2009 Subaru Forester Subaru Forester 2009

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2009 Subaru Forester repairs by problem area

Engine (31%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 322 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 Subaru Forester.

2009 Subaru Forester body repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (3%)

< $100 (94%)

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Chart based on 32 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

24000 mi Excessive rock chips on paint just in front of rear tires caused by too small of a protector installed at factory. Repainted sides of car and installed new 3M protection to match those used in current production. 
5549 mi Repainted due to rust. 
37800 mi

C $74
sun visor cracked and broke on the driver side. 
1000 mi

US $10
Overhead light assembly wires squeaked against housing. Added separators and silicon lubricant to reduce noise. 
6000 mi Rebuilt upper light console with silicon components, and added silicon seal between headliner fasten point, holding snap, and metal roof assembly, to get rid of creaking due to temperature changes. 
6000 mi Dealer added additional door insulation to stop rattles but damaged driver door tweeter in process. Followup appointment was scheduled. Rear fender paint gravel shields too small. TSB authorized larger ones as replacements. Technician damaged new parts on installation. Service writer scheduled 2nd install with body shop (covered by warranty). Loaner vehicle to be provided. Larger paint gravel shields successfully fitted and installed. 
7000 mi Paint has worn off inside of drivers armrest. Service provider took picture, is requesting feedback from service manager as to whether paint is warranty item. 
7000 mi Paint had worn off inside of door arm rest. Arm rest was replaced. 
21700 mi Side airbag brackets causing clunks/rattles in rear of vehicle. Dealer performed TSB to correct problem. 
25000 mi rattles under rear seat. bolts tightened, rear seat realigned. 
29000 mi Left front visor was not staying in position. Visor was replaced with improved model. 
52000 mi rattles from rear interior of vehicle, mainly when rear of vehicle went over bumps. 
27000 mi The cosmetic hard plastic piece on the outside of the wheel well came off. The dealership knows this is a problem and Subaru is trying to get a long term fix. 
37000 mi Another cosmetic hard plastic piece on the outside of the wheel well came off. The dealership knows this is a problem and Subaru is trying to get a long term fix...no solution yet 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

7440 mi Sometimes a crackle noise when in cold conditions, but cannot be replicated very easy. Will see what happens next winter. 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

20000 mi Rug coming out from under passenger door sill 
70900 mi Leak in rear brake light causing moisture in light assembly 
86500 mi water leakage from front windshield due to blocked water drain. 
78000 mi Inner fender panel and shield came loose. Installed a new push pin. Panel still loose, however. Push pins for inner body panel shields are loose. Poor design on the part of Subaru. 
84000 mi Body clips or push pins holding together various shields and from bumper are loose, very poor design. There is no way to tighten them up. I have put in new pins, and they will not tighten up. 
65000 mi

US $500
Chipped paint along the hood. 
9300 mi Rattle in passenger door. 
9300 mi Rattle in driver's door, rattle around the middle rear safety belt device. 
9300 mi Replacement of the Bumper Rear step pad (stainless steel)that was not glue well. They also scratch the bumper paint when they try to take off the bumper step pad and had to paint the bumper. 
19840 mi Rattle in the dashboard near radio and ventilation exit under radio. 
29760 mi Rattle in the dash. Same problem occur in the last part of 2009. Even now, I have to go again tomorrow.The rattle still exist. 
33480 mi Rattle in the dash: attach correctly the loose part 
37200 mi Rattle in the driver's door 
20000 mi Stone chips on fenders in front of rear wheels. Not big enough protective clear coating. Fixed stone chips, repainted back doors, replaced protective clear coating with larger ones. 
22000 mi Chrome peeling from badge on rear of car - replacement ordered. Badge replaced - replacement looks fine. 
12700 mi rattle near passenger sun visor. determined cause, no time to fix. will fix at next service interval. 
3000 mi Front doors were rattling madly. Dash making noises. 
16000 mi

US $200
rattle near glove box that comes and goes 
18000 mi center armrest fell apart. I took it to dealer and they snapped it back together. Nice side effect was that one of the mysterious rattles went away with the re-assembly. 
8000 mi Squeak in passenger side door. 
12000 mi squeaks and rattles 
26100 mi passenger door rattle fixed 

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2009 Subaru Forester Body Problems

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 2009 Subaru Forester problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.