Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 2,417 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls for the Subaru Forester. That averages 49.5 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 1.18 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Subaru Forester has received 2,417 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls, with complaint rates improving significantly in recent years where 2023 and 2024 models run 86% below early models. While Body & structure issues account for 42.2% of complaints and are 4.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, the 2019 model year recorded the highest rate at 108.4 complaints per year compared to just 10.8 in 2024. Owners should research 2019 and 2020 models carefully as they run at least 50% above the average, while noting that half of all incidents occur within 23 months of a model year's start. Recent data shows 60 complaints for the 2025 model year and 70 injuries plus 2 deaths reported across all tracked years alongside recurring terms like "windshield" and "crack".
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 86% below the 2018 and 2019 models (33 early complaints per model year versus 247).
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (108.4 complaints per year) and the 2024 model year the lowest (10.8). Model years 2019 and 2020 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2022, 2023 and 2024 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (42.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (12.2%) and Interior & equipment (11.9%). Body & structure complaints are 4.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “crack”, “eyesight”, “rock” and “chip”. 151 complaints (6.2%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 70 injuries and 2 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 200 complaints versus 196 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (60). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 23 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2019 (3). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure” (opened 2019-08-06, closed 2020-01-22).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Jeep Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 493 | 56.8 | 1.35 | 106 | 1.19 | 29 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2019 Years to research carefully | 832 | 108.4 | 2.58 | 389 | 4.82 | 24 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2020 Years to research carefully | 596 | 89.3 | 2.12 | 306 | 5.38 | 22 | 0 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2021 | 207 | 36.5 | 0.87 | 107 | 1.75 | 22 | 0 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2022 | 97 | 20.8 | 0.49 | 61 | 0.83 | 18 | 1 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2023 | 73 | 19.9 | 0.47 | 44 | 0.53 | 18 | 1 | Body & structure | View › |
| 2024 Fewest complaints | 29 | 10.8 | 0.26 | 23 | 0.33 | 7 | 2 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2025 | 90 | 53.8 | 1.28 | — | — | 60 | 3 | Body & structure | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 200 · Previous 12 months: 196 Steady
Problem areas
Body & structure ›
1,021 · 42.2% · 4.6 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- windshield936
- crack623
- rock184
- chip151
Interior & equipment ›
288 · 11.9% · 1.33 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- windshield169
- cracked91
- rock27
- hit48
Airbags & seat belts ›
135 · 5.6% · 1.46 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- passenger105
- airbag66
- seat83
- air bag39
Transmission / powertrain ›
87 · 3.6% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- thermo control21
- control valve25
- eyesight11
- tcv6
Driver-assist systems ›
75 · 3.1% · 0.54 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- eyesight24
- collision19
- system31
- avoidance8
Brakes ›
58 · 2.4% · 0.4 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- brake34
- pedal24
- accelerated15
- police14
Other
50 · 2.1% · 1.14 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- accelerated20
- police filed11
- pedal15
- foot10
Fuel system
39 · 1.6% · 0.37 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- fuel21
- gas19
- tank10
- pump9
Wheels, tires & suspension
38 · 1.6% · 0.63 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- control arm9
- bushings6
- tires11
- lower control6
Steering
35 · 1.4% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- wheel21
- steering23
- assist8
- control12
Lighting
23 · 1.0% · 0.61 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlights17
- dark spots7
- beam11
- night14
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- windshield1149
- crack731
- eyesight211
- rock217
- chip164
- small250
- thermo92
- control valve114
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 23 months
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently.
While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side.
The passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS), including the occupant detection sensor system in the passenger seat, has malfunctioned. The SRS/airbag warning light is illuminated. The vehicle produced diagnostic trouble codes B1650 and B1760.
24th February 2020 - Bought the car from Subaru dealer. Couple of service records prior to May 24, 2022. - May 24, 2022 (9,037 miles) | RO# 806326: The lower oil pan leaked prematurely and had to be completely replaced under warranty.
The affected product is a Kuat Sherpa 2.0 hitch-mounted bicycle rack (2-bike, [1.25" / 2"] receiver), purchased new in January 2023, mounted on a 2022 Subaru Forester.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 12
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 0
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (3) · 2020 (0) · 2021 (0) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (1) · 2024 (2) · 2025 (3)
Investigations
- Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure Closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19-009 to investigate 51 complaints and additional Early Warning Report (EWR) data related to allegations of front passenger seat Occupant Detection System (ODS) malfunctions in model year (MY) 2016 through 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. These vehicles use a capacitive type ODS, which is intended to classify the occupant of the passenger seat as e…
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester model year has the most complaints?
The 2019 model year has the highest rate (108.4 complaints per year) and the 2024 model year the lowest (10.8).
Is the Subaru Forester getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 86% below the 2018 and 2019 models (33 early complaints per model year versus 247). In the last 12 months owners filed 200 complaints versus 196 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Body & structure (42.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (12.2%) and Interior & equipment (11.9%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “windshield”, “crack”, “eyesight”, “rock” and “chip”.
How does the Subaru Forester compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Jeep Cherokee, Chevrolet Equinox, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson have more.
Does the Subaru Forester have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 12 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2019 (3). 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure” (opened 2019-08-06, closed 2020-01-22).