# 2026 SUBARU FORESTER — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
> NHTSA complaint `2254710` · 2026-10-07 · Subaru of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** SUBARU
- **Model:** FORESTER
- **Year:** 2026
- **Manufacturer:** Subaru of America, Inc.
- **Component:** UNKNOWN OR OTHER
## Narrative
The air-conditioning/HVAC system repeatedly failed to cool and blew hot air. The vehicle was leased new on [XXX]; warm air returned within about two days. During a [XXX] round trip between Portland and Springfield, Oregon, hot weather and HOT AIR from the HVAC left our two-year-old child red, hot to the touch and breathing rapidly. We were sweating profusely. We considered taking her to the hospital and feared a longer trip would make the situation more dire. There was no crash, fire, hospital visit or medical treatment. These are observed heat-related symptoms, not a diagnosed condition.  Dealer records later revealed a compressor failure and replacement before delivery. RO [XXX] opened June 18 at 22 miles; the technician documented a major leak through the compressor and replacement before June 23 delivery. The vehicle returned July 13 at 564 miles for continued cooling failure (RO [XXX]). That is the service-intake mileage, not a verified mileage for the trip.  The dealer reported further compressor work in August and an evaporator replacement. On August 25 the service manager reported that a leak remained and a hose was on backorder. Subaru's August 19 email confirmed coordination with dealer management on the evaporator repair. On September 2 the hose ETA was mid-October. The vehicle remains with the dealer and can be inspected; availability of removed parts is unknown. We have no confirmed independent contamination diagnosis.  Repeated cooling failures exposed a young c
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*