Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Five years ago my "check engine" light came on and the cruise control light came on and it would not work. I took it to Suberu in Fort Worth and they couldn't find the problem bu tsaid my gas cap was not sealing. God new one but didn't help. This year when I went to get it checked for regisration they woudn't pass it. Took it to mechanic who installeda new Evaprotive Vapor Canister for $920. That didn't work but wouldn't try again. Later another mecanic said the problem was "Not enough driving". (less that 100 miles a month. I have been driving the car with the check engine on an no cruise control for 6-7 years with no trouble, so it is a fault of the car's systems. I can't get it registered because of this problem. I can disconnedt the negative battery post briefly and the light goes off for a day or two. So what can you do for me? I love the car but hate the problem. …
Sitting in the car, engine running; had pulled over for a couple minutes to let passenger out. Noticed smoke started to seep out from engine. Checked temp gauge and saw it was cool. Turned off engine and moved away from the car immediately. After a minute or two, saw flames coming out from engine compartment. Called the fire department, they arrived within a few minutes and extinguished the engine fire. Engine, front tires, everything in engine area completely destroyed by the fire. Prior to this, no problems, no engine light lit, no unusual sounds or handling or smells, nothing to indicate anything was wrong.
Vehicle has 44,000 miles on May 20th while in traffic, car suddenly surged forward striking vehicle in front, car then bounced off and hit the other vehicle again. On May 25th while driving to work the car suddenly accelerated; I had to hit the guardrail to get it to stop. Both times the brake pedal went to the floor. Both times the Subaru service could find no cause. Neither did a rep from the manufacturer.
On July 30, 2017, while driving on a southeastern michigan freeway (m-14), our 2006 Subaru Forester's engine suddenly and without warning caught fire. Emergency personnel responded and vehicle is a total loss. Even older vehicles should not spontaneously catch fire without a reason. This was a very traumatic event for occupants of vehicle and one had to take anti-anxiety medication. Updated 10/23/2017
The bus had just dropped off my son. I turned on the car and proceeded to roll down the hill to the corner where I was going to make a right turn. (about 4 car lengths from my original parked spot) all of a sudden the car was not responding to my foot or stealing commands. I rolled onto the front lawn of the corner property. As soon as we cam to a stop I shut the engine and put the car in park. I opened the door, took a look at the car and then tried to start the car again. I started the car and it was making like a reving noise. I when to put the car in reverse to back off the lawn (all the while my foot is on the brake.) and all of a sudden the car lurch backwards with such force and speed. I was almost standing in place with the force I was trying to brake. …
Upon start up in cold weather there is a very strong smell of fuel inside the cabin of the car. It made myself and my daughter feel very ill. Had to exit my 2006 Subaru Forester xt. Inspected engine under the hood to find leaking fuel lines. Googled the problem to discover it is reacurrent with this make/model/year as evident by similar complaints in Subaru forums, google search, and fb pages. This is a danger to health and safety and should be recalled. Vehicle is under 100,000 miles. Leaking fuel drips directly onto the engine cylinder and close proximity to the turbocharger on the passenger side. There is significant risk of engine fire! Health and safety risk also from the fuel fumes in the engine cabin. Subaru dealership quoted $1,300. To fix.
Purchased in ak in 2006. Approximately 13,000 miles on engine. Paperwork listed entry-point: hawaii. Current 2016 mileage: less than 60,000. Well-maintained vehicle. --- in cold weather, despite being garaged, intermittent strong smell of fuel in garage and upon start-up. Sometimes the odor is present before startup. Other times odor not present until engine starts. Goes away when engine warms. Used to be in only very cold weather, then in 2015 it happened in cold but not as cold weather. Recently, in 2016, it happened in garage in warm weather state, so cold weather no longer necessary variable. Again, it is intermittent. This issue first became noticeable in winter of 2014.
Purchased in ak in 2006. Approximately 13,000 miles on engine. Paperwork listed entry-point: hawaii. Current 2016 mileage: less than 60,000. Well-maintained vehicle.----- upon acceleration, the engine sometimes lurches and revs too high too fast, and then settles into how it is supposed to feel and sound. Other times, it suddenly loses power instead, lurching down like we've taken our foot off the gas (but we haven't because we are on a highway or freeway!), very briefly and then recovers.one time, just a few weeks ago, it felt like I'd lost all power and the car was going to stop in the middle of the busy highway, but it immediately recovered and then felt normal.
When the temp gets into the teens or lower gas leaks in and around the engine. This is dangerous!! I have found fuel near area that get very hot, and I am worried about my family starting on fire. Soa recalled a few years to repair this issue, but not all that are affected.
Fire started under the hood while vehicle was stopped at a traffic light. The insurance inspector stated that the fire started in the radiator fan. Vehicle was declared a total loss by the insurance company.
Engine complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Subaru Forester, 25% of the model year's 88 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Subaru Forester engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Subaru Forester, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Subaru Forester engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.