YearToAvoid

2006 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

NHTSA has 37 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2006 Subaru Forester, 42% of all 88 complaints for this model year. That is #13 highest engine complaint count among 21 Forester model years. These complaints report 7 crashes, 3 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 48,500 miles.

Engine complaints
37
42% of 88
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
48,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2006 Subaru Forester engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 6, 2005, latest Sep 3, 2021.

2006 Subaru Forester engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2005Jun 2007Aug 2009Oct 2011Jul 2013May 2016Jun 2019
37 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2005 to Sep 2021; peak Dec 2005 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2006 Subaru Forester

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Forester model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200526 (28%)
  2. 200637 (42%)
  3. 200722 (30%)
  4. 200814 (28%)
  5. 200955 (31%)
  6. 201059 (23%)
  7. 201179 (54%)
  8. 201246 (44%)
  9. 201333 (43%)
  10. 2014110 (27%)
  11. 2015191 (31%)
  12. 201691 (22%)
  13. 201776 (13%)
  14. 201858 (12%)
  15. 2019136 (16%)
  16. 2020105 (17%)
  17. 202142 (20%)
  18. 202218 (18%)
  19. 202310 (14%)
  20. 20242 (7%)
  21. 20258 (9%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Subaru Forester have engine problems?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints about the engine in the 2006 Subaru Forester, 42% of all complaints for this model year, including 7 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 48,500 miles.
Which Subaru Forester year has the most engine complaints?
The 2015 Subaru Forester has the most engine complaints (191), compared with 37 for the 2006.
Is there a engine recall for the 2006 Subaru Forester?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Subaru Forester is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.