Subaru Forester — Control Arm Replacement

What owners actually paid for this repair, computed from real, paid Subaru Forester control arm replacements at independent shops across the US.

$819

typical total — half of all Subaru Forester control arm replacement jobs cost less, half cost more

Fair range $589 – $1,070

the middle half of all invoices
(parts + labor + fees)

$5891 in 4 paid less

$819typical

$1,0703 in 4 paid less

Line item	Low (1 in 4 paid less)	Typical	High (3 in 4 paid less)
Parts — Control arm(s)Control arm(s) with bushings and ball joint where integral	$237	$326	$506
Labor — 3 hrs typicalRange 2 – 3.9 hrs: replace the arm(s), torque to spec, alignment	$255	$352	$489
Shop fees, supplies & taxThe remainder of a typical invoice after parts and labor; varies by state and shop	—	~$141	—
Total — what owners paid	$589	$819	$1,070

Low / typical / high are computed per line, so they don't add up exactly to the totals — the total row is the real distribution of complete invoices.

Is your quote fair?

A quote between $589 and $1,070 is inside the band where half of all Subaru Forester control arm replacements landed. Below it is not automatically a bargain (one lower arm on an accessible layout); above it is not automatically gouging (both sides, upper and lower arms, aluminum OEM arms, alignment included) — but both ends deserve a question.

What moves the price

One arm or a pair — bushings wear in pairs; doing both sides avoids a second alignment.
Integral ball joint — arms with the joint built in cost more but replace two wear items at once.
Alignment — required after arm replacement — expect it on the invoice.

About this data · How to use this report

Vehicle Subaru Forester, model years 1998–2026
Data confidence Good — good sample, dependable ranges
Records through July 2026, refreshed continuously
Source paid invoices from independent US repair shops

Bring it to the shop. Ask for the written estimate split into parts, labor hours and rate, and fees — then compare each line. A shop that explains a number above the range is doing its job; one that won't is telling you something too.