Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge Hornet vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared
Dodge Hornet
Subaru Forester
Between the Dodge Hornet and the Subaru Forester, the Forester comes out well ahead on reliability. Owners filed far fewer complaints per car sold. The Hornet's electrical faults, from failing door latches to dead batteries, are what hold it back.
How Do the Dodge Hornet and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Subaru Forester is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 74/100 vs 59/100.
A large reliability gap favors the Forester. Its standing is good, while the Hornet's is mixed, and owners filed far fewer complaints per car sold. Hornet problems hit core functions: doors that won't open, dead batteries, sudden power steering loss, and driver-assist systems that shut off. The Forester's biggest complaint, a cracking windshield, is costly and annoying but does not stop the car. Its stalling reports are the main serious concern. Federal recall counts are equal at 13, but the Hornet reached that count in only three model years.
Key Differences
- 1Subaru Forester scores 15 points higher in reliability
- 2Subaru Forester has 13.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Hornet vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Hornet | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 59/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 13 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 21.7 | 8.7 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Hornet and Subaru Forester?
Electrical faults that spread define the Hornet's complaints. Door latches fail, batteries drain, and after a jump start the center screen can stay dark and the dash fills with warnings, sometimes with power steering loss. Driver-assist sensors also misfire, including hard braking with nothing ahead. Forester complaints lean toward glass: windshields crack with no impact, sometimes within a few thousand miles. Its serious reports involve start/stop failing to restart the engine at intersections. Both models have crash-linked electrical complaints. Only the Hornet has crash-linked reports for back over prevention and forward collision avoidance. Only the Forester has them for air bags and engine.
| Component | Dodge Hornet | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6.8Average | 1.2Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 3.1Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.8Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.5Low | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 2Low | —None |
| STEERING | 1.8Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1.5Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.5Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Dodge Hornet vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Hornet | Subaru Forester | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64/1002R / 1C | 79/1002R / 48C | Subaru Forester |
| 2024 | 54/1007R / 60C | 78/1002R / 26C | Subaru Forester |
| 2023 | 59/1004R / 25C | 79/1001R / 61C | Subaru Forester |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Hornet scored 59/100 and the 2023 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Hornet vs the Subaru Forester?
Dodge Hornet vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Hornet more reliable than the Subaru Forester?
- No. The Forester is clearly more reliable. Its standing is good, while the Hornet's is mixed. Hornet owners filed 21.7 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 8.7 for the Forester. Hornet complaints involve failing door latches, battery drain, and sudden loss of power steering.
- Which has more recalls, the Hornet or the Forester?
- They are tied at 13 recalls each in federal recall records. The difference is the time span. The Hornet collected its 13 across only three model years, while the Forester's 13 are spread over nine. Hornet owners also report long waits for recall parts.
- What is the most common Subaru Forester problem?
- Cracked windshields. Owners report glass cracking with no impact, often while parked and sometimes within a few thousand miles. Some are on a second or third windshield, and a crack can knock out the EyeSight system. Replacement is quoted at over $1000, and warranty help is often slow or denied.
- Which costs less to repair, the Hornet or the Forester?
- The data does not allow a direct comparison, because only the Forester has independent repair-cost figures. Its estimated annual repair cost is $632, with 0.4 unscheduled shop visits per year. About 13% of its repairs are major.
- Do the Hornet or Forester have safety-related complaints?
- Yes, both do. Hornet owners describe sudden power steering loss, driver-assist systems that brake hard with nothing ahead, and a crash after lane assist steered off the road. Forester owners report stalling when start/stop fails to restart the engine, including a total shutdown at 70 MPH.
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Decided between Dodge Hornet and Subaru Forester? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Dodge Hornet and Subaru Forester
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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