2021 Subaru Forester Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 42 engine complaints for the 2021 Subaru Forester, 20% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 25,000 miles. No related recall covers this engine issue. Crashes number 8, with 3 fires and 6 injuries reported.
- Engine complaints
- 42
- 20% of 207
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Median mileage
- 25,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe unintended acceleration while parking or shifting into reverse, sometimes crashing into walls, vehicles, or curbs.
- Some report the engine stalling or losing power for several seconds at low speed, including right after refueling.
- Several describe a shudder or vibration at various speeds that feels like it could be the transmission or the engine, without triggering a diagnostic trouble code.
- One owner reported the vehicle idling and then catching fire, with smoke entering the cabin and flames visible in the engine compartment.
- Another owner reported loud clunking noises and multiple warning lights after the auto-start-stop function failed and the engine stalled at a stoplight.
When 2021 Subaru Forester engine complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 3, 2021, latest Jul 2, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Subaru Forester
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine complaints on the 2021 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA lists 42 engine-related complaints for the 2021 Forester, which makes up 20% of the 207 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Subaru Forester engine problems?
- No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint category.
- At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 25,000 miles.
- Have these engine issues caused crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data tied to this complaint category shows 8 crashes, 3 fires, and 6 injuries for the 2021 Forester.
- How does 2021 compare to other Forester years for engine complaints?
- The 2021 Forester's 20% share of complaints tied to the engine is lower than years like 2011 (54%) and 2012 (44%), but higher than 2017 (13%) and 2018 (12%).