MyCarTSB

2010 Subaru Forester Seats Problems

74 owner-reported seats complaints from NHTSA data

74
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2018Dec 2021
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (74)

highSEATS
Filed: Aug 2023

The left side of your driver's seat suddenly collapsed while you were driving 60 mph on the freeway, which startled you and could have caused an accident. You note this appears to be a known issue that has been reported multiple times, and fixing it may be expensive. The seat structure may need to be rebuilt or the entire seat replaced to restore proper support.

NHTSA #: 11540254
highSEATS
Filed: May 2023

Your driver seat's power adjustment buttons don't raise the front of the seat anymore, even though you can hear the motor running. You've noticed the welds connecting the front seat arms to the seat rails have broken and separated from the frame, which means the seat could potentially detach during a collision. You can still manually move the seat up and down, and you sometimes hear grinding noises when using the power buttons. The repair will likely involve re-welding the broken seat frame connections or replacing the damaged seat rails.

NHTSA #: 11519886
highSEATS
Filed: Mar 2023

Your seat has a broken weld on the left side, causing the seat cushion to become loose and unstable. This makes the seat lean significantly to the left, creating an unsafe seating position and preventing you from adjusting the seat height. Fixing this will likely require welding the seat frame or replacing the seat assembly.

NHTSA #: 11509812
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2023

The bracket that connects your driver's seat to its frame has broken on the right side, causing the seat to rock up and down when you sit in it. The welds holding this bracket have failed, allowing unwanted movement. This may require re-welding or replacing the seat bracket and frame connection.

NHTSA #: 11551717
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2022

Your driver's seat doesn't raise evenly — the front left corner won't go up at the same speed as the right side, leaving you in an uneven and potentially unsafe driving position. This appears to be caused by a broken weld on the seat adjustment arm, which is a known issue for this model. Fixing this will likely require replacing the seat adjustment mechanism or having the weld repaired.

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NHTSA #: 11473187
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2021

The left side of your driver's seat collapsed because a welded metal tab that connects the seat to the power seat motor failed during normal driving. Your power seat no longer works, and the seat now sags noticeably toward the front left. The repair will likely involve replacing the seat frame or having the metal tab re-welded and the power seat mechanism inspected or replaced.

NHTSA #: 11445634
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2021

FRONT LEFT DRIVER SEAT BRACKET COLLAPSED. SEAT HEIGHT IS UNABLE TO BE ADJUSTED, REQUIRING THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER SEAT TO ONLY BE POSITIONED N THE LOWEST SETTING. WHILE DRIVING IDLE SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE POP AND THE SEAT FELL. WITH ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST THE HEIGHT, ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE WOULD MOVE UP AND DOWN.

NHTSA #: 11413877
mediumSEATS,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2021

BOTH HEAD GASKETS ARE LEAKING. 110,000 MILES DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT NO LONGER GOES UP/DOWN IN HEIGHT

NHTSA #: 11402587
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2020

DRIVERS SEAT WELD BROKEN FROM THE FRAME. LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT RESULTING IN LITTLE SUPPORT. KNOWN PROBLEM WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? UPON SITTING DOWN AND RESTING YOUR LEFT LEG THE LEFT FRONT SEAT CORNER WILL COLLAPSE.

NHTSA #: 11340084
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2020

DRIVERS SEAT HAS BROKEN. SEEMS LIKE IT IS AN IMPROPER WELDING OF THE FRAME. BOTTOM CUSHION SUPPORT IS NO LONGER EVEN. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT PERHAPS THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE SEAT IS COMPROMISED. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. HTTPS://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/THREADS/DRIVERS-SEAT-COLLAPSE.126336/PAGE-4

NHTSA #: 11322487
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2020

THE SEAT ON MY FORESTER IS BROKEN. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND THIS TO BE AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE OF THE WELDS BREAKING DUE TO INSUFFICIENT QUALITY OR STRENGTH. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE SUBARU SHOULD HAVE REMEDIED BY NOW. CAR WAS ADULT OWNED AND DRIVEN BY A SMALL FEMALE.

NHTSA #: 11321344
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2020

WELD BROKE ON POWER SEAT; LEFT SIDE. AUDIBLE POP WAS HEARD WHEN IN MOTION, AFTER HAVING BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND DRIVING FORWARD TO EXIT PARKING LOT.

NHTSA #: 11309634
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2020

DRIVER SEAT FRONT RIGHT SIDE COLLAPSED. IT'S COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED. WELDS APPEAR TO BE BROKEN. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I FIRST NOTICED IT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN I SAT ON IT AND IT LEANED TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA #: 11299627
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2019

DRIVER'S SEAT FRONT LEFT CORNER BRACKET APPEARS TO HAVE BROKEN. WHEN POWER SEAT IS MOVERS TO FRONT OF SEAT RAISED, THE LEFT SIDE SAGS AND IS UNSUPPORTED; WILL NOT STAY IN UP POSITION WHEN ANY PRESSURE/WEIGHT IS APPLIED TO SEAT. UNSURE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, NOTICED IT FOR FIRST TIME 2 WEEKS AGO. ON-LINE REVIEWS INDICATE SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHWEER FORESTER OWNERS EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH SEAT. DON'T SEE ANY RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FROM SUBARU -WHY NOT?

NHTSA #: 11256677
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2019

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT -- THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT COLLAPSED. THE SEAT IS NOW FLAT.

NHTSA #: 11209986
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2019

ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO I HAD THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSE FROM BAD WELDS. NOW THIS FEBRUARY 2019 THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SAME SEAT COLLAPSED ,THERE SEEMS TO BE OTHER 2010 SUBARU OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT JUST DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE COLLAPSE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA #: 11176007
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2019

DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED ON THE FRONT PART WHILE I WAS DRIVING. LUMBAR ADJUSTMENT ALSO FAILED.

NHTSA #: 11176083
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2019

WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH ENGINE RUNNING THE DRIVERS SEAT GAVE WAY ON THE LEFT (DOOR) SITE AND DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES. THE WELDING POINTS ON THE BRACKET THAT LIFTS AND LOWERS THE SEAT HAVE FAILED. A DRIVER CAN ONLY SIT WITH BOTH SIDES EVEN AT ITS LOWEST SETTING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DRIVERS' HEIGHT. LOCAL DEALER WOULD NOT EVEN INVESTIGATE WITHOUT CHARGING THE LABOR TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE AND EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY HAVE DECLINED TO COVER THE CHARGES TO FIX OR REPLACE.

NHTSA #: 11173922
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2018

THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSES ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN DRIVER GETS IN. BASED ON INTERNET SEACHES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SUBARU FORESTER SEATS.

NHTSA #: 11156732
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2018

WHILE SEATING IN THE DRIVER SEAT OF THE PARKED CAR, I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE SEAT BASE. I WENT BACK OUT OF THE CAR TO CHECK THE SEAT, AND LOOKING UNDERNEATH, I SAW A TWO-INCH PIECE OF METAL HANGING, ATTACHED TO A ROD AT THE FRONT OF THE SEAT BASE. THE SEAT CUSHION WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE AND MOVED UP WHEN LIFTED. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID THE SEAT FRAME AND THE RAIL ARE BROKEN AND THE SEAT BASE AND RAILS NEED REPLACING. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES AND DRIVERS ARE UNDER 200LBS. IT LOOKS LIKE WELDS GAVE OUT, DISCONNECTING THE SEAT BASE FROM THE FRAME.

NHTSA #: 11155861
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2018

BRACKET ON DOOR SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT IS NO LONGER SUPPORTING LEFT FRONT CORNER OF SEAT. APPARENTLY, 2 SMALL SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED. THEY CAN BE SEEN STRADDLING THREADS OF A BOLT TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE ATTACHED PHOTO. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS ISSUE DESPITE THE RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA FOR 2010 FORESTERS. ADDITIONALLY, NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AND THERE WAS NO OFFER FROM SOA TO MAKE A GOOD WILL REPAIR AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. IT WOULD SEEM THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT DIRECTLY INVOLVES THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I FIRST NOTICED ISSUE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND COULDN'T ADJUST MY SEAT PROPERLY.

NHTSA #: 11123315
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2018

WHILE IN OPERATION, DURING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT MADE AN AUDIBLE 'POP' AND COLLAPSED SEVERAL INCHES. THE SEAT IS AN ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE, WHICH DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE EFFECTED BY THE SEAT BASE BREAKING. THE SEAT IS ABLE TO BE LIFTED AND PRESSED UP AND DOWN 5 OR SO INCHES, AND THE CORNER WHICH IS BROKEN SAGS UNDER WEIGHT.

NHTSA #: 11121897
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2018

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BOTTOM FRAME CAME UNWELDED AT THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE FRAME. THE PART BROKE WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE DRIVER'S LEFT LEG IS NOW UNSUPPORTED AND THE SEAT BOTTOM MOVES FREELY. NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED ON OTHER WEBSITES.

NHTSA #: 11118996
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2018

FRONT LEFT SEAT HAS FALLEN AND FROM RESEARCH HERE AND ON INTERNET, IT APPEARS WELD HAS BROKEN ON SEAT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80K MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND REPAIRS SHOULD BE COVERED ON RECALL. WE WERE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND LEFT FRONT SEAT JUST FELL.

NHTSA #: 11098848
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2018

FRONT DRIVERS SEAT COLLAPSE ON RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. ITS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I LOOKED IN DER SEAT AND APPEARS A BRACKET HOLDING THE SEAT HAS BROKEN , VERY UNSAFE, SUBARU NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR REPAIRS. CAR HAS ABOUT 46,000 THOUSAND MILES.

NHTSA #: 11090780
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2018

I OWN A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE DRIVER SEAT BRACKET WELD FAILED WHILE UNDER LOW MILEAGE. THINKING THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, I CAME IN TO TALK ABOUT OPTIONS. I WAS TOLD I WAS WRONG BY THINKING IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE AND THAT IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED, AND WAS PRESENTED WITH A BIT OF A COMBATIVE TONE. I UNDERSTAND THIS, THEY CAN'T GO AROUND SAYING YES TO EVERYONE THAT WALKS IN THE DOOR. WHILE THEY DID OFFER TO TAKE A LOOK, IT WAS WITH HESITATION. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD HAVE OFFERED TO SUBMIT A CLAIM TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, BUT NO OFFER WAS GIVEN. MANY PEOPLE FROM THESE THREADS WENT TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERS AND SEEMED TO HAVE IT COVERED, AND IF NOT, AT LEAST A CLAIM SUBMITTED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA. THIS IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE PUTTING MY FAMILY AT RISK. EVEN IF THERE WAS NO POTENTIAL FOR MONETARY COVERAGE OF THE REPAIR, I WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED SOME SIGN OF CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY WHILE IN A VEHICLE BRAND THIS DEALERSHIP REPRESENTS. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SUBARU/FORESTER/2010/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/SEATS.SHTML HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F88/DRIVER-S-SEAT-COLLAPSE-126336/INDEX3.HTML

NHTSA #: 11075838
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2018

DRIVERS SEAT - FORWARD LEFT SIDE OF SEAT BASE ATTACHMENT BRACKET - BROKEN FROM SEAT PAN. THIS CAUSES THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE DOWN TO THE LEFT

NHTSA #: 11074022
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2018

BROKEN SEAT WELDS DRIVERS SIDE POWER SEAT SIDE NEAREST DRIVERS DOOR.SEAT LEANS CONSIDERABLY TOWARDS DOOR. SEAT CAN BE MOVED UP AND DOWN SEVERAL INCHES.THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL.IT IS VERY COMMON ON THE 2010 MODEL.SUBARU NEEDS TO BACK QUALITY.SEAT WELDS SHOULD NEVER BREAK.

NHTSA #: 11060956
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2017

THE LEFT SIDE WELD ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THERE WAS A SNAP AND THEN MY LEFT LEG SEAT SUPPORT DROPPED BY A FEW INCHES MAKING THE SEAT CUSHION GO ON AN ANGLE. THE FORESTER HAD SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 90,000 MILES AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. SINCE THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DIDN'T HAVE ANY OPEN APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS I WENT TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOP TO HAVE THE SEAT REPAIRED. THE COST WAS A LITTLE UNDER $200 AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS A FAULTY WELD WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO DROP.

NHTSA #: 11055848
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

THE FRONT LEFT WELD ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AROUND 90,000 MILES. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT AT LEAST 40 OTHER DRIVERS HAVE BOTHERED TO REPORT ON THIS WEBSITE. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH AT THE TIME THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT SUNK DOWN AND IT'S BEEN STUCK LIKE THAT EVER SINCE.

NHTSA #: 11051304
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

127K MILES. DRIVER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED ON DRIVER SIDE. WHEN SEATED, DRIVER SLANTED TO LEFT DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE WELDING ISSUE ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL. RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT STILL HOLDS WEIGHT, BUT LEFT SIDE DOES NOT FEEL CONNECTED TO SEAT FRAME. NO ACCIDENTS ON VEHICLE. NOTICED AFTER WIFE ADJUSTED SEAT WHEN SHE USED FOR CAR FOR DAY.

NHTSA #: 11044084
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM SEAT BASE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE TWO WELDS THAT FAILED. THE SEAT SLOPES SHARPLY TOWARDS THE DOOR AND THE DRIVER MUST SIT AT AN AWKWARD AND UNSAFE ANGLE. THE DEALER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SHOULD THE VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 11044120
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2017

FAILURE OF WELDING POINT ON DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF SEAT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. THIS HAPPENED WITH NORMAL USE OF THE CAR WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 11014814
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2017

THE POWER DRIVER'S SEAT IS NOT ATTACHED AT THE FRONT OF THE SEAT ON EITHER SIDE. IT IS ONLY ATTACHED ON THE BACK SIDE. BOTH FRONT WELDS APPEAR TO BE BROKEN. IT DOES NOT RESPOND CORRECTLY WHEN USING POWER CONTROLS. IT SHIFTS WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DOES NOT SEEM SAFE AT ALL. THERE ARE NO LOOSE PARTS APPARENT IN THE VEHICLE. I AM NOT AWARE OF EXACTLY WHEN THE WELDS BROKE. IT OCCURRED AT AROUND 74,000 MILES.

NHTSA #: 11010968
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2017

THE WELDS ON THE BOTTOM FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE WHILE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION OR UNDER ABNORMAL STRESS. BOTTOM OF DRIVER SEAT IS NOT SECURELY FASTENED TO THE FRAME. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11002424
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2017

DRIVER SEAT SAGGING DUE TO BROKEN SEAT FRAME. THE SPOT WELD, WHERE THE CUSHION ATTACHES, IS BROKEN. THE DEALER WANTS $350 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA #: 10994645
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2017

THE LOWER DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SNAPPED APART AND NOW SAGS HEAVILY ON THE LEFT, MAKING IT FAR LESS SAFE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS FORUM IS SUPER FULL OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOM: HTTP://WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG/VBULLETIN/F88/DRIVER-S-SEAT-COLLAPSE-126336/INDEX2.HTML#/TOPICS/126336

NHTSA #: 10994068
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2017

FRONT DRIVER SEAT -- WHILE DRIVING HEARD A METAL POP SOUND FROM THE SEAT. AFTER INVESTIGATION THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT HAS SEPARATED FROM THE SEAT TRACKS. SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AS DRIVERS WEIGHT USING THIS VEHICLE IS < 225LBS. HAVE SEEN SEVERAL POSTS ON SUBARU SITES INDICATING LEFT SIDE OF SEAT FAILURE. THIS IS RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. THE SEAT NO SITS LOWER ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING AWKWARD SEATING POSITION, LEANING TOWARD CENTER OF VEHICLE FOR THE DRIVER. SHOULD VEHICLE BE INVOLVED IN CRASH I SUSPECT THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE PROPERLY POSITIONED FOR PROPER RESTRAINT WITH SEAT BELT AND NOT CENTER WITH THE AIRBAG POTENTIAL DEPLOYMENT. ALL RESULTING IN UNNECESSARY DRIVER INJURY. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES.

NHTSA #: 10968295
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2017

THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT THAT COLLAPSES DUE TO FAULTY WELDS PARTICULARLY ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. IN WHICH THE LOWER SEAT PAD CAN BECOME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY DETACH FROM THE CHAIR. A NUMBER OF OWNERS OWN FORUMS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME OCCURRENCES BETWEEN TYPICALLY BETWEEN 60K AND 80K MILES OF DRIVING. DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF THE COLLAPSE AND THE DETACHMENT IT CAN PRESENT A SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER. INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED INTO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 10953931
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2016

AS I GOT IN MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES SNAPPED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME, AND I WEIGH 180 POUNDS. THE WELDING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT SNAPPED AND THE SEAT THEN SAT ON THE METAL BRACKET UNDERNEATH. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10938506
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2016

DRIVERS SEAT SUPPORT FAILURE. MY 2010 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A BROKEN WELD OR SUPPORT IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. WHILE THE POWER SEAT STILL FUNCTIONS, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION/SEAT FRAME HAS COLLAPSED. IF THE POWER SEAT IS RAISED, ONLY THE RIGHT SIDE RISES CREATING AN UNEVEN SEATING SURFACE AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND NOT PARTICULARLY SAFE SINCE THE INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT IS NOW IN QUESTION. FROM LOOKING AT THE WWW.SUBARUFORESTER.ORG WEB SITE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED TO A NUMBER OF OTHER 2010 FORESTER OWNERS AS WELL. THE DEALER FEEDBACK INCLUDED ON THIS WEBSITE CONCLUDES THAT FAULTY/INADEQUATE WELDS IS THE CAUSE OF THE SEAT/SEAT SUPPORT FAILURES.

NHTSA #: 10915316
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2016

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN WOULD SIT DOWN. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF THIS SQUEAKING NOISE, PART OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FRAME BROKE, SEEMS TO BE A BAD WELD. WHEN SITTING ON THE SEAT, THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT BOTTOM SINKS DOWN. THIS SEEMS INCREDIBLY UNSAFE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NEVER BREAK IN THE FIRST PLACE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WEIGH ABOUT 170 LBS. I'M NOT PUTTING ANY UNUSUAL STRESS ON THE SEAT. LOOKING ONLINE AND DOING SOME QUICK RESEARCH, I SEE A LOT OF FELLOW 2010 OWNERS WHO ARE STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL CONTACT SOA SHORTLY BECAUSE I EXPECT THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A RECALL WOULD HELP, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T TRUST THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DRIVERS SEAT IN A CRASH AT THE MOMENT. THE COLLAPSE OF THE SEAT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA #: 10903656
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2016

IT APPEARS SEAT WELD BROKE ON DRIVER'S SEAT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO BRACKET. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THIS IS VERY COMMON. IT COULD POSE A HAZARD TO THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND POTENTIALLY COME LOOSE IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 10891710
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2016

ENTERED VEHICLE AND SAT DOWN ON DRIVERS SEAT AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT DROPPED. REMOVED SIDE COVER AND FOUND TWO WELDS BROKEN FROM BRACKET THAT GOES TO THE SEAT BOTTOM. AFTER LOOKING ON SAFERCAR.GOV FOUND SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER FORESTERS. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND WAS NEVER ABUSED. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT UNTIL NOW.

NHTSA #: 10870252
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2016

WHEN GETTING INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT I NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT WAS 1-2 INCHES LOWER THAN THE RIGHT SIDE. WHEN TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT, THE CONTROLS MOVED THE RIGHT SIDE UP AND DOWN, BUT THE LEFT SIDE REMAINS STATIONARY AT THE BOTTOM. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT CONTROLS NO LONGER FUNCTION.

NHTSA #: 10854540
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2016

WHILE SITTING STATIONARY IN PARKING LOT, DRIVERS POWER SEAT SUDDENLY DROPPED A FEW INCHES. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE FRONT BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SEAT HAD SNAPPED (WELD BROKE ON THE LEFT SIDE).

NHTSA #: 10853164
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

SAT DOWN IN DRIVERS SEAT TO DRIVE, EVERYTHING NORMAL. APPROX 1.5-2 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, APPROX. 10-15 MPH OVER A SLIGHTLY BUMPY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, I HEAR A SMALL "SNAP" UNDERNEATH SEAT AND FRONT LEFT PART OF DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSES. SEAT FEELS VERY UNSTABLE AND OFF CENTER, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE WHILE TURNING AND USING PEDALS. UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT; THE FRONT BRACKET HAD SNAPPED FROM THE 2 SPOT WELDS HOLDING IT UPRIGHT. CAN NOT FIX ON MY OWN, MUST BE WELDED.

NHTSA #: 10840069
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRACTURED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SLIDE DOWNWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO HOLD HIMSELF UP USING THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10839415
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

DRIVER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED ON FRONT LEFT SIDE OFFERING NO SUPPORT. AWKWARD SEATING POSITION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE COMMON AND IS A WELDING ISSUE. IT HAPPENS WHILE I WAS DRIVING MAKING A TURN ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 10839580
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2016

WHILE FASTENING SEATBELT, DRIVERS SEAT, FRONT LEFT CORNER, MADE A "SNAP" NOISE AND DROPPED SLIGHTLY UNDER DRIVER'S LEG; NOW IS UNSTABLE, DOES NOT SUPPORT DRIVER'S LEFT LEG PROPERLY, FEELS UNEVEN AND OFF BALANCE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN PARKING LOT.

NHTSA #: 10837543
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2016

THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT COLLAPSED FOR THE SECOND TIME. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE RIGHT SIDE COLLAPSED. I FOUND THAT THE TOGGLE BRACKET ON THE UPPER RIGHT SEAT FRAME BROKE LOOSE FROM THE LOWER SCISSOR ASSEMBLY THAT RAISES AND LOWERS THE SEAT. THE TOGGLE BRACKET IS HELD THE THE SCISSOR ASSEMBLY BY TWO SPOT WELDS. THE SPOT WELDS BROKE LOOSE CAUSING THE SEAT TO FAIL. THERE WAS NO SUBARU TSB OR WARRANTY COVERAGE SO I REMOVED THE SEAT AND REWELDED IT. TODAY I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT SIDE TOGGLE HAS BROKEN LOOSE AT THE SAME TWO SPOT WELDS. THESE WELDS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE APPLICATION AND SUBARU CORP SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. I ASK YOU: WHERE'S THE LOVE FROM SUBARU FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS GOVT WEBSITE AND A SEARCH ON-LINE WILL REVEAL A LOT MORE INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM!

NHTSA #: 10837001
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2016

WHILE SITTING ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED DOWNWARD, AND NOW HAS NO SUPPORT FROM THE FRAME OF THE SEAT. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE WELDS ON THE SEAT BRACKET HAVE FAILED. THIS SEEMS LIKELY TO BE THE RESULT OF A FACTORY DEFECT, AS THIS SEAT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR HAD AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT SUPPORTED ON IT. MY CONCERN NOW IS IN THE SAFETY OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

NHTSA #: 10820092
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2015

THE BASE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN LOOSE AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER

NHTSA #: 10789121
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2015

I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY I FELT A CRACK OR SNAP IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT PORTION OF MY DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE SEAT FELT SOFT, WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR THE SEAT SAGGING AND SHIFTING (UNLIKE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A BROKEN BRACKET OR BOLT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT FRAME BRACKET FOR 381.00. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS DEFECT IN 2010 FORESTERS ON THE INTERNET AND ON THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT LOG.

NHTSA #: 10765325
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2015

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CUSHION COLLAPSED ON LEFT SIDE AND BECAME LOOSE DUE TO A WELD FAILURE ON THE SEAT FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT THE LOOSE SEAT CUSHION COMPROMISES THE INTEGRITY OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA #: 10760895
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2015

THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AND NO LONGER PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR YOUR LEFT LEG. THIS CORNER OF THE SEAT COLLAPSES TOWARDS THE FLOOR WHEN MINIMAL FORCE IS APPLIED. AFTER INVESTIGATING, TWO SPOT WELDS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAVE FAILED AND HAVE DETACHED.

NHTSA #: 10760149
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2015

FAILED SPOT WELD ON DRIVER'S SEAT LEFT SUPPORT BRACKET. LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSES DOWN WITHOUT SUPPORT.

NHTSA #: 10759103
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2015

NOTICED DRIVER'S SEAT (POWER) WAS NOT PROVIDING NORMAL SUPPORT ON LEFT SIDE. ASSUMED IT WAS JUST AGE RELATED DETERIORATION AT FIRST, BUT WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND TWO WELDS ON THE SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY (PN 64100SC001) HAD FAILED. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS AND CONTACTED DEALER AND SUBARU TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN A REPAIR. NONE WAS OFFERED. I ORDERED A REPLACEMENT FACTORY PART FROM MY DEALER AND NOTICE THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING A SCREW TO THE WELDS HOLDING THE BRACKET ON. CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE SEAT FRAME, BUT THIS REQUIRES REMOVAL AND DISASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT WHICH IS A FAIRLY ADVANCED DIY JOB.

NHTSA #: 10743497
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2015

FRONT LEFT CORNER OF DRIVER SEAT FELL/COLLAPSED. BRACKET CONNECTED TO FRAME OF SEAT BROKE AWAY. WILL HAVE TO BE RE-WELDED BACK TO FRAME.

NHTSA #: 10731362
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2015

THE SPOT WELD THAT SECURES THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE.

NHTSA #: 10723775
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2015

I GOT IN MY CAR AND SAT ON THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT DROPPED DOWN. IT APPEARS THAT WHATEVER WAS HOLDING IT UP LET GO AND NOW THE SUPPORT IS NOT THERE. MY LEFT LEG HAS NO SUPPORT, IT'S JUST RESTING VERY LOW. NOT GOOD ON MY LEG OR BACK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10671725
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2014

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, I HEARD SOMETHING SNAP UNDER MY SEAT (POWER SEAT). ALSO, THE FRONT LEFT CORNER DROPPED AND NO LONGER SUPPORTED ANY WEIGHT. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE LEFT FRONT SUPPORT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE SEAT BASE. IT APPEARS SOME WELD OR RIVETS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10667781
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2014

RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF DRIVERS SEAT METAL FRAME BROKE AND NOW RIGHT FRONT SIDE SAGS. *JS

NHTSA #: 10661642
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2014

LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT FROZE, AND THE TILT WOULD NOT ADJUST--THIS IS THE PART OF THE SEAT THAT THE DRIVER SITS ON, NOT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT TILT ADJUSTMENT CONTINUED WORKING NORMALLY. I HAD THE LEFT MOTOR IN THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT REPLACED AFTER 7 MONTHS OF GREAT DISCOMFORT (INCLUDING A MAJOR NERVE PINCH AND A COUPLE OF HERNIATED DISKS). THE CAR IS MAYBE DRIVEN 10,000 MILES ANNUALLY, AND THE MAIN DRIVER IS 180 LBS. AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, BUT SAFER THAN LEAVING IT AS IS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10633444
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2014

DRIVERS SEAT FRAME COLLAPSE, RIGHT FRONT PART OF LOWER FRAME. DEALER IDENTIFIED FAILURE OF 2 WELDS. WILL ATTEMPT TO REWELD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10605327
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V099000 (SEAT BELTS) DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPORT BOXES ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELTS CONTINUED TO POP OUT FROM THE BACK SEATS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,689. RK

NHTSA #: 10588549
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2014

THE DRIVER SEAT LEFT SIDE COLLAPSED, THE SEAT IS INCLINED. NOT EASY TO DRIVE THIS WAY I AM 190 LBS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10573150
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2014

THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT DIPS DOWN AND DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY WEIGHT ANYMORE. IT SEEMS LIKE SOME PART OF THE SUPPORT BROKE OR FELL OFF. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT POSITION THE SEAT IS IN. IT HAS BECOME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT IN NOW. *TR

NHTSA #: 10567381
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Jan 2014

FRONT DRIVER SEAT, WHICH IS A HEATED SEAT, HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HOT THE PAST COUPLE DAYS WHEN TURNED ON. SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT HAVE THE SWITCH ON HIGH AND SIT ON THE SEAT. ON JANUARY 15, 2014, WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK SHE NOTICED THE HEAT FROM THE SEAT, WHICH SHE HAD ON, WAS EXTREMELY HOT. SHE TURNED OFF THE HEAT, THE SEAT COOLED OFF. SHE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO ME, I CHECKED THE SEAT AND FOUND A SMALL BURN HOLE THROUGH THE SEATS UPHOLSTERY. MY WIVES LONG DOWN COAT SHE WAS WEARING ALSO HAD A BURN HOLE IN IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10560371
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2013

I WAS DRIVING AROUND A SLIGHT BEND WHEN SUDDENLY I FELT AND HEARD A CRACK OR SNAP IN THE LOWER FRONT LEFT PORTION OF MY DRIVER'S SEAT. THE FRONT LEFT PORTION OF THE SEAT FELT SOFT, AS IF IT HAD PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, AND WHEN I LATER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, I COULD FEEL IT SAGGING AND SHIFTING (UNLIKE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A BRACKET OR BOLT AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT FRAME. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN 2010 FORESTERS ON THE INTERNET AND ON THIS SAFETY COMPLAINT LOG.

NHTSA #: 10538041
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2013

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAR THE FRONT (UNDER THE THIGH) MADE A NOISE. THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT ONLY WORKS UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, RAISING THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT AND PUTTING PRESSURE ON IT SHOWS THAT RIGHT SIDE REMAINS SUPPORTED AND LEFT SIDE IS COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED, THE DRIVER IS EITHER TILTED, OR SEATED AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENT. POSTURE AND SAFE DRIVING POSITION ARE COMPROMISED, I AM SEEKING TO GET THE SEAT FIXED. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER MENTIONS OF THIS PROBLEM IN SUBARU OWNERS ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10536011
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2013

SAT IN DRIVER'S SEAT, STARTED IGNITION, AND AS CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (UNDER THE THIGH) AUDIBLY POPPED. THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT NOW CLEARLY ONLY WORKS UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, RAISING THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT AND PUTTING PRESSURE ON IT SHOWS THAT RIGHT SIDE REMAINS SUPPORTED AND LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY SAGS, LEAVING THE DRIVER EITHER TILTED, OR SEATED AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENT. POSTURE AND SAFE DRIVING POSITION ARE DEFINITELY COMPROMISED, AND I AM SEEKING TO GET THE SEAT FIXED. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER MENTIONS OF THIS PROBLEM IN SUBARU OWNERS ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10533852
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2013

DRIVING WHEN WELDS HOLDING UP THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR BUMPS, THOUGH I-5 NEAR SEATTLE HAS PAVEMENT JUNCTURE UNEVENNESS, THOUGH NONE WHERE THE COLLAPSE HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10492875
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU FORRESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSED PAIN TO ANYONE THAT DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ

NHTSA #: 10446180

Other 2010 Subaru Forester Issues