2010 Subaru Forester
Common Problems
Ranked from 168 federal NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
14 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Driver's seat frame weld failure causing collapse
60complaintsSafety riskOtherThe driver's seat frame welds fail, causing the front left or right side of the seat to collapse, leading to instability and lack of support.
Related recall: 12V099000
- 2
Takata airbag recall repair delays
29complaintsSafety riskElectricalOwners received recall notices for Takata airbags, but replacement parts remain unavailable, leaving vehicles unsafe for normal use.
Related recalls: 19V297000, 16V738000
- 3
Unintended acceleration or sudden acceleration
23complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle experiences unintended acceleration, causing sudden movement or collision risks.
Related recall: 12V099000
- 4
Head gasket failure at high mileage
16complaintsHigh severityEngineHead gaskets fail prematurely at around 90,000–115,000 miles, requiring costly repairs despite regular maintenance.
$1,400–$2,800est. head gasket replacement · 8–15 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Brake line corrosion and failure
13complaintsSafety riskBrakesBrake lines corrode due to exposure to salt water or road conditions, leading to fluid leaks and potential brake failure.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 14V311000, 14V830000
- 6
Electrical system malfunctions and warning lights
8complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple warning lights illuminate intermittently, including check engine, traction control, and cruise control, often without affecting vehicle operation.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 19V297000, 16V738000
- 7
Rear Brakes Premature Wear/Failure
7complaintsHigh severityBrakesRear brake pads and rotors wore out prematurely, often reaching metal-on-metal contact within 20,000–30,000 miles despite normal driving conditions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 14V311000, 14V830000
- 8
Brake system performance issues in cold or icy conditions
5complaintsHigh severityBrakesBrakes fail to respond properly in freezing weather or engage improperly in icy conditions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 14V311000, 14V830000
- 9
Engine stalling and abnormal behavior with warning lights
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly or behaves erratically, often accompanied by warning lights and unusual noises.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Fuel tank corrosion and gas leak
4complaintsSafety riskFuel systemThe fuel tank rots at the seam, causing gas leaks and requiring replacement due to corrosion.
$300–$1,200est. fuel line/tank repair · 2–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Fuel tank and fuel pump failure
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemFuel pump wiring harness burns out or fuel tank rusts, causing potential fuel system failure and risk of fire.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Power seat adjustment motor failure
2complaintsMedium severityOtherThe power seat adjustment motor on the driver's side fails, causing the seat to freeze or not adjust properly.
Related recall: 12V099000
- 13
Rust-induced transmission line failure
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionTransmission lines rust prematurely, causing loss of transmission fluid and potential transmission failure.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Steering wheel off-center and pulling to one side
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel is misaligned and pulls to the right, making it difficult to maintain control and increasing crash risk.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.