DecodedCars2008 Subaru Forester
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD 2.5 Xt, 4dr SUV AWD 2.5x/Ann. Edition/2.5 Sx
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 176.8 in
- Curb weight
- 3,142–3,318 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 26% better than the average 2008 SUV - (17.4 MPG).
- Few owner complaints29 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 98 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Subaru Forester is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 99-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,318 lb (4dr SUV AWD 2.5 Xt).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 26% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 17.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Forester — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Forester →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD 2.5 Xt | 176.8 in | 68.5 in | 62.6 in | 99.2 in | 58.3 / 57.9 in | 3,318 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV AWD 2.5x/Ann. Edition/2.5 Sx | 176.8 in | 68.5 in | 62.6 in | 99.2 in | 58.3 / 57.9 in | 3,142 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | +26% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 22 | +26% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | +21% | $3,900 | 423 |
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | +15% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Subaru Forester under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Subaru Forester (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2008 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2008 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Kia Sportage | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (1)
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm · Sep 6, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · 318,215 vehicles
- Problem
- SUBARU 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.
- Risk
- A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Not every 2008 Subaru Forester is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Subaru Forester buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 11 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 114,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Subaru Forester. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Forester years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 4 | 32 |
| 2025 Forester | 35 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 99 |
| 2024 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2023 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 74 |
| 2022 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 100 |
| 2021 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 212 |
| 2020 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 603 |
| 2019 Forester | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 834 |
| 2018 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 498 |
| 2017 Forester | 28 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 592 |
| 2016 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 416 |
| 2015 Forester | 27 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 608 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Subaru. How we calculate this →