NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
This page covers 14 recalls, 147 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Subaru Forester.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Excessive oil consumption is the dominant theme across 2011 Forester complaints, with owners widely reporting the need to add a quart or more of oil between fill-ups, often accompanied by a burnt oil smell. The engine category draws the most complaints overall, and beyond oil consumption, owners describe stalling or unexpected shutoffs when slowing down, with check engine lights that persist even after repairs like coil replacements. The airbag system generates the second-highest complaint volume, though the specific symptoms owners describe vary. Vehicle speed control complaints include reports of unintended acceleration, typically described as the car surging without driver input during low-speed maneuvering. A smaller number of reports describe smoke or fire originating from the engine compartment, though these appear less frequently than the oil consumption and stalling patterns.
147
Total Complaints
21
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 Subaru Forester has 14 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a serious risk of injury or death to occupants.
Because multiple recall filings cover this same airbag inflator defect across different model years and registration regions, this is treated as one underlying issue, but it accounts for the majority of open recalls on this vehicle. On the electrical side, turbocharged models have a relay that can fail and allow the secondary air injection pump to run continuously, overheat, and melt, raising the risk of a fire under the hood. There is also a concern with replacement ignition switches: a small internal spring can break and weaken the switch, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving and leaving the airbags less likely to deploy in a crash. The exterior puddle lights on some vehicles can allow moisture into the circuit board or connector, potentially causing a short.
On the restraint side, the front seatbelt force-limiter may not function correctly in a crash, reducing how well the belt holds an occupant. The rear center seatbelt's automatic locking retractor can also fail to lock properly, meaning a child safety seat installed there may not be held securely.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front seat belt assembly and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Puddle lights under the doors can develop electrical short circuits when road spray containing salt penetrates the light's circuit board or connector pins.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional fused harness to protect the puddle light circuit from moisture damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic locking retractor in the rear center seat belt doesn't lock properly, preventing secure installation of a child restraint in that seating position.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear center seat belt assembly with a modified automatic locking retractor at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.