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

2,499

Operating state

1,566

Safety restraint issue

976

Reporting mechanism

901

Driver assistance issue

501

Fluid issue

477

Engine behavior

451

Performance issue

427

Electrical issue

346

Braking behavior

329

Noise

294

Smell

252

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

242

Vibration/harshness

209

Thermal issue

199

Safety restraint behavior

195

Access/entry issue

153

Starting behavior

147

Steering behavior

123

Lighting behavior

89

Recent change

89

HVAC behavior

82

Infotainment behavior

76

Ride/handling behavior

69

Powering on/off behavior

52

Wiper/washer behavior

18

Communication/network issue

12

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


Crash

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


Crash

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…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated July 19, 2026. Refreshed nightly.