2022 Subaru Forester Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Forester at the same age

Owners have filed 100 complaints about the 2022 Subaru Forester with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.5× as many as a typical Forester model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the windows, wipers & sunroof (24 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

100complaints
1recalls
8crashes
6fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most common 2022 Subaru Forester problems

  • 2424%
  • Other / not specified
    1818%
  • Driver assistance~23,000 miles
    1717%
  • Electrical system~30,000 miles
    1111%
  • Engine & cooling~5,000 miles
    1111%
  • Brakes~17,000 miles
    1111%
  • Speed control & acceleration~2,000 miles
    99%
  • Lights~0 miles
    88%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~6,000 miles
    88%
  • Air bags~2,000 miles
    44%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~51,000 miles
    44%
  • Suspension
    33%
  • Body & structure
    22%
  • Steering
    22%
  • Wheels & tires
    22%
  • Seats
    11%
  • Seat belts
    11%
  • Equipment & accessories
    11%

Share of the 100 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Subaru Forester 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).

Best Forester years: 2013, 2024. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2018. Compare all years →

2022 Subaru Forester recalls (1)

Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA recall 23V-755 · Nov 9, 2023 · 95,830 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

What 2022 Subaru Forester owners say

Windows, wipers & sunroof all 24 →

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a rock struck the bottom middle of the windshield glass. The rock became imbedded inside the windshield glass which caused water to leak inside the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and insisted that the windshield glass be replaced with the same type of glass and not an aftermarket glass. The contact waited a month for the windshield repair; however, the eyesight and cruise control features both became inoperable after the repair. A month later, the contact stated while exiting the highway, an unknown object struck the windshield and caused another crack to form on the bottom left side of the windshield. The contact stated that each crack obstructed her vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …

Windshield · 1,000 miles · Mar 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the windshield which started from the bottom of the front windshield and expanded to the driver's side casing a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The representative at the dealer took a picture and forwarded the picture to the manufacturer. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,600.

Windshield · 8,000 miles · Jun 2022

Driver assistance

I had adaptive cruise control set to the speed limit of 55, I looked down to input directions and then heard the collision warning tone. There was a large box truck sitting at the stop light ahead of me. I slammed on the breaks and swerved into the right-hand turn lane. The vehicle did not make it entirely out of the way and hit the back passenger corner of the lift on the box truck at a slight angle. The vehicle was shredded from the front driver's side bumper to the beginning of the driver's door frame and the hood went through the windshield. No air bags were deployed. --I believe the components/system that could have potentially failed if any, was the airbag system or the automatic emergency breaking system. --Unsure if the problem has been reproduced. --The vehicle was inspected by police & insurance representatives. Unsure if the manufacturer has completed an inspection. …

Automatic emergency braking · Jul 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 32 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system suddenly engaged while there were no objects or vehicles nearby. Additionally, the contact stated that the Subaru EyeSight system was disabled due to being a seasoned driver. The contact stated that she was forced to purchase the vehicle with the feature. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was inspected and recalibrated. The dealer informed the contact that the EZ Pass may have contributed to the failure; however, the contact stated that the EZ Pass had been on the console for approximately three years. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

Automatic emergency braking · 23,000 miles · Aug 2025

Electrical system

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the Manufacturer's label indicated that the fuel economy stated 26 miles/per city and 33 miles/per highway per gallon; however, the contact stated that the mileage per gallon had never exceeded 23.7 m/p/g. The contact also stated that the fuel meter was locked at 23.7 m/p/g. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

Instrument cluster/panel · 6,000 miles · Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a service appointment, the contact was advised that the batter was defective. The contact was informed that the battery was not large enough for the power of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,200.

12V/24V/48V battery · 30,000 miles · May 2026

2022 Subaru Forester engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cylCVTAWD26 / 33 / 29

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester a good car?

Based on 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Forester rates use caution: 1.5× 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 2022 Subaru Forester?

The windows, wipers & sunroof — 24 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the driver assistance (17) and electrical system (11).

How many recalls does the 2022 Subaru Forester have?

There is 1 recall for the 2022 Subaru Forester, the most recent from November 9, 2023 (park/neutral start interlock switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2022 Subaru Forester problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 6,000 miles; 93% 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.