2009 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2009 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2009 Subaru Forester has 15 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak) ($1,800-$3,500 repair), Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay Failure — Overheat / Fire Risk (Turbo XT, Recall WTM-73 / NHTSA 16V-738) ($0-$120 repair), Takata Front Passenger Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk (PSAN) — Safety Recall ($0-$0 repair), EJ255 Turbo Piston Ringland Cracking and Engine Failure (Forester XT) ($4,000-$8,000 repair) and Turbo Failure From Clogged Oil-Supply Banjo Bolt Filter (Forester XT, EJ255) ($1,500-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $8,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
SUSPENSION:REAR
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2009 Subaru Forester has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak), Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay Failure — Overheat / Fire Risk (Turbo XT, Recall WTM-73 / NHTSA 16V-738), Takata Front Passenger Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk (PSAN) — Safety Recall. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2009 Subaru Forester has 15 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak) and Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay Failure — Overheat / Fire Risk (Turbo XT, Recall WTM-73 / NHTSA 16V-738) and Takata Front Passenger Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk (PSAN) — Safety Recall and EJ255 Turbo Piston Ringland Cracking and Engine Failure (Forester XT) and Turbo Failure From Clogged Oil-Supply Banjo Bolt Filter (Forester XT, EJ255). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Subaru Forester issues range from $0 to $8,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, EJ25 Head Gasket Failure (External Leak), typically costs $1,800-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The EJ25 2.5L horizontally-opposed engine in 1998-2010 Foresters is notorious for external head gasket failure. Unlike typical blown head gaskets that cause overheating, the Subaru EJ25 gaskets fail externally, leaking coolant and oil down the sides of the engine. The failure is… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
On turbocharged Forester XT models, the relay controlling the secondary air injection (SAI) pump can fail in the closed position, leaving the air pump running continuously. Sustained operation overheats the pump, which can melt surrounding components and create a fire risk even w… Repairs typically run $0-$120. Severity: high.
Certain 2009-2013 Foresters are equipped with a Takata-sourced front passenger frontal airbag inflator using non-desiccated phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN). Over years of exposure to heat and humidity, moisture intrusion can degrade the propellant so the inflator over-pr… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The turbocharged EJ255 has thin, cast-piston ringlands that crack under detonation. The large bore, high cylinder temperatures and a flat oil pan that lets oil slosh away from the pickup under cornering make the engine vulnerable: a single knock event (low-octane fuel, poor tune,… Repairs typically run $4,000-$8,000. Severity: high.
The turbocharger oil-feed line on the EJ255 uses a banjo (union) bolt containing a fine mesh screen meant to keep debris out of the turbo. As the engine ages or oil-change intervals stretch, sludge and carbon clog the screen and starve the turbo of oil. The turbo bearing then ove… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,500. Severity: high.
Coil-on-plug ignition coils on the Forester are a common failure point. As the coil's internal epoxy/resin cracks with heat and age, the coil produces erratic or insufficient spark, causing single-cylinder misfires, rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, reduced fuel economy and… Repairs typically run $60-$350. Severity: medium.
The front CV (constant-velocity) axle boots on Foresters crack and tear with age and from suspension flex and road debris. Once the boot splits, grease slings out and dirt/water get in, so the now-dry CV joint wears and produces a clicking or popping that is loudest during tight,… Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
Foresters are prone to early front brake rotor distortion (thickness variation) that produces a pronounced pulsation/judder felt through the steering wheel and brake pedal when braking, often appearing at relatively low mileage. Owners across multiple generations report warped/ju… Repairs typically run $300-$700. Severity: medium.
The 2009-2010 SH Forester still used the belt-driven SOHC EJ253, one model generation before the chain-driven FB25 arrived for 2011. Owners of these EJ253 cars report climbing oil consumption at higher mileage, but the mechanism is different from the FB25 story: on the EJ253 it i… Repairs typically run $600-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The EJ-series front-mounted oil pump has a rotor cover (backing plate) held on by five small screws installed without thread locker at the factory. On high-mileage engines these screws routinely work loose. Pressurized oil then escapes past the rotor cover into the pump body behi… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
On automatic-transmission Foresters with the 4EAT gearbox, all-wheel drive is managed by an electronically controlled multi-plate transfer (MPT) clutch on the tail of the transmission, modulated by the 'Duty C' solenoid. When the solenoid sticks or the clutch pack glazes, the clu… Repairs typically run $250-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Forester wheel bearings (both front and rear hub assemblies) fail prematurely, often well before 100,000 miles. The most consistent symptom is a low-pitched grinding, humming or 'airplane' droning noise from the affected corner that grows louder with speed; rear bearing wear is o… Repairs typically run $250-$600. Severity: medium.
Foresters commonly throw front oxygen/air-fuel-ratio sensor heater-circuit codes (P0031 low, P0037 downstream) as the sensors age. The sensors live on the hot exhaust, so the wiring harness near them turns brittle and chafes, and the internal heater element degrades. The result i… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: low.
Foresters from 2009-2018 develop a persistent clunking or knocking noise from the rear suspension when going over bumps, rough roads, or speed bumps. The cause is worn rear lateral link bushings and rear stabilizer bar end links. The rubber bushings dry out and crack, allowing me… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: low.
The wiring that feeds the tailgate runs through a flexible rubber boot between the body and the gate on the passenger side. Every open and close flexes those conductors, and over years the copper work-hardens and fractures inside the insulation, so the wire looks intact from outs… Repairs typically run $50-$450. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
