The 2010 Subaru Forester when the Subaru was in reverse while being parked it accelerated (lunged) forward at a high speed and I DID NOT put the gear shift in forward! The 2010 Subaru Forester crashed into the back of a neighbor's Honda. My personal safety was put at risk due to without me doing so, the Subaru accelerated forward causing damage to both the Subaru and my neighbor's Honda. Had this happened if someone was walking by and there was not a car to block the Subaru, they would have likely been killed. Once the Subaru stopped, the gear shift was in park and I did not move it there. Then it was very challenging to put the gear shift in reverse to back the Subaru off the Honda. There are online AI generated reports of this happening to Subaru Foresters. The Subaru is now at a body shop for inspection. There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11730913 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

On 5/24/2023 while driving with a front passenger, the passenger seat belt warning light, chime and airbag warning came on for no reason. Stopped the car at a red traffic light and turned ignition off and then on to hopefully clear the warning. There was no power to any system. The ignition switch did not work and I could not get the transmission out of park to push the car off the road. Could not activated anything on the dash including the hazard warning. Being in a single lane road, traffic was traveling around us on both sides. We could have been rear ended. I opened the driver's door and all power to the dash came back. It took 4 attempts to start before the engine started. All settings and radio had to be reprogrammed. Stopped at the dealer and they ask if this was the first occurence. (It was) They said if it happened again to bring the car in. The car has been normal since.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11523919 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the rear brakes were replaced by an independent mechanic. After 6 months, the contact noticed that the brakes needed to be replaced again. The mechanic stated that the automatic braking system was not releasing the brakes as needed, and the braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed; however, the rear brakes were replaced again however, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer suggested that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11469569 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. AFTER REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO TRAVEL DOWN A HILL AT 5-10 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT STIFF AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASH INTO A CURB AND TURNED COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED BACKWARDS AT A STEEP INCLINE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL AWAY. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE REAR END CRASHED INTO A TREE. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 31-19-031911 WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK, A BRUISED ARM, AND A FRACTURED NOSE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD UNTIL A POLICE REPORT WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11256651 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

My 2010 Subaru Forester's driver seat does not raise up on with the power buttons. I can hear the motor but the front of the seat will not move. Last week, the right side was not moving and now both sides are not. I can physically move the front half of the seat up and down. I can see that the welds on the front arms are off of the frame of the seat rails. If I was in a collision, the whole seat might come off if it is not secured and my safety would be compromised. I called Subaru of America and received a case number. I also plan on taking the car into dealer for an inspection. No warning lights appeared. When I move the seats with the buttons, I sometimes hear a grinding noise. This collapsing seat issue with 2010 Foresters has been found on internet sites. The car was not involved in an accident and I am the primary driver and weigh under 160 lbs.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11519886 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

In brief: I purchased a used 2010 Subaru Forester in Nov. 2022. Because the vehicle gave me many problems, I decided to purchase another vehicle. In June 2025 I went to Fred Beans in Mechanicsburg, PA. They ran a Car Fax on my 2010 Subaru & found, among other things, the odometer of my 2010 Subaru had potentially been rolled back (mileage going from approx. 171,000 to 91,000) prior to my purchase. I filed a report July 03, 2025 with the PSP in Carlisle, PA: Trooper Stevens, badge 12980, Case [XXX]. I am filing this complaint with NHTSA as part of the initial report. Please refer to the PSP Case [XXX] for more details & information regarding the ongoing investigation (which includes NJ). The exact date of the rollback/tampering is unknown to me. Documented Titles or Certificate of Ownership Previously Issued To: [XXX] [XXX] DND Group Sales (NJ) Harrisburg Auction (?) Alpine Auto Sales INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11673326 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov