2007 Subaru Forester Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Subaru Forester has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front lower control arm fracture from corrosion.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Subaru Forester.

Reported to NHTSA

Front lower control arm fracture from corrosion

SUSPENSION

10 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2024-06

“I was driving my car in Upstate NY toward a border crossing wicket and the vehicle began to vibrate violently. I thought that it was a blown tire. I stopped to check and the tires looked fine. I continued for a few yards and it began again. I pulled over and called a tow truck”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11567232
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED DUE TO RUST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11328152
“I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM NJ, AND RECENTLY RELOCATED TO WA. APPROX. 126K MILES, THE LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH, DROPPING THE CAR ONTO THE WHEEL, AND PULLING THE DRIVEAXLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11092313

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Head gasket leak with coolant loss

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2021-06

“BLOWN HEAD GASKET. 2007 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5XT. 54K MILES. PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF VIOLENTLY AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. SUDDENLY ENGINE TEMP-GAUGE FLUCTUATES AND STARTS TO RISE. PULL OVER, COOLANT IS FORCEFULLY EXITING OVERFLOW TANK. SHUT CAR DOWN, TEMP GAUGE DROPS QUICKLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10929415
“BOTH CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS LEAK OIL AND COOLANT. ALL HOSES ARE BRITTLE. THE DEALER ESTIMATES $3000 DOLLARS FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS 60000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS OFFERED $500 ASSISTANCE WHICH IS TOO LOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10584657
“Head gasket , radiator failed suddenly while going 65 on hwy (115K) . Had new radiator, heads resurfaced/HG replaced, etc. Now less than 15K later (128K) head gasket leaking again”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11419793

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cracked fuel cut valve with fuel odor

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2010-01 → 2014-01

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. FUEL CUT VALVES (MADE OF PLASTIC), ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, WERE BOTH CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. HAD BOTH VALVES REPLACED. COST OVER $900 BECAUSE REAR END MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DROP FUEL TANK. SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10436462
“TOOK CAR IN FOR ROUTINE RECALL ITEMS (CAMPAIGN WVU-31 AND CAMPAIGN WVL-22). DURING ONE WAY FUEL VALVE REMOVAL, STRONG SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTED COMING FROM GAS TANK AREA. EVAPORATIVE LEAK WAS NOTED DUE TO CRACKED FUEL CUT VALVES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10478232
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. SHE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE IN JULY 2007 . SHE SMELLED GASOLINE FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10301935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission hesitation and harsh shifting

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-09 → 2019-02

“MY VEHICLE REGULARLY SHIFTS IN A VERY IMPRECISE WAY, AT THE WRONG TIMES, IN PARTICULAR AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE IS ALSO UNUSUAL DELAYS IN SHIFTING DOWN WHEN QUICK POWER IS APPLIED, SOMETIMES RESULTING IN DELAYS IN EMERGENCY OR QUICKLY NEEDED MANEUVERS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10705935
“IN 2007 I BOUGHT A NEW SUBARU FORESTER. THE TRANSMISSION JUMPS & SNAPS WHILE CHANGING GEARS. SOMETIMES THE WHOLE CAR IS JOLTED BY THE TRANSMISSION SNAPPING INTO GEAR. THIS PROBLEM JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, BUT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING & CHANGING SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10317114
“THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND "BUCKS" AT LOW SPEEDS, TURNING CORNERS, ACCELERATING/DECELERATING, CHANGING LANES, GOING UP A GRADE OR HILL AND DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10480933

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Catalytic converter and secondary air system damage

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2012-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10441435
“2007 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS A RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA INC. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS A PART OF THE EMISSION CONTROL VALVE RECALL WHICH COULD LEAD TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10331741
“SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND VALVE FAILURE. SUBARU ADMITS THESE ARE NOT PART OF POWER TRAIN, BUT DENIES THESE ARE COVERED BY EMISSIONS SYSTEM WARRANTY THOUGH PURPOSE OF PUMP AND VALVES IS TO INCREASE AIRFLOW AND THEREBY DILUTE EMISSIONS AT TAILPIPE. TOTAL REPAIRS APPROX. $2000. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10363759

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire traction loss on original equipment tires

TIRES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2009-02

“THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED TIRES THAT WEAR AT AN EXCESSIVELY RAPID PACE, RESULTING IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSING TRACTION WHILE DRIVING OVER SAND/GRIT USED FOR TREATING THE ROAD DURING SNOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10213023
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AND WAS REPLACED WITH A YOKOHAMA DONUT SPARE TIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE BEGAN TO LOSE TRACTION WITH THE ROAD SURFACE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID SIDEWAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259764
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. THE VEHICLE HAS YOKOHAMA GEOLANDAR, SIZE P215 55R17 TIRES. WHEN ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY FROM A STOP, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10210684

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration ending in a crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

6 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2025-03

“The contact's friend owned a 2007 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while reversing in the driveway, the vehicle suddenly violently accelerated and crashed into the retaining wall and unit across the street”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11646526
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUBARU FORESTER. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839173
“I PULLED INTO MY SISTER'S DRIVEWAY. DRIVEWAY IS SHORT; LESS THAN 2 CAR LENGTHS. THE FRONT OF HER HOUSE IS ABOUT 6 FEET OR LESS AHEAD OF END OF DRIVEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10562063

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

39 crashes 1990–2024

How the 39 occupant deaths break down

31

driver deaths

8

passenger deaths

39

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Subaru Forester reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.