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

2,496

Operating state

1,561

Safety restraint issue

969

Reporting mechanism

892

Driver assistance issue

492

Fluid issue

475

Engine behavior

450

Performance issue

425

Electrical issue

346

Braking behavior

325

Noise

294

Smell

251

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

242

Vibration/harshness

208

Thermal issue

199

Safety restraint behavior

195

Access/entry issue

152

Starting behavior

146

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.

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.

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

Updated June 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.