Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 24% | — |
| 2025 | 17 | 17% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 19% | — |
| 2023 | 17 | 23% | 15,000 miles |
| 2022 | 17 | 17% | 23,000 miles |
| 2021 | 20 | 10% | 24,000 miles |
| 2020 | 56 | 9% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 52 | 6% | 14,000 miles |
| 2018 | 15 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 2% | 54,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 2% | 8,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 73,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% | 200,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Mid-afternoon - clear day - dry pavement - cruise control set at 70+ MPH on Interstate 35. Car suddenly detects obstacle and starts phantom breaking excessively. Causes complete terror that we're about to hit something - only there was no obstacle to be found. Alarm eventually shut off and after a few moments, I was finally able to accelerate again. Luckily, there were no cars directly behind me or that would have been a huge pile up. Reported concern to Subaru dealer - referred to corporate - they have had my car for 25 days. Today I was notified that due to not signing a waiver issued today stating I would turn all eyesight data over to any third party vendor and law enforcement - both now and in the future data - the safety case was at an impasse. No further explanation as to how this concern would be addressed. Corporate has not contacted local dealer with next steps. …
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. …
On 12/4/25, I was pulling into a space in a parking deck, was approximately one quarter of the way into the spot and the vehicle suddenly accelerated and struck a cement wall. I did not have my feet on the pedals at the time and was going at approximately 5 miles per hour. The airbags did not deploy, and no automatic braking or warning systems engaged. As a result of the accident, I sustained three fractured ribs and a partially collapsed lung. Immediately following the impact, the Starlink system dialed 911 and a police report was filed. I contacted the dealership who directed me to Subaru of America to report the incident. Their customer advocacy and quality assurance department reviewed telematics data and have refused to physically inspect my vehicle even though I have requested it as a customer because I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. …
My Subaru issues, false warnings to "KEEP HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL" while both hands are holding the steering wheel. The warnings are inconsistent and follow varying sequences. In most cases, the warning begins with a yellow outlined warning, on the instrument panel, to keep hands on the steering wheel with the accompanying beep tones. In most cases, with no change in hand position, the light will go out. In other cases, the outline on the warning will change to red and then go out. In still other cases, the warning will proceed to the CID and be displayed in red with audio. In all of these cases there has been no change in hand position. Usually the light will go out in a few seconds with no change in hand position. In the opposite case, if hands are completely removed from the steering wheel, no warning is given for approximately 12 seconds. …
While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side. It destroyed the headlight and damaged the fender and quarterpanel lightly and slightly bent the hood. I was able to pull over safely. When I got out to look at the damage, I could not open the hood but I could see a small flame on the passsenger side of the engine (this would be on the other side of the engine from where I hit the deer.) I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of my car but could not get the fire out. I got my grandbaby out safely at that point. Another driver stopped and tried to get the fire out with his fire extinguisher but to no avail. We called 911 and the fire department promptly got there. By then the entire car was in flames. …
I am writing to formally request that the NTSB investigate an apparent defect in the EyeSight driver assistance system installed on the 2024 Subaru Forester. I have experienced repeated instances of unreliable and unsafe behavior, including unexpected alerts and the EyeSight system disengaging on multiple occasions, including during periods of bad weather. These issues occur in situations where the vehicle should continue to function normally and create a significant safety concern for drivers, passengers, and other road users. Given EyeSight's role in collision avoidance and driver assistance, any defect poses an elevated risk of accidents. I believe this issue may be systemic rather than isolated and warrants independent review. I respectfully request that the NTSB investigate this matter and determine whether further action is necessary.
The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into five other vehicles while trying to stop the vehicle. The air bags deployed as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was deemed a total loss at the scene. A Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
I was driving on a two lane highway in the mountains and came around a small right-veering turn in the road. I straightened out the wheel to resume traveling straight, and my car's auto-steer kicked in and pulled left into the center divider, and then right across two lanes and crashed into the side of the mountain. The auto-steer has pulled me out of lanes prior to this incident as well.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (56), 2019 (52), 2021 (20), 2022 (17) and 2023 (17) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for any Subaru Forester model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles; 85% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic emergency braking (118 mentions), followed by the warnings (100).
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.