Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Safety recall
An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 27, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Body & glass recall
A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Structure recall
A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
3
Most reports here involve fluid leaks.
Read full complaint
I was pulling into a handicapped parking spot at the grocery store, turning right into it, and was almost stopped, with my right foot on the brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated at top speed, surging over the median strip, flattening the "Handicapped Parking" sign, and racing ahead into the street beyond. I drove forward and turned left back into the parking lot and parked the car. The flattened parking lot sign ripped the front panels off the car. I went into the grocery store and asked if we needed to call the police, and they said no, and that they would replace the sign. The two store managers helped m by putting the ripped off front, plastic panels into the back seat and advised me to take the car to the dealer to address the damage. My foot was on the brake when this unexpected acceleration occurred. I was extremely lucky that this did not happen when I was breaking at a stop light; if it had, I would have soared out into moving traffic and probably been killed.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763914 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
5
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
Brand new 2026 Forester's factory amplifier system completely failed within a week from purchasing at approximately 570 miles, disabling hands-free communication. California law strictly requires drivers to use phones in a hands-free manner. Drivers are prohibited from holding or physically touching their phone for any reason while operating a vehicle.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11743631 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
4
Most reports here involve software faults.
Read full complaint
When I am driving forward, or turning, sometimes the car automatically beeps very loud and puts on the breaks and the car in front of me is far away. It’s stressful and problematic. It doesn’t seem like an effective feature. This has happened like 10 times
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11758790 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
8
Most reports here involve fluid leaks.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762577 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
1
Most reports here involve fluid leaks.
Read full complaint
I am reporting a severe structural vulnerability regarding the component shielding on the 2026 Subaru Forester Touring. The vehicle was purchased brand new in March 2026 and experienced a catastrophic component failure on September 4, 2026, at only six months of ownership. While driving under normal road conditions, the vehicle’s climate control system completely failed. A subsequent inspection by an authorized Subaru dealership revealed that a rock passed entirely through the front factory grille and punctured the air conditioning condenser, causing an immediate loss of refrigerant and irreparable component damage. The dealership service department stated that this occurs frequently due to the unshielded, highly exposed placement of the condenser directly behind the widely spaced gaps of the front grille assembly. No significant impact or road hazard was heard or felt during operation, indicating that routine, minor road elements are capable of easily penetrating the factory defenses. A complete failure of the HVAC system in severe climates, such as the extreme heat of Texas, presents an immediate cabin safety hazard—especially for vulnerable occupants. The manufacturing and structural layout of the 2026 Forester grille fails to provide critical baseline protection for pressurized cooling components, creating an unreasonable risk of premature systemic failure from everyday driving environments. This open design should be investigated as a manufacturing defect.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764412 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2026 has 21 complaints on file, fewer than the 2025 (93). Of the 17 model years of the Subaru Forester we cover, the 2019 has the most (833). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.