Complaints by model year
Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Subaru Forester. Hover a bar for the count.
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years
Which years to avoid
Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.
Years to look at twice
- 2019 Subaru Forester - 1,087 complaints
- 2015 Subaru Forester - 897 complaints
- 2020 Subaru Forester - 809 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Quieter years
- 2008 Subaru Forester - 67 complaints
- 2007 Subaru Forester - 89 complaints
- 2013 Subaru Forester - 94 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.
What fails, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 24 | 3 |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 126 | 3 |
| 2024 Subaru Forester | 41 | 2 |
| 2023 Subaru Forester | 111 | 1 |
| 2022 Subaru Forester | 141 | 1 |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | 285 | 0 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 809 | 0 |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | 1,087 | 3 |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | 678 | 3 |
| 2017 Subaru Forester | 796 | 1 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 617 | 3 |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | 897 | 3 |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | 576 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | 94 | 12 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 140 | 15 |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | 195 | 16 |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | 307 | 17 |
| 2009 Subaru Forester | 228 | 17 |
| 2008 Subaru Forester | 67 | 1 |
| 2007 Subaru Forester | 89 | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 121 | 2 |
| 2005 Subaru Forester | 105 | 1 |
| 2004 Subaru Forester | 270 | 2 |
| 2003 Subaru Forester | 238 | 3 |
| 2002 Subaru Forester | 109 | 1 |
| 2001 Subaru Forester | 169 | 0 |
| 2000 Subaru Forester | 95 | 0 |
| 1999 Subaru Forester | 156 | 1 |
| 1998 Subaru Forester | 138 | 1 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V436000 | 2025-2026 | Equipment | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured wi |
| 26V346000 | 2026 | Visibility | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bo |
| 25V889000 | 2026 | Structure | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch sup |
| 25V419000 | 2025 | Child Seat | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose. |
| 25V033000 | 2025 | Wheels | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly spec |
| 23V755000 | 2022 | Power Train | 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 inh |
| 23V754000 | 2023-2024 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cr |
| 23V723000 | 2024 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coo |
| 22V838000 | 2009-2013 | Seat Belts | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash. |
| 21V587000 | 2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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-press |
| 21V263000 | 2019 | Suspension | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen an |
| 20V003000 | 2009-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2 |
| 20V002000 | 2009-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 S |
| 20V001000 | 2009-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-20 |
| 19V856000 | 2019 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing |
| 19V701000 | 2015-2018 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant |
| 19V297000 | 2009-2013 | Electrical System | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback |
| 19V149000 | 2014-2016 | Exterior Lighting | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013 |
| 19V065000 | 2019 | Steering | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting |
| 19V009000 | 2010-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever |
| 19V008000 | 2010-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever |
| 19V007000 | 2010-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the s |
| 18V455000 | 2018 | Tires | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As |
| 18V014000 | 2009 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado |
| 18V013000 | 2009-2010 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Ar |
| 18V012000 | 2009-2013 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the |
| 17V026000 | 2009 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles or |
| 17V014000 | 2009-2012 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outbac |
| 16V738000 | 2009-2013 | Electrical System | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all e |
| 16V358000 | 2009-2011 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 200 |