2010 Subaru Forester: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Subaru Forester: 17 recalls, 262 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
17 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #12V099000 · 2012 · 326,014 vehicles
What's wrong: The automatic locking retractor in the seat belt assemblies located in the rear center seating of the affected vehicles do not meet lockability requirements and fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 208, âoccupant crash protection.â specifically, the assemblies May not permit proper installation and secure attachment of a child restraint in that seating position.
Why it matters: An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a newly modified automatic locking retractor, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed on March 26, 2012.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #12V602000 · 2012 · 633,842 vehicles
What's wrong: Up to 78,650 of these vehicles May have been equipped with accessory puddle lights that, when illuminated, brighten the area under the doors of the vehicle. A short circuit can develop when either the puddle light or connector are exposed to an electrolytic moisture source (such as road spray that has road salt in it) and it penetrates the circuit board of the puddle light or the pins of the puddle light…
Why it matters: Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, May result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This May generate heat which May melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fused-harness, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2013.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V311000 · 2014 · 461,338 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 outback and legacy, 2008-2011 impreza and 2008-2014 impreza wrx/sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west…
Why it matters: Brake line corrosion May result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage May result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be…
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V830000 · 2014 · 200,064 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 impreza, 2008-2014 wrx and sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of…
Why it matters: Brake fluid May leak due to the brake line corrosion and May result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V358000 · 2016 · 302,127 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 legacy, outback, 2009-2011 legacy, outback, forester, 2006-2011 impreza, tribeca, 2003-2006 baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016.
Electrical Vehicle recall #16V738000 · 2016 · 100,127 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year legacy and outback vehicles, 2008-2014 impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump May fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Why it matters: If the air injection pump overheats, it May melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V014000 · 2017 · 53,480 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru baja, 2006-2011 impreza (including wrx and sti models), 2006-2012 tribeca, 2009-2012 forester, legacy, outback, and 2012 wrx 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…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V013000 · 2018 · 93,209 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V012000 · 2018 · 64,179 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 legacy, forester, tribeca, wrx and outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V008000 · 2019 · 330,120 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, and legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee,…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V007000 · 2019 · 43,394 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 forester, 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, outback, legacy, and 2010-2011 impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V009000 · 2019 · 452,630 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 tribeca, wrx, legacy and outback vehicles, 2010-2011 impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 forester vehicles 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,…
Why it matters: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module May result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019.
Electrical Vehicle recall #19V297000 · 2019 · 511 vehicles
What's wrong: Subaru of america, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester vehicles, 2008-2011 impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 wrx vehicles, 2005-2014 legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 outback vehicles and 2006-2008 tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch May break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…
Why it matters: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag May not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V002000 · 2020 · 127,547 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V001000 · 2020 · 258,813 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V003000 · 2020 · 111,562 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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
Seat belts Vehicle recall #22V838000 · 2022 · 16 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The seat belt assembly May not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seats (76): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5).
- Airbags (42): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Engine (34): the most common themes are warning light on (12), leaks (10).
- Brakes (28): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (3).
The 2010 Subaru Forester has 262 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 29 Forester model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 224). Complaints peaked in 2017 (48 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 65,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (178 complaints, 17 recalls), 2011 (147 complaints, 16 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S4) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S4) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | 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 2010 Subaru Forester.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 17 vehicle recalls for the 2010 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 2010 Subaru Forester problems?
Owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seats (76), airbags (42), engine (34).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Subaru Forester get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S4)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 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.