Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Subaru Forester?

Based on our data, the Subaru Forester is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?

The GMC Terrain has more recalls (19) 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 GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?

Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 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 GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the GMC Terrain is cheaper to maintain at $558/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared

GMC Terrain

Good

More Reliable

Subaru Forester

Good

Choosing between the GMC Terrain 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. The Subaru Forester currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Terrain and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?

The Subaru Forester is currently in its fifth generation (SK), introduced in 2019, with a facelift in 2022. This generation is relatively mature, suggesting that most reliability issues have likely been addressed, making it a stable choice for buyers. In contrast, the GMC Terrain is in its second generation, launched in 2018 and refreshed in 2022. This indicates the Terrain is also in the latter part of its cycle, where reliability tends to improve as initial issues are resolved. However, a new third-generation Terrain is expected in 2025, which could introduce first-year issues common with new platforms.

Verdict

The Subaru Forester is more reliable than the GMC Terrain, scoring 74/100 vs 72/100.

The Subaru Forester and GMC Terrain exhibit similar reliability scores, with the Forester slightly ahead at 77/100 compared to the Terrain's 76/100. However, the Forester has a higher owner complaint rate at 8.7 per 10,000 sold versus the Terrain's 4.8, suggesting more frequent issues reported by Forester owners. The Terrain also benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $558 compared to the Forester's $632. While both vehicles have common issues in the electrical system and engine areas, the Forester's higher recall count and complaint rate may tip the scale in favor of the Terrain for potential buyers prioritizing fewer reported issues and lower maintenance expenses.

Key Differences

1GMC Terrain costs $74 less per year to repair
2Subaru Forester has 6 fewer total recalls
3Subaru Forester has 4% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

3GMC Terrain

—

3Subaru Forester

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Terrain	Subaru Forester
Reliability Score	72/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	19	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	8.7
Annual Repair Cost	$558/yr	$632/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	17%	13%
Year Wins	1 (1 tied)	6 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester and GMC Terrain exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Forester experiencing a significantly higher number of complaints, particularly in the visibility/wiper category with 819 incidents. In contrast, the GMC Terrain's most frequent issue lies with the service brakes, accumulating 146 complaints. Notably, the Forester shows a higher incidence of crash-linked issues, especially in vehicle speed control with 26 complaints tied to crashes, whereas the Terrain's highest crash-linked category is service brakes with 8 incidents. Additionally, the Forester's electrical system complaints are more severe, with 8 crash-linked cases, compared to just 1 for the Terrain.

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Terrain	Subaru Forester
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	3.1Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	1.2Low
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Terrain or Subaru Forester?

Independent repair cost data suggests that while the Subaru Forester has a higher annual repair cost of $632 compared to the GMC Terrain's $558, the difference amounts to only $74 per year, or $370 over five years. However, the Forester requires repairs more frequently, with 0.4 visits per year versus the Terrain's 0.3 visits, potentially leading to more inconvenience. Despite this, the Forester has a lower major repair risk at 13% compared to the Terrain’s 17%, which may translate to fewer significant and costly issues. For cost-conscious buyers, the GMC Terrain offers a better value in terms of lower annual repair costs and less frequent repair visits, despite its slightly higher risk of major repairs. This balance may appeal to those prioritizing lower upfront maintenance expenses and less frequent trips to the mechanic.

How Does GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Terrain	Subaru Forester	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 8C	79/1002R / 48C	Subaru Forester
2024	77/1001R / 29C	78/1002R / 26C	Subaru Forester
2023	75/1002R / 21C	79/1001R / 61C	Subaru Forester
2022	72/1004R / 65C	77/1001R / 86C	Subaru Forester
2021	74/1002R / 28C	76/1000R / 196C	Subaru Forester
2020	68/1002R / 160C	71/1000R / 584C	Subaru Forester
2019	68/1003R / 163C	63/1003R / 825C	GMC Terrain
2018	66/1005R / 201C	66/1003R / 475C	Tie
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Subaru Forester?

If you prioritize reliability and are concerned about the frequency of repairs, you might lean towards the Subaru Forester. With a slightly higher reliability score of 77/100 and a lower repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, it presents a marginally more dependable option. However, bear in mind the higher number of owner complaints and total recalls, which could indicate potential issues with visibility, wipers, and airbags. On the other hand, if keeping annual repair costs low is your main concern, the GMC Terrain may be more appealing. With an estimated annual repair cost of $558 and a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it offers cost savings over time. However, the Terrain has a higher major repair risk at 17% and more recalls, particularly concerning service brakes and powertrain issues. Choose the Terrain if lower routine expenses outweigh the slightly greater risk of significant repairs.

GMC Terrain vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions

Is the GMC Terrain more reliable than the Subaru Forester?: Based on our data, the Subaru Forester is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?: The GMC Terrain has more recalls (19) 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 GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?: Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 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 GMC Terrain or the Subaru Forester?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the GMC Terrain is cheaper to maintain at $558/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.

More GMC Terrain comparisons

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More Subaru Forester comparisons

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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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