2009 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 178 complaints, 17 recall campaigns, and Engine as the top problem area with 55 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 178
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 17
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 1
Top 2009 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine55 (31%)
- Airbags40 (22%)
- Electrical System24 (13%)
- Brakes20 (11%)
- Structure & Body19 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (10%)
- Other11 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (6%)
- Fuel System10 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration at low speeds where the vehicle surged forward or backward without warning.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal failing to slow the vehicle during an acceleration event, leading to a crash.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or side-impact collisions even at moderate speeds.
- Electrical wire harnesses near the trunk or seat belt/airbag wiring reportedly burned or melted, in some cases after a remote start, producing smoke or fire.
- A transmission-related incident involved the vehicle moving unexpectedly while in reverse, resulting in a fatality.
2009 Subaru Forester recalls
17 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V838000Nov 10, 2022Seat Belts16 vehicles
Seat belts
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Risk: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
2009 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Subaru Forester reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 50 for the 2009 Forester, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 11th out of 21 model years, worse than the 2005-2008 Foresters which all carry Good verdicts.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Forester?
- Engine complaints lead with 55 reports (31% share), including sudden acceleration incidents at a median mileage of 53,250. Airbags follow with 40 complaints, then Electrical System with 24 complaints.
- Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the 2009 Forester, most involving airbags (passenger inflator replacement), plus seat belt force-limiters and an ignition switch inspection. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 50 is worse than every year from 2005 to 2008 and 2011-2013, but better than 2010, 2014, and every year from 2015 onward, several of which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Subaru Forester?
- EPA rates the 2009 Forester at 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.