Subaru FORESTER — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2019 Subaru FORESTER
1084 complaints (353% of segment average)
Main issue: I AM HERE TO REPORT MY 2019 SUBARU FORRESTER WINDSHIELD CRACK. I THE CAR IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND WE FOUND THE CRACK IN THE MORNING WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY I HEARD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS ON 2015 OUTBACK I CALLED THE SHOP AND THEY TOOK PICTURES AND THEY DID NOT FIND ANY CHIPS THAT WOULD INDI
2015 Subaru FORESTER
889 complaints (290% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE WAS
2020 Subaru FORESTER
794 complaints (259% of segment average)
Main issue: WE VERY RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2020 FORESTER....LESS THAN 1000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WHEN WE GOT IN IT THE NEXT MORNING THE WINDSHIELD HAD A SMALL CRACK IN IT! I HOPE THIS ISN'T A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING THE POSTS ON HERE OF 2019 FORESTERS WITH WI
2017 Subaru FORESTER
787 complaints (256% of segment average)
Main issue: DRIVER'S SUBARU WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A BOX TRUCK WHILE STATIONARY ON A HIGHWAY (DRIVER HAD STOPPED JUST SHORT OF A MULTI-CAR COLLISION BUT THE BOX TRUCK BEHIND HER WAS UNABLE TO STOP); BOX TRUCK PUSHED THE SUBARU INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SEATBELT WAS ON, BUT DRIVER'S CHEST STRUCK THE STE
2018 Subaru FORESTER
669 complaints (218% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 SUBARU FORSTER. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, A CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED IN THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER CRACK WAS PRESENT AFTER A SMALL PEBBLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNO
2016 Subaru FORESTER
609 complaints (198% of segment average)
Main issue: "TAKATA RECALL" VEHICLE ACCELLERATED, BRAKES DID NOT STOP VEHICLE, ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE INJURING MY WIFE, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY & PSYCHOLOGICALLY. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WIFE WAS TRYING TO PARK, WHEN VEHICLE SPED UP AND HER BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT AND SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE.
2014 Subaru FORESTER
576 complaints (188% of segment average)
Main issue: SUBARU CORPORATE RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2014 FORESTER BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW. THIS WAS AFTER I HAD 4 DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS OF THE VEHICLE VEERING SPORADICALLY OUT OF CONTROL AROUND 55 MPH. IT WAS INCONSISTENT BUT THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT SOMETHING WAS PULLING IT OUT OF ALIGNMENT/AFTER
Safe to Buy
2024 Subaru FORESTER
38 complaints — well below segment average
2013 Subaru FORESTER
94 complaints — well below segment average
2025 Subaru FORESTER
102 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Subaru FORESTER
102 complaints — well below segment average
2022 Subaru FORESTER
133 complaints — well below segment average
2012 Subaru FORESTER
140 complaints — well below segment average