Subaru Forester — YEARS TO AVOID
Data updated 2026-09-01. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
Avoid: 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016 · Best bets: 2008, 2007, 2023, 2000, 2013, 2006
COMPLAINT HISTORY
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 |
| 1999 | 131 |
| 2000 | 75 |
| 2001 | 139 |
| 2002 | 88 |
| 2003 | 189 |
| 2004 | 219 |
| 2005 | 93 |
| 2006 | 88 |
| 2007 | 72 |
| 2008 | 50 |
| 2009 | 178 |
| 2010 | 262 |
| 2011 | 147 |
| 2012 | 105 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 403 |
| 2015 | 613 |
| 2016 | 410 |
| 2017 | 583 |
| 2018 | 493 |
| 2019 | 831 |
| 2020 | 597 |
| 2021 | 207 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 73 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 90 |
| 2026 | 17 |
EVERY YEAR, RANKED
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Not enough data | 17 | Only 17 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | Recommended | 90 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2024 | Not enough data | 29 | Only 29 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2023 | Recommended | 73 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2022 | Recommended | 97 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2021 | Caution | 207 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | Avoid | 597 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | Avoid | 831 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | Avoid | 493 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | Avoid | 583 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | Avoid | 410 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | Avoid | 613 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | Avoid | 403 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | Recommended | 77 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | Recommended | 105 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | Recommended | 147 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | Caution | 262 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | Caution | 178 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | Recommended | 50 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | Recommended | 72 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | Recommended | 88 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | Recommended | 93 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | Caution | 219 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2003 | Caution | 189 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2002 | Recommended | 88 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2001 | Recommended | 139 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2000 | Recommended | 75 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 1999 | Recommended | 131 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 1998 | Recommended | 101 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |