2011 Subaru Forester engine problems
67 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2011 Subaru Forester, which is 34% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 67 34% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 66,000 miles 52 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 11 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 12 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 8 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 52 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 66,000 miles, and 37% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 6 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, and the vehicle began to fill with smoke, prompting her to immediately stop and exit the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact observed that the vehicle had become engulfed in flames, and local emergency services were called. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated.
When the check engine light (cel) is activated by an emission control failure subaru has programmed a shut down of the anti-lock brake system (as well as shut down of cruise control). This ABS shut down could occur for a simple loose gas cap which is common cause of cel failure. The section 3-16 on cel warning light/malfunction indicator does not inform the owner that a cel event will be accompanied by the disabling of the ABS.