Subaru Forester reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 5,077 complaints about the Subaru Forester with NHTSA since 2010, most often about visibility and wipers and other or unspecified. Subaru has filed 15 warranty extensions and 10 service campaigns for it, and there are 34 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Subaru Forester? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Forester a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 5,077
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 15
- Filed by Subaru
- Service campaigns
- 10
- Filed by Subaru
- Safety recalls
- 34
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Forester with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | Other or unspecified (24%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 97 | Other or unspecified (20%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 29 | Other or unspecified (31%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 74 | Other or unspecified (27%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | 98 | Visibility and wipers (20%) | 1 | 4 |
| 2021 | 209 | Visibility and wipers (36%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | 602 | Visibility and wipers (42%) | 0 | 9 |
| 2019 | 833 | Visibility and wipers (44%) | 3 | 10 |
| 2018 | 498 | Visibility and wipers (27%) | 3 | 13 |
| 2017 | 588 | Airbags (28%) | 1 | 13 |
| 2016 | 415 | Airbags (24%) | 3 | 9 |
| 2015 | 615 | Engine (21%) | 3 | 9 |
| 2014 | 403 | Suspension (23%) | 2 | 1 |
| 2013 | 77 | Engine (34%) | 12 | 1 |
| 2012 | 105 | Engine (26%) | 15 | 1 |
| 2011 | 147 | Engine (41%) | 16 | 1 |
| 2010 | 262 | Seats (29%) | 17 | 4 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Forester model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Subaru
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Subaru filed with NHTSA for the Forester, in its own words. A warranty extension means Subaru pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2026· Engine· model years 2017–2018
This bulletin announces Warranty Extension and design changes made to the front exhaust pipe and covers to address the concerns of some customers regarding an odor or a rattle-type noise/fluttering sound coming from the undercarriage, during acceleration.
- Warranty extensionMar 2025· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
This announcement is in regard to the warranty extension initiated for windshields for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionMar 2025· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
- Warranty extensionJan 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2019
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Visibility and wipers· model years 2019–2022
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2017–2020
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2016–2018
T16 VoLTE Warranty Extension (15-318-24R) Frequently Asked Questions.
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2019–2021
This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed. The coverage will be extended to (15) fifteen years / 150,000 miles.
- Warranty extensionSep 2022· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015–2020
Battery Drain Class Action Settlement- Warranty Extension Training.
- Warranty extensionAug 2022· Electrical system· model years 2015–2020
This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign/voluntary emissions recall for certain 2015-2016 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles. This campaign will involve replacement of the front exhaust pipe containing the catalytic converter.
- Warranty extensionOct 2016· Engine· model years 2010–2015
2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.5L FB Engines - 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 FB Engines - 2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek…
- Warranty extensionFeb 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015
As part of subarus dedication to customer satisfaction, soa is announcing a dashboard warranty extension program.
- Service campaignFeb 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a Service Campaign for certain 2017 model year Forester normally aspirated vehicles with CVT transmissions. Subaru has determined vehicles affected by this Service Program require additional CVT fluid.
- Service campaignMar 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Update: Owner notification WUK-96 DIT exhaust pipe front (EPF) nut torque service campaign/voluntary emissions recall.
- Service campaignMar 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign for certain 2015-2018 Forester 2.0L Turbo and 2016-2018 WRX models which may experience a loosening of the front exhaust pipe nuts.
- Service campaignFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Owner notification WUK-96 DIT exhaust pipe front (EPF) nut torque service campaign/voluntary emission recall.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign/ voluntary emissions recall for certain 2015-2018 Forester 2.0L Turbo and 2016-2018 WRX models which may experience a loosening of the fornt exhaust pip nuts.
- Service campaignDec 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign for certain 2015-2018 Forester 2.0L Turbo and 2016-2018 WRX models which may experience a loosening of the front exhaust pipe nuts.
- Service campaignOct 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2017
(non-Turbo) with CVT. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a Service Campaign for certain 2017 model year Forester normally aspirated vehicles with CVT transmissions.
- Service campaignJun 2011· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
ECM reprogramming procedure. 2006-2010 Legacy/outback/forester/impreza. *rm updated 9/26/11.
- Service campaignMar 2011· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
A software problem is causing the catalytic converter to degrade when driving at high speeds. This will cause the engine light to come on.
- Service campaignOct 2009· Engine and cooling· model years 2010
Engine control module (ECM) reprogramming. Under certain severe driving patterns, such as high speed highway/uphill driving and/or accelerating with high engine revolutions, the efficiency of an affected vehicle's catalytic converter may begin to degrade beyond design…
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Forester model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Visibility and wipers991 (20%)
- Other or unspecified769 (15%)
- Electrical system730 (14%)
- Engine720 (14%)
- Airbags639 (13%)
- Cruise control and speed control352 (7%)
- Transmission and drivetrain331 (7%)
- Suspension160 (3%)
Safety recalls
34 recalls cover at least one Forester model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label.
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.
These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
And 19 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE19009Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2019, closed Jan 2020· Airbags· model years 2016–2018
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Led to recall 19V701000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Subaru Forester has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 5,077 owner complaints, 15 warranty extensions and 10 service campaigns Subaru filed, and 34 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (833), 2015 (615), 2020 (602). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Subaru Forester?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name visibility and wipers (20%), other or unspecified (15%), electrical system (14%). Subaru has filed 15 warranty extensions covering the Forester, listed on this page.
Which Forester model years have the most complaints?
2019 (833), 2015 (615), 2020 (602). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Forester with each other rather than with other models.
Has Subaru extended the warranty on the Forester?
Yes: engine (model years 2017–2018); visibility and wipers (model years 2019–2022); visibility and wipers (model years 2019–2022), and 12 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Forester?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 34 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.