Last updated: 2026-10-10
Subaru Forester vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Reliability Compared
Subaru Forester
Toyota Corolla Cross
On reliability, the Toyota Corolla Cross comes out clearly ahead of the Subaru Forester. Complaint rates are similar. The difference is that the Forester has more separate trouble spots, led by windshield cracking, while Corolla Cross problems center on start/stop stalling.
How Do the Subaru Forester and Toyota Corolla Cross Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable than the Subaru Forester, scoring 82/100 vs 74/100.
A clear edge goes to the Corolla Cross. Its standing is excellent, while the Forester's is good. Complaint rates per vehicle sold are close, so the gap does not come from volume. It comes from spread. The Forester has several separate trouble spots, including windshield cracking and stalling. The Corolla Cross problems cluster around one fault: an engine that shuts off at a stop and will not restart. That is serious, but it is a narrower thing to check for.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Corolla Cross scores 8 points higher in reliability
- 2Toyota Corolla Cross has 1 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Corolla Cross has 0.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Subaru Forester vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Subaru Forester | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 82/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 12 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.7 | 8 |
| Year Wins | 1 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Forester and Toyota Corolla Cross?
Glass is the Forester's biggest complaint area. Windshields crack with no impact, sometimes while parked, and a crack can disable the EyeSight system. The Forester also stalls at stops when start/stop fails to restart, and owners report repeated battery replacements. The Corolla Cross shows the same stall, mostly in rain with the wipers on, with a "Steering Power Low" warning and a heavy wheel. Forester crash-linked reports cover air bags, engine, and electrical. The Corolla Cross has crash-linked reports in electrical, steering, and lighting, but none in engine. Its other complaints include headlight shadows and dim taillights.
| Component | Subaru Forester | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 3.1Average | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.2Low | 1.6Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.2Low | 0.9Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 1.5Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.5Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Subaru Forester vs Toyota Corolla Cross Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Subaru Forester | Toyota Corolla Cross | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77/1001R / 0C | 94/1000R / 0C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2025 | 79/1002R / 48C | 86/1000R / 15C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2024 | 78/1002R / 26C | 82/1002R / 37C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
| 2023 | 79/1001R / 61C | 69/1008R / 168C | Subaru Forester |
| 2022 | 77/1001R / 86C | 80/1002R / 37C | Toyota Corolla Cross |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 and the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Subaru Forester vs the Toyota Corolla Cross?
Subaru Forester vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Common Questions
- Is the Subaru Forester more reliable than the Toyota Corolla Cross?
- No. The Corolla Cross holds a clear edge, with an excellent standing against the Forester's good one. Complaints per 10,000 sold are close, at 8 for the Corolla Cross and 8.7 for the Forester. The Forester has more varied problems, including windshield cracking, battery trouble, and stalling.
- Which has more recalls, the Forester or the Corolla Cross?
- The Forester has 13 recalls across 9 model years, and the Corolla Cross has 12 across 5 model years. The totals are close, but the Corolla Cross reached its count in fewer years. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before you buy.
- What is the most common Subaru Forester problem?
- Windshield cracking is the largest complaint area, with 819 visibility and wiper reports. Glass often cracks with no impact, sometimes while parked, and cracks can grow quickly. A cracked windshield can knock out EyeSight, and replacement was quoted at over $1000.
- Why does the Toyota Corolla Cross stall at stops?
- Owners tie it to Auto Start-Stop, which shuts the engine off at a light and then fails to restart. It often happens in rain with the wipers on. The dash shows a low steering power warning, and the fix is shifting to Park and restarting. Dealers often find no codes.
- Which Forester model years should I avoid?
- Avoid 2018 and 2019, which are the weakest years. The strongest are 2025 and 2023. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so do not treat 2025 as proven. Whatever the year, inspect the windshield and test for stalling at stops.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Subaru Forester comparisons
More Toyota Corolla Cross comparisons
Decided between Subaru Forester and Toyota Corolla Cross? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Subaru Forester and Toyota Corolla Cross
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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