Subaru Forester owners filed 4,033 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2019 Subaru Forester drew the most complaints (833); across all years, owners complain most about wipers / visibility (26% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2019, with 833 complaints, led by wipers / visibility (370) and 3 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Wipers / visibility drew 1,029 complaints but no recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2019 (2.0 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: wipers / visibility complaints came at a median 9k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 50 complaints mention a fire and 264 a crash, with 148 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Subaru Forester complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 3 recalls | 606 | Engine (131), Air bags (98), Transmission / powertrain (94) median 44k mi · 49 crashes · 7 fires |
| 2016 3 recalls | 413 | Air bags (99), Electrical system (93), Engine (60) median 39k mi · 39 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2017 1 recall | 586 | Air bags (164), Electrical system (106), Wipers / visibility (104) median 30k mi · 40 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2018 3 recalls | 494 | Wipers / visibility (135), Air bags (96), Electrical system (71) median 16k mi · 26 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2019 3 recalls | 833 | Wipers / visibility (370), Electrical system (134), Engine (106) median 9k mi · 37 crashes · 11 fires |
| 2020 no recall | 601 | Wipers / visibility (252), Electrical system (102), Engine (80) median 6k mi · 26 crashes · 9 fires |
| 2021 no recall | 207 | Wipers / visibility (76), Electrical system (33), Engine (32) median 8k mi · 16 crashes · 5 fires |
| 2022 1 recall | 98 | Wipers / visibility (20), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (15), Electrical system (10) median 6k mi · 8 crashes · 6 fires |
| 2023 1 recall | 73 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (13), Wipers / visibility (11), Electrical system (7) median 9k mi · 8 crashes · 4 fires |
| 2024 2 recalls | 29 | Air bags (7), Wipers / visibility (5), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (4) median 5k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2025 3 recalls | 93 | Wipers / visibility (13), Fuel system (13), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (10) median 3k mi · 11 crashes · 2 fires |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 20, more than the 14 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Subaru Forester problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers / visibility | 1,029 | 26% | 0 | 9k mi | Wiper replacement cost |
| Electrical system | 646 | 16% | 0 | 27k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Air bags | 508 | 13% | 1 | 34k mi | — |
| Engine | 507 | 13% | 3 | 36k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Transmission / powertrain | 307 | 8% | 2 | 31k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Speed control / acceleration | 253 | 6% | 0 | 20k mi | — |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 176 | 4% | 0 | 13k mi | — |
| Fuel system | 172 | 4% | 1 | 39k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Subaru Forester owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Wipers / visibility
The front windshield is covered in chips all over it I've got a few bigger ones repaired. However the whole windshield needs to be replaced I don't even know where they've come from I mean the whole windshield is just covered and tiny little chips and when the sun shines on it while you're driving it makes visibility extremely hard. And from what I gather researching windshields on Subaru this is a flaw...
2021 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11620045
On 10/23/19, I noticed a crack in the windshield of my 2019 Subaru forester. I had not seen or heard anything hit the windshield prior to seeing the crack. I took the Subaru Forester to the dealership from where I bought it and was informed that windshield replacement was not covered by my warranty. I then paid safelite $772.10 on 10/25/19 to replace the windshield.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11291238
None of these 1,029 wipers / visibility complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
1,029 owners reported wipers / visibility problems; the wiper replacement cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Electrical system
The srs airbag light is on, airbags disabled while driving vehicle with passenger in front. Sensor within passenger seat cushion is defective. Dealer says to fix passenger seat cushion needs to be replaced. Previous recall for harness already complete. Quoted $1400 to repair. 2017 Forester premium, 78,000 miles
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11469614
The rear backup camera failed. No warning lights appeared. This is a safety issue. This repair was expensive should not have happened at 79019 miles. The problem was inspected and estimated by our Subaru dealer. We were told that the radio/screen unit first needed replacement, then if that didn't fix it, to then replace the camera. We were give a rough estimate of $2500 to replace both items.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11694751
None of these 646 electrical system complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
646 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Air bags
The srs airbag light is on, airbags disabled while driving vehicle with passenger in front. Sensor within passenger seat cushion is defective. Dealer says to fix passenger seat cushion needs to be replaced. Previous recall for harness already complete. Quoted $1400 to repair. 2017 Forester premium, 78,000 miles
2017 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11469614
Around 83,000 miles my passenger safety air bag warning sensor started coming on and off intermittently. It would happen both when a passenger was in the seat and when no one was in the seat. There have been no previous issues. I immediately scheduled my car to be diagnosed at the Subaru dealership and they notified me the passenger occupancy sensor pad is faulty and that it would cost $1,483.47 to replace.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11558493
Related recalls: 19V701000 (2015–2018): If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
Subaru Forester recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V436000 | 2026-07-07 | 2025 | Equipment / accessories | An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V419000 | 2025-06-19 | 2025 | Child Seat | A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash. |
| 25V033000 | 2025-01-23 | 2025 | Wheels | A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash. |
| 23V755000 | 2023-11-09 | 2022 | Transmission / powertrain | An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V754000 | 2023-11-09 | 2023–2024 | Transmission / powertrain | A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V723000 | 2023-10-26 | 2024 | Engine and cooling | Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 21V587000 | 2021-07-29 | 2018 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V263000 | 2021-04-15 | 2019 | Suspension | Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V856000 | 2019-12-02 | 2019 | Engine and cooling | An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 19V701000 | 2019-10-03 | 2015–2018 | Air bags | If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash. |
| 19V149000 | 2019-02-28 | 2015–2016 | Exterior lights | Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 19V065000 | 2019-02-06 | 2019 | Steering | Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V455000 | 2018-07-10 | 2018 | Tires | Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash. |
| 16V162000 | 2016-03-21 | 2015–2016 | Engine and cooling | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. |
What this data can and can't tell you
4,033 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Subaru models in the index
- Subaru Outback (5,835)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.