Subaru Forester Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru Forester model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2008 drew the fewest (50) and the 2019 the most (833).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
24 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 26–35 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
29 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2008 Among the fewest complaints |
50 | 1 | Suspension | — | 20–22 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
74 | 1 | Suspension | — | 20–22 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
77 | 12 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
95 | 3 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 26–35 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 26–29 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 | Engine | 4★ | 21–23 |
| 2009 | 178 | 17 | Air bags | — | 21–22 |
| 2021 | 208 | 0 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 29 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 | Seats | — | 21–22 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 | Suspension | 5★ | 24–27 |
| 2016 | 415 | 3 | Air bags | 5★ | 25–27 |
| 2018 | 498 | 3 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2017 | 587 | 1 | Air bags | 5★ | 24–28 |
| 2020 Among the most complaints |
601 | 0 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 29 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
614 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 25–27 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
833 | 3 | Visibility/wiper | 5★ | 29 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru Forester years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Subaru Forester: 833 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 370 (44%); Electrical system 134 (16%); Engine 106 (13%).
Reports mention 37 crashes, 11 fires, 21 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 8,650 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Subaru Forester: 614 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 131 (21%); Air bags 102 (17%); Power train 95 (15%).
Reports mention 53 crashes, 7 fires, 34 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 44,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Subaru Forester: 601 complaints
Most-reported: Visibility/wiper 252 (42%); Electrical system 102 (17%); Engine 80 (13%).
Reports mention 26 crashes, 9 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,900 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru Forester years with the fewest complaints
2008 Subaru Forester: 50 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 11 (22%); Engine 7 (14%); Air bags 6 (12%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 88,900 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2007 Subaru Forester: 74 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 12 (16%); Power train 11 (15%); Engine 9 (12%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 1 fire, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Subaru Forester: 77 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 26 (34%); Air bags 13 (17%); Service brakes 9 (12%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 2 fires, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 50,000 miles. 12 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru Forester owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 95 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 2,800 |
| 2024 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 74 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 98 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 6,000 |
| 2021 | 208 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 8,000 |
| 2020 | 601 | 26 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 5,900 |
| 2019 | 833 | 37 | 11 | 21 | 1 | 8,650 |
| 2018 | 498 | 26 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2017 | 587 | 40 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2016 | 415 | 40 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 39,000 |
| 2015 | 614 | 53 | 7 | 34 | 0 | 44,000 |
| 2014 | 403 | 48 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 54,000 |
| 2013 | 77 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 48,000 |
| 2011 | 147 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2010 | 262 | 21 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 66,000 |
| 2009 | 178 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 57,000 |
| 2008 | 50 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 88,900 |
| 2007 | 74 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 57,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru Forester recalls
- Brake Lights May Not Illuminate (2014–2016 model years; 1,303,530 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2019; 19V149000)
- Accessory Puddle Light may Short-circuit (2009–2012 model years; 633,842 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2012; 12V602000)
- Incorrect Weight Rating on Label/FMVSS 110 (2025–2026 model years; 541,237 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2026; 26V436000)
- Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion (2009–2013 model years; 461,338 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V311000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2013 model years; 452,630 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2019; 19V009000)
All 43 Subaru Forester recall campaigns · Subaru Forester problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru Forester years FAQ
Which Subaru Forester year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2008 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (50). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru Forester years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2015 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the visibility/wiper. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru Forester problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the visibility/wiper (1,059 of 5,372 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns covering the Subaru Forester. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru Forester recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.