VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Subaru Forester1998–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Subaru Forester
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Subaru Forester Years to Avoid
1 recall · 544 complaints
16 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 recalls · 440 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
0 recalls · 414 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 2 past investigations into the Forester became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Subaru Forester — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 19 | 1 | — | 89 | 43 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 74 | 6 | 1 | 89 | 58 | 78 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 18 | 1 | — | 89 | 71 | 83 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 47 | 5 | — | 89 | 81 | 86 | Good |
| 2022 | 0 | 82 | 6 | — | 89 | 88 | 89 | Good |
| 2021 | 0 | 127 | 15 | — | 89 | 91 | 90 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 414 | 10 | — | 71 | 90 | 78 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 1 | 544 | 16 | — | 64 | 86 | 72 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 1 | 328 | 6 | — | 77 | 80 | 78 | Caution |
| 2017 | 1 | 395 | 17 | — | 71 | 73 | 72 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 3 | 278 | 9 | — | 79 | 66 | 74 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 440 | 25 | — | 66 | 59 | 64 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 2 | 275 | 15 | — | 79 | 53 | 70 | Caution |
| 2013 | 8 | 49 | 11 | — | 89 | 48 | 75 | Good |
| 2012 | 9 | 80 | 7 | — | 89 | 44 | 73 | Good |
| 2011 | 10 | 78 | 2 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2010 | 10 | 144 | 8 | — | 87 | 41 | 71 | Good |
| 2009 | 13 | 124 | 6 | — | 88 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2008 | 1 | 36 | — | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 0 | 46 | 7 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 73 | 7 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2005 | 0 | 57 | 10 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2004 | 1 | 125 | 1 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2003 | 0 | 127 | 12 | 2 | 88 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2002 | 0 | 47 | 5 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 0 | 75 | 20 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 2000 | 0 | 36 | — | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Excellent |
| 1999 | 1 | 83 | 5 | — | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
| 1998 | 1 | 69 | 3 | 1 | 89 | 41 | 72 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Subaru Forester Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Forester compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 90).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2013 (Buyer Score 75).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Forester to buy?+
The 2021 Subaru Forester scores highest on our Buyer Score (90/100) — combining a reliability score of 89/100 with a value score of 91/100. It has 0 recalls and 127 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Forester years have the most problems?+
The 2019, 2015, 2020 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2019 Forester leads with 1 recalls and 544 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Forester problems?+
The most frequently reported Subaru Forester issues involve: VISIBILITY/WIPER, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.