There are 2 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 2009 Subaru Foresterin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
RECALL FOR PUDDLE LIGHTS--SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IN 2017--I TOOK CAR TO RAPID CITY SD COURTESY SUBARU. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PUDDLE LIGHTS HAD BEEN REMOVED, AND THERE WEREN'T ANY PUT BACK IN, NOR DID THEY HAVE ANY AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THEY GOT THEM, BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM.
THE 2009 SUBARU FORESTER HAS THE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF CARGO INSIDE AND IF IT IS DARK YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING BUT THE REFLECTION OF WHAT IS IN THE CARGO AREA DUE TO THE BRAKE LIGHT BEING INSIDE RATHER THAN ON THE OUTSIDE LIKE OTHER MODELS I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, YOU MIGHT RUN OVER ANYTHING OR ANYBODY WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE OUT YOUR BACK WINDOW IN THE DARK. FORTUNATELY I JUST TOOK A MAILBOX DOWN, NOT A PERSON. NOW I HAVE DAMAGE TO MY NEW FORESTER AND DON'T WANT TO KEEP IT. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026