YearToAvoid

2009 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about brake problems in the 2009 Subaru Forester, 11% of all 178 complaints for this model year. That is #7 highest brake complaint count among 21 Forester model years. These complaints report 2 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 40,656 miles.

Brakes complaints
20
11% of 178
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
40,656 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2009 Subaru Forester brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 3, 2009, latest Nov 8, 2022.

2009 Subaru Forester brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Dec 2009Mar 2012Aug 2014Feb 2015Feb 2017Jan 2021
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2009 to Nov 2022; peak Aug 2014 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2009 Subaru Forester

  1. NHTSA 14V830000Dec 31, 2014Brakes200,064 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.

    Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

  2. NHTSA 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Brakes461,338 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

    Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

Brakes complaints by Forester model year

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

  1. 20057 (8%)
  2. 20062 (2%)
  3. 20074 (5%)
  4. 20082 (4%)
  5. 200920 (11%)
  6. 201039 (15%)
  7. 201121 (14%)
  8. 201219 (18%)
  9. 201310 (13%)
  10. 201434 (8%)
  11. 201545 (7%)
  12. 201634 (8%)
  13. 201720 (3%)
  14. 201820 (4%)
  15. 201934 (4%)
  16. 202015 (2%)
  17. 20217 (3%)
  18. 202210 (10%)
  19. 20235 (7%)
  20. 20241 (3%)
  21. 20256 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have brake problems?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the brake in the 2009 Subaru Forester, 11% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 40,656 miles.
Which Subaru Forester year has the most brake complaints?
The 2015 Subaru Forester has the most brake complaints (45), compared with 20 for the 2009.
Is there a brake recall for the 2009 Subaru Forester?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Subaru Forester concern the brake: 14V830000 and 14V311000.

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.