Subaru Forester problems by year
| Year | Common issues | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2 |
| 2023 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 |
| 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 |
Top NHTSA complaint areas (2010–2025)
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 1049 |
| Unknown Or Other | 765 |
| Electrical System | 732 |
| Engine | 731 |
| Air Bags | 679 |
| Power Train | 380 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 358 |
| Service Brakes | 278 |
Source: NHTSA complaints API, per model year (linked on each year’s issue pages).
Subaru Forester problems by system (all years)
Systems with sourced problem pages in two or more model years. Pages list NHTSA owner complaints and CarComplaints.com reports for that year.
Engine (10 model years)
- 2023: Engine oil leak
- 2023: Engine random misfire
- 2022: Sudden acceleration
- 2021: Engine complaints (35 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Engine complaints (85 NHTSA reports)
- 2015: Blown engine
- 2015: Unintended acceleration
- 2014: High oil consumption
- 2013: Complete engine failure
- 2013: Excessive oil consumption
- 2012: Engine complaints (29 NHTSA reports)
- 2012: Excessive oil consumption
- 2011: Burning oil odor
- 2011: Excessive oil consumption
- 2011: Unintended acceleration
- 2010: Blown head gaskets
- 2010: Engine failure
Electrical (9 model years)
- 2025: Electrical System complaints (9 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Eyesight keeps turning on and off
- 2023: Electrical System complaints (8 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Electrical System complaints (11 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Electrical System complaints (34 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Soy based wiring in my car is being eaten by rats
- 2020: Battery drains within a few days
- 2020: Electrical System complaints (103 NHTSA reports)
- 2019: Battery always dying
- 2017: Electrical System complaints (106 NHTSA reports)
- 2016: Electrical System complaints (93 NHTSA reports)
Windows / windshield (9 model years)
- 2025: Visibility/Wiper complaints (13 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Visibility/Wiper complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Visibility/Wiper complaints (11 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Cracked windshield
- 2022: Visibility/Wiper complaints (20 NHTSA reports)
- 2021: Chipped windshield immediately
- 2021: Drivers side windows doesn't roll up
- 2021: Visibility/Wiper complaints (76 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Visibility complaints (301 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Visibility/Wiper complaints (252 NHTSA reports)
- 2020: Windshield chip growing crack
- 2019: Windshield chips easily
- 2018: Cracked windshield
- 2018: Visibility/Wiper complaints (135 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Visibility/Wiper complaints (104 NHTSA reports)
Transmission (5 model years)
- 2017: Shuddering and jerking
- 2016: Transmission failure
- 2015: Transmission failure
- 2014: Flat spot, bogging, bucking, lurching and stuttering
- 2013: Transmission failure
Forward Collision Avoidance (4 model years)
- 2025: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (13 NHTSA reports)
- 2024: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (5 NHTSA reports)
- 2023: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (13 NHTSA reports)
- 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance complaints (15 NHTSA reports)
Air bags / seat belts (3 model years)
- 2024: Air Bags complaints (7 NHTSA reports)
- 2017: Air Bags complaints (166 NHTSA reports)
- 2016: Air Bags complaints (100 NHTSA reports)
Suspension (3 model years)
- 2018: Control arm bushings failure
- 2017: Lower control arm bushing worn causing wheel bounce
- 2014: Broken coil springs
- 2014: Suspension complaints (94 NHTSA reports)
Page last updated .