Photo: OSX / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2006 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability
An average Forester year.
88 owner complaints, most about vehicle speed control. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 Forester?The 2006 Subaru Forester has 88 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are vehicle speed control and suspension.
Safety record for the 2006 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Forester years only. How we score it
Is 2006 a good year for the Forester?
Across the 29 Forester model years we track, complaint volume runs from 50 (2008) to 833 (2019). With 88 complaints, the 2006 Forester sits below the model's median of 141.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2006 Forester
suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Campaign 11V464000SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 07V043000ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN PINCHED DURING PRODUCTION. PINCHING OF THE WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN THE FLOOR CROSSMEMBER AND THE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester. See the full Forester owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Forester listings typically run $15,000–$24,194.
Other Forester model years
Compare every Forester year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Forester against its rivals
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