0.31 vs. all vehicles Too few recent reports to judge
90 of the 2,453 complaints about the Subaru Forester (3.7%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's #6 problem area. That share is 0.3× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
90Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
3.7%Share of complaints
0.31×vs. all vehicles
7Last 12 months
14.4%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
7 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
13 of these reports (14.4%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 23V755000 (2023-11-09, model year 2022).
Transmission slipped, stranded me in the middle of a road XXX. Stopped wouldn’t go. Started locking down in reverse 1 month after I purchased the vehicle. XXX, my husband was backing down a road that had no turnaround.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768438
The contact stated that while pulling into a parking spot with the brake pedal pressed, the vehicle displayed unintended acceleration, crashing into the wall of the building in front of the parking space. The air bags did not deploy.
Transmission / powertrain · 2025-07-18 · ODI 11674528 · Crash
The transmission very suddenly (perfectly fine one day, bad the next) developed a severe transmission slip. Like getting rear ended feeling transmission slip. Dealership quotes the CVT control valve body.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-05 · ODI 11769116
Tires are wearing badly on the inside edge only. Suspension and drive train components make noise during normal operation.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-19 · ODI 11751388
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed inhibitor switch.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-23 · ODI 11746009
Vehicle stopped at light,auto start stop engine off,stepped on gas to go engine didn’t restart,my passenger and I jumped out and grabbed a Noco GB40 jump box I carry and jump started car,we were on a road trip out of town and could not wait for the dealership…
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-05-03 · ODI 11735341
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Campaign 23V755000 · 2023-11-09 · Model years: 2022
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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Campaign 23V754000 · 2023-11-09 · Model years: 2023, 2024
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
