Is the Subaru Forester Reliable?
1998–2026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Subaru Forester? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Subaru Forester Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 77 | Good |
| 2025 | 2 | 64 | 6 | 1 | 65 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | 82 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 38 | 2 | — | 88 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 75 | 6 | — | 82 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 123 | 15 | — | 70 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 407 | 10 | — | 68 | Good |
| 2019 | 3 | 542 | 15 | — | 55 | Fair |
| 2018 | 1 | 322 | 6 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 383 | 17 | — | 65 | Good |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Forester Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Forester scores 4 points above the average suv — a strong result.
Known Subaru Forester Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 1977 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Subaru Forester reliable?+
The Subaru Forester scores 72/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 9 recall campaigns and 1977 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year Forester is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2023 Forester achieved the highest reliability score of 88/100 with 0 recalls and 38 complaints.
How many miles does a Forester last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Subaru Forester owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Forester will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Subaru Forester Research
Check a Specific Subaru Forester VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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