Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Subaru Forester?

They're very close — both average 74/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Subaru Forester (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.

Is the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester safer?

Both the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared

Honda CR-V

Good

Subaru Forester

Good

Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?

The Honda CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2023, while the Subaru Forester is in its fifth generation, introduced in 2019. The CR-V's recent redesign places it early in its generation cycle, where first-year issues are more common as manufacturers work out initial bugs. The Forester, having received a facelift in 2022, is nearing the end of its generation cycle, which often means it benefits from refinements and improved reliability as any early issues have typically been addressed. Buyers seeking proven reliability might lean towards the Forester, while those interested in the latest design and technology might consider the CR-V, keeping in mind potential early-generation teething problems.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester are evenly matched with a reliability score of 74/100.

The Honda CR-V outshines the Subaru Forester in terms of reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 89/100 compared to the Forester's 77/100. Despite having more recalls, the CR-V maintains a lower estimated annual repair cost at $407 versus the Forester's $632. Both vehicles report similar owner complaints per 10,000 sold, with the CR-V at 8 and the Forester at 8.7, but the CR-V's more favorable repair cost and higher reliability score make it the more reliable choice. Key issues for the CR-V center around steering and collision avoidance, while the Forester faces challenges with visibility and air bags.

Key Differences

1Honda CR-V costs $225 less per year to repair
2Subaru Forester has 33 fewer total recalls
3Honda CR-V has 4% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

4Honda CR-V

—

1Subaru Forester

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda CR-V	Subaru Forester
Reliability Score	74/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	46	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	8	8.7
Annual Repair Cost	$407/yr	$632/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	9%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester?

The Honda CR-V exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the steering and forward collision avoidance systems, with notable crash-linked incidents in these categories. In contrast, the Subaru Forester faces significant issues related to visibility/wiper systems, accounting for a substantial portion of its complaints, although these are not linked to crashes. Both vehicles have electrical system complaints, but the CR-V has a broader distribution of problems across different categories, including a significant number of steering-related crashes. The Forester's vehicle speed control category is concerning due to the high proportion of crash-linked complaints, indicating a critical safety issue.

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda CR-V	Subaru Forester
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	3.1Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	1.2Low
STEERING	1.8Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	1.2Low
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester?

The Honda CR-V offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience compared to the Subaru Forester. With an annual repair cost of $407, the CR-V is $225 cheaper per year than the Forester, which amounts to a $1,125 difference over five years. The CR-V also requires fewer repair visits, with a frequency of 0.3 visits per year versus the Forester's 0.4 visits. Additionally, the CR-V's major repair risk is lower at 9%, compared to the Forester's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda CR-V presents a better value, providing reliable performance with lower maintenance and repair expenses.

How Does Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda CR-V	Subaru Forester	Edge
2025	80/1006R / 201C	79/1002R / 48C	Honda CR-V
2024	77/1004R / 406C	78/1002R / 26C	Subaru Forester
2023	72/1007R / 578C	79/1001R / 61C	Subaru Forester
2022	76/1005R / 242C	77/1001R / 86C	Subaru Forester
2021	77/1003R / 241C	76/1000R / 196C	Honda CR-V
2020	74/10010R / 358C	71/1000R / 584C	Honda CR-V
2019	69/1007R / 996C	63/1003R / 825C	Honda CR-V
2018	65/1004R / 1960C	66/1003R / 475C	Subaru Forester
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Subaru Forester?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda CR-V should be your choice. With a reliability score of 89/100, it stands out for its dependability. It has an estimated annual repair cost of $407, which is significantly lower than the Subaru Forester. The CR-V's repair frequency is also lower at 0.3 times per year, and it has a smaller major repair risk of 9%. Despite a higher number of total recalls, it maintains an impressive track record with fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold. On the other hand, if you're looking for a vehicle with fewer recalls and are willing to accept slightly higher maintenance costs, consider the Subaru Forester. It has only 13 total recalls compared to the CR-V's 46. However, it comes with a higher estimated annual repair cost of $632 and a greater major repair risk of 13%. Choose the Forester if recall frequency is a major concern for you, but be prepared for potentially higher repair expenses.

Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Subaru Forester?: They're very close — both average 74/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?: The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Subaru Forester (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.
Is the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester safer?: Both the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Honda CR-V comparisons

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More Subaru Forester comparisons

Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-50 reliability Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Subaru Forester vs Nissan Rogue reliability Subaru Forester reliability by year Subaru Forester years to avoid

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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