The Subaru Forester is known to be mostly reliable, but there are several serious problems that drivers have reported about the 2010 model year. From failing head gaskets and rusty brake lines, a 2010 Forester could come with some expensive repair bills that may lead some buyers to seek other options.
Key Points
- The 2010 Subaru Forester has been recalled 16 times, including 10 times for airbag-related problems.
- The Forester is known to develop corrosion on the brake lines and connections, which may cause fluid leaks, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Failing head gaskets are common on the 2.5L found in the Forester, and can cost upwards of $2,000 to fix.
- The front oxygen sensor in the Forester is known to fail, which will illuminate the service engine light, and likely cause the vehicle to run rough.
- A catalytic converter on the Forester is known to fail, and due to the nature of the part, replacement is expensive.
- As many Foresters on the used market will be climbing in mileage, some buyers may want to seek out other options, as the long-term repairs can be costly.
2010 Subaru Forester Has Been Recalled 16 Times for Problems Ranging From Malfunctioning Airbags to Rusty Brake Lines
The 2010 Subaru Forester has been recalled an astounding 16 times, primarily for airbag inflators that may explode and cause sharp metal fragments to strike passengers.
Further recalls for the 2010 Forester have been issued regarding brake lines that may fail due to corrosion. Should the brake lines fail, the distance required to stop increases, potentially resulting in an accident.
Additionally, the 2010 Forrester was recalled for a power relay that could fail and cause an air injection pump to fail. If this pump should fail, there is an increased chance of a fire igniting.
While each of these problems can be addressed by a Subaru dealership and covered under the recall, the Forester has several other expensive flaws not covered by a recall.
Subaru’s Infamous Head Gasket Issue is No Exception on the 2010 Forester
The 2010 Forester, like many Subarus, is infamous for its head gasket problems. The 2.5L four-cylinder engine, like the one found in the Forester, is particularly susceptible to these issues.
The most common consensus is that the problem originated from the head gasket material, and although Subaru was aware of the issue, the head gasket material was not changed until 2014.
However, if it’s not addressed and caught early, a blown head gasket can quickly ruin an engine, and repair costs would be considerably higher.
According to Repair Pal, the average cost for head gasket replacement on the Forester is between $1,808 and $2,098.
Bad Catalytic Converters and Cracked Oxygen Sensors Add to 2010 Subaru Foresters’ Problems
The 2010 Subaru Forester is also known to have a failure-prone catalytic converter. According to this Subaru Forester forum thread, the problem was known to occur on vehicles less than a year old.
According to NAPA, the most common symptoms of a worn-out catalytic converter are:
- loss of power
- poor fuel efficiency
- hearing a rattling from inside the converter
Because the problem was not addressed in a recall and the vehicle is outside of the warranty, owners have to foot any repair bills. And because catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, the replacement cost one can run anywhere from $300 to $2,500.
An Oxygen Sensor Prone to Easily Cracking Can Lead to a Drop in Fuel Economy and Engine Performance
Unfortunately, the problems continue, as the front oxygen sensor in the Forster is known to easily develop cracks and fail.
When the O2 sensor goes bad, the service engine light should come on.
However, similar to a bad catalytic converter, drivers may also see a decline in fuel economy as well as notice that the engine is running rough.
Fortunately, a replacement oxygen sensor is a relatively inexpensive repair in comparison to the Foresters’ other issues. Repair Pal shows the average replacement cost to be around $350.
If You’re Going to Buy a 2010 Forester, Look for a Low-mileage Example, Otherwise Seek Out Alternatives
Though the Subaru Forester is known to be mostly reliable overall, a high-mileage Forester is more likely to encounter some expensive problems in the future.
If you’re considering buying a 2010 Forester, look for a low-mileage, well-maintained example.
Otherwise, you may be better off looking for a similarly priced compact SUV such as the Ford Escape.
Photos: Subaru
