NHTSA Data Explorer
Subaru Forester
Data refreshed July 19, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Subaru Forester.
Complaints
6,416
Active records
Recalls
45
Active records
TSBs
1,644
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
9
Injuries
303
Crashes
543
Fires
99
Top reported issues — Subaru Forester
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Safety restraint issue
Reporting mechanism
Driver assistance issue
Fluid issue
Engine behavior
Performance issue
Electrical issue
Braking behavior
Noise
Smell
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Vibration/harshness
Thermal issue
Safety restraint behavior
Access/entry issue
Starting behavior
Steering behavior
Lighting behavior
Recent change
HVAC behavior
Infotainment behavior
Ride/handling behavior
Powering on/off behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Communication/network issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2026 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 14, 2026
I was merging into a road in Windsor, Ontario on July 3/4. I was nowhere near another vehicle. There was a LARGE gap between myself in any other cars. I am always extra cautious being out of country and driving. The automatic brakes kicked on and told me I had an obstruction ahead and would not let me control the vehicle. I was stopped turning into the middle of a five-lane road without control of my vehicle. This was incredibly dangerous. Luckily, it was only a few seconds and I had time to…
2018 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 14, 2026
I am filing a formal complaint against Subaru of America for refusing to remedy an active federal safety recall (NHTSA Campaign 19V701000 / Subaru Recall WUM98). My passenger airbag is currently disabled (DTC B1760). SRS light goes on and off and visit to the Sheehy Fredericksburg Subaru location confirmed that the occupant detection system is failing and I need a cushion assembly replacement. Subaru Customer Advocacy Department claims they already performed the initial wire harness…
2020 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 13, 2026
My car is violently shaking and completely stalling out in intersections when attempting to restart from an Auto-Stop.
2015 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 13, 2026
I was parking at the dentist office in their parking lot going slow, turned into a parking space and thought i was slowly braking but my car lunged forward and hit a tree. I would normally be minimally braking, so I'm not sure what happened but it was sudden. I could have hit the gas pedal but i would have pressed it a lot I think for the sudden lunge to happen.
2023 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 10, 2026
The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into five other vehicles while trying to stop the vehicle. The air bags deployed as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was deemed a total loss at the scene. A Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and medical…
2022 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 9, 2026
While driving my 2022 Subaru Forester, the factory EyeSight autonomous safety system completely failed and disabled itself permanently. The total system shutdown caused an immediate loss of Pre-Collision Emergency Braking, Lane Change Detection, and Adaptive Cruise Control, creating an active highway safety hazard. A subsequent diagnostic scan by an authorized retailer confirmed hard fault code B1402, indicating that the internal factory camera software permanently corrupted itself and erased…
2015 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 7, 2026
The contact's spouse owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. The Hill Assist and Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature warning lights flashed, and the ABS, Traction Control, and VDC warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off to cool down on each occurrence. After approximately 45 minutes, the…
2017 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 7, 2026
The passenger airbag Occupant Detection System (ODS) has failed on my 2017 Subaru Forester (VIN: [XXX]) at 78,255 miles. This failure completely deactivates the front passenger airbag, creating an immediate, severe safety hazard for any front-seat passenger. This vehicle previously had Federal Safety Recall WUM-98 performed in 2020 to resolve this exact ODS engineering defect. However, the safety recall remedy has failed. The red SRS/airbag warning light is permanently illuminated, and the…
2021 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while trying to roll up vehicle windows from driver sits and passenger sit they would roll up to 3/4th all the way up and they would roll back down after. The contact stated this was a recurring event. The dealer was aware of failure and diagnosed issue needing repairs for window regulator and run channels for driver and passengers side. Manufacturer was made aware of failure and let contact know it was outside of warranty. …
2025 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jul 7, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a few days after the dealer had serviced the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V106000(Fuel System, Gasoline), the contact refueled the vehicle at the gas station. The contact stated that upon entering the store and returning to the vehicle, the contact noticed both a strong fuel odor and fuel leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. The contact used soap and water to clean up the area. The vehicle was driven and parked…