repaired · 2024 Q3
Seat belts
Risk. The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2010 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 262 owner complaints about the 2010 Subaru Forester, most often about the seats. It is covered by 17 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2010 Subaru Forester has problems
262 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
76Seats1 crash/fire/injury
42Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
34Engine3 crash/fire/injury
28Service brakes5 crash/fire/injury
24Vehicle speed control11 crash/fire/injury
13Electrical system
10Service brakes, hydraulic
10Fuel/propulsion system
7Structure
5114 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 76 | 1 |
| Air bags | 42 | 4 |
| Engine | 34 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 28 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 13 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 10 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 51 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
17 recalls
2010 Subaru Forester recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 13 more recalls
repaired · 2020 Q3
Ignition: switch
Risk. The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system
Risk. If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.
no report yet
Exterior lighting
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk. AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Mileage at failure
When do seats problems start?
80kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 68 seats complaints. 79% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles54under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2010 vs. every other Forester year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score
'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2010 Subaru Forester safety ratings
2010 Subaru Forester 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Forester owners report
Recent seats complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The bracket on the front right side of the drivers seat (if you're looking at the seat from the sunroof) that connects the seat (where you sit) to the seat frame (which moves the seat forward and back) has separated from the seat frame. The two tack welds have failed so the seat can move freely up…
Left front of drivers seat collapsed while driving 60mph on freeway. This caused a surprise that could have resulted in an accident. This has been reported numerous times as can be referenced here: [XXX] and appears it will be an expensive replacement at my cost for a known issue. This should be…
My 2010 Subaru Forester's driver seat does not raise up on with the power buttons. I can hear the motor but the front of the seat will not move. Last week, the right side was not moving and now both sides are not. I can physically move the front half of the seat up and down. I can see that the…
Own a 2010 Forester?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.