Last updated: 2026-04-20

RELIABILITY SCORE: 79/100 (GOOD)

2026 Subaru Forester Reliability Report

Name: 2026 Subaru Forester
Brand: Subaru

The 2026 Subaru Forester has a predicted reliability score of 79/100 based on prior model year data. Early data shows 1 recall and 0 owner complaints.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

N/A

Est. Repair Cost

$632

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,050–$2,300

The Verdict

Consider

Based on historical reliability patterns, predicted to score 79/100 — worth considering.

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 2)

2026 is year 2 of the Sixth generation (SL).

Redesigned for the 2025 model year.
6th generation Forester (US).

What this means for buyers

Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.

If you're comparing prices, check 2025 (redesign year) vs 2026+ pricing and recalls.

2025: Sixth generation (SL) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2026: This Model Year

2026 is year 2 of the Sixth generation (SL).

Should You Buy the 2026 Subaru Forester?

The 2026 Subaru Forester has a predicted reliability score of 79/100 ("Good") based on prior model year performance. This prediction is based on Sixth generation (SL) reliability data.

So far: 1 recall, 0 owner complaints. No owner-reported issues on file yet.

Prior model years suggest dependable ownership. Confirm all recall repairs are completed, and consider a pre-purchase inspection for used examples.

See also the 2025 Subaru Forester for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable predicted reliability based on prior model years
+Low major repair risk (13%)
+Low recall count
+Low complaint frequency

Cons

−Score is a prediction — real-world data still developing
−Above-average repair costs for its class

Compare 2026 Subaru Forester With

2026 Honda CR-V

Predicted: 76/100

Predicted

2026 Nissan Rogue

Predicted: 77/100

Predicted

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Predicted: 76/100

Predicted

2026 Mazda CX-50

Predicted: 67/100

Predicted

2026 Mazda CX-5

Predicted: 73/100

Predicted

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2026 Subaru Forester carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

complaints

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2026 Subaru Forester Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2026 Subaru Forester. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V8890002025-12-18

STRUCTURE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.

Consequence

A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2026 Subaru Forester? Check its history first

Every 2026 Subaru Forester has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2026 Subaru Forester NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 17.4%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Head Protection (Driver, Front Passenger, 2nd row)Torso and/or Pelvis Protection (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Seat Pan Air Bag)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (No)LATCH Locations (2nd row)Driver Monitoring System (Yes)Automatic High Beams (Standard)

HEV Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 17.4%

Safety Technologies

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Subaru ForesterRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$632

vs $521 avg for compact SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

13%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Forester

$632

Category Avg

$521

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–29 MPG

Running cost: $2,700–$2,950/yr

Fuel + repair

24–26 city / 28–33 hwy MPG

Hybrid

35 MPG

Running cost: $2,350/yr

Fuel + repair

35 city / 34 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2026 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Forester AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	26	33	29	$2,050
Forester Sport/Touring AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	25	32	28	$2,150
Forester Wilderness AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S8)	24	28	26	$2,300

Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Forester Hybrid AWD 2.5L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (AV-S6)	35	34	35	$1,700

Best & Worst Subaru Forester Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Subaru Forester Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

The best Subaru Forester year is 2025 with a reliability score of 79/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (79/100) and 2024 (78/100).

Top Pick

Good

Subaru Forester Years to Avoid

The worst Subaru Forester year is 2019 with a score of 63/100, primarily due to visibility wiper (349) issues.

Good

2019

3Recalls

825Complaints

See full Subaru Forester years-to-avoid analysis

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. Current year highlighted.

Subaru Forester reliability scores by year
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

Subaru Forester Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026(selected)	79/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	1	0
2025	79/100	+1	Good	2	48
2024	78/100	-1	Good	2	26
2023	79/100	+2	Good	1	61
2022	77/100	+1	Good	1	86
2021	76/100	+5	Good	0	196
2020	71/100	+8	Good	0	584
2019	63/100	-3	Good	3	825
2018	66/100	—	Good	3	475

2026 Subaru Forester Reliability by Powertrain

The 2026 Subaru Forester is available with 2powertrain options. Here's how they compare on reliability.

Reliability comparison across powertrain options
Powertrain	Recalls	Crash Rating
Gas	1	5 out of 5
HEV	0	5 out of 5
Total	1

NHTSA tracks complaints separately for each powertrain configuration. Totals reflect the sum across all variants. N/T = Not tested by NHTSA.

* Incidents = crash + fire reports. A single complaint can include multiple incident types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Subaru Forester reliable?

The 2026 Subaru Forester has a predicted reliability score of 79/100 ("Good") based on prior model year data. So far there is 1 recall and 0 owner complaints on file. This is a prediction — the actual score will be available once more real-world data accumulates.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Forester?

There aren't enough owner complaints to establish common problem patterns yet for the 2026 Subaru Forester. Based on available data, the main item to verify is recall completion. Prior model years can indicate what to watch for.

How many recalls does the 2026 Subaru Forester have?

The 2026 Subaru Forester has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

How is the predicted score calculated?

The predicted score of 79/100 is calculated by averaging reliability scores from prior model years of the same generation. When generation data is unavailable, the average of the most recent model years is used. The prediction updates automatically as new data becomes available.

Don’t buy a 2026 Subaru Forester without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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.

Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Subaru Forester.

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