Subaru Forester recalls & problems by year
The Subaru Forester has 44 NHTSA recalls and 6,480 owner complaints across model years 1998–2026. The most complained-about year is the 2019 with 833 complaints.
Model years
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | 3 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025 Forester | 3 | 93 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2024 Forester | 2 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2023 Forester | 1 | 73 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2022 Forester | 1 | 98 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2021 Forester | 0 | 207 | 16 | 5 | 18 | 0 | |
| 2020 Forester | 0 | 601 | 26 | 9 | 35 | 0 | |
| 2019 Forester | 3 | 833 | 37 | 11 | 31 | 1 | |
| 2018 Forester | 3 | 495 | 26 | 1 | 17 | 0 | |
| 2017 Forester | 1 | 587 | 40 | 1 | 38 | 0 | |
| 2016 Forester | 3 | 413 | 39 | 3 | 37 | 0 | |
| 2015 Forester | 3 | 613 | 53 | 7 | 52 | 0 | |
| 2014 Forester | 2 | 403 | 48 | 3 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2013 Forester | 12 | 77 | 13 | 2 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2012 Forester | 15 | 105 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2011 Forester | 16 | 147 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2010 Forester | 17 | 262 | 21 | 6 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2009 Forester | 18 | 178 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2008 Forester | 1 | 50 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2007 Forester | 1 | 72 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2006 Forester | 2 | 88 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2005 Forester | 1 | 93 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2004 Forester | 2 | 219 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2003 Forester | 3 | 189 | 17 | 0 | 19 | 4 | |
| 2002 Forester | 1 | 88 | 21 | 1 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2001 Forester | 0 | 139 | 31 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2000 Forester | 0 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1999 Forester | 1 | 131 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1998 Forester | 1 | 101 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 1 |
Most reported Subaru Forester problems (all years)
- Visibility/Wiper 1,060
- Air Bags 913
- Engine 822
- Unknown or Other 817
- Electrical System 796
- Power Train 566
- Vehicle Speed Control 533
- Suspension 419
- Fuel/Propulsion System 348
- Service Brakes 271
- Forward Collision Avoidance 254
- Seats 249
Subaru Forester recalls
| Recall | Component | Model years | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 23V754000 Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 2023–2024 | 4,701 |
| 23V755000 Nov 9, 2023 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 2022 | 95,830 |
| 23V723000 Oct 26, 2023 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2024 | 49 |
| 22V838000 Nov 10, 2022 | SEAT BELTS | 2009–2013 | 16 |
| 21V587000 Jul 29, 2021 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2018 | 175,968 |
| 21V263000 Apr 15, 2021 | SUSPENSION:REAR | 2019 | 408,271 |
| 20V002000 Jan 2, 2020 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2013 | 127,547 |
| 20V001000 Jan 2, 2020 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2013 | 258,813 |
| 20V003000 Jan 2, 2020 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2013 | 111,562 |
| 19V856000 Dec 2, 2019 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) | 2019 | 51,613 |
| 19V701000 Oct 3, 2019 | AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 2015–2018 | 366,282 |
| 19V297000 Apr 11, 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2009–2013 | 511 |
| 19V149000 Feb 28, 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH | 2014–2016 | 1,303,530 |
| 19V065000 Feb 6, 2019 | STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | 2019 | 10,417 |
| 19V008000 Jan 9, 2019 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2010–2013 | 330,120 |
| 19V009000 Jan 9, 2019 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2010–2013 | 452,630 |
| 19V007000 Jan 9, 2019 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2010–2013 | 43,394 |
| 18V455000 Jul 10, 2018 | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 2018 | 3,654 |
| 18V014000 Jan 9, 2018 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009 | 72,150 |
| 18V013000 Jan 9, 2018 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2010 | 93,209 |
| 18V012000 Jan 9, 2018 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2013 | 64,179 |
| 17V026000 Jan 11, 2017 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009 | 69,529 |
| 17V014000 Jan 10, 2017 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2012 | 53,480 |
| 16V738000 Oct 13, 2016 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2009–2013 | 100,127 |
| 16V358000 May 25, 2016 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | 2009–2011 | 302,127 |
| 16V162000 Mar 21, 2016 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 2015–2016 | 18,187 |
| 14V830000 Dec 31, 2014 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2009–2013 | 200,064 |
| 14V311000 Jun 10, 2014 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 2009–2013 | 461,338 |
| 13V159000 Apr 24, 2013 | EQUIPMENT | 2014 | 10,137 |
| 12V602000 Dec 26, 2012 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2009–2012 | 633,842 |
| 12V099000 Mar 13, 2012 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 2009–2012 | 326,014 |
| 11V464000 Sep 6, 2011 | SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 2003–2008 | 318,215 |
| 09E011000 Apr 2, 2009 | EQUIPMENT | 2009 | 2,323 |
| 08V460000 Sep 11, 2008 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2009 | 16,715 |
| 07V043000 Feb 12, 2007 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2006 | 7,004 |
| 04V473000 Oct 1, 2004 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2004 | 26 |
| 03V047000 Feb 20, 2003 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2003 | 326 |
| 02V282000 Oct 30, 2002 | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2002–2003 | 172,564 |
| 99V040000 Mar 3, 1999 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1998–1999 | 221,987 |