Is the KIA Sportage 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 KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?

The KIA Sportage has more recalls (28) 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 KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Sportage is cheaper to maintain at $462/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.

Is the KIA Sportage or Subaru Forester safer?

Both the KIA Sportage 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: 2026-05-15

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared

KIA Sportage

Good

Subaru Forester

Good

Choosing between the KIA Sportage 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 KIA Sportage and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?

The Kia Sportage is currently in its fifth generation, introduced in 2023. Being early in its generation cycle, the Sportage might experience first-year issues typical of new platforms as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. In contrast, the Subaru Forester is in its fifth generation as well, introduced in 2019, with a facelift in 2022. This places the Forester later in its generation cycle, where models are often more refined and reliable due to iterative improvements over time. Buyers seeking a more mature and potentially well-sorted vehicle may find the current Forester appealing, while those interested in the latest design might opt for the new Sportage.

Verdict

The KIA Sportage and Subaru Forester are evenly matched with a reliability score of 74/100.

The Kia Sportage outperforms the Subaru Forester in reliability with an average score of 84 compared to 77. Despite its higher number of recalls, the Sportage has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, at 5.3 versus the Forester's 8.7. Additionally, the Sportage benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $462, compared to the Forester's $632. While both vehicles have common issues with their electrical systems and engines, the Sportage's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1KIA Sportage costs $170 less per year to repair
2Subaru Forester has 15 fewer total recalls
3KIA Sportage has 3.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4KIA Sportage

—

1Subaru Forester

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA Sportage	Subaru Forester
Reliability Score	74/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	28	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.3	8.7
Annual Repair Cost	$462/yr	$632/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	11%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4 (2 tied)	2 (2 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Sportage and Subaru Forester?

The Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester exhibit distinct problem profiles with varying areas of concern. The Subaru Forester has a significant number of complaints related to visibility/wiper issues, totaling 819, which is not a major concern for the Sportage. Conversely, the Kia Sportage shows more concerns with the engine, accumulating 154 complaints, including 2 crash-linked cases, compared to the Forester's 115 engine complaints with 7 crash-linked incidents. Notably, both models have substantial electrical system complaints, but the Forester has a higher incidence of crash-linked issues related to airbags and vehicle speed control, highlighting potential safety concerns.

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA Sportage	Subaru Forester
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	3.1Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	1.2Low
ENGINE	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
TRAILER HITCHES	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—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: KIA Sportage or Subaru Forester?

The Kia Sportage has a lower annual repair cost of $462 compared to the Subaru Forester's $632, translating to a $170 savings per year or $850 over five years. The Sportage also requires fewer repair visits, averaging 0.2 visits per year, while the Forester averages 0.4 visits, indicating potentially less downtime and inconvenience. Additionally, the Sportage carries a slightly lower risk of major repairs at 11% versus the Forester's 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Sportage offers better value with its lower annual repair costs, reduced repair frequency, and lower major repair risk, making it a more economical choice over time.

How Does KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA Sportage	Subaru Forester	Edge
2025	82/1002R / 44C	79/1002R / 48C	KIA Sportage
2024	78/1004R / 83C	78/1002R / 26C	Tie
2023	67/1009R / 257C	79/1001R / 61C	Subaru Forester
2022	79/1001R / 39C	77/1001R / 86C	KIA Sportage
2021	76/1002R / 34C	76/1000R / 196C	Tie
2020	69/1002R / 139C	71/1000R / 584C	Subaru Forester
2019	74/1002R / 63C	63/1003R / 825C	KIA Sportage
2018	68/1003R / 147C	66/1003R / 475C	KIA Sportage
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 KIA Sportage scored 82/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA Sportage vs the Subaru Forester?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer maintenance visits, the Kia Sportage might be your ideal choice. With a higher reliability score of 84/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $462, it promises less financial strain over time. The Sportage also boasts fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 5.3 and a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year. Despite having more recalls at 28, these factors make it the more predictable and cost-effective option for those who value peace of mind in their vehicle ownership experience. On the other hand, if you are concerned about the impact of recalls and prefer a model with fewer of them, consider the Subaru Forester. It features only 13 recalls, which might appeal to those who prioritize manufacturer accountability. However, keep in mind that it has a higher estimated annual repair cost of $632 and a major repair risk of 13%. If you can manage these potential expenses, the Forester might suit your needs, especially if you value features like visibility and safety systems.

KIA Sportage vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions

Is the KIA Sportage 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 KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?: The KIA Sportage has more recalls (28) 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 KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Sportage or the Subaru Forester?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the KIA Sportage is cheaper to maintain at $462/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.
Is the KIA Sportage or Subaru Forester safer?: Both the KIA Sportage 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 KIA Sportage comparisons

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More Subaru Forester comparisons

Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V reliability Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-50 reliability Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Subaru Forester reliability by year Subaru Forester years to avoid

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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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