YearToAvoid

2022 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2022 Subaru Forester has a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has one recall for a transmission inhibitor switch and no do-not-drive recalls.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
45/100
#12 of 21 Forester years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
98
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
8
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
5
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27.5
25.5 city / 30.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2022 Subaru Forester problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers24 (24%)
  2. Other19 (19%)
  3. Electrical System18 (18%)
  4. Engine18 (18%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras16 (16%)
  6. Brakes10 (10%)
  7. Fuel System8 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
  9. Airbags4 (4%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the brakes failing to stop the vehicle and airbags not deploying in resulting crashes.
  • Engine fires have been reported, in one case starting with stalling and an oil trail before the vehicle caught fire, and in another after a deer collision.
  • Owners describe brake pedals that do not respond when pressed, leading to collisions while parking or turning.
  • Windshield cracks have appeared shortly after purchase, with owners saying dealers declined replacement over minor imperfections.
  • LED headlights have been reported to project dark shadow patterns that obstruct the driver's view at night.
2022 Subaru Forester complaints: complaints filed per month8Feb 2022Sep 2022Mar 2023Sep 2023Aug 2024Jul 2025Feb 2026Sep 2026
98 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2022 (8).

2022 Subaru Forester recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V755000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain95,830 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

    Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

    Risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

2022 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25.5 MPG
Highway
30.5 MPG
Combined
27.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,375
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.

2022 compared with other Forester years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid95601029
2021Caution60207029
2022Good4598127.5
2023Good4073127.5
2024Best2029227.5

All Subaru Forester years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Subaru Forester reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 Forester a complaint index of 45, ranking 12th worst among 21 model years, with a Good verdict relative to other Forester years.
Does the 2022 Subaru Forester have a recall?
Yes, one recall (23V755000) covers a transmission inhibitor switch that can fail if water enters through an insufficient weld. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the top complaint area for the 2022 Subaru Forester?
Visibility & Wipers is the top problem area, accounting for 24 of 98 complaints, mostly related to windshield issues.
How many complaints does the 2022 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA lists 98 complaints for the 2022 Forester, including 8 crashes, 6 fires, and 5 injuries, with no reported deaths.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Subaru Forester?
EPA rates the 2022 Forester at 27.5 mpg combined (25.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,375.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.