Subaru Forester years to avoid and best years
Newer Subaru Forester years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones. 2019 has the most complaints per year, at 175 (833 complaints). 2019 through 2020 are in that same range. Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2013 at 7 (from 77 complaints), 2012 at 9 (from 105 complaints), and 2024 at 10 (from 29 complaints). The Subaru Forester 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2019 Subaru Forester, 346 of 833 complaints name Visibility and wipers.
Data as of .
2013
2012
2024
2025–26
Subaru Forester reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Subaru Forester. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 29.5 |
| 2025 → Too early | 47 | 93 | 3 | Visibility and wipers | 29.5 |
| 2024 → Fewest | 10 | 29 | 2 | Air bags | 27.5 |
| 2023 → | 20 | 73 | 1 | Visibility and wipers | 27.5 |
| 2022 → | 23 | 98 | 1 | Visibility and wipers | 27.5 |
| 2021 → | 44 | 207 | 0 | Visibility and wipers | 29 |
| 2020 → | 136 | 600 | 0 | Visibility and wipers | 29 |
| 2019 → Most | 175 | 833 | 3 | Visibility and wipers | 29 |
| 2018 → | 65 | 495 | 3 | Visibility and wipers | 25.7 |
| 2017 → | 67 | 586 | 1 | Air bags | 25.7 |
| 2016 → | 30 | 414 | 3 | Air bags | 25.7 |
| 2015 → | 47 | 613 | 3 | Air bags | 25.7 |
| 2014 → | 27 | 403 | 2 | Suspension | 25.3 |
| 2013 → Fewest | 7 | 77 | 12 | Engine | 22.3 |
| 2012 → Fewest | 9 | 105 | 15 | Engine | 22.3 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/55R17
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 19V007000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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 states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/60R17, 225/55R18 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 21V587000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 225/60R17, 225/55R18 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 21V263000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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 and detach. Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-21. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable) · 5.1 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 235/50R19, 225/55R18, 225/60R17 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA safety recall 25V033000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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 specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability. A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25. When NHTSA lists multiple Subaru nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, the fewest complaints per year are 2013 at 7 (from 77 complaints), 2012 at 9 (from 105 complaints), and 2024 at 10 (from 29 complaints).
Which Subaru Forester year has the most owner complaints?
2019 has the most complaints per year, at 175 (833 complaints). 2019 through 2020 are in that same range. On the 2019 Subaru Forester, 346 of 833 complaints name Visibility and wipers.
How do Subaru Forester owner complaints compare by year?
Newer Subaru Forester years have more owner complaints per year than the older ones.
Which Subaru Forester years are too early to compare?
The Subaru Forester 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What engine oil does a Subaru Forester use?
0W-20 synthetic (2.5L; 5W-30 if 0W-20 unavailable)
What does NHTSA recall 19V-007 cover on the Subaru Forester?
NHTSA safety recall 19V007000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that subaru of America, Inc.
What generation is the 2013 Subaru Forester?
3rd generation (SH) (2012-2013).