2009 Subaru Forester Electrical System Problems
NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How electrical system ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 178 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2009 Subaru Forester overview page.
What owners report
“MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING HER 2009 SUBARU FORESTER ON A DAY WITH LIGHT RAIN. SHE STOPPED FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE GOT BACK…”NHTSA complaint 10947387 — filed 01/24/2017
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE…”NHTSA complaint 10865598 — filed 05/18/2016
“ON 12/19/2015 AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RADIO, CIGAR LIGHTER, TEMPERATURE/TIME, AND ELECTRONIC MIRROR CONTROL WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON A SECONDARY…”NHTSA complaint 10811257 — filed 12/19/2015
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical System complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Subaru Forester have electrical system problems?
Electrical System is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2009 Subaru Forester: 22 of 178 complaints on file (12.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2009 Subaru Forester have in total?
178 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 19 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
