Is the Subaru Forester more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on our data, the Subaru Forester is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Forester has a lower complaint rate at 8.7 per 10,000 sold versus 9.3 for the Volkswagen Tiguan. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Subaru Forester is cheaper to maintain at $632/year versus $730/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Is the Subaru Forester or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?

Both the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan 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: 2026-03-04

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Subaru Forester

Good

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good

Choosing between the Subaru Forester and the Volkswagen Tiguan? 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 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan Generations Compare?

As of 2023, the Subaru Forester is in its fifth generation (SK), introduced in 2019 and refreshed in 2022. This model is towards the latter part of its generation cycle, meaning it benefits from several years of refinement, often translating to improved reliability as early issues are typically resolved. In contrast, the Volkswagen Tiguan is in its second generation (AD/BW), introduced in 2018 with a facelift in 2021. Being in the later stages of its generation as well, the Tiguan also benefits from stability and reliability. Generally, vehicles late in their generation cycles tend to be more reliable due to ongoing improvements and issue resolution.

Verdict

The Subaru Forester is more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan, scoring 74/100 vs 68/100.

The Subaru Forester outshines the Volkswagen Tiguan in reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 77/100 compared to the Tiguan's 68/100. The Forester also has fewer recalls, with 13 over the past nine years, against 35 for the Tiguan. Although the owner complaint rates are relatively close, with the Forester at 8.7 per 10,000 sold and the Tiguan at 9.3, the Forester's lower estimated annual repair cost of $632 compared to the Tiguan's $730 further underscores its reliability advantage. Both SUVs face issues with their electrical systems and engines, but the Forester's overall better track record makes it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Subaru Forester costs $98 less per year to repair
2Subaru Forester has 22 fewer total recalls
3Subaru Forester scores 6 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

5Subaru Forester

—

1Volkswagen Tiguan

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Which Is More Reliable?

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Subaru Forester	Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score	74/100	68/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	13	35
Complaints per 10k Sold	8.7	9.3
Annual Repair Cost	$632/yr	$730/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.9/yr
Major Repair Risk	13%	12%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	7	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Subaru Forester faces a significant number of complaints in the visibility/wiper category, with 819 issues, which is notably higher than any category for the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Forester also has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in areas such as vehicle speed control (26 crash-linked) and airbags (22 crash-linked), highlighting potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Tiguan's most reported issues are with the electrical system and engine, but these have fewer crash-linked incidents, suggesting less severe safety implications. Both models share similar concerns in the power train category, though the Forester has more crash-linked problems, indicating a potential for higher risk in certain situations.

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan common problem areas comparison
Component	Subaru Forester	Volkswagen Tiguan
VISIBILITY/WIPER	3.1Average	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.2Low	1.7Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.2Low	1Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	1.2Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	1.2Low
AIR BAGS	0.5Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Subaru Forester or Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan present distinct maintenance profiles based on industry estimates. The Forester's annual repair cost is $632, translating to a $490 saving over five years compared to the Tiguan's $730 yearly cost. With a repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year, Forester owners can expect fewer trips to the shop than Tiguan owners, who face 0.9 visits annually. Despite the Forester's slightly higher major repair risk at 13% compared to the Tiguan's 12%, the overall lower costs and reduced repair frequency make the Subaru Forester a more economical choice for cost-conscious buyers.

How Does Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Compare by Year?

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Subaru Forester	Volkswagen Tiguan	Edge
2025	79/1002R / 48C	73/1002R / 18C	Subaru Forester
2024	78/1002R / 26C	75/1001R / 38C	Subaru Forester
2023	79/1001R / 61C	73/1001R / 49C	Subaru Forester
2022	77/1001R / 86C	61/1005R / 199C	Subaru Forester
2021	76/1000R / 196C	67/1005R / 106C	Subaru Forester
2020	71/1000R / 584C	69/1003R / 118C	Subaru Forester
2019	63/1003R / 825C	65/1005R / 165C	Volkswagen Tiguan
2018	66/1003R / 475C	57/10013R / 275C	Subaru Forester
2026(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	74/100(predicted)	Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Subaru Forester vs the Volkswagen Tiguan?

If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance costs, the Subaru Forester is the better choice with its higher reliability score of 77/100 compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan's 68/100. The Forester also has fewer recalls (13) and owner complaints per 10,000 sold (8.7) than the Tiguan, which has 35 recalls and 9.3 complaints. The annual repair cost for the Forester is estimated at $632, which is more affordable than the Tiguan's $730, and it requires fewer visits to the shop with a repair frequency of 0.4/yr compared to the Tiguan's 0.9/yr. However, if you are less concerned about repair frequency and cost and more focused on features related to the power train and service brakes, the Tiguan might still be worth considering despite its lower reliability score. It has a slightly lower major repair risk of 12% compared to the Forester's 13%. Ultimately, the Forester is recommended for those seeking a more reliable and cost-effective vehicle, while the Tiguan may appeal to those who value other features and are willing to manage a higher maintenance profile.

Subaru Forester vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Common Questions

Is the Subaru Forester more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Based on our data, the Subaru Forester is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Forester has a lower complaint rate at 8.7 per 10,000 sold versus 9.3 for the Volkswagen Tiguan. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Subaru Forester or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Subaru Forester is cheaper to maintain at $632/year versus $730/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Is the Subaru Forester or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?: Both the Subaru Forester and Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Subaru Forester comparisons

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More Volkswagen Tiguan 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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