2011 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Subaru Forester has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict driven by 16 recall campaigns rather than complaint volume alone. Engine issues make up 54% of its 147 complaints, with brake and airbag problems also reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 147
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2011 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine79 (54%)
- Airbags29 (20%)
- Brakes21 (14%)
- Electrical System14 (10%)
- Other13 (9%)
- Structure & Body13 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (5%)
- Seat Belts7 (5%)
- Fuel System5 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
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 unintended or sudden acceleration while parking or backing up, sometimes ending in a collision with a wall or another vehicle.
- Some drivers report the engine caught fire shortly after a frontal impact.
- Anti-lock brakes reportedly engaged unexpectedly on snowy roads, causing the vehicle to skid off the road.
- Several owners say pressing the brake pedal hard did not stop the car during an unwanted acceleration event.
- One owner reported the engine and transmission kept running after the vehicle flipped over in a crash caused by another driver.
2011 Subaru Forester recalls
16 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.
2011 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2011 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Subaru Forester reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Forester a complaint index of 35 and a Caution verdict, ranking 14th worst out of 21 model years. The Caution rating comes mainly from 16 recall campaigns rather than a high volume of complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Subaru Forester?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 54% of the 147 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 61,735 miles.
- Does the 2011 Subaru Forester have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag-related recalls covering the 2011 Forester, including several front passenger air bag inflator replacement campaigns issued in 2019 and 2020.
- How does the 2011 Forester compare to other Forester years?
- With a complaint index of 35, the 2011 model ranks better than 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, but worse than years like 2005-2008, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which earned Good or Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Subaru Forester?
- EPA rates the 2011 Forester at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.