2008 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
67
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
10
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
The 2008 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 67 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Suspension (11 complaints), Engine (7 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 318,215 vehicles.
Recall 11V464000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
| 318,215 vehicles affected
Defect: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND...
Consequence: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
67 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkageshatchbackliftgatelock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Engine overheating and causing multiple problems
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission control valve detached. No warning light was illuminated. The contact did research and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the diagnosis was pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the front driver’s side control arm was fractured, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that the failure was caused by corrosion of the front lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); to prevent the failure from occurring; however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 116,000.
Safety Rating for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
07-131-18R — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed to set and result in the related system?s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
WVN24R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
REVISED. CA PZEV SPEC MODELS ONLY. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program have two conditions that may adversely affect the performance of the catalytic converter. To correct these conditions, described below, affected vehicles require (1) ECM reprogramming and (2) permanent removal of...
WVN24R — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REVISED. CA PZEV SPEC MODELS ONLY. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program have two conditions that may adversely affect the performance of the catalytic converter. To correct these conditions, described below, affected vehicles require (1) ECM reprogramming and (2) permanent removal of...
18-179-15 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BULLETIN IS TO PROVIDE A DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT CHANGES TO SERVICE MANUALS AVAILABLE VIA THE SUBARU TECHNICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (STIS) WEB SITE.
WQK47-2 — SERVICE BRAKES
New Subaru Recall Campaign: Brake Line Corrosion WQK?47
WQD40 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Subaru Service Program WQD-40: Front Catalytic Converter Replacement & Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogramming
WQD40 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Subaru Service Program WQD-40: Front Catalytic Converter Replacement & Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogramming
037012R — ENGINE
Repair Procedure for High-Pitched Sound
03-70-12 — EQUIPMENT
REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR HIGH-PITCHED SOUND FROM EXTENSION HOUSING AREA USING LATEST GENERATION PRODUCTION PARTS
SB-12-108-09 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUBARU: VEHICLE HAS A WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY BE COMING FROM THE BODY SEAM LOCATED BEHIND THE FRONT INNER FENDER WELL. TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, THE BODY SEAM WILL NEED TO BE SEALED. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 SUBARU FORESTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER
- 2003 SUBARU FORESTER — 238 complaints
- 2004 SUBARU FORESTER — 270 complaints
- 2005 SUBARU FORESTER — 105 complaints
- 2006 SUBARU FORESTER — 121 complaints
- 2007 SUBARU FORESTER — 89 complaints
- 2008 SUBARU FORESTER (current)
- 2009 SUBARU FORESTER — 228 complaints
- 2010 SUBARU FORESTER — 306 complaints
- 2011 SUBARU FORESTER — 195 complaints
- 2012 SUBARU FORESTER — 139 complaints
- 2013 SUBARU FORESTER — 94 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints