Subaru Forester 2019–2024 problems by year and mileage
5th generation (SK)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,850 complaints, 801 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2019 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 8,500 mi
- Complaints filed
- 834
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Visibility/wiper370 reports · median 8,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise144 reports · median 6,500 mi
- Electrical system134 reports · median 8,500 mi
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Engine and engine cooling — exhaust system · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 6,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 603
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2020
- Visibility/wiper252 reports · median 5,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise107 reports · median 6,000 mi
- Electrical system103 reports
The 2021 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- 8,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 210
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2021
- Visibility/wiper76 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise42 reports
- Electrical system33 reports
The 2022 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 99
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2022
- Visibility/wiper20 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise18 reports
- Forward collision avoidance15 reports
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 74
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2023
- Problems owners could not categorise20 reports
- Forward collision avoidance13 reports
- Visibility/wiper11 reports
Recall areas Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2024 Subaru Forester
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 30
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2024
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
- Airbag system7 reports
- Visibility/wiper5 reports
Recall areas Power train — driveline · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2019; earliest: the 2020, and the 2019 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2019–2024 Subaru Forester reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 7,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 30,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 801
- Recalls
- 6
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Visibility/wiper39.7% of complaints · median 6,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise18.4% of complaints · median 6,000 mi
- Electrical system15.7% of complaints · median 6,000 mi
Documented problems
- Fuel Pump2019
- Glass2019–2024
- Electrical2019–2024
- Powertrain (generation Context)2019–2024
Owners filed 1,850 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019–2024 Subaru Forester; visibility/wiper leads with 39.7% of them, and half of the 801 that record an odometer reading came by 7,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
69% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 2.3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. On a generation this new that is expected: few examples have been driven further yet, so the timing says little about design or wear so far.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2019–2024 Subaru Forester last?
The newest model years (2024) are too young to have reached high mileage; most reports with an odometer reading come from the earlier years of the generation.
On the 2019–2024 Subaru Forester, half of the 801 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 7,000 miles and 90% by 30,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
Figure 1 · Subaru Forester 2019–2024 · 801 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 484 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 69% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 10%
- 650
- 25%
- 2,500
- Median
- 7,000
- 75%
- 15,000
- 90%
- 30,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 484 | 60.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 169 | 21.1% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 68 | 8.5% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 38 | 4.7% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 10 | 1.2% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 9 | 1.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 9 | 1.1% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 3 | 0.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Forester problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Forester 2019–2024
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Visibility/wiper734 reportsmedian 6,000middle half 2,000–11,000
- Electrical system290 reportsmedian 6,000middle half 1,000–20,000
- Problems owners could not categorise340 reportsmedian 6,000middle half 2,000–14,000
- Transmission and driveline94 reportsmedian 11,000middle half 3,000–27,000
- Forward collision avoidance135 reportsmedian 13,000middle half 5,000–24,000
- Visibility equipment106 reportsmedian 14,000middle half 6,000–29,000
- Engine236 reportsmedian 23,000middle half 6,500–36,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 734 | 39.7% | 6,000 | 2,000–11,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 340 | 18.4% | 6,000 | 2,000–14,000 |
| Electrical system | 290 | 15.7% | 6,000 | 1,000–20,000 |
| Engine | 236 | 12.8% | 23,000 | 6,500–36,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 135 | 7.3% | 13,000 | 5,000–24,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 106 | 5.7% | 14,000 | 6,000–29,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 94 | 5.1% | 11,000 | 3,000–27,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 79 | 4.3% | 12,000 | 2,500–26,000 |
| Brakes | 60 | 3.2% | 12,000 | 9,000–22,000 |
| Lane departure | 54 | 2.9% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2019–2024 Forester
Fuel Pump 2019
Denso low-pressure fuel pump impeller can crack and deform, causing the pump to fail and the engine to stall without warning; NHTSA recall covering MY2019 Subaru vehicles including the Forester.
Glass 2019–2024
Continued windshield cracking complaints from minor impacts.
Electrical 2019–2024
Parasitic 12V battery drain producing repeat no-start conditions, frequently associated with infotainment and telematics modules failing to sleep.
Powertrain (generation Context) 2019–2024
The turbocharged option disappeared entirely for the US market in this generation, and no manual transmission was offered. Every US 2019-2024 Forester is FB25D plus CVT, which makes this generation unusually homogeneous for analysis. A MY2022 facelift added the Wilderness trim.
Before you buy a 2019–2024 Forester: the 3-minute check
Generated from 801 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for visibility/wiper repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 6,000 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for problems owners could not categorise repair records. Same question here: a median of 6,000 miles.
- Check fuel pump on 2019 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check glass on 2019–2024 cars.
- Check electrical on 2019–2024 cars.
- Years differ here: from 30 to 834 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Forester problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi97% below | At 90k mi99% below | At 120k mi100% below | At 150k mi100% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 2,000–11,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 2,000–14,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 1,000–20,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 6,500–36,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Forward collision avoidance | 5,000–24,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility equipment | 6,000–29,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 3,000–27,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Forester 2019–2024 · 801 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2019–2024 Subaru Forester recalls (6)
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (2), the engine and its cooling system (2), the suspension (1) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2023 · 2022 · Power TrainAn inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
What can happen. An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for…
Nov 2023 · 2023–2024 · Power TrainA broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
What can happen. A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer…
Oct 2023 · 2024 · Engine and Engine CoolingLeaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
What can happen. Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Subaru’s independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner…
Apr 2021 · 2019 · SuspensionMissing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
What can happen. Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will retorque and replace any missing bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2021. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…
Dec 2019 · 2019 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power…
What can happen. An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be…
Feb 2019 · 2019 · SteeringLoss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
What can happen. Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. None of the affected vehicles have been sold yet. Subaru has notified dealers and they will inspect the steering gearbox, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019.…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,850 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 99 (5.4%)
- Fires
- 36
- Injury reports
- 44
- Fatality reports
- 1
Forester problems by model year
The 2019 drew the most complaints of this generation, 834, most of them about visibility/wiper, and the 2024 the fewest, 30. A typical year drew about 154.
That makes the 2019 stand out at roughly 5.4 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 834 | 468 | 8,500† | Visibility/wiper (370) | 3 |
| 2020 | 603 | 272 | 6,000 | Visibility/wiper (252) | 0 |
| 2021 | 210 | 37 | 8,000 | Visibility/wiper (76) | 0 |
| 2022 | 99 | 14 | under 30 reports | Visibility/wiper (20) | 1 |
| 2023 | 74 | 8 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (20) | 1 |
| 2024 | 30 | 2 | under 30 reports | Problems owners could not categorise (9) | 2 |
What Forester owners reported
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the rear driver’s side tire became flat, the temporary spare tire was mounted to the vehicle, and the vehicle was driven to the local auto service center. While the mechanic was attempting to mount the wheel to the vehicle, the lug nuts sheared…
2024 · 5,000 miles · Wheels
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with the rear of a…
2019 · 80,000 miles · Forward collision avoidance
The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into five other vehicles while trying to stop the vehicle. The air…
2023 · 15,000 miles · Forward collision avoidance
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while trying to roll up vehicle windows from driver sits and passenger sit they would roll up to 3/4th all the way up and they would roll back down after. The contact stated this was a recurring event. The dealer was aware of failure and diagnosed issue…
2021 · 22,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 801 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Forester generations
- Forester 1998–2002 230 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Forester 2003–2008 582 reports with mileage, most about the fuel and propulsion system
- Forester 2009–2013 539 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Forester 2014–2018 1,489 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system