2010 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 16 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Subaru Forester, about 6% of all complaints filed for that model year. Reported issues include ignition and key-recognition failures, dashboard warning lights coming on together, and door locks engaging unexpectedly. Three related recalls cover ignition switches, a secondary air injection pump relay, and a fused-harness addition.
- Electrical System complaints
- 16
- 6% of 262 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 262
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 45,700 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Owners report the ignition sometimes fails to recognize the key, in one case causing the vehicle to stall and roll backward.
- Several owners describe the check engine, traction control, cruise control, and air bag warning lights illuminating together, sometimes with dealers unable to duplicate the cause.
- Some owners report headlights that do not project brightly enough even after realignment and bulb replacement.
- Owners describe the driver's door lock re-engaging immediately after being unlocked, making it hard to keep the door open.
- One owner reported popping sounds, a burning plastic smell, and warning lights coming on intermittently before the vehicle would not start.
- Some owners report the ignition becoming progressively harder to unlock over repeated occurrences.
When 2010 Subaru Forester electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Dec 14, 2009, latest May 25, 2023.
Electrical System recalls for the 2010 Subaru Forester
- NHTSA 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Electrical System511 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
- NHTSA 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Electrical System100,127 vehicles
Electrical system
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Risk: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
- NHTSA 12V602000Dec 26, 2012Electrical System633,842 vehicles
Exterior lighting
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Legacy and Outback vehicles, certain model year 2006 through 2012 Tribeca vehicles sold before January 2012, and certain model year 2009 through 2012 Forester vehicles sold before January 2012. Up to 78,650 of these vehicles may have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light connector(s).
Risk: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Electrical System complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical system complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA lists 16 electrical system complaints for the 2010 Forester, which is about 6% of the 262 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to the 2010 Subaru Forester's electrical system?
- Yes. Three recalls apply, covering ignition switch inspection/replacement (campaign 19V297000), a secondary air injection pump relay (16V738000), and installation of an additional fused-harness (12V602000).
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2010 Forester?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 45,700 miles for reported electrical system issues.
- Did the 2010 Forester's electrical problems cause any crashes or fires?
- NHTSA complaint data for this component and year include 1 crash and 2 fires, with no reported injuries.
- How does the 2010 Forester's electrical complaint share compare to other years?
- The 2010 model year's 6% share of electrical complaints is lower than many other Forester years, such as 2016 at 23% and 2009 at 13%.