NHTSA has received 97 owner complaints about the 2022 Subaru Forester, or 20.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.49, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #43 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 47% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 67% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2022-02-25 and 2026-08-27. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
97Complaints
20.8Complaints per year on the road
0.49Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
11.3%Share involving a crash or fire
18Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2021) drew 36.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2023) drew 19.9 per year, about the same. In its first two years on the road the 2022 model collected 61 complaints, 17% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (24.7% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (14.4%) and Engine (10.3%). Body & structure complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Body & structure reports, owners most often mention “windshield”, “crack”, “glass”, “chips” and “side”. 11 reports (11.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 15 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (42% of incidents). In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 4% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.49
vs. other Subaru models0.53
vs. other 2022 models0.53
vs. other Compact SUVs0.33
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (61)0.83
I hit a deer going 45 mph, the air bags deployed, and my engine caught on fire. Within 10 minutes my car burned to the ground.
Engine · 2025-10-04 · ODI 11691363 · Crash · Fire
The vehicle was started with the remote start to warm up. It was about -15F. It ran for 10 minutes and then shut off as it is supposed to. The driver got in the car, started the car, all the gauges went crazy and all the dash lights lit up.
Engine · 2024-01-18 · ODI 11566263 · Fire
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.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759893
On 8/15/2026 my car's EyeSight system falsely automatically engaged Pre-Collision Braking on a clear road with no cars, obstacles or potholes ahead, on a sunny day, accelerating at 10–15 mph from a traffic light stop.
Brakes · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758116
We are experiencing the exact same problem as the recall Under NHTSA Campaign No. 23V755000 (Subaru recall code WRQ-23) for an ineffective weld leading to moisture affecting the backup camera and dashboard lights.
Electrical · 2026-08-12 · ODI 11756597
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Campaign 23V755000 · 2023-11-09
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2022 Subaru Forester?
97 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Subaru Forester, or about 20.8 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2022 Subaru Forester?
The most common category is Body & structure, accounting for 24.7% of complaints.
Does the 2022 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2022 Subaru Forester still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 10 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2022 Subaru Forester compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 97 owner complaints about the 2022 Subaru Forester, or 20.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.49, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #43 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 47% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 67% lower.