Subaru Forester years to avoid (and the best years)
5,052 NHTSA owner complaints and 34 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Subaru Outback, Toyota RAV4
- 5,052complaints
- 34recalls
- 386reported crashes
- 71reported fires
- 210reported injuries
- 2reported deaths
Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Subaru Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017 and 2018. The typical Subaru Forester year has 207 complaints on file.
- 2019: 833 complaints, 4.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (49% of complaints) and the electrical system (16% of complaints).
- 2015: 613 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (22% of complaints) and the airbags (16% of complaints).
- 2020: 599 complaints, 2.9 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (50% of complaints) and the electrical system (17% of complaints).
- 2017: 585 complaints, 2.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (28% of complaints) and the wipers and visibility (20% of complaints).
- 2018: 494 complaints, 2.4 times the typical year. Most complaints name the wipers and visibility (32% of complaints) and the airbags (19% of complaints).
What are the best Subaru Forester years?
The Subaru Forester years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2023 (73), 2022 (98) and 2021 (207). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 0.1× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2025 | 93 | 0.4× | 3 | 11 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Wipers and visibility |
| 2024 | 29 | 0.1× | 2 | 4 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2023 | 73 | 0.4× | 1 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2022 | 98 | 0.5× | 1 | 8 | 5 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2021 | 207 | 1.0× | 0 | 16 | 8 | Few red flags | Wipers and visibility |
| 2020 | 599 | 2.9× | 0 | 26 | 16 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2019 | 833 | 4.0× | 3 | 37 | 21 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2018 | 494 | 2.4× | 3 | 26 | 9 | Approach with caution | Wipers and visibility |
| 2017 | 585 | 2.8× | 1 | 40 | 28 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2016 | 413 | 2.0× | 3 | 39 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2015 | 613 | 3.0× | 3 | 53 | 34 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2014 | 403 | 1.9× | 2 | 48 | 28 | Some concerns to check | Suspension |
| 2013 | 77 | 0.4× | 12 | 13 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2012 | 105 | 0.5× | 15 | 15 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 147 | 0.7× | 16 | 21 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2010 | 262 | 1.3× | 17 | 21 | 9 | Few red flags | Seats |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,547 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Structure & body594 (38%)
- Engine & powertrain372 (24%)
- Electrical & infotainment192 (12%)
- Other systems136 (9%)
- Brakes107 (7%)
Recalls (34)
Safety · 26V436000 · Jul 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 26V346000 · May 2026 · model year 2026
A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 25V889000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2026
A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 25V419000 · Jun 2025 · model year 2025
A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
Safety · 25V033000 · Jan 2025 · model year 2025
A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V755000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2022
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 23V754000 · Nov 2023 · model years 2023, 2024
A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 23V723000 · Oct 2023 · model year 2024
Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 22V838000 · Nov 2022 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 21V587000 · Jul 2021 · model year 2018
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 21V263000 · Apr 2021 · model year 2019
Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 20V003000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V002000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 20V001000 · Jan 2020 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Engine · 19V856000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2019
An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V701000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Electrical system · 19V297000 · Apr 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 19V149000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Steering · 19V065000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2019
Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V007000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V009000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 19V008000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Tires · 18V455000 · Jul 2018 · model year 2018
Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V012000 · Jan 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V013000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 17V014000 · Jan 2017 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 16V738000 · Oct 2016 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 16V358000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Engine · 16V162000 · Mar 2016 · model years 2015, 2016
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V830000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V311000 · Jun 2014 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 13V159000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2014
Curling of the driver side floor mat could distract the driver and/or interfere with proper operation of one or a combination of, the vehicle's clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. Brake or accelerator pedal interference may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash.
Exterior lighting · 12V602000 · Dec 2012 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
Over time, migration of the moisture into the circuit board and/or into the connector cavity, may result in a short circuit of the puddle light system. This may generate heat which may melt the plastic resulting in smoke or fire.
Seat belts · 12V099000 · Mar 2012 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
AN INSECURE INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD DURING A CRASH.