NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Subaru Forester[1]. The seats group is the biggest, with 76 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA record, biggest first.
- Seats. 76 complaints[2]. Owners describe pain and numbness after time behind the wheel, and a driver's seat that cracked or lost support on one side.
- Air Bags. 42 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe an air bag that did not open in a crash, and long waits for parts after getting a recall letter.
- Engine. 40 complaints[6]. Owners describe power that comes and goes, oil levels dropping between changes, a failed A/C compressor, and a warning light with a burning smell.
- Brakes. 37 complaints[7]. Owners describe a pedal that did not respond, the ABS acting up on snow and ice, and rear brakes worn down with no warning.
- Speed Control. 24 complaints[8]. This group has the most crash reports for its size, at 11[8].
- Electrical System. 13 complaints[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 12 complaints[10].
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 10 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Forester is necessarily included.
- Seat Belts (22V838), November 2022. About 16 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V001), January 2020. About 258,813 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V003), January 2020. About 111,562 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V002), January 2020. About 127,547 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Electrical System › Ignition › Switch (19V297), April 2019. About 511 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V008), January 2019. About 330,120 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V007), January 2019. About 43,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V009), January 2019. About 452,630 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V013), January 2018. About 93,209 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V012), January 2018. About 64,179 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V014), January 2017. About 53,480 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[22]
- Electrical System (16V738), October 2016. About 100,127 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[23]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V358), May 2016. About 302,127 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[24]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic (14V830), December 2014. About 200,064 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[25]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (14V311), June 2014. About 461,338 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[26]
- Exterior Lighting (12V602), December 2012. About 633,842 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[27]
- Seat Belts › Rear/Other (12V099), March 2012. About 326,014 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[28]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[4] | 20 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S4), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[29] | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,900 |
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive[30] | 20 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD[31] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 17.9% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2010 Subaru Forester with electric motor[32] | 170 to 224 hp |
How 2010 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 | 1 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 |
| 2007 | 74 | 1 |
| 2008 | 50 | 1 |
| 2009 | 178 | 17 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 |
| 2013 | 78 | 12 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 |
| 2015 | 615 | 3 |
| 2016 | 415 | 3 |
| 2017 | 592 | 1 |
| 2018 | 498 | 3 |
| 2019 | 834 | 3 |
| 2020 | 603 | 0 |
| 2021 | 210 | 0 |
| 2022 | 100 | 1 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 |
| 2024 | 31 | 2 |
| 2025 | 98 | 4 |
| 2026 | 29 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Forester show 262 complaints and 17 recalls for 2010[3]. Among the 29 model years listed, 21 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 7 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (29) and the most are for 2019 (834)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2010 Forester?
The biggest complaint groups for this Forester are seats, air bags, the engine and brakes[2][5][6][7]. These are unverified owner reports. The by-year fact shows 17 recalls for 2010, so check the Recalls section below for the full list[3]. If you are shopping for one, look closely at the driver's seat, ask about recall repairs, and check the brakes on a test drive.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Subaru Forester?
- Owners filed 262 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Seats lead with 76 complaints, then air bags with 42 and the engine with 40[2][5][6].
- Does the 2010 Subaru Forester have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact lists 17 recalls for 2010[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for each one.
- How many complaints are about the brakes?
- The brakes group has 37 complaints[7]. Owners describe a pedal that did not respond and ABS trouble on slick roads.
- What gas mileage does the 2010 Forester get?
- See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2010 Subaru Forester a good year to buy?
- See the by-year comparison on this page. Treat the complaint counts as a guide only.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
Compare all model years of the Subaru Forester
Other Subaru models from 2010
Similar cars from 2010: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 262 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Subaru Forester (21 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 76 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 42 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 40 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,339). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,215). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,733). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V838, filed November 10, 2022: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V008, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V007, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V009, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V013, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V012, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V738, filed October 13, 2016: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V358, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V830, filed December 31, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V311, filed June 10, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V602, filed December 26, 2012: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V099, filed March 13, 2012: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S4), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Subaru Forester with electric motor: rated 170 to 224 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov