Subaru Forester Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Subaru Forester model year (1998–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Subaru Forester Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 542 complaints
15 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 581
2 recalls · 439 complaints
25 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 495
0 recalls · 407 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem score: 427
Best Subaru Forester Years to Buy
1 recall · 9 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 12
1 recall · 14 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 19
0 recalls · 36 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Problem score: 36
Found the right year? Verify that specific Forester with a free VIN report.
Subaru Forester — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 2 | 64 | 6 | 1 | 87 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 14 | 1 | — | 19 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 38 | 2 | — | 42 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 75 | 6 | — | 87 | Good |
| 2021 | 0 | 123 | 15 | — | 153 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 407 | 10 | — | 427 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 3 | 542 | 15 | — | 581 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 1 | 322 | 6 | — | 337 | Caution |
| 2017 | 1 | 383 | 17 | — | 420 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 2 | 270 | 8 | — | 292 | Caution |
| 2015 | 2 | 439 | 25 | — | 495 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 2 | 275 | 15 | — | 311 | Caution |
| 2013 | 7 | 48 | 11 | — | 91 | Good |
| 2012 | 8 | 79 | 7 | — | 117 | Good |
| 2011 | 8 | 78 | 2 | — | 106 | Good |
| 2010 | 8 | 144 | 8 | — | 184 | Good |
| 2009 | 10 | 124 | 6 | — | 166 | Good |
| 2008 | 1 | 36 | — | — | 39 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 46 | 7 | — | 63 | Good |
| 2006 | 1 | 73 | 7 | — | 90 | Good |
| 2005 | 1 | 57 | 10 | — | 80 | Good |
| 2004 | 1 | 125 | 1 | — | 130 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 127 | 12 | 2 | 164 | Good |
| 2002 | 0 | 47 | 5 | — | 57 | Excellent |
| 2001 | 0 | 75 | 20 | — | 115 | Good |
| 2000 | 0 | 36 | — | — | 36 | Excellent |
| 1999 | 1 | 83 | 5 | — | 96 | Good |
| 1998 | 1 | 69 | 3 | 1 | 83 | Good |
All 29 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Subaru Forester Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Forester models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 12 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade Forester units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Forester models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Forester should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2019 Subaru Forester if possible. It has 3 recalls, 542 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 581 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Forester to buy?+
The 2026 Subaru Forester is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 12. It has only 1 recall and 9 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Forester has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2024, 2000 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Subaru Forester Research
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Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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