HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4
OUR VERDICT
It's essentially a draw — 0–0 across categories.
OPTION A
Subaru Forester
1998–2026 · suv
71/100 · Good
1.5
Recalls / yr
0.0
Complaints / yr
56
Lifetime recalls
0
Lifetime complaints
OPTION B
Toyota RAV4
1998–2026 · suv
71/100 · Good
1.4
Recalls / yr
0.0
Complaints / yr
94
Lifetime recalls
0
Lifetime complaints
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Every metric is normalized per model year so a long-running nameplate isn't unfairly penalized against a newer rival. The greener cell wins each row.
| Metric | Forester | RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
Defect & Recall Risk Higher is better | 71/100 | 71/100 |
Best Year Buyer Score Higher is better | 82/100 (2022) | 79/100 (2022) |
Recalls per Year Lower is better | 1.5 | 1.4 |
Complaints per Year Lower is better | 0 | 0 |
Injuries + Deaths / Year Lower is better | 0 | 0 |
| Categories won | 0 | 0 |
Best Year to Buy — Each Model
Most-Reported Problems
Forester
No complaint data on record.
RAV4
No complaint data on record.
Complaint counts across all model years, from NHTSA owner filings. Frequency indicates how often an area is reported, not severity.
The Bottom Line
The Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 are remarkably evenly matched — splitting the 5 categories 0–0. Your decision should come down to price, body style, and the specific VIN's history rather than the model's overall track record.
Narrowed it down? Verify the actual car.
This compares models. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.