Most common 2008 Subaru Forester problems
Share of the 50 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Forester complaints by model year
Best Forester years: 2013, 2024. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2018. Compare all years →
2008 Subaru Forester recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2000 through November 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont,…
Remedy: Subaru will handle their vehicles and Saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Subaru Forester:
Front suspension control arm failure
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of…
What 2008 Subaru Forester owners say
Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clanking noise coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the steering wheel became loose without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection, the front lower control arm had severed due to severe corrosion. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they inspected the vehicle and confirmed the front control arm failure. The dealer informed him that the recall was already serviced on the vehicle prior and provided him with an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided him with the same information as the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. …
The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clanking and knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who discovered severe subframe rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while backing out of the driveway, the front driver's side control arm was fractured, rendering the vehicle undrivable. The contact stated that the failure was caused by corrosion of the front lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension); to prevent the failure from occurring; however, the vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. …
Engine & cooling
My car as been seen by Subaru dealership since the day I bought it in 2012. I paid for 5 years. After I finished paying in July, I just discovered that is an oil leak , all my engine from front to back is dirty with oil, a second opinion mechanic stated that he does not know how I am using this car for years like that. But the car just had last year a head gasket changed "by charity" , offer of Subaru factory to me and the dealership in moline, il did the change. How after pulling down the engine they never noticed the oil leak and smoking. I once was there with my son, changed oil, smoke came up, drove back to them and they told me that was an oil spill probably. I paid 283 dollars for 5 years for a 2008 Subaru from the dealership glazman, pa with 60,000 miles, I had to many expenses that I can't imagine a car made like that to be sold. …
My engine started failing. The compression started rapidly declining these last few weeks. My engine was sluggish and jerky. I previously had the car serviced with a new alternator and had my emissions testing done for my registration. The next day the engine light came on to alert for the problem. I brought it back in and after some testing was told it was the compression to the engine that was not working properly. It is in the shop now. After further testing decompression was even worse than previously diagnosed at other mechanic and the engine was declared to be failing. I am having to get a complete engine remake. $8,000.
Speed control & acceleration
I own a 2008 Subaru Forester 2.5x, VIN. [redacted], which was purchased new at brown's Subaru, 960 hilton heights road, charlottesville, va. All factory recommended maintenance schedules were meticulously upheld. Vehicle malfunctions experienced during accident: 1. Rapid RPM surge without operator activation from idle to approximately 5,000+ rpms 2. Rapid uncontrollable vehicle acceleration, plowing the vehicle through multiple load-bearing structures 3. Failure of deployment of driver and passenger airbags after multiple heavy impacts, last of which an extremely hard impact which completely stopped and disabled vehicle, resulting in injuries to the driver and passenger. Accident description: I had a major malfunction of my Subaru Forester, which resulted in a very severe and potentially lethal car accident. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Subaru Forester. While backing into a driveway at 5 MPH in reverse the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven. No one was injured and the police were not notified. There was damage to the rear bumper. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, after a diagnostic test they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. A claim was filed with the Subaru manufacturer who stated that they would send a field agent to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 13,838. Updated 2/17/10 updated 02/22/10.
2008 Subaru Forester engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Subaru Forester a good car?
Based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Forester rates better than average: 71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Forester at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Subaru Forester?
The suspension — 11 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (9) and speed control & acceleration (6).
How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Forester have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Subaru Forester, the most recent from September 6, 2011 (lower arm). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Forester?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2018. See the full Subaru Forester years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru Forester problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.