2011 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 Forester years
The 2011 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 20, ranking 13th of 16 model years, and carries a "Best" verdict relative to other Forester years. It has 147 complaints, 16 recalls, and no reported deaths, with Engine problems making up 54% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 147
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes / fires
- 21 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
Top 2011 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration while parking or backing up, sometimes ending in a crash into a wall, building, or parked object.
- Engine compartment fires were reported, including one that started shortly after a rear-end collision on a freeway.
- Drivers report the vehicle lurching or racing forward when cruise control was engaged and the driver applied the brake.
- Some owners report antilock brakes engaging unexpectedly on snowy or plowed roads, causing the vehicle to skid off the road.
- One owner reported the engine and transmission continued running after the vehicle flipped onto its side following a broadside collision.
- A brake failure was reported where pressing the pedal to the floor did not stop the car during a reversing incident.
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?
- Compared with other Forester model years, the 2011 ranks well. NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 20, the 13th-lowest of 16 model years, earning it a "Best" verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Subaru Forester?
- Engine complaints make up 54% of all reports (79 of 147 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 61,735 miles. Airbags (20%) and Brakes (14%) are the next most common problem areas.
- Does the 2011 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recalls affecting this model year, covering components including Seat Belts, Airbags, and the Electrical System. None of these recalls are classified as "do not drive."
- How does the 2011 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2011 Forester's Complaint Index of 20 is lower than the 2010 model's 40 and far lower than years like 2019 (100) and 2015 (87), which carry "Avoid" 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.