2006 Subaru Forester — Known Issues & Recalls

Your front driver's side control arm broke at the bracket, causing you to lose steering control and hit a post. The vehicle was already supposed to have been repaired under a recall for this control arm issue, but it failed anyway. You need to contact Subaru to confirm whether the control arm was actually replaced during the recall service or if only rust treatment was applied.

While turning at about 15 mph, your front passenger side control arm broke completely in half, causing you to lose control of the vehicle and come to an abrupt stop. The failure happened without warning, and at higher speeds could have resulted in a head-on collision or accident with another vehicle. This appears to be a known issue with this year, make, and model that the manufacturer hasn't properly addressed. Repair will likely require replacing the damaged control arm and possibly having the suspension system inspected for related damage.

While driving on the highway, you hit a pothole and your lower control arm broke due to rust — a known issue with this model year. You felt the problem immediately through the steering wheel as the wheel alignment became misaligned. Even though Subaru's recall (WVX-34) was supposed to address this safety issue and was completed on your vehicle in January 2012, the rust-proofing treatment didn't prevent the failure from happening again.

Your Forester had a suspension recall performed at a dealer, but less than two months later, your steering wheel started shaking violently while driving at 60 mph and you nearly lost control of the vehicle. When you inspected it, you found the front driver's side lower control arm was cracked. The dealer apparently never actually performed the recall work, so you bought the part and replaced it yourself.

Your passenger side control arm snapped in half while you were driving, causing you to lose control of your vehicle. You discovered both control arms were severely rusted, even though they were treated with rust-proof spray during a recall service in 2012 instead of being replaced. Subaru refused to replace these recalled parts because they had been sprayed, but the spray didn't prevent the accelerated rusting and failure. The fix will require replacing both control arms with new parts.

Your lower control arm has rusted again, even though it was previously repaired under a manufacturer recall. The dealership told you that because the recall work was already done, any further repairs would be at your own expense. This is a suspension component that affects your car's handling and safety.

Your control arm has rusted completely through and needs to be fully replaced. This is urgent because the wheel and steering mechanism could potentially fail or separate while driving, creating a serious safety hazard.

After bringing your Forester to the dealer for a recall service, you noticed the power steering stopped working when you picked up the car. Your steering wheel became very hard to turn in either direction, and a warning light appeared on your dashboard. You were able to get the vehicle repaired, and Subaru offered to cover the cost of the fix.

Your steering wheel vibrates severely whenever you drive at 80 mph on the freeway. This vibration makes the steering difficult to control at highway speeds. The issue likely involves wheel balance, tire condition, or suspension alignment and will need professional inspection and correction.

While driving at 50 mph, your car suddenly accelerated on its own even though your foot was completely off the gas pedal—the pedal had become stuck. You managed to bring the car to a stop, but not before it reached 75 mph in a 50 mph zone. This is a serious safety issue where your vehicle no longer responds to normal braking inputs the way it should.

Your rear driver's side wheel came off while driving on a steep mountain road in California, forcing you to pull over on a dangerous embankment. You suspect the wheel wasn't properly tightened during a safety inspection at a Subaru dealer in Montana, and your spare tire was also flat despite being checked. The incident caused damage to the wheel well area and broke your muffler, which the local Subaru dealer has refused to repair.

Your car's forward collision avoidance system experienced an electrical failure that resulted in a crash and fire. The electrical system malfunction in this safety component created a dangerous situation.

Your car accelerated on its own even though you weren't pressing the gas pedal, forcing you to brake hard to regain control. Shifting into neutral didn't stop the engine from revving. You discovered the problem was caused by the rubber floor mat interfering with the gas pedal, and removing it solved the issue. The fix involves replacing or repositioning the floor mat to ensure it doesn't obstruct the gas pedal.

While your car was parked with the engine running, smoke began coming from the engine compartment even though the temperature gauge showed normal. Within a minute or two, flames erupted from under the hood, completely destroying the engine and front tires before the fire department extinguished it. There were no warning signs beforehand—no check engine light, unusual sounds, or smells. The fire department will need to investigate the cause, which could involve a fuel leak, electrical short, or oil leak that ignited.

Your front control arm broke, which caused your front axle and sway bar link on the right side to snap as well. This was a known issue that your dealer has apparently addressed before on other vehicles. You're waiting to find out if the dealer will cover the cost of repairs.

Your airbag warning light has turned on. This indicates a potential problem with your airbag system that needs to be diagnosed by a mechanic. The airbag system should be inspected and any fault codes read to identify the specific issue.

Your check engine light and cruise control have been off for 5-7 years without a clear cause. You've replaced the gas cap and had a mechanic install a new evaporative vapor canister for $920, but neither fixed the problem—your car won't pass emissions inspection for registration. Disconnecting the battery briefly makes the light turn off temporarily, but it returns within a day or two.

Both front tires on your new Cooper Evolution Tour tires went flat within the first 100 miles. The first tire had no visible puncture but appeared to have a small tear between the treads and lost pressure after sitting for a few hours. The second front tire developed a visible bulge and deflated overnight. The fix will likely involve having both tires inspected by a tire professional and replaced under warranty if manufacturing defects are found.

When you start your car in cold weather, your cabin fills with a strong gasoline smell that lasts 10-15 minutes until the engine warms up. The issue appears to be caused by fuel lines and gaskets shrinking in cold temperatures, allowing gas fumes to leak into the cabin as the rubber components contract. Once the engine heats up and the rubber expands again, the smell goes away. A mechanic may need to inspect your fuel system lines and gaskets for leaks or wear.

Your 2006 Subaru Forester's daytime running lights are always on and cannot be turned off. The consumer believes running headlights should be a required safety feature on all vehicles.