2009 Subaru Forester electrical system problems
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2009 Subaru Forester — 12% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The engine turns off unexpectedly while my car was in motion. I started my car and then it shut off after a few minutes in the middle of the road on my residential street. I believe my car is affected by recall nhtsa campaign id: 19v297000.”
filed Jul 23, 2020
“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…”
filed Jul 22, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switchCampaign 19V297000 · Apr 11, 2019
- Relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to…Campaign 16V738000 · Oct 13, 2016
Related service bulletins
This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
10-105-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 26, 2026This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
15-219-18R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 16, 2026
Electrical System problems in other Forester years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 8 | 9% |
| 2024 Forester | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 Forester | 7 | 10% |
| 2022 Forester | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 Forester | 33 | 16% |
| 2020 Forester | 99 | 17% |
| 2019 Forester | 134 | 16% |
| 2018 Forester | 69 | 14% |
| 2017 Forester | 105 | 18% |
| 2016 Forester | 93 | 23% |
| 2015 Forester | 82 | 13% |
| 2014 Forester | 42 | 10% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2009 Subaru Forester
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.