Subaru Forester Reliability Problems

Forester owners have made 706 complaints over 24 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it dead last in overall reliability, with significant engine and interior concerns.

12 Common Subaru Forester Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Forester owners have to deal with.

  1. CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery

    Too many owners of newer Subaru vehicles are waking up to cars that won't start due to dead batteries. The batteries aren't defective, but just lack the capacity to handle the electrical system draw particularly while the vehicle is turned …

    Continue reading article "CAN System Parasitic Drain on the Battery" Overhead view of the battery inside a Subaru engine

  2. Unintended Acceleration

    An increasing number of Subaru owners say their vehicles will inexplicably surge forward when the vehicle is stopped and their foot is on the brake. The unintended acceleration incidents often happen as the driver tries to shift the trans…

    Continue reading article "Unintended Acceleration" Smashed front hood of a gray Subaru

  3. Brake Light Switch Defect

    A build-up of chemicals from scented cleaning products containing silicone can disable the brake light switch in millions of Subaru vehicles. This can prevent the brake lights from turning on when pressing the pedal, among other things, and…

    Continue reading article "Brake Light Switch Defect" Close-up of a brake light with a red lens on top, clear lens on bottom.

  4. Cracked Windshields

    Since 2015 there has been a surge in complaints about Subaru windshields that crack spontaneously. Many believe this is due to a design switch to 'acoustic glass.' Owners want compensation from Subaru because windshield replacements come wi…

    Continue reading article "Cracked Windshields" Image from inside the a 2016 Forester cabin showing a large horizontal crack along the bottom of the windshield.

  5. Lineartronic CVT Reliability

    Once praised for its design, Subaru's CVT is showing problems with age. It can shake occupants back and forth as it wobbles its way though gears. In extreme cases it can hesitate so much it causes the engine to stall, forcing Subaru to exte…

    Continue reading article "Lineartronic CVT Reliability"

  6. Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires

    Rodents just can't resist the soy-derived wire coatings used in many Subaru vehicles. The chewed up wires are costing owners hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars in repairs but Subaru, like other automakers, insists this isn't a def…

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Subaru's Soy Wires" A very fat mouse.

  7. Subaru EyeSight Problems

    Subaru's EyeSight technology has been known to fall asleep on the job, particularly in bad weather driving. And while newer versions have improved, the system is generally regarded as bulky and an overly expensive upgrade on higher trim lev…

    Continue reading article "Subaru EyeSight Problems" Image looking through the windshield towards a pair of EyeSight cameras flanking the rearview mirror.

  9. Excessive Oil Consumption

    Subaru is one of a handful of automakers accused of making new engines that excessively burn through oil. And they'll tell you that adding a quart (or two) between scheduled changes is totally normal. It's not.

    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption" Top view of a Subaru engine."

  11. Leaky Head Gaskets

    Why can't Subaru build a decent head gasket? The automaker has had issues with leaky gaskets in their 4-cylinder engines since the 1980's. And repairing the issue is expensive as it requires the engine to be removed.

    Continue reading article "Leaky Head Gaskets" A close-up of a clean black head gasket above two silver pistons.

  12. Leaky Head Gaskets

    Why can't Subaru build a decent head gasket? The automaker has had issues with leaky gaskets in their 4-cylinder engines since the 1980's. And repairing the issue is expensive as it requires the engine to be removed.

    Continue reading article "Leaky Head Gaskets" A close-up of a clean black head gasket above two silver pistons.

What Forester Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Forester Generations

The Forester has 5 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 4th generation (2014–2018).

Forester Key Numbers

  1. 706 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 810 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 33 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Forester Class-Action Lawsuits

The Forester has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Sampson, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc., et al.

    1. Case Filed

      A Subaru class action lawsuit includes 2013-2021 vehicles equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB), which includes pre-collision braking and reverse automatic braking. Additionally, the lawsuit includes 2013-2021 Subaru vehicles equipped with lane keep assist (LKA).

  • Partially dismissed

    Powell, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1. Partially dismissed

      A Subaru windshield lawsuit has been partly dismissed after a federal judge ruled several claims made by Subaru owners weren't sufficiently pleaded.

    2. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges 2017-2019 Subaru Forester and 2017-2019 Subaru Outback vehicles are equipped with windshields that suddenly chip, crack and break. Subaru allegedly refuses to pay for repairs even when the vehicles are under warranties, leaving owners and lessees with paying for windshield replacements.

    Problem
    Cracked Windshields
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 Forester
    • 2017-2020 Outback
    • 2017-2020 Crosstrek
    • 2017-2020 Legacy
    • 2017-2020 Impreza
    Location
    New Jersey

  • Bare, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1:2021cv00478

    1. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges Subaru Forester, Legacy and Outback vehicles in California have defects that cause sudden unintended acceleration problems. Included in the California class action lawsuit are the 2015-2019 Subaru Legacy, 2012-2018 Subaru Forester and 2015-2019 Subaru Outback which allegedly have software problems.

  • Adnan, et al., v. Subaru Corporation, et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges a recall of 188,000 vehicles didn't include all the vehicles affected by Denso fuel pumps that can fail and cause the engines to stall. According to the plaintiffs, Subaru should reimburse customers the purchase prices of all models equipped with the low-pressure fuel pumps, including pumps with the part number prefix 42022.

  • Motion to dismiss

    Leon, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc.

    1. Motion to dismiss

      In a motion to dismiss the Subaru windshield class action, lawyers for the automaker say the plaintiffs can't support their claims.

    2. Case Filed

      Lawsuit alleges the glass chips, cracks and breaks within weeks or a few months of purchasing these vehicles. According to the plaintiffs, customers say the windshields crack and break from simple and light impacts to the glass, a problem no Subaru owner expects to experience on an expensive vehicle.

    Problem
    Cracked Windshields
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2020 Outback
    • 2017-2020 Forester
    • 2017-2020 Crosstrek
    • 2017-2020 Impreza
    • 2017-2020 Legacy
    • 2019-2020 Ascent
    Location
    California
  • Settled

    Yaeger, et al. v. Subaru of America Inc., et al.

    1. Settled

      Lawsuit claims some of its most popular models burn oil at an expensive and excessive rate. The lawsuit, filed in a New Jersey federal court, alleges the cars are defective because the piston rings wear out early and can cause engine failure while on the road.

    Problem
    Excessive Oil Consumption
    Class Vehicles
    • 2011-2014 Forester
    • 2013 Legacy
    • 2013 Outback
    • 2012-2013 Impreza
    • 2013 XV Crosstrek
    Location
    New Jersey

Recent Forester News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. The lawsuit against Subaru's crappy windshields will move forward after partially surviving the automaker's motion to dismiss.

    The windhsields crack and chip at an alarming rate, but Subaru doesn't cover replacements under warranty if the issue is due to a defect. According to them the warranty only covers material or workmanship issues. Strange position to take, but ok.

    While a few allegations were removed due to legal technacilities, the judge said dismissing the case entirely at this point would be premature.…

    keep reading article "Subaru Windshield Lawsuit Survives Motion to Dismiss"

  5. Cheryl Sauer says her 2014 Forester XT was never the same after it came back from a 2016 emissions recall.

    The engine would surge and stall. So naturally, Subaru must have installed some secret software under the guise of an emissions fix to de-tune the engine in an effort to address a long-running ignition timing issue.

    Naturally.…

    keep reading article "Conspiracy About Subaru's 'Secret Software Update' to Turbocharged Engines Gets Mostly Dismissed in Court"

  7. Subaru vehicles are accelerating on their own and the automaker's claim that owners are to blame isn't going over well.

    A new class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of owners with cars that may have unintended acceleration problems. This includes the 2012-2018 Forester, 2015-2019 Legacy, and 2015-2019 Outback.

    One of the lead plaintiffs says they were driving slowly with the foot on the brake pedal, and as they were about to shift into PARK the vehicle surged forward causing a collision.…

    keep reading article "Owners File a Class-Action Lawsuit Over Subaru's Unintended Acceleration Problems"

See All Forester News

What Owners Say About Their Forester

Subaru Head Gaskets Can't Seal the Deal

After our first head gasket blew back in 2006 we were amazed to have the second one blow last night, only two and half years, and 20,000 miles later.

2002 Forester Owner

Subaru Vehicles Surge Forward When Trying to Shift into Park

While driving the car in a parking lot, I turned to park on a spot and as I was parking with my foot on the gas pedal, the car accelerated on its own. I ended up on the sidewalk close to the window of a dentist office. A very scary situation that could have hurt someone.

2015 Forester Owner in Canada

Too Many Subarus Suffer From Spotaneously Cracked Windshields

The 2019 Subaru Forester was less than a week old. I was driving down the road, no one or nothing near me, and I heard a pop. I then saw the crack in the windshield ... I found other reports of windshield issues, took the information to the dealer, and they reluctantly replaced the windshield.

2019 Forester Owner in FL

Subaru Takes a Crude Stance on Oil Consumption

I have noticed that when I change my oil it's a lot less than I pour into the engine. I did a little research and stumbled across this problem, I wasn't the only one with the engine consuming oil. I would have thought Subaru would have fixed these problems but according to them that is normal.

2014 Forester Owner in NM

Other Subaru Models