Subaru Forester — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

7 model years to avoid, 5 to watch and 10 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid7 years

Caution5 years

Best bets10 years

Complaint history

Avoid
Caution
Recommended
Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

Year	Ranking	Complaints	Compared with a typical year
2026	○ Not enough data	25	Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2025	▲ Recommended	96	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	74	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2022	▲ Recommended	98	This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2021	◆ Caution	209	This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2020	■ Avoid	601	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2019	■ Avoid	832	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2018	■ Avoid	497	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2017	■ Avoid	587	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2016	■ Avoid	413	This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2015	■ Avoid	615	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	74	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.

How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

recalls on file across every Subaru Forester model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Subaru Forester — years to avoid

■Avoid7 years

◆Caution5 years

▲Best bets10 years