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 electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (5%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (25%)

< $100 (61%)

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Chart based on 56 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 Subaru Forester

Engine not specified

67580 mi

$328
left rear door actuator replaced 
143220 mi Temperature gage on dash doesn't work. 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 224hp 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

60140 mi Replace the self leveling system for xenon headlights 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

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

4000 mi HVAC blower motor generated clicking noise after warmup. 
4000 mi Clicking HVAC fan motor. This was replaced per warranty. 
6000 mi Tweeter successfully remounted, door insulation properly fitted. 
47200 mi brake light in rear replaced 
10000 mi Replaced CD changer (error, wouldn't play) 
7502 mi CEL, ABS, Cruise light malfunctions. 
8060 mi Stereo malfunction and replacement. 
26000 mi CD changer wouldn't work. Otherwise the audio system functions normally. The system was replaced and so far so good. 
33260 mi digital thermometer 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

turbocharged 145hp 2.0L H4 Diesel 6-speed manual AWD

43400 mi

$400
A/C radiator had a small hole and was replaced and the installation was recharced 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 2.5L H4 5-speed manual AWD

44000 mi

US $150
Fuse for heated seats, power mirrors 
45136 mi Tire Pressure Sensor failed. Chose not to replace. 
53576 mi Wheel lug bolts cross threaded. Had to break bolts to remove wheel. 
34400 mi chirping noise, maybe from a pulley or belt-driven accessory (power steering pump, alternator, etc) 
47000 mi

US $500
A/C Compressor clutch failed, as in disintegrated. Dealer replaced compressor, belts, recharged system, a couple o-rings, etc. Manufacturer (SOA) offered $300 in "goodwill" on an $800 repair bill. Disappointing repair on a 3-year-old car 
89000 mi

US $150
Car would intermittently not start--no cranking, no sound whatsoever. No ECM codes. Diagnosed (guessed) that I had a bad solenoid. Replaced starter/solenoid with reman unit from NAPA. Car starts every time. 
21700 mi Factory CD player sometimes lost track of cd's (what song it was at before I turned vehicle off) then would go back to the start of cd when vehicle turned on. Very random when it happened but annoying. CD player replaced. 
7000 mi Went in to have the ipod jack fixed, it had never worked since the day the car was purchased, apparently a wire had not been correctly connected so they fixed it for free and it works fine now 

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2009 Subaru Forester 4dr SUV

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

52000 mi

US $500
A small hole was found in the condenser which had to be replaced, after that a worn out connector/gasket had to be replaced. 
108000 mi

US $1100
tire pressure sensors needed to be replaced due to low battery, 3/4 sensors 
58900 mi

C $200
Hatch door lock failed. Only way into the hatch is by the automatic door unlock button (no key access). Made accessing the hatch impossible, as there is no manual lock/handle override. 
48000 mi

US $750
Bad Evaporator core 
105500 mi

US $120
Headlight and daytime running light not working. Oil change, air filters. 
107700 mi

US $670
Driver headlight flickering/not staying on. Headlight wiring harness was melted and required replacement. Rear passenger window not working. Diagnosed by dealer as window regulator, parts ordered. Upon repair dealer stated regulator Okay but window was broken and bad switch. Initial Dealer diagnosis error and suspect dealer broke window. 
44000 mi

US $100
It was not cooling. Dealer had to order parts 
44000 mi Traded car without repairing A/C. 
105100 mi

US $25
Replaced both low beam headlight bulbs because one was out of commission. 
110000 mi

US $6
One of the license plate light bulbs and one of the parking light bulbs were both not working. Replaced both license plate bulbs and both parking light bulbs with new bulbs. 
125000 mi

US $15
Low beam headlight on passenger side was not working. Replaced the bulb. 
175000 mi TPMS light is lit constantly. Tire pressures verified correct with high quality gauge. Brought to tire shop and they reset TPMS system and said the light would go out within 15 minutes of driving, but it has not. Problem is still there. Believe it to be a bad TPMS sensor and probably time to replace all four of the TPMS sensors due to the age of the car. Will call around for estimates. 
177500 mi

US $140
TPMS light was lit constantly. Bought new TPMS sensors for all 4 tires. Had local tire shop repalce the sensors in the tires and TPMS light is now off. 
58000 mi

US $150
battery up and died 
82000 mi

US $1500
AC CLUTCH AND COMPRESSOR TOTALLY BURNT OUT, COMPLETE REPLACEMENT REQ'D 
107000 mi

US $325
Replace HVAC fan motor. 
108300 mi

US $1200
A/C compressor went out. 
134000 mi

US $22
Replaced burned out headlight. 
3000 mi Clicking in steering wheel when running rear wipers. Voices on radio sound buzzy. 
16000 mi

US $200
Puddle lights were stuck on all the time Rear wiper was repeatedly and predictably going into full speed when various electrical things were used and when car was turned off and on while they were on. Shop couldn't replicate and problem has stopped. 
16000 mi Central control unit was replaced after puddle lights staying on all the time and 1 not lighting. All keys were replaced to work with new control unit. 
20000 mi

US $43
musty smell out of air vents 
32000 mi puddle light was replaced as it was out speakers cutting our or playing at VERY reduced volume. new radio head unit has been ordered Auto dim mirror compass no longer working. New mirror has been ordered. 
34000 mi Compass was not working. Mirror replaced. radio speakers were cutting out or playing at very reduced volume 
56000 mi Puddle lights out AGAIN. This time there was a recall on the car and they were replaced AGAIN 
20000 mi external temperature sensor failed. Was replaced under warranty. List price was $150. 
38900 mi evap coil leaking 
1000 mi Rear Speakers inoperative. Speakers still not operating when radio in enhanced surround sound mode. Will be contacting manufacturer. 
2000 mi Radio replaced, rear speakers work, but sound is unsatisfactory. Spoke to manufacturer and they stated "that's the way the radio workss". nothing they can do right now. Subaru is going to try to get a better answer from Panasonic, the radio manufacturer. 
11000 mi Tire Pressure warning light came on a couple of times and went off shortly after coming on. Dealer could not replicate. 
4000 mi Tire pressure sensor light on despite tires correctly inflated; shop reset sensor system computer and light went out. 
22000 mi CD player in audio unit not working. New unit ordered and will be installed when it arrives. 
43400 mi One of the bolts holding the A/C compressor was lose, causing the belt to squeak in despair. 
35000 mi

US $210
outside temperature sensor stopped working, replaced under warranty 
54000 mi Headlight replaced. 
68300 mi

US $340
Drivers side headlight replaced. Cracked windshield replaced 
60000 mi

US $950
Freon was leaking into ventilation system with a strong odor. Evaporator core had to be replaced which required removing the dash. $500 part and $400 labor.  
44800 mi AC would not blow cold air, compressor replaced under extended Subaru warranty (6yr/60000 miles) 
10300 mi 1 of 4 LED "puddle-lamps" ceased to function due to "open circuit." Entire lamp assembly replaced. No charge. 
10800 mi Puddle lamp LED replaced 
91000 mi

US $30
Ac did not work. Leak in the system 
80000 mi

US $100
AC compressor noise. Replaced under extended warranty. Paid $100 deductible. 
37700 mi

C $300
Fan stopped working in speeds 1, 2, and 3. Worked in 4 

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2009 Subaru Forester Electrical 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.