VIN REPORT

4S4SLDB60T30118942026 SUBARU ForesterPremium Base

12of 100
Low Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
2
2 campaigns found
Safety Grade
D
69/100 composite
Complaints
9
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
0 yrs
Made in UNITED STATES (USA)
BUYPurchase Verdict

2026 SUBARU Forester was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 9 owner complai...

Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2026 SUBARU Forester

2026 SUBARU Forester was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.

  • 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
  • Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
  • Engine or platform shared with models that have documented failure issues
12
of 100
Low Risk
Low risk profile — minor signals only, likely routine.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
2 Contributing Risk Factors
2 model-wide recalls on record
+6
Accelerating complaint trend — problems increasing over time
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
SUBARU
Model
Forester
Year
2026
Trim / Series
Premium Base
Body Style
Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Vehicle Type
MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
Drive Type
AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L 180 hp
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC
Assembly
LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, UNITED STATES (USA)
GVWR
Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Assembly Plant Quality

Subaru of Indiana Automotive (Lafayette)

A+Quality90/100
Excellent📍 LAFAYETTE, INDIANA

Builds Subaru Outback and Legacy. Consistently ranked among the top US assembly plants.

Awards & Recognition
  • JD Power Platinum Plant Award
  • JD Power IQS top-ranked non-premium midsize car
Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

D
Score: 69/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety24/30
Complaint History25/30
20/100Moderate
  • Structural/frame recall
59/100
Advanced
11 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Pedestrian AEB
Moderate
  • 2 recalls on same component: Body/Structure

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Visibility
1 recall4 complaints

2.5L FB25: documented oil consumption and piston ring wear — Subaru extended warranty programs issued

Also affects: Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza, Crosstrek

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision WarningStandard
Automatic Emergency BrakingStandard
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure WarningStandard
Lane Keep AssistStandard
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise ControlStandard
Adaptive HeadlightsStandard
Auto High BeamStandard
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup CameraStandard
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake SupportStandard
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls2

NHTSA Safety Recalls

2 RECALLS
2found

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

2 of 2 recalls have a low industry completion rate — statistically likely unrepaired.

17%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

SUBARU Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
93%Excellent

SUBARU has an excellent recall completion rate (93%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 15 months.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~15 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
15mo
#25V889000
Invalid Date

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

SummarySubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
Est. Repair Completion~22%

~78% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired

High Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#26V346000
Invalid Date

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SummarySubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
Read full details...
ConsequenceA detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~12%

~88% of these vehicles are statistically unrepaired

High Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

18/12/2025
2 total campaigns
Body/StructureVisibility
2
Part Replacements
0
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs
Complaints9

Complaint Intelligence

9 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories

Visibility
4
Electrical
2
Other
2
Engine/Powertrain
1
Accelerating +100%
9
Last 24 months
0
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

Engine stalling3
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (3)Startup (2)Parking/low-speed (1)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

9 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

9found
ODI #11741969ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Infotainment center had popup ad about Sirius xm trial ending soon and a phone number to call to extend. Had to hit small x in the corner to disable while vehicle in motion or have no access to air, radio controls, or see map.

ODI #11742094VISIBILITY/WIPER

In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). Then, May 30th as I exited a highway midway up the ramp going ~40-45 mph behind another auto going the same slow speed with 1-1.5 car length between us, something struck my windshield and immediately the strike had clearly broken the windshield just below the driver's direct line of sight and put a thorough 'star' the size of a nickel coin. There did not appear to be any debris on the road nor off or out of the auto in front of me. (There was not a vehicle ahead of that auto that would have generated this strike.) I feel I may be unsafe in this auto if its windshield cannot hold up under minor strikes such as this. When I called the auto repair center recommended by my automobile dealer they told me they’d already had 14 Subaru windshields call to schedule repairs this week (it was only Tuesday. This is a modest sized single location windshield repair shop).

ODI #11741542VISIBILITY

Drivers side mirror vibrates making changing lanes a Safty issue as the approaching vehicle is not a clear visual to operator

ODI #11740854VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was working on fitting a cargo box on the crossbars the dealer had recently installed and noticed a milky white discoloration and moisture in the front driver's corner of the moonroof. I arranged for an appointment at the dealer who confirmed the glass had delaminated. They happened to have a replacement in stock and replaced it under warranty.

ODI #11738456ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The gps/map display, displays the wrong speed, on some traffic circles it directs me to go around in the wrong direction. The auto vehicle uses the speed limit from the installed map to display the speed limit on the main dash between the tach and speedometer. Both conditions could easily cause and accident. Contacted the manufacturer, the corporate headquarters, my dealership where I purchased the vehicle, and Tomtom in the Netherlands. None will assist in the correction of the issue. Tomtom did commit to investing the issue after I gave them the specific locations, but they closed my record/complaint file. On fb, I see a good many people complain about the same issues and also that they can't get sny help from the dealership, like me, to resolve the issue. Please help the all consumers to be able to purchase a new car that is functioning as advertised and to be confident that they will be safe when driving the highways.

ODI #11736419FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIA CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Compliance Division (NVS-210) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 RE: SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT – 2026 Subaru Forester VIN: [XXX] Honorable, Eileen Sullivan Associate Administrator, Enforcement I am filing this formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2026 Subaru Forester. A pedestrian incident occurred on February 2, 2026, in which the vehicle failed to warn or brake automatically when a pedestrian crossed in front of my car. Additionally, the Subaru EyeSight system does not remain enabled between ignition cycles. Every time I start the car, I must manually re-engage the system. Consequently, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is not active by default during ordinary driving and will reverts to off (not remain enable) when I am driving . I believe this poses an unreasonable risk to pedestrian and occupant safety. I am aware of prior investigations (e.g., NHTSA Action Number PE23010 and related lawsuits) involving Subaru EyeSight failures, including lack of braking for obstacles. Vehicle Information: Year: 2026 Make: Subaru Model: Forester VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11735341POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Vehicle stopped at light,auto start stop engine off,stepped on gas to go engine didn’t restart,my passenger and I jumped out and grabbed a Noco GB40 jump box I carry and jump started car,we were on a road trip out of town and could not wait for the dealership so finished our trip with the auto start stop turned off and if we had a problem starting used the jump box.

ODI #11735070VISIBILITY

On the first day of receiving the car the windshield looked clear by day but it had little specks and lines like dust when driven at dusk and night of the first day it was driven. I brought it back to the dealer, they replaced it with a new one, and the problem persists. A clear windshield is much safer than one with specks.

ODI #11727592UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Cell phone does not stay stable on the wireless charging pad. The phone will start to charge, but as soon as the vehicle moves, the phone bounces off the flat charging pad and no longer connects or charges. It’s distracting to try to reposition the phone as the car is moving. It has become a costly, not usable, feature. Have tried many phone cases and different types of phones to eliminate this as a possible problem. Nothing works.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$31,344
~$522/mo over 5 yrs
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$4,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$1,500
Depreciation
$8,344

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $31,344 (~$522/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

2 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$1,000
Total recommended deduction−$1,000

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2026 SUBARU Forester — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

HIGH
Verify recall STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS has been repaired
Recall on record for: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured
HIGH
Verify recall VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY has been repaired
Recall on record for: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass pane
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: VISIBILITY
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%

20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 4S4SLDB60T3011894. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$2,040–$2,590/yr
~$170–$216/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
New / recent model year: +15% (high replacement cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VIN4S4SLDB60T3011894
Model Year2026
MakeSUBARU
ModelForester
TrimPremium Base
SeriesWagon Body Style
Vehicle TypeMULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Seat Rows5
Drive TypeAWD/All-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeGasoline
TransmissionContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Engine

Engine Cylinders4
Displacement (L)2.5
Horsepower180

Manufacturer

ManufacturerSUBARU OF AMERICA, INC
Assembly CityLAFAYETTE
Assembly CountryUNITED STATES (USA)

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)4S4
Check Digit (Char 9)0
Model Year Code (Char 10)T
Plant Code (Char 11)3
Sequence (Chars 12–17)011894

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count2
NHTSA Complaint Count9

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

4
1
S
2
4
3
S
4
L
5
D
6
B
7
6
8
0
9
T
10
3
11
0
12
1
13
1
14
8
15
9
16
4
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
4
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
S
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
4
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
SLDB6
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
0
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
T
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
3
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
011894
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
United States
From VIN position 1 (4)
Model Year Character
"T" → 2026
Could also be 1996
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/9/2026, 9:15:38 PM.