NHTSA Data Explorer

Subaru Forester

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Subaru Forester.

Complaints

6,455

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

547

Fires

101

Top reported issues — Subaru Forester

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

2,512

Operating state

1,569

Safety restraint issue

992

Reporting mechanism

910

Driver assistance issue

512

Fluid issue

480

Engine behavior

453

Performance issue

430

Electrical issue

346

Braking behavior

335

Noise

296

Smell

252

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

242

Vibration/harshness

209

Thermal issue

201

Safety restraint behavior

197

Access/entry issue

154

Starting behavior

149

Steering behavior

123

Recent change

92

Lighting behavior

91

HVAC behavior

82

Infotainment behavior

76

Ride/handling behavior

70

Powering on/off behavior

52

Wiper/washer behavior

18

Communication/network issue

12

Electrified system issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2026 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 22, 2026


When I am driving forward, or turning, sometimes the car automatically beeps very loud and puts on the breaks and the car in front of me is far away. It’s stressful and problematic. It doesn’t seem like an effective feature. This has happened like 10 times

2019 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 21, 2026


Crash

The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with the rear of a minivan. The contact was able to steer the vehicle to the side of the bridge and stopped the vehicle. The side air bags deployed after the crash. No injuries were reported. A police…

2016 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The contact owns a 2016 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear wheels of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the hub bearing needed to be replaced. The rear driver’s and passenger’s side hub bearings were replaced twice. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

2017 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The airbag warning light for the front passenger seat has been intermittently lighting. Both when the passenger seat is occupied and vacant. The light sometimes indicates the passenger airbag is off when there is a passenger in the seat. I took the car to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the vehicle.. Per the dealership service report: “SCANNED CODES AND FOUND CODE B1760 STORED IN BODY CONTROL MODULE REGARDING THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BOTTOM. RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT DUE TO A FAULTY OCCUPANT…

2017 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 19, 2026


The airbag sensor in the passenger front seat has malfunctioned and it is indicating that the passenger airbag will not deploy. This is after the recall that was completed on the ODS from service campaign 19V701000.

2020 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 19, 2026


This 2020 Subaru Forester has experienced repeated failures involving the Auto Start/Stop system. When stopped in traffic, the system shuts the engine off as designed, but on multiple occasions the engine has failed to restart normally when the driver needed to proceed. This has left the vehicle unable to move in active traffic and created a serious risk of collision. The failures have occurred in highly dangerous situations, including a busy [XXX], a major [XXX] intersection, and most…

2022 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 19, 2026


On 8/15/2026 my car's EyeSight system falsely automatically engaged Pre-Collision Braking on a clear road with no cars, obstacles or potholes ahead, on a sunny day, accelerating at 10–15 mph from a traffic light stop. The car was brought to an abrupt stop with no warning beeps from the Eyesight system that are supposed to precede its activation. This event almost caused a chain-like rear end collision involving 2-3 cars behind my car. On 8/19/2026 a Subaru dealership scanned for DTC codes,…

2025 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 18, 2026


Noticeable noise after oil change and tire rotation that became progressively worse over time. Constant humming/growling noise from the rear that increases in volume and intensity with speed. Noticeable at 40 mph and higher and floor vibration present at highway speed, especially under the dead pedal. Droning propeller sound. Upon inspection, both rear hub bearing units were failing prematurely and were replaced at 29,240 miles at no cost under the factory warranty.

2025 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 18, 2026


Sunroof cracked completely on its own while vehicle was parked. No surface impact, chip, marking or exterior imperfection in the glass was present. There were small air bubbles in the pane mould around the corner where the crack appeared and spread across the pane. Dealership replaced it under factory warranty after Subaru of America approved the claim at no cost at 15,216 miles.

2018 SUBARU FORESTER

Filed Aug 18, 2026


Airbag light came on - dealership confirmed it is an occupant detection system failure - wiring harness has gone bad. No history of moisture exposure, which would leave faulty part as the problem. Similar to Subaru recall from 2020 on heated passenger seats - this vehicle was not included in that recall, but is in the same year range and has heated seats. Entire bottom piece of front seat must be replaced, including wiring harness and seat mounting bracket; otherwise air bags may not deploy in…

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

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.