Subaru’s 2011 Forester has 15 recalls, and nine are tied to the infamous industry-wide Takata Airbag recall. Other problems and complaints focus on brake line corrosion, electrical faults, excessive oil consumption, and unintended acceleration.
Key Points
- The 2011 Subaru Forester has a rather high 15 recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), covering six main issues: defective airbag inflators, brake line corrosion, faulty power relays, shorts in wiring, faulty rear seatbelt retractor, and a malfunctioning ignition switch that may allow the engine to shut off while the vehicle is in motion.
- Nine recalls dog the Forester for dangerous Takata front passenger airbag actuators. There was even a recall for the replacement actuator because of the same defective design.
- Consumers reported issues of excessive oil loss, which leads to engine failure if not caught in time.
- Other potential problems include unintended acceleration and possible corrosion in the brake lines both of which could lead to a crash.
2011 Forester’s Multiple Recalls for Malfunctioning Airbags were Reissued in Early-2020, Because the Replacement Part was of the Same Faulty Design
Of the 15 recalls on the 2011 Forester, nine are similar for dangerous frontal airbag actuators. These actuators, manufactured by Takata, were only installed in the front passenger side of Forester models and not in the driver’s airbag.
Under certain conditions, an incident triggering the use of the front passenger airbag could result in the actuator exploding and sending metal fragments throughout the cabin. Subaru recommends avoiding the use of the front passenger seat until proper repairs can be made as the airbag will not deploy if the vehicle does not sense a passenger in the seat.
Many customers have reported frustration over the repair process of their Forester airbag recall. The Takata recall impacted tens of millions of vehicles, making replacement parts hard to acquire and repair windows to be extended.
Making matters worse, in early 2020, Subaru issued recalls on previously repaired airbag actuators from prior recalls, because the replacement part was of the same faulty design. It is possible there are defective vehicles still in use by consumers.
Several Forester Complaints Site Unintended Acceleration as Reason for a Crash
The 2011 Subaru Forester has complaints from consumers citing unintended acceleration. Each reported incident to the NHTSA cited driving at low speeds when the vehicle began revving without their input. In some cases, the power of the engine was enough to overpower the brakes and led to the vehicle coming to a stop only after striking a stationary object.
There is no official diagnosis of this issue, nor any recall issued by the manufacturer. Two class-action lawsuits are currently filed for later model Subaru vehicles experiencing the same unintended acceleration episodes.
2011 Forester Experiences Excessive Oil Loss Leading to Potential Engine Failure
The number one complaint registered with the NHTSA is regarding a problem with excessive oil consumption. The engine under scrutiny is the 2.5L FB engine in model year 2011-2014 Foresters as well as some other Subaru models.
The unique design of the engines used in Subaru vehicles, known as a Boxer engine, has been known to have oil burning issues inherent to its design.
However, the Forester’s 2.5L is reportedly burning oil at alarming rates. While not addressed in an official recall from the manufacturer, Subaru has sent out technical service bulletins to its dealers on how to address excessive oil consumption in its vehicles, thus acknowledging an issue.
If not caught in time, an engine without the proper amount of oil as a lubricant can seize and cause enough damage to warrant an entire engine replacement.
In lieu of a formal recall, Subaru has extended the original new-car powertrain limited warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to eight years or 100,000 miles from the original warranty start date.
Brake Line Corrosion can Lead to Reduced Braking Power and Increase Stopping Distance
The NHTSA launched a safety recall in June 2014 after it was discovered that salt used to de-ice roads could lead to corrosion of the brake lines. Over time, salt and water coating the brake lines can lead to a gradual brake fluid leak, which can reduce braking power and increase the vehicle’s stopping distance. Ultimately, these issues could increase the risk of a crash.
Subaru also issued a recall in December 2014 for similar corrosion on the four-way connector of the brake line.
This issue primarily impacts vehicles in cold climates with salt as the main method of clearing ice from the roads in freezing temperatures leading the manufacturer to only issue recalls in northern states, however, Subaru will replace the parts of any vehicle regardless of geographical location.
2011 Subaru Forester is a Fan Favorite and Reliable SUV Despite a Couple of Serious Problems that are Being Addressed
Despite the many claims of excessive oil consumption and frustration over the double airbag recall in 2011 Subaru Forester models, owners of Subaru vehicles are extremely loyal and continue purchasing from the brand. With proper maintenance and a diligent eye for any potential oil leaks, you should be confident that the 2011 Subaru Forester is a quality, reliable, and rugged vehicle ready for any adventure.
Photos: Subaru
