CarRecallDB

2006 Subaru Forester recalls and problems

2 recalls and 88 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Subaru Forester.

2
recalls
88
owner complaints
12
complaints mentioning a crash
7
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2006 Subaru Forester recalls

Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm

NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · reported September 6, 2011 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 318,215 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
The risk
A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 07V043000 · reported February 12, 2007 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 7,004 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production. Pinching of the wiring harness between the floor crossmember and the seat mounting bracket could result in a short circuit.
The risk
The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
The fix
Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct location, and re-calibrate the occupant detection system as necessary. The recall began on march 9, 2007. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 27, 2023 · Steering · crash reported

Front drivers side control arm broke at bracket point and lost control of vehicle steering. And car was damaged hitting a post. Vehicle per recall for control arm had already been “fixed” contacted Subaru if control arms were replaced under recall or the “rust proofing” applied.

Nov 23, 2022 · Suspension · 189,000 miles

The contact owns a 2006 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, he discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The contact then took the vehicle a dealer where he was informed that the recall was serviced. Less than two months later, the…

Nov 22, 2022 · Suspension

Front control arm failed on car. Which snapped the front axle and sway bar link on right side. Found out it was a known issue that was taken care of by dealer. Waiting to see if they will cover repairs.

Oct 11, 2022 · Air bags

It just the airbags light turn on

Mar 8, 2022 · Steering

I was made a turn at roughly 15mph and the front passenger side control arm sheared in half causing me to lose control of the vehicle and then abruptly come to an immediate stop. My family was in the car and at a higher speed this could have been fatal. Had there been any vehicles behind me that could have caused an…

Forester model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2003 3189170
2004 2219134
2005 193151
2006 288127
2007 174131
2008 15053
2009 17178197

Across all years, the 2019 Forester has the most complaints (834). All Subaru Forester years →

Questions

Does the 2006 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2006 Subaru Forester, the most recent reported on September 6, 2011 (Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Subaru Forester?
Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is vehicle speed control (20 complaints), followed by suspension (12).
How many 2006 Subaru Forester complaints mention a crash or fire?
12 of 88 complaints report a crash and 7 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 27, 2023.