2008 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2008

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2008 Subaru Forester repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 101 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Subaru Forester.

2008 Subaru Forester repair cost distribution

$2500+ (7%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (12%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (26%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 91 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Subaru Forester

Engine not specified

Subaru Forester in Iceland
Jul 2013 - Oct 2015
Mar 2014

65720 mi

$333
CV Joint 
Feb 2015

86800 mi

$1000
Outer CV joint 

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2008 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

Subaru Forester in Texas, United States
Jun 2013 - Jul 2013
Jul 2013

141000 mi

US $150
Rear wheel bearing 
Subaru Forester in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2011 - Nov 2016
Aug 2013

85180 mi

C $1200
Clutch 
Jul 2015

108500 mi

C $500
Link broke 

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2008 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Forester in Colorado, United States
Apr 2011 - Nov 2013
Jul 2012

72700 mi

US $150
The wheel bearing on the rear drivers side. 
Oct 2012

76000 mi

US $35
Loose belt on the power steering making loud screech noise 
Jun 2013

83000 mi

US $500
Two warning lights came on - traction control disabled and something else, don't remember. Checked the error code suggesting emmission system problems. The dealer replaced some kind of emissions exhaust valve 
Subaru Forester in Alaska, United States
Mar 2012 - Jun 2018
May 2014

57900 mi

US $600
The Trailing arm link bushings were worn and replaced. Same for the Crossmember bushings. 
Dec 2014

62000 mi

US $500
Secondary air valves were sticking and were causing cel codes. Check engine light, Stability control light, and Cruise control light were all illuminated in instrument cluster panel. Because of the this my Cruise control was deactivated. 
Apr 2015

64000 mi

US $1279
Replaced oem struts with a new set. 
Nov 2015

69600 mi

US $75
Replaced Rear Cross-Member Bushings. 
Oct 2017

81000 mi

US $1115
Noise coming from the rear of car turned out to be a wheel bearing on the driver side. I had both driver and passenger side done. Two front swayer end links were rusted and replaced. Upper radiator hose was worn. Worn A/C and alternator belt. 
Subaru Forester in Georgia, United States
Jan 2021 - May 2022
Jan 2022

147000 mi

US $136
After a week of no use we noticed oil on driveway. The heads are leaking as well as main seal. 
Apr 2022

150000 mi

US $130
rear end needs replaced or major rebuild 

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2008 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

173-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

Subaru Forester in Connecticut, United States
Jun 2015 - Jun 2015
Jun 2015

174000 mi

US $20
AC belt broke 
Subaru Forester in Newfoundland / Lab., Canada
Mar 2012 - Apr 2013
Apr 2012

39060 mi

C $533
Install sway bar bushings, front control arm bushing, right front link kit, right rear link kit. 
Apr 2013

56420 mi

C $120
Rear wiper motor failed. Replaced with used part. 
Subaru Forester in Pennsylvania, United States
Feb 2013 - Jan 2015
Oct 2014

211000 mi

US $189
Replaced both rear strut assemblies with used assemblies from a auto recycler. 
Dec 2014

215000 mi

US $275
Car had a miss on number 2 cyl. Replaced plies and wires but found the coil to be cracked and corroded causing the misfire. 
Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2011 - Feb 2019
May 2011

30380 mi

C $10
High beam headlight not working. Bulb replaced. 
Feb 2012

35840 mi

C $11
RHS Low Beam Headlight bulb replaced 
Jul 2012

37400 mi

C $120
A/C not cooling, was recharged, system tested for leaks but none found 
Nov 2012

38740 mi

C $437
Serviced rear caliper pistons and pin sliders, cleaned and serviced brake pads Anti Sway Bar Link broken, replaced 
Jul 2013

41420 mi

C $175
Was not cooling properly. System recharged. Dye installed for monitoring 
Sep 2013

42780 mi

C $283
A/C not cooling.A/C Condensor replaced and system recharged 
Nov 2013

44020 mi

C $175
Squealing on start-up. Drive belts replaced. 
Feb 2014

44640 mi

C $34
Exterior trim loose and weatherstripping loose, both on driver's door 
Dec 2014

46500 mi
weatherstripping was loose on both front doors. Estimate provided. Repair declined due to unreasonable cost. Purchased clips and spouse repaired weatherstripping. 
Apr 2015

47320 mi

C $197
Right sway bar link broken, left had play 
Dec 2015

50220 mi

C $691
Check engine light on solid, then flashing. Code P0302 misfire from #2 cylinder, compression good. Coil shorted and wire weak. Replaced coil and ignition wire. 
Jun 2017

55180 mi

C $627
Vapour coming from under hood, strange smell, leak near dipstick. Replaced valve cover gasket and O-rings. Replaced front oil pressure switch. 
Sep 2017

57040 mi

C $897
Noisy exhaust. Exhaust was leaking through midpipe and muffler. Midpipe and muffler were replaced. 
Subaru Forester in Alaska, United States
Apr 2011 - Jan 2017
Jan 2017

45000 mi

US $3300
Head gasket replacement 
Subaru Forester in New Hampshire, United States
May 2011 - Jun 2015
Jul 2011

78000 mi

US $200
CV joint needed replacing 
Jun 2015

143000 mi
Head gasket, repaired that, then it was the drive belt I believe 
Subaru Forester in Massachusetts, United States
Nov 2014 - May 2017
Oct 2015

101000 mi

US $150
Check engine light with flashing cruise control light; no other symptoms. Diagnostic code for bad air/fuel ratio sensor. Replaced sensor, solving problem. 
Mar 2016

108000 mi

US $260
Oil leaking from engine onto exhaust, producing minor smoke. Replaced valve cover gaskets and oil pressure sensor, which were both leaking. VCGs were previously replaced by dealer; suspect bad job at that time. Seems ok now. 
Sep 2016

115000 mi

US $380
Occasional misfire under acceleration triggered check engine light. Factory spark plugs replaced at 115k miles. Oil leaking from engine onto oil filter and exhaust system, producing smoke. Suspect external head gasket leak, previously misdiagnosed. Mechanic cleaned oil residue, then added dye to oil in order to locate leak at a future repair trip. 
Jan 2017

108700 mi

US $4000
External head gasket leak (producing worsening smoke) and damaged cylinder guide. Engine block machined/resurfaced. Other parts replaced preventatively. Runs smoothly now. 
Apr 2017

121000 mi

US $300
Dead in the driveway, 4K miles after head gasket repair. Could have seized due to increased oil consumption after engine block remachining. Starter made noise but car wouldn't start. Local mechanic removed timing cover for diagnosis and suspected broken camshaft due to timing slip. Subaru dealership mechanic also suspected timing issues. Quoted $7-9k for engine repair, or $6-7k to buy and install a remanufactured engine. I scrapped the car. 
Subaru Forester in New Hampshire, United States
Jul 2012 - Jun 2022
Jul 2013

96300 mi

US $300
Car shaking & stalling (stopped 3 days, fine before). CEL On, code was misfire in all 4 cyl. Shop replace valves gasket, spark plugs and wires. Also tried coil, but wasn't it. Issue was not resolved. Car still stalling and jerking. After shop was unsuccessful, owner dove into it and tried to repair it himself. Change several parts according to internet forum and was finally successful. EGR valve was the culprit. CAM & CAP also changed. 
Dec 2013

107000 mi

US $120
Strange noise when car starts or idle. Shop found some steel plates within the emissions system were loose and soldered them. Owner was concerned was an issue with the catalytic converter. 
Feb 2014

110400 mi

US $1600
Clutch needed replacement. 
Jan 2016

113200 mi

US $350
Tie end boot needed replacement. Leaking motor oil. Shop did it, but it failed soon after. Shop was out of business by then. 
Oct 2016

150000 mi

US $850
Steering fluid leaking. Rack needed replacement. 
Nov 2017

158000 mi

US $200
TPS light on. Sensor was replaced on 2 of the tires Airbag light is on in dashboard. Not code has been found. Car is being driven with light on. 
Apr 2022

220000 mi

US $125
Issues with the exhaust. Part of the duct was replaced(the middle part after the manifold, before the muffler. 
Subaru Forester in Tasmania, Australia
Apr 2008 - Jun 2017
Apr 2008

3100 mi
Starter motor failed. Replaced on warranty by dealer. Down time 24h. 
Dec 2011

36580 mi
Head gasket found to be leaking, needs full replacement next 12 months. 

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2008 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

173-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2013 - Sep 2014
Mar 2013

42427 mi
change coolant sensor & relay. Each winter would fail to start if temp below -10 C and car had been driven ~ 2 km or less. 1st dealer poor response. wrote newspaper column. 2nd dealer under goodwill warranty did job. Problem again in 2014. 
Jun 2014

55800 mi

C $30
auto, shift linkage became stiff in May 2013. Had lubed and subsequently replaced pivot points, cleaned and lubed -- cable was ok. Became stiff again in June 2014.had cleaned and lubed, including cable. rear hatch latch handle became stiff. would not spring back into normal position. hatch would not latch. I used silicone spray to get it functional. Dealer lubed this during visit at no cost. Had exactly same problem in 2013 spring. Annual? 
Subaru Forester in Texas, United States
- Mar 2010
May 2008

2050 mi
The "Forester" emblem was seperating from the rear hatch. Northpark Subaru of San Antonio, made the repairs. New decal covered under the 3/36k. 
Mar 2010

27500 mi
The center console cushion developed a crease. Dealer replaced the cushion under warranty.  
Subaru Forester in Ohio, United States
Apr 2018 - Jun 2022
Jun 2021

201000 mi

US $10
A/C pulley adjuster 
Jul 2021

201000 mi

US $300
Rear resonator, muffler. 
Subaru Forester in Illinois, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
May 2018

74000 mi

US $575
Needed new brakes and rotors. 
Subaru Forester in Virginia, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2022
May 2018

56000 mi

US $1200
Engine suddenly running badly. Replaced coil pack, spark plugs, spark plug wires. Replaced valve cover gaskets. 
Subaru Forester in Quebec, Canada
Sep 2012 - Jun 2018
Mar 2012

48980 mi

C $70
Replaced oil pressure switch 
Jan 2013

58280 mi

C $1900
Major parts: Machined engine block Changed valve/guide Changed spark plugs/wires Changed drive belt 
Oct 2013

66620 mi

C $250
Changed both link kit - front 
May 2014

75920 mi

C $125
Oil pressure switch (back order from the dealer) 
Feb 2015

85340 mi

C $165
Cam seal pushed out 1/4. Total loss of engine oil on highway. 
Apr 2017

94240 mi

C $335
Replace rear wiper motor Replaced front sway bar links 
Subaru Forester in New Jersey, United States
Sep 2014 - Feb 2022
Nov 2015

45500 mi

US $300
Stabilizer links 
Mar 2016

48000 mi
Retighten. 
Aug 2017

75000 mi

US $150
Replaced pads and turned rotors 
Feb 2018

83000 mi

US $200
Replace link 
Subaru Forester in Texas, United States
Jun 2012 - Jan 2013
Jan 2013

45000 mi

US $2500
Head gasket needed replacement. Also changed timing belt. 
Subaru Forester in Texas, United States
Aug 2011 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012

143000 mi

US $450
replaced a/c compressor 
Subaru Forester in British Columbia, Canada
Apr 2011 - Jun 2022
Feb 2014

61860 mi
Sudden burning smell and screeching noise from engine (pulling away from intersection) - turned out to be A/C belt, pulley mechanism. A/C belt was worn and replaced at recent maintenance. Status of compressor unknown. 
Apr 2014

62400 mi
Further to Feb 2014 report. Not done but confirmed the A/C unit needs to be replaced. Toughing it out this summer and might replace ourselves. 
Mar 2019

111290 mi

C $2500
Leaking head gasket - observed during routine maintenance and not yet repaired - the price reported (in CAD) is an estimate based on not needing to machine the heads, if this is added, could be as high as 4000. We're shopping around to see what our options are. We hope to drive this Forester for another 100k-150k and do intend to make the repair. 
Jun 2022

134230 mi

C $1400
Replace leaking hose, replace condenser and other components 
Subaru Forester in Kentucky, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2022
Sep 2016

53000 mi

US $3500
Shop found two exhaust valve guides on one head had dropped a little, so since the heads were off, they did a valve job on both heads (remanufactured heads). 
Dec 2016

55000 mi

US $100
Replace one faulty tire pressure sensor. 
Subaru Forester in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2011 - Jun 2013
Apr 2011

43400 mi

C $395
O2 SENSOR 
Jan 2013

59520 mi

C $96
Oil pressure switch allowing oil to leak onto engine 
Subaru Forester in Maine, United States
Apr 2008 - Jan 2014
May 2008

15000 mi
Replace door panel window was jamming 
Jun 2008

17000 mi
Replaced Radio 
Apr 2010

65600 mi

US $68
Replaced tires for second time and alignment replaced idler arm right 
Mar 2011

85973 mi

US $250
replaced valve cover gaskets and gromets flushed radiater and replaced plugs. 
Apr 2011

88269 mi

US $76
Replaced idler arm left  
Jan 2014

153000 mi

US $325
rear u-joint on drive shaft 
Subaru Forester in Pennsylvania, United States
Oct 2012 - Mar 2014
Oct 2013

166000 mi
Warranty repair for catalytic converter 
Mar 2014

177000 mi

US $400
Wheel hub replacement 
Subaru Forester in New York, United States
Sep 2011 - Jun 2016
Sep 2013

63000 mi

US $50
Blower power connector broken. Connector was replaced 
Oct 2015

83300 mi

US $260
rear wheel bearing 
Subaru Forester in California, United States
Oct 2012 - Feb 2017
Jan 2014

106000 mi

US $1500
Rack and Pinion seal went bad. Replaced entire system. 
Nov 2016

160300 mi

US $3500
Master cylinder leaking 

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2007.5 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed automatic AWD

Subaru Forester in Great Britain
Dec 2014 - Jan 2015
Jan 2015

£1100
Air pump failure 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.

2008 Subaru Forester Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Subaru Forester problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.