NHTSA Data Explorer
Subaru Forester
Data refreshed June 26, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Subaru Forester.
Complaints
6,395
Active records
Recalls
44
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
540
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.
2015 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 23, 2026
2 REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON LOW MILAGE VEHICLE.ALTHOUGH CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS 57K MILES ON OD.nEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD OR IN WATER. PERHAPS WORSE THREE STUDS AND LUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SNAPPING OFF. APPARENTLY THIS IS COMMON AS THE SAME STORY WAS TOLD TO OTHERS WAITING AT DEALERSHIP
2018 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 21, 2026
I had a recall for my ODS sensor which controls the passenger airbag. I went and had it taken care of due to a recall. They did not fix it. My passenger airbag will still randomly shut off while I am driving down the road. I tried talking tk the dealership and they only say we fixed the part we needed to replace. This is a huge safety issue. If I were tk wreck and my passenger airbag was turned off, someone would die.
2018 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 21, 2026
B1760 code for ODS AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF is On. There is a recall open for many other Subarus, same make, model & year. Safety concern for my daughter as she rides passenger. I had the problem diagnosed and documented receipt from ACS in Roseville California. I contacted Maita Subaru of Sacramento and they said there is not and wasn’t a recall for my Subaru. Very concerning, please help.
2025 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 20, 2026
While driving wth adaptive cruise set to 50mph I attempted to adjusted the setting for distance between us and rage car in front of us. While the car in front of us was maintains a steady speed our Forester started to slow down dramatically to a near stop; pressing the accelerator had no effect on the slow-down. Fortunately there was a new, closed lane next to us so we were able to roll out of traffic into that lane. Brought the car to a complete stop and turned the adaptive cruise off. …
2017 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 17, 2026
The front lower control arm bushing were breaking apart at 53,156 miles. Shop reported significant play in the wheel while on the stand. Sounds like a safety hazards.
2021 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 17, 2026
Persistent Battery Drain on a 2021 Subaru Forester Limited. Problems began in year 4 of ownership (~17,000 mileage), after Subaru Starlink Subscription services expired. Red (Error) Starlink SOS indicator light was evident, where a normal light would show green. Battery would fully drain after about 3-4 days of inactivity while parked in a commercial garage. After repeated dead batteries, a jump-starter battery pack was used regularly, as well as a wall-outlet battery charger. The problem has…
2025 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 16, 2026
My new vehicle, with under 4,000 miles, has already suffered multiple chewed wires due to rodents attracted to the soy-based wire coatings used by the manufacturer. This is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious safety issue. Damaged wiring can cause loss of power steering mid-drive, ABS and braking system malfunctions, airbag deployment failures, engine stalling on highways, and electrical fires — any of which can result in injury or death. The manufacturer knows soy-based coatings…
2017 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 15, 2026
My 2017 had the passenger airbag sensor recall in 2020. It went into for repair. It began going off again where the passenger seat airbag is off when a passenger is in the seat in 2023 on and off. It consistently began going off again in August 2024. I spoke to subaru corporate and they said they needed to replace the whole seat and wouldn't cover the cost of the whole repair of 1600. The part had a long backorder because so many cars are affected. I didn't receive a new part until June 2025.…
2018 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated while his wife was seated in the passenger’s seat. The message that the passenger’s side air bag was disabled was displayed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
2021 SUBARU FORESTER
Filed Jun 13, 2026
Driving along and various system warnings came on, then started losing power, then the engine died and the car was completely dead. Got a jump start and the car ran for a couple of minutes and died again. Had it towed to a repair shop and when they checked it the next morning, they couldn't find a problem and it ran great for them. I replaced the battery and alternator just to be safe because we were about to leave on a trip.