2006 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Subaru Forester: 2 recalls, 88 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #07V043000 · 2007 · 7,004 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat May have been pinched during production. Pinching of the wiring harness between the floor crossmember and the seat mounting bracket could result in a short circuit.
Why it matters: The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and May not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct location, and re-calibrate the occupant detection system as necessary. The recall began on March 9,…
Suspension Vehicle recall #11V464000 · 2011 · 318,215 vehicles
What's wrong: The front lower control arms May break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (20): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (8), warning light on (3).
- Suspension (12): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (6), steering problems (5), noise or vibration (2).
- Engine & cooling (11): the most common themes are leaks (5), fire / smoke (3).
- Engine (11): the most common themes are fire / smoke (3), leaks (2), warning light on (2).
The 2006 Subaru Forester has 88 owner complaints, ranking #22 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (well below the 224 average). Complaints peaked in 2007 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 51,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (93 complaints, 1 recalls), 2007 (74 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Subaru Forester.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (20), suspension (12), engine & cooling (11).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Subaru Forester repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.