Subaru Forester Years to Avoid

Why 2019 and 2020 made the avoid list

2019 Subaru Forester

AvoidTop issue: visibility · 55% of complaints · median 8,000 miles

Owners describe the 2019 Forester suddenly stalling, losing power or shutting down while driving, often with warning lights and disabled EyeSight features, plus recurring dead batteries. Many also report windshields cracking with no apparent impact, with some saying dealers denied warranty coverage for replacement.

Full 2019 report ›

2020 Subaru Forester

AvoidTop issue: visibility · 55% of complaints · median 6,000 miles

Owners of the 2020 Forester describe batteries that repeatedly drain and an auto stop/start system that sometimes fails to restart, plus thermo control valve failures causing stalling and disabled EyeSight features. Many also report windshields cracking with little apparent impact, often denied warranty coverage.

Full 2020 report ›

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints on NHTSA's site and checked against them; the counts and mileages come from our data.

Best Subaru Forester years to buy

2008 Subaru Forester

Best betTop issue: speed control · 42% of complaints · median 16,000 miles

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Forester in its first five years, about 21 for every 100,000 sold: 0.2× the rate of a typical Forester year. 42% of them involve speed control, at a median of 16,000 miles.

Full 2008 report ›

2013 Subaru Forester

Best betTop issue: air bags · 11% of complaints

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Forester in its first five years, about 24 for every 100,000 sold: 0.3× the rate of a typical Forester year. 11% of them involve the air bags.

Full 2013 report ›

A best bet drew 0.6× the complaint rate of a typical Forester year or less in its first five years on the road. How we rate

1. Visibility34% of complaints · 1,155 complaints · median 5,000–36,000 miles by year · worst years: 2018, 2019 and 2020
2. Electrical13% of complaints · 459 complaints · median 2,000–39,000 miles by year · worst years: 2017, 2019 and 2020
3. Engine12% of complaints · 412 complaints · median 16,000–40,000 miles by year · worst years: 2015, 2019 and 2020
4. Air bags8% of complaints · 277 complaints · median 10,000–40,000 miles by year · worst years: 2016, 2017 and 2018
5. Speed control8% of complaints · 270 complaints · median 9,000–26,000 miles by year · worst years: 2014, 2015 and 2018

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each model year's first five years on the road, all years combined. A complaint can name more than one area. Worst years are the rated years with the most complaints about that area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

Questions owners ask

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Counting complaints owners filed with NHTSA in each year's first five years on the road, per vehicle sold, the 2019 and 2020 Forester drew the most: each more than twice the rate of a typical Forester year, spread across more than one problem area. The 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 also ran above average; use caution with them.

What is the best year for a used Subaru Forester?

The best bets are the 2008 and 2013 Forester, which drew far fewer complaints per vehicle sold than a typical Forester year. The 2008 drew the fewest for its time on the road (0.2× the rate of a typical Forester year). Years from 2023 on haven't had five years on the road, so they aren't rated yet.

What is the most common problem with the Subaru Forester?

Across every year, the problem area owners report most is visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (34% of complaints), followed by the electrical system (13%) and the engine (12%). A complaint can name more than one area.

Has the Subaru Forester been recalled?

Yes. NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns covering Forester model years 2008 to 2026, the most recent in October 2026. Enter a vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether its repairs were done.