Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Forester Reliability by Year
Windshields that crack on their own and batteries that drain are the main owner complaints about the Subaru Forester. Reliability is good overall.
Subaru Forester Reliability Overview
Good overall and above average among SUVs, the Forester holds up well, though windshields that crack with no visible impact are the most common complaint by far. Some owners also report batteries that drain after the car sits. The 2023 model year is the pick, while 2019 is the one to avoid. Yearly repair costs run above the compact SUV average.
Current generation: 6th gen (2025–present).
Best & Worst Subaru Forester Years
Best Subaru Forester Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 model year drew 61 owner complaints against 825 for 2019, and it has one recall against three. It has been on the road long enough to judge. Windshield cracks and battery drain still show up, so it is not problem-free, but the stalling and warning floods that mark 2019 are not among its top complaints.
Subaru Forester Years to Avoid
Windshields crack far more easily than owners expect, often from the lower edge with no visible impact, and some cars go through two or three before 24,000 miles. Dashboards also flood with warnings and the engine can stall, which dealers often trace to a thermo control valve. Out-of-warranty quotes run $1,200 to $2,500.
Subaru Forester Reliability Score Trend
Subaru Forester reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 78/100 compared to 69/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 77/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Subaru Forester
1 recalls · 0 complaints
Newest year, with no owner complaints yet, one structure recall, and the same good standing as the 2025 model.
2025 Subaru Forester
2 recalls · 48 complaints
Last year of the fifth generation, with more complaints than 2024 about cracking glass, a shaking mirror, and EyeSight braking, though reliability still rates good.
2024 Subaru Forester
2 recalls · 26 complaints
Rated good with a 5-star crash rating, but owners report the passenger airbag staying off for lighter adults and windshields cracking without impact.
2023 Subaru Forester
1 recalls · 61 complaints
Best-rated of the nine scored Forester years, though owners report windshields cracking early and EyeSight driver assist faults.
2022 Subaru Forester
1 recalls · 86 complaints
Rates good and well above other 2022 SUVs, with cracking windshields and low-speed surging as the main owner complaints.
2021 Subaru Forester
0 recalls · 196 complaints
Good standing with no recalls and far fewer complaints than 2020, though early windshield cracks and start/stop stalls still show up.
2020 Subaru Forester
0 recalls · 584 complaints
Good standing but among the weaker Forester years, with easily cracked windshields, battery drain, and thermo control valve failures, though no recalls are on file.
2019 Subaru Forester
3 recalls · 825 complaints
Weakest of the nine scored Forester years, with three recalls and more complaints than 2018 or 2020, led by windshield cracks and valve-related stalling.
2018 Subaru Forester
3 recalls · 475 complaints
Last year of the fourth generation, with good reliability and a better record than 2019, though windshield cracks and passenger airbag shutoffs lead the complaints.
Common Subaru Forester problems
Problem areas with the most owner complaints, each with the years affected, symptoms, and fixes.
Found Your Subaru Forester? Check Its History
Exterior lighting (7) problems come up most in Subaru Forester owner complaints, and 13 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Subaru Forester Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$632
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
13%
$111 above the compact SUVs average of $521/yr.
Ranked #21 of 26 among compact SUVs.
Subaru Forester Resale Value
The Subaru Forester is estimated to retain about 75% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 75%
- Depreciation
- 25%
- Listings Analyzed
- 600
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Subaru Forester depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comSubaru Forester Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Subaru Models
Compare all Subaru models by reliability
Compare Subaru Forester With Similar SUVs
The Subaru Forester competes with other compact suvs such as Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Nissan Rogue.
Forester vs Honda CR-V
9 years tracked · 5017 complaints
Forester vs Toyota RAV4
8 years tracked · 2734 complaints
Forester vs Nissan Rogue
9 years tracked · 2539 complaints
Forester vs Hyundai Tucson
9 years tracked · 1838 complaints
Forester vs GMC Terrain
9 years tracked · 675 complaints
More Subaru Forester comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Subaru Forester?
- The 2023 model year is the site's pick. It has been on the road long enough to judge, and it has far fewer complaints per car sold than 2019 or 2018. The 2025 model year also rates well, but it is newer and has had less time to collect complaints.
- Is the Subaru Forester reliable?
- Yes, its overall reliability standing is good, and it ranks above average among SUVs on the site. Most years rate well. The main weak spots are windshields that crack on their own and electrical faults such as drained batteries, so check those on any used car you consider.
- What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
- Windshield cracking is the biggest, with 819 owner complaints under visibility and wiper. Owners describe cracks that appear overnight or from tiny pebbles. Next is the electrical system, with dead batteries after the car sits, then the front passenger air bag shutting itself off.
- How much does it cost to repair a Subaru Forester?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual cost at $632. The average for compact SUVs is $521. So the Forester costs more to keep running than a typical compact SUV, even though its reliability standing is good.
- Why do Subaru Forester windshields crack so easily?
- The data does not give a cause. Owners report cracks that start with no visible impact, on parked cars, after frost, or from a small pebble. Many replace the glass more than once, and dealers often say it is not covered by warranty. Replacement can also require EyeSight recalibration.
How we score the 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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