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Subaru

Forester

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 1998 to 2026

Includes Forester AWD and Forester Hybrid AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 72 Forester trimsAll Subaru cars

The verdict

Best year: 2024. complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 2019. complaints: 831, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 3, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Subaru Forester
YearTrimsMPGHPFuel costRecallsComplaintsInvestigationsTSBsTop complaintsVerdict
19982Gas20.5no data$3,025no datano data0no datano data
19992Gas20.5no data$3,025no datano data0no datano data
20002Gas21no data$2,950no datano data0no datano data
20012Gas21no data$2,950no datano data0no datano data
20022Gas21no data$2,950no datano data0no datano data
20032Gas21no data$2,950no datano data0no datano data
20044Gas20no data$3,500no datano data0no datano data
20054Gas20.5no data$3,450no datano data0no datano data
20064Gas21no data$3,350no datano data0no datano data
20074Gas21.5no data$3,250no datano data0no datano data
20084Gas21.5no data$3,250no datano data0no datano data
20093Gas22no data$2,850no datano data0no datano data
20103Gas22170$2,850000157no data
20113Gas23170$2,700000219no data
20123Gas23170$2,700000232no data
20133Gas23no data$2,700000235no data
20143Gas25170$2,600000403no data
20153Gas25170$2,500000296no data
20163Gas25170$2,500001262no data
20173Gas25170$2,60015711252AIR BAGS 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 14%
20183Gas25170$2,600001227no data
20191Gas29182$2,15038310306VISIBILITY/WIPER 35%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%
20201Gas29182$2,150000252no data
20211Gas29182$2,150000191no data
20221Gas29182$2,150000157no data
20231Gas29182$2,150000127no data
20241Gas29182$2,15000091no data
20252Gas, Hybrid32no data$1,875273094UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17%, VISIBILITY/WIPER 13%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9%
20262Gas, Hybrid32no data$1,875no datano data0no datano data

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1998: 20.5 to 2026: 32
Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2025: 73
How we score each year

We compare each year of the Subaru Forester to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.