAS "CLOSED" AND THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, AND WOULD NEVER ACCEPT THAT CATASTROPHIC CORROSION IN A FUNDAMENTAL PART OF THE SUSPENSION COULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE DEFECT FOR WHICH THE END USER SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. IF THE CAR WAS INDEED "TREATED" FOR THIS CONDITION BY THE OWNER AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, THEN CLEARLY THE TREATMENT IS UNSATISFACTORY AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO A VERY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. MY ONLY BLESSING IN THIS SITUATION IS THAT IT DID NOT FAIL THE PREVIOUS EVENING WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME, OR LATER THAT MORNING HAD I BEEN ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11052045December 3, 2017
STEERING, SUSPENSION
I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END CONTROL WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING PULLED FROM MY HANDS. I GET AN ALIGNMENT EVERY 6 MONTHS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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