Subaru Forester Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Subaru Forester years to avoid are 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher and a top rank_worst_first position out of 21 model years tracked. The 2024 Forester is the only Best-rated year, while 2005-2008 and 2022-2023 rate Good.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2015Avoid 2017Avoid 2018Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2025Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,520
- Recall campaigns
- 37
- Crashes reported
- 451
- Fires reported
- 91
- Top problem area
- Visibility & Wipers
Forester Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Subaru Forester problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 15 | 93 | 15 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 20.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 5 | 88 | 12 | 7 | 2 | Engine | 21 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 10 | 74 | 13 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 0 | 50 | 5 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 21.5 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 50 | 178 | 19 | 7 | 17 | Engine | 22 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 55 | 262 | 21 | 6 | 17 | Structure & Body | 22 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 35 | 147 | 21 | 6 | 16 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 30 | 105 | 15 | 5 | 15 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 25 | 77 | 13 | 2 | 12 | Engine | 23 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 70 | 403 | 48 | 3 | 2 | Engine | 25 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 90 | 613 | 53 | 7 | 3 | Engine | 25 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 65 | 414 | 40 | 3 | 3 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 85 | 587 | 40 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 25 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 75 | 495 | 26 | 1 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 25 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 833 | 37 | 11 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Avoid | 95 | 601 | 26 | 9 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 207 | 16 | 5 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Good | 45 | 98 | 8 | 6 | 1 | Visibility & Wipers | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Good | 40 | 73 | 8 | 4 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 20 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 27.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Avoid | 80 | 93 | 11 | 2 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 28.5 | 5★ |
Forester years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Subaru Forester Index 100 · 833 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 Forester is the worst-ranked year overall, with a complaint index of 100 out of 833 total complaints. Visibility and wiper problems dominate at 49% of complaints with a median failure mileage of only 8,375. Engine and electrical issues each account for 16%, with engine failures occurring at a median of 12,247 miles. Three recall campaigns cover a rear stabilizer bracket, a PCV valve separation issue, and a steering connector short circuit. Owners reported engine fires after collisions and airbags failing to deploy.
2019 visibility & wipers problems →2019 engine problems →2019 electrical system problems →
2020 Subaru Forester Index 95 · 601 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2020 Forester has a complaint index of 95, the second-worst year, despite zero recall campaigns. Visibility and wiper issues make up half of its 601 complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 5,962. Electrical (17%, median 2,000 miles) and engine (17%, median 26,050 miles) problems follow. Owners described engine compartment fires after collisions, automatic braking system failures, and airbag warning light malfunctions occurring at low mileage.
2020 visibility & wipers problems →2020 electrical system problems →2020 engine problems →
2015 Subaru Forester Index 90 · 613 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 Forester has a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of all 21 years covered. Engine complaints make up 31% of its 613 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000. Airbags (16%), transmission (15%), and electrical (15%) issues follow, with transmission failures reported around a median of 51,099 miles. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year, covering airbag occupant detection sensors, a brake light switch, and a turbocharger air intake duct. Owners describe unintended movement and acceleration events and airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
2015 engine problems →2015 airbags problems →2015 transmission & powertrain problems →
2017 Subaru Forester Index 85 · 587 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2017 Forester carries a complaint index of 85, ranking fourth-worst. Airbags account for 28% of its 587 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 30,000, followed by visibility and wiper issues (20%) and electrical problems (18%). NHTSA lists one recall campaign, for a loosening electrical connection in the passenger seat occupant detection system tied to heated seats. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy during collisions, steering wheel lockups, and sudden acceleration events.
2017 airbags problems →2017 visibility & wipers problems →2017 electrical system problems →
2025 Subaru Forester Index 80 · 93 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2025 Forester has a complaint index of 80, the fifth-worst year, based on only 93 complaints so far since it is a newer model. Visibility and wiper issues lead at 22%, followed by fuel system (18%), electrical (17%), and collision avoidance camera problems (15%), all at low median mileage under 4,000. Three recall campaigns cover an incorrect axle weight rating label, loose child seat anchor bolts, and improperly manufactured wheel lug seats. Owners described unintended acceleration and braking failures resulting in crashes.
2025 visibility & wipers problems →2025 fuel system problems →2025 electrical system problems →
2018 Subaru Forester Index 75 · 495 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2018 Forester has a complaint index of 75, the sixth-worst year. Visibility and wiper complaints lead at 31% of 495 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 19,800, followed by airbags (20%, median 14,000 miles) and electrical issues (15%, median 9,417.5 miles). Three recall campaigns apply, covering a fuel pump defect, the heated-seat occupant detection sensor, and an incorrect certification label. Owners described sudden unintended acceleration events and airbags not deploying in crashes at relatively low mileage.
2018 visibility & wipers problems →2018 airbags problems →2018 electrical system problems →
Most common Subaru Forester problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Visibility & Wipers1,223 (22%)
- Engine1,218 (22%)
- Electrical System841 (15%)
- Other806 (15%)
- Airbags736 (13%)
- Structure & Body423 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain415 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires390 (7%)
- Brakes355 (6%)
- Fuel System289 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Subaru Forester should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, avoid the 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2025 Forester. The 2019 model has the highest complaint index of any year, at 100.
- What is the best year for the Subaru Forester?
- The 2024 Forester is the only year rated Best, with a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among all 21 years tracked. 2022 and 2023 are also rated Good.
- Is the 2019 Subaru Forester reliable?
- The 2019 Forester ranks worst of all 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 833 total complaints. Visibility and wiper problems account for 49% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of only 8,375.
- Does the Subaru Forester have recall problems?
- Across all years, NHTSA lists 37 recall campaigns for the Forester. The 2009-2013 model years each carry 12 to 17 recall campaigns, which caps their verdicts at Caution even though their complaint indexes are moderate.
- What are the most common Forester complaints?
- Across all model years, Visibility & Wipers and Engine issues each account for 22% of the 5,520 total complaints, followed by Electrical System at 15% and Airbags at 13%.