Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?

NHTSA data flags 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Forester, based on complaint index and recall counts relative to other Forester model years.

Which years should I avoid for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018 as Avoid years for the Grand Cherokee.

Which model has more complaints and recalls overall?

The Grand Cherokee has 16,742 total complaints and 87 recall campaigns across 21 model years, compared to the Forester's 5,520 complaints and 37 recalls, but these totals aren't adjusted for sales volume.

How do the two compare on fuel economy?

The Forester averages 24.8 mpg combined across its model years while the Grand Cherokee averages 18.1 mpg combined.

Does either model have a clear best year?

The Forester's 2024 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 20, and the Grand Cherokee has two Best years, 2010 and 2017, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 respectively.

Subaru Forester vs Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Years to Avoid

Subaru Forester's years to avoid are 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025, with 2024 rated Best. Jeep Grand Cherokee's years to avoid are 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018, with 2010 and 2017 rated Best. Grand Cherokee logs 16,742 total complaints and 87 recall campaigns versus Forester's 5,520 complaints and 37 recalls, though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Subaru Forester

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 5,520
Per model year: 263
Recall campaigns: 37
Years to avoid: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2025
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Visibility & Wipers
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 16,742
Per model year: 797
Recall campaigns: 87
Years to avoid: 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018
Best years: 2010, 2017
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Forester				Grand Cherokee
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	93	1	20.5	Avoid	2,051	3	15
2006	Good	88	2	21	Caution	1,280	4	15
2007	Good	74	1	21.5	Caution	1,108	5	15
2008	Good	50	1	21.5	Good	733	4	15
2009	Caution	178	17	22	Good	138	2	15
2010	Caution	262	17	22	Best	118	5	16
2011	Caution	147	16	23	Avoid	1,640	6	18
2012	Caution	105	15	23	Avoid	1,642	10	16
2013	Caution	77	12	23	Caution	802	9	16
2014	Caution	403	2	25	Avoid	2,375	18	19
2015	Avoid	613	3	25	Avoid	1,359	9	19
2016	Caution	414	3	25	Caution	310	8	21
2017	Avoid	587	1	25	Best	364	5	19
2018	Avoid	495	3	25	Avoid	853	10	21
2019	Avoid	833	3	29	Good	367	7	19
2020	Avoid	601	0	29	Good	238	3	17
2021	Caution	207	0	29	Caution	403	12	17
2022	Good	98	1	27.5	Caution	260	13	21
2023	Good	73	1	27.5	Caution	386	21	22
2024	Best	29	2	27.5	Caution	241	16	22
2025	Avoid	93	3	28.5	Caution	74	4	22

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Subaru Forester?: NHTSA data flags 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025 as Avoid years for the Forester, based on complaint index and recall counts relative to other Forester model years.
Which years should I avoid for the Jeep Grand Cherokee?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018 as Avoid years for the Grand Cherokee.
Which model has more complaints and recalls overall?: The Grand Cherokee has 16,742 total complaints and 87 recall campaigns across 21 model years, compared to the Forester's 5,520 complaints and 37 recalls, but these totals aren't adjusted for sales volume.
How do the two compare on fuel economy?: The Forester averages 24.8 mpg combined across its model years while the Grand Cherokee averages 18.1 mpg combined.
Does either model have a clear best year?: The Forester's 2024 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 20, and the Grand Cherokee has two Best years, 2010 and 2017, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20 respectively.