VehicleVerdict

2009 Subaru Forester engine problems

The 2009 Subaru Forester has 39 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

39

Engine complaints

17%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

08V460000EngineSeptember 11, 2008 · 16,715 units

Defect

SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.

Consequence

VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

What owners report

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND IMMEDIATELY BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND ENGINE STOPPED AS WELL. FIRE AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE AND FILLED THE CABIN. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS HAD TO ESCAPE AND THE CAR WITHIN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 23, 2017 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2009 Subaru Forester have?

NHTSA has 39 complaints about the 2009 Subaru Forester engine — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2009 Subaru Forester engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 08V460000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.