2021 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Subaru Forester has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Visibility & Wipers issues account for 43% of its 207 complaints, with unintended acceleration reports also noted in the Engine and Transmission categories.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 207
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Visibility & Wipers
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2021 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Visibility & Wipers90 (43%)
- Engine42 (20%)
- Other42 (20%)
- Electrical System34 (16%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras18 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (7%)
- Lane Departure8 (4%)
- Brakes7 (3%)
- Fuel System6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, unintended acceleration while shifting into drive, reverse, or park, sometimes crashing into walls, garages, or parked cars.
- Several reports mention the vehicle rolling backward on an incline even after being placed in park.
- Some drivers report the engine stalling or hesitating at low speed or when leaving a stop, occasionally with a loud clunking sound and warning lights.
- One complaint describes brake failure combined with the steering wheel locking up and stiffening during a crash.
- A hesitation when tapping the gas pedal while backing out of a garage was reported, despite no obstruction being present.
2021 Subaru Forester recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2021 Forester a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years of the Forester. It has no open recalls.
- What is the most common complaint for the 2021 Subaru Forester?
- Visibility & Wipers problems make up 43% of the 207 complaints logged with NHTSA, more than any other category, with a median mileage at failure of 4,650 miles.
- Does the 2021 Subaru Forester have a recall?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2021 Forester, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
- Does the 2021 Subaru Forester have unintended acceleration complaints?
- Yes, several owners in the sample complaints describe the vehicle accelerating on its own while shifting gears or parking, with crashes reported in some cases.
- How does the 2021 Forester compare to other Forester years?
- Its Complaint Index of 60 is worse than the 2005-2008 and 2022-2024 model years, which carry Good or Best verdicts, but better than 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, which are rated Avoid.