RecallRepo

2008 Subaru Forester Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2008 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 318,215 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SUSPENSION 11V464000 2011-09-06 318,215 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, …

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 RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION
11
ENGINE
7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
2crashes3injuries
AIR BAGS
5
2crashes1fires5injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5
3fires
STEERING
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
1crashes3injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
POWER TRAIN
2
Total complaints67

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2025-01-03

“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…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2024-11-01

“Engine overheating and causing multiple problems”

ENGINE · reported 2023-12-01

“Engine overheating and causing multiple problems”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2023-12-01

“Engine overheating and causing multiple problems”

AIR BAGS · reported 2023-12-01

“The airbag on driver’s side deployed (malfunctioned)without incident while parked in my garage. It is currently at local subaru dealer. Mechanics cannot determine what caused the malfunction. An engineer from corporate subaru inspected. Another team of engineers from corporate is going to…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2022-11-08

“The contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2022-07-08

“The contact owns a 2008 subaru forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the lower control arm detached. The contact became aware that there was rust on the control arm. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2022-02-26

Defect investigations

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Investigation PE11011 Opened 2011-04-07 · closed 2011-09-23

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Subaru Forester as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.