Subaru Forester recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 43 recalls and 6,295 owner complaints for the Subaru Forester (model years 2000–2026). The most reported problem area is visibility/wiper (1,035 complaints), followed by engine (823 complaints). The 2010 model year has the most recalls (17).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 32 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 99 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 2 | 31 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 74 | 8 | 4 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 100 | 8 | 6 | |
| 2021 | 0 | 212 | 16 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 0 | 603 | 26 | 9 | |
| 2019 | 3 | 834 | 37 | 11 | |
| 2018 | 3 | 498 | 26 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 1 | 592 | 40 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 416 | 40 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 3 | 615 | 53 | 7 | |
| 2014 | 2 | 403 | 48 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 12 | 78 | 13 | 3 | |
| 2012 | 15 | 106 | 15 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 16 | 147 | 21 | 6 | |
| 2010 | 17 | 262 | 21 | 6 | |
| 2009 | 17 | 178 | 19 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 50 | 5 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 74 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 88 | 12 | 7 | |
| 2005 | 1 | 93 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 2 | 219 | 13 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 189 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 1 | 88 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 0 | 139 | 31 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 75 | 7 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2019 (834), 2015 (615) and 2020 (603). Among model years at least two years old, the 2024 has the fewest complaints on file (31).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Subaru Forester model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 1,035 | 12 of 27 | |
| Engine | 823 | 25 of 27 | |
| Air bags | 798 | 24 of 27 | |
| Electrical system | 786 | 24 of 27 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 510 | 25 of 27 |
Latest 8 of 43 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V685000 | Oct 19, 2026 | Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint | 2026 | 8 |
| 26V436000 | Jul 7, 2026 | Equipment: other, labels | 2025–2026 | 541,237 |
| 26V346000 | May 28, 2026 | Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly | 2026 | 69,663 |
| 25V889000 | Dec 18, 2025 | Structure: body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachments | 2026 | 5,603 |
| 25V419000 | Jun 19, 2025 | Child seat | 2025 | 2,938 |
| 25V033000 | Jan 23, 2025 | Wheels | 2025 | 20,366 |
| 23V755000 | Nov 9, 2023 | Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch | 2022 | 95,830 |
| 23V754000 | Nov 9, 2023 | Power train: driveline, driveshaft | 2023–2024 | 4,701 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 543 complaints and a fire in 97 complaints; 301 people injured and 8 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.