Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Subaru Forester, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2015 Subaru Forester - 558 complaints in its first 8 years (615 to date)
- 2017 Subaru Forester - 556 complaints in its first 8 years (588 to date)
- 2018 Subaru Forester - 498 complaints in its first 8 years (498 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2008 Subaru Forester - 28 complaints in its first 8 years (50 to date)
- 2005 Subaru Forester - 43 complaints in its first 8 years (93 to date)
- 2007 Subaru Forester - 50 complaints in its first 8 years (74 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 97 | 97 | 3 |
| 2024 Subaru Forester | 29 | 29 | 2 |
| 2023 Subaru Forester | 74 | 74 | 1 |
| 2022 Subaru Forester | 98 | 98 | 1 |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | 209 | 209 | 0 |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 602 | 602 | 0 |
| 2019 Subaru Forester | 833 | 833 | 3 |
| 2018 Subaru Forester | 498 | 498 | 3 |
| 2017 Subaru Forester | 588 | 556 | 1 |
| 2016 Subaru Forester | 415 | 376 | 3 |
| 2015 Subaru Forester | 615 | 558 | 3 |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | 403 | 352 | 2 |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | 77 | 65 | 12 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 105 | 89 | 15 |
| 2011 Subaru Forester | 147 | 115 | 16 |
| 2010 Subaru Forester | 262 | 205 | 17 |
| 2009 Subaru Forester | 178 | 137 | 17 |
| 2008 Subaru Forester | 50 | 28 | 1 |
| 2007 Subaru Forester | 74 | 50 | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 88 | 51 | 2 |
| 2005 Subaru Forester | 93 | 43 | 1 |
| 2004 Subaru Forester | 219 | 92 | 2 |
| 2003 Subaru Forester | 189 | 85 | 3 |
| 2002 Subaru Forester | 88 | 66 | 1 |
| 2001 Subaru Forester | 139 | 115 | 0 |
| 2000 Subaru Forester | 75 | 66 | 0 |
| 1999 Subaru Forester | 131 | 116 | 1 |
| 1998 Subaru Forester | 101 | 93 | 1 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| 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. |
| 26V346000 | 2026 | Visibility | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. |
| 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... |
| 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. |
| 23V755000 | 2022 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. |
| 23V754000 | 2023-2024 | Power Train | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. |
| 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... |
| 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. |
| 21V263000 | 2019 | Suspension | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. |
| 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... |
| 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... |
| 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... |
| 19V856000 | 2019 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. |
| 19V701000 | 2015-2018 | Air Bags | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. |
| 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... |
| 19V065000 | 2019 | Steering | Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. |
| 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... |
| 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... |
| 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. |
| 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,... |
| 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,... |
| 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... |
| 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... |
| 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,... |
| 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... |
| 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... |