Subaru Forester Won't Start? What Owners Report
159 of the 5,170 owner complaints NHTSA has for 2008–2024 Forester models describe a car that won’t start. Here is which years and systems show up most, what owners say, what to check first, and when a mobile mechanic can fix it where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
Turn on your hazard lights and get yourself out of traffic first. If the car is in a dangerous spot, call roadside assistance or 911 before anything else.
Which Forester years report it most
Reports peak with the 2015 model year (27). A year with more cars on the road usually has more reports, so use this to know what to ask, not to rank years.
What else these reports mention
Owners filing these complaints most often also named the electrical system and engine – usually where a mechanic starts looking.
| System named | Reports | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 104 | Often in the driveway |
| Engine | 50 | Diagnose first |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 | Usually a shop |
| Fuel system | 17 | Diagnose first |
| Brakes | 5 | Usually on the spot |
| Steering | 5 | Diagnose first |
What Forester owners describe
“Ignition doesn't recognize valet key, "security" light on dash comes on, key won't turn and car won't start.”
“*smd the consumer stated unless he drove the vehicle regularly, or started it and let the engine idle, the complex of electric circuits would run down the battery to a no start and shortly thereafter, all systems would be dead.”
“If it happens on an off ramp or at an intersection the engine will not start for up to 5 minutes creating a safety hazard.”
“I tried several times to restart the car and it wouldn't start.”
Related Subaru Forester recalls
7 of the 34 recalls for these years mention a related system or symptom. Check your VIN – if one is open, the fix is free at a dealer.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-11 | 23V755000 | 2022 | Transmission and drivetrain | An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-11 | 23V754000 | 2023–2024 | Transmission and drivetrain | A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. |
| 2021-07 | 21V587000 | 2018 | Fuel system | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2019-04 | 19V297000 | 2009–2013 | Electrical system | The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2018-07 | 18V455000 | 2018 | Tires | Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2016-03 | 16V162000 | 2015–2016 | Engine and cooling | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2012-03 | 12V099000 | 2009–2012 | Seat belts | An insecure installation of a child restraint can increase the risk of injury to a child during a crash. |
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What to check first
- Listen when you turn the key: clicking, silence, or cranking without firing each point somewhere different.
- Check whether the dashboard lights are bright, dim or dead – dim or dead points to the battery or its cables.
- Make sure the gear selector is fully in Park and, on push-button cars, try the backup start procedure in the owner's manual.
- Look for loose or corroded battery terminals, without touching them if the battery is cracked or smells of rotten eggs.
Full guide: Car won't start: what the sound tells you
Can a mobile mechanic fix it?
Usually yes. Batteries, cables, starters, alternators, fuses, relays and many sensors are driveway jobs, and a mobile mechanic can test the charging and starting system on the spot. A no-start caused by internal engine damage needs a shop.
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | $125–183 | $85–130 | Usually credited toward the repair |
| Battery replacement | $456–493 | $125–250 | Some mobile prices are install only |
| Starter | $565–796 | $200–440 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
| Alternator | $809–1,088 | $200–500 | Some mobile prices are labor only |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
Get a mechanic to look at your Forester
Tell us where the car is and what it is doing. We pass your request to one local mobile mechanic at a time – never to call centers or marketers. No cost to you.
Subaru Forester won't start: questions
Why won't my Subaru Forester start?
In 159 owner complaints to NHTSA that describe it, the systems named most often are the electrical system, engine, transmission and drivetrain. Only a mechanic who tests your car can say which applies to yours.
Is there a Subaru Forester recall for this problem?
7 recalls for these model years mention a related system. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls – open recall repairs are free at a dealer.
Can a mobile mechanic fix it?
Usually yes. Batteries, cables, starters, alternators, fuses, relays and many sensors are driveway jobs, and a mobile mechanic can test the charging and starting system on the spot. A no-start caused by internal engine damage needs a shop.
How much does it cost to fix?
It depends on the cause. diagnostic runs $85–130; battery replacement runs $125–250; starter runs $200–440; alternator runs $200–500, based on prices that mechanics we list publish on their own websites (October 2026). Ask for the price in writing first.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Subaru Forester model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.