Most common 2021 Subaru Forester problems
Share of the 210 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Forester complaints by model year
Best Forester years: 2013, 2024. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2018. Compare all years →
What 2021 Subaru Forester owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 90 →
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and passing a vehicle, he heard a sound coming from the windshield and the windshield cracked from the driver side to the middle of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the windshield. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred at the same spot while driving and passing another vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the windshield a second time. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred a third time while passing another vehicle. The contact stated that the windshield had a small crack at the bottom; however, the crack significantly expanded overnight. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise and saw a crack on the upper driver's side windshield. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the windshield to be replaced. The dealer referred the contact to an auto shop to have the repair completed. The windshield was replaced however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. The VIN was not available.
Electrical system all 33 →
After arriving home from a short drive to the grocery store I parked my car in the drive way and went inside. On the drive home I could hear a low humming coming from the speakers and the car was decelerating when the accelerator was not being pressed, no warning lights or sounds came on. About 10 minutes after I parked a neighbor knocked on the door letting me know my car was smoking from inside the hood. Within a minute or 2 the entire hood of the car was engulfed in flames. The entire front half of the car burned to a crisp, the fire also burned half a tree. The car was burning so hot that it melted the hood of the car, had I parked it with the hood facing my house my house would have caught fire. The problem has not been reduced or confirmed by dealer or independent service. The vehicle is being stored by the insurance and for the time being is accessible for investigation. …
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle immediately shut off. During the failure, the message "Eyesight Disabled" was displayed and the vehicle could not immediately be restarted. The gear shifter was shifted to neutral(N) and the vehicle was pushed to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was eventually restarted and operated normally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000. The VIN was not available.
Engine & cooling all 33 →
The contact owned a 2021 Subaru Forester Sport. The contact stated while driving at 75 MPH, the front end of the vehicle crashed into a small deer. The air bags did not deploy. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact's friend who was occupying the front passenger seat exited the vehicle and inspected the front end of the vehicle. The contact's friend then advised her to immediately exit the vehicle as there were flames underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated while she was exiting the vehicle and letting her three dogs who were occupying the rear seats out of the vehicle, the fire expanded to the entire front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle burned significantly. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. A police report was filed. …
The contact owned a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 4 MPH and slowing to park, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact stated that the vehicle drove out of the parking lot and crashed into a wall. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and that the vehicle had then shifted into reverse (R) and driven out away from the wall and crashed into a parked vehicle and stopped. The contact stated she was unaware of any warning lights. The contact stated that she had 1 passenger in the front seat and 2 passengers in the rear seat. The contact stated that everyone was shaken and achy, but no cuts or other injuries. The contact stated later that the passengers went on their own to seek medical attention. …
2021 Subaru Forester engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 26 / 33 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester a good car?
Based on 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Forester rates avoid: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Forester at the same age. It is one of the Forester years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Subaru Forester?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 90 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the electrical system (33) and engine & cooling (33).
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2021 Subaru Forester. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Forester?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015 and 2018. See the full Subaru Forester years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Forester problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 8,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.