Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Subaru Forester owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The past month or so I noticed that the driver side seat heater didn't seem to feel right on my butt. The seat seemed to almost burn me in one spot. I thought it was odd, but didn't look into it further. Just this past week I noticed that only the back heater was working. While cleaning the car out today I noticed a very small burn hole in the cloth seat. I decided to remove the seat and investigate the issue since the vehicle is no longer under warranty. During my investigation I noticed that it was definitely a burn mark and there was melted/black areas under the cloth. I did not dig too deep into the seat since I didn't want to have an issue putting it all back together. I have two pictures. One of the hole and one under the cloth. I did the best I could photographing under the cloth. I removed the power to the seat heater.
While vehicle was parked outside, noticed side lights were on, car was not on. After entering the vehicle noticed a smell of burned plastic. Tried multiple ways to shut off the side lights, couldn't do it. Finally traced the smell of the burning plastic to the rear of the vehicle, by the lift gate, by the spare tire. The electrical cable that connects the vehicle to the trailer hitch wiring harness was burning and smoking. Disconnected it and the power failure stopped, by then the wiring harness had melted and wires burnt. Took photos of the wiring to show it, problem seems to be with the condensation in the area and moisture caused a short in the harness. Without intervening car could have caught fire and burnt down.
3 instrument lights turn on simultaneously while driving at highway speed: ABS, hill assist, vehicle dynamic control and remain lit until car is turned off. The 3 indicator lights turn on together intermittently during subsequent driving. Subaru brake light switch malfunction shows up on diagnostic check. Replaced brake light switch twice with Subaru brand part. Additionally, brake light switch adjusted twice subsequently by dealer repair shop. Dealer repair shop reported first Subaru brake light switch malfunctioned. They advised second brake light switch did not stay in proper place and are not certain why. Issue present over approximately past 6 months.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. While driving 25 MPH, the air bag light illuminated occasionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side seat bottom had a short in the ods. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.....updated 07/05/16 the consumer also stated the lights on the instrument panel lit up and the vehicle would stall when coming to a stop. The dealer worked on the battery terminals. However, the problem happened again, twice. Updated 07/14/16.
Three separate times my wiper blades would not work, which is dangerous during a downpour. I've brought the 2009 Forester in for repair and the mechanic could not find the issue as it was working when I brought it in. Also the radio did not work during these times. I thought it might be a fuse, but that is not the cause. This is an intermittent problem. Now I turn the vehicle off, and restart it and it will seem to resolve, for long periods of time, so you think the problem resolved, but 6 months later it happens again...these three time the vehicle was in traffic driving, and it was raining.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that various electrical systems, such as some warning indicators, wipers, and the defroster, ceased to function. The failures occurred without warning and would correct themselves once the vehicle was manually restarted. The failures occurred on five occasions. Autonation Subaru in spokane valley, wa could not replicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
My wife had been driving her 2009 Subaru Forester on a day with light rain. She stopped for a while, and when she got back in the car and started it up again, her windshield wipers and dashboard lights would not work. She drove it for a while, and stopped to have someone check it. After restarting the vehicle, the windshield wipers and dashboard lights were working again. This could be a dangerous situation, especially for someone having to drive on a rainy night.
The function of the radio and windshield wipers is intermittent. Upon start these devices do not appear to have electrical power and do not function. I suspect there are other items that do not work either, but I have not confirmed them. They both function properly when the engine is restarted. This has happened on 2 occasions over a 1 week period. This is a safety issue since in a rainstorm, the visibility would be nil. Otherwise the vehicle functions normally.
My 2009 Subaru Forester has been nothing but problems. In the past month I've put $3,000 in parts and maintenance. Radiator blew, coolant sensor, whole new exhaust, all new hub barings, 2 new catalytic converters and my main problem is not fixed!!! The car idles at the stop light and during the acceleration it stalls! I took it to 4 dealers and they tell me my gas is to rich???? What is that???? I'm upset with this car and it sucks. I've had this car not even a year.
2009 Subaru Forester. Consumer states vehicle was remote started an within seconds, the wire harness burnt, melting some plastic parts the consumer was able to turn off the vehicle. However, it wouldn't start again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and upon inspection, it was determined that the electrical wire harness going to the seat belts, air bags and other components had burned out. According to the dealer the vehicle caught fire.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019.
Electrical system
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.
Electrical complaints in other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Subaru Forester, 12% of the model year's 178 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2009 Subaru Forester electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-297 (switch, Apr 11, 2019); NHTSA recall 16V-738 (electrical system, Oct 13, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Forester electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.