Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 10% | 6,000 miles |
| 2025 | 17 | 17% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% | 6,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 13 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2019 | 22 | 3% | 4,000 miles |
| 2018 | 21 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 2% | 29,000 miles |
| 2016 | 24 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
| 2015 | 57 | 9% | 54,000 miles |
| 2014 | 21 | 5% | 13,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 8 | 8% | 3,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 117,000 miles |
| 2010 | 13 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 10 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 15% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 22 | 24% | 93,000 miles |
| 2004 | 124 | 57% | 107,000 miles |
| 2003 | 57 | 30% | 102,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% | 108,000 miles |
| 2001 | 10 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 8% | 101,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% | 95,000 miles |
| 1998 | 5 | 5% | 98,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the engine sputtered before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with an inoperable fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure returned three weeks later. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicated the failure but determined that the failure was caused by a blown fuse and the fuse was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Vehicle stopped at light,auto start stop engine off,stepped on gas to go engine didn't restart,my passenger and I jumped out and grabbed a Noco GB40 jump box I carry and jump started car,we were on a road trip out of town and could not wait for the dealership so finished our trip with the auto start stop turned off and if we had a problem starting used the jump box.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a few days after the dealer had serviced the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V106000(Fuel System, Gasoline), the contact refueled the vehicle at the gas station. The contact stated that upon entering the store and returning to the vehicle, the contact noticed both a strong fuel odor and fuel leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. The contact used soap and water to clean up the area. The vehicle was driven and parked outside the residence's garage. The contact stated that if the fuel leak had gone unnoticed, the vehicle would have been parked inside the garage near a water heater's open flame, leading to a catastrophic fire that could have affected both the contact's family and nearby neighbors. The contact attempted to reach the dealer to report the failure, but had not yet received a return call. …
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. …
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.
-Engine failure: fuel line issue causing 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness to catch fire and explode - beforehand rod bearing was pulverized in separate incident a few months prior - engine was then replaced and car exploded 600 miles later causing total loss of vehicle. -Car exploded while driving in it, lost all personal belongings in car, barely got out of vehicle in time before explosion. -Investigation completed by Subaru of America and confirmed as a fuel line issue a few weeks later. -Smelt gas on highway while driving a few moments prior to car exploding.
I was coming out of my garaged ( car was facing forward) . The car seemed to hesitate as I tapped the gas pedal. I thought maybe this was because the car sensed the sides of the garage via the rear view mirror sensors. I am always careful when exiting my garage so as not to ding the rearview mirrors. I repeatedly tapped the gas lightly about three times but the car hesitated each time and did not want to seem to move forward. One last time I tapped the gas and the car bolted out of the garage jumped the curb across the street at an unexpected rapid speed. I did not have my foot on the gas pedal. The car lunged forward , crossed the street and hit the garage door and frame of the house across the street for me doing structural damage. I believe this to be unintended acceleration for which other Subaru models have experienced problems. The air bags did not deploy. …
Vehicle was parked and idling unoccupied for under 5 minutes when an extremely noxious, hot blast of fumes came from underneath the back. Black smoke immediately entered the passenger cabin through the vents and flames were visible in the engine compartment and running onto the ground. Entire vehicle was burned beyond recognition in a matter of minutes. Ten days earlier the TCV, a known problem, had been replaced at a dealership per TSB 09-80-21. The vehicle had been driven under 300 miles since the replacement. Afterwards, a manufacturer rep inspected the vehicle, indicated the fire started in right rear of the engine compartment, could have possibly been a fuel leak, but damage was too extensive to determine the exact cause. The referenced TSB explicitly requires a new fuel line for every TCV replacement.
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (124), 2003 (57), 2015 (57), 2016 (24) and 2005 (22) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 57% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester fuel system problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 21V-587 (fuel pump, Jul 29, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (8 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly › filler pipe and cap (8).
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.