Subaru Forester Problems by Year

We compared every Subaru Forester model year from 1998–2026 using 6,519 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 44 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2018, which drew far more complaints than other Forester years at the same age. The best years are 2013 and 2024.

29model years
6,519complaints
44recalls
2019, 2020worst years
2013, 2024best years

Complaints by model year

’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261011317513988189219938874501782621471057840361541559249883460321010074319829
Owner complaints per model year, Subaru Forester. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2026291.2×4Window & WiperAverage
2025983.0×3Window & WiperAvoid
202431−27%2AirbagAverage
2023741.3×1Collision AvoidanceAverage
20221001.5×1Window & WiperCaution
20212103.0×—Window & WiperAvoid
20206037.4×—Window & WiperAvoid
20198349.5×3Window & WiperAvoid
20184985.4×3Window & WiperAvoid
20175926.0×1AirbagAvoid
20164154.0×3AirbagAvoid
20156155.9×3EngineAvoid
20144033.8×2SuspensionAvoid
201378−36%12EngineAverage
2012105typical15EngineAverage
20111471.3×16EngineAverage
20102622.3×17SeatAvoid
20091781.5×17AirbagCaution
200850−71%1SuspensionGood
200774−49%1EngineGood
200688−44%2EngineGood
200593−52%1Fuel SystemGood
2004219typical2Fuel SystemAverage
2003189typical3Fuel SystemAverage
200288−33%1AccelerationAverage
20011391.2×—AccelerationAverage
200075−34%—TransmissionAverage
19991311.3×1TransmissionAverage
1998101typical1TransmissionAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Forester year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Subaru Forester problems

Latest Subaru Forester recalls

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 26V-685 · Oct 19, 2026 · 8 vehiclesDo not drive

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the left-front lower control arm ball joint assembly, as necessary, free of charge.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 26V-436 · Jul 7, 2026 · 541,237 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.

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.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 26V-346 · May 28, 2026 · 69,663 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.

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.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments

NHTSA recall 25V-889 · Dec 18, 2025 · 5,603 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.

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.

Child seat

NHTSA recall 25V-419 · Jun 19, 2025 · 2,938 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 15, 2025.

All 44 Subaru Forester recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Subaru Forester should you avoid?

2019, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2018 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Forester years at the same age, led by windows, wipers & sunroof problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Subaru Forester?

2013 has the fewest complaints compared with other Forester years at the same age, followed by 2024. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the windows, wipers & sunroof (1,251), engine & cooling (1,014) and air bags (818). Window & Wiper complaints peak in the 2019 model year.

How many recalls has the Subaru Forester had?

44 recalls across 1998–2026. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Subaru Forester recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.