273 of the 2,417 complaints about the Subaru Forester (11.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.5× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
273Complaints · Engine
11.3%Share of complaints
0.51×vs. all vehicles
40Last 12 months
12.5%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (111, 13% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (1). 40 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 35 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “control valve”, “thermo”, “engine”, “eyesight” and “tcv”. 42 of these reports (12.5%) describe a crash or fire, with 10 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V723000 (2023-10-26, model years 2024).
Vehicle caught fire after oil change. Oil leaked from engine onto catalytic converter and causes catastrophic engine fire
Engine · 2026-06-10 · ODI 11743185 · Fire
While driving this car on April 4, 2026 at around 6PM, I experienced the distinct smell of gasoline. I had driven for about 5 minutes on our way to a local restaurant that is approximately an 8 minute drive from our residence.
Engine · 2026-04-17 · ODI 11731868 · Fire
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.
Engine · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11760087
This 2020 Subaru Forester has experienced repeated failures involving the Auto Start/Stop system. When stopped in traffic, the system shuts the engine off as designed, but on multiple occasions the engine has failed to restart normally when the driver needed…
Engine · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758094
Engine is misfiring, causing in ability to accelerate properly and loads multiple error codes. Upon taking it to the dealership for services, we were told that there is a significant amount of carbon built-up inside the engine.
Engine · 2026-08-03 · ODI 11754515
My 2020 Subaru Forester Sport suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/19/2026 at 156,322 miles, 15 days and 1,031 miles after a thermo control valve (TCV) repair performed at an authorized Subaru dealer on 6/4/2026.
Engine · 2026-07-17 · ODI 11751083
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Campaign 23V723000 · 2023-10-26 · Model years: 2024
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
Remedy: Subarus independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) Campaign 19V856000 · 2019-12-02 · Model years: 2019
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUW-08.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Subaru Forester?
273 of the 2,417 complaints about the Subaru Forester (11.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.5× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Subaru Forester model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (111, 13% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (1).
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester Engine problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V723000 (2023-10-26, model years 2024).