VehicleVerdict

Subaru Forester years to avoid

The Subaru Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2026 is the cleanest year on record.

8,706

Total complaints

44

Recall campaigns

1998–2026

Years covered

11

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Subaru Forester NHTSA complaints by model year1,087 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 897 complaints2016: 617 complaints2017: 796 complaints2018: 678 complaints2019: 1,087 complaints2020: 807 complaints2021: 285 complaints2022: 140 complaints2023: 111 complaints2024: 41 complaints2025: 126 complaints2026: 24 complaints
Subaru Forester NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Forester years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2019High complaint rate1,087
2015High complaint rate897
2020High complaint rate807
2017High complaint rate796
2018High complaint rate678
2016High complaint rate617
2014High complaint rate576
2010High complaint rate307
2021High complaint rate285
2004High complaint rate270
2003High complaint rate238

Every Forester year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026243
20251263
2024412
20231111
20221401
2021avoid2850
2020avoid8070
2019avoid1,0873
2018avoid6783
2017avoid7961
2016avoid6173
2015avoid8973
2014avoid5762
20139412
201214015
201119516
2010avoid30717
200922818
2008671
2007891
20061212
20051051
2004avoid2702
2003avoid2383
20021091
20011690
2000950
19991561
19981381

Common questions

What are the worst Subaru Forester years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest year on record is 2026.

What is the best year for the Subaru Forester?

By complaint volume, 2026 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Forester years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Subaru Forester have?

Across all model years, the Forester has 44 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 8,706 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.