Worst 2008 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Engine Problems
Unintended Acceleration
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 11 | — | — | 128,171 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | 112,800 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 2 | — | 38,265 mi | |
| Airbags | 5 | 2 | 1 | 99,000 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | 3 | 95,333 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Subaru Forester
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~318,215 vehicles.
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 THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 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.
Other Subaru Forester Years
2008 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester reliable?
What are common problems with the 2008 Subaru Forester?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Subaru Forester?
How safe is the 2008 Subaru Forester?
Does the 2008 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2008 Subaru Forester?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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