2015–2026 · 12 model years · 24 recalls
Avoid the 2019 Subaru Forester: it scores lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Below average for its class. Expected repairs: $3,175 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $1,648 over 5 years. 3 recalls, 834 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $972 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $343 over 5 years. 2 recalls, 31 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,593 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $730 over 5 years. 1 recall, 100 owner complaints.
Well above average for its class. Expected repairs: $1,381 over 5 years. Biggest repair risk: engine & cooling, about $537 over 5 years. 1 recall, 74 owner complaints.
| Generation | Years | Average score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJ | 2015–2018 | 50/100 | About average |
| SK | 2019–2024 | 62/100 | Above average |
| Model year | Reliability | Complaints | Recalls | Best mpg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Forester | Not rated yet | 48 | 4 | 29 |
| 2025 Forester | Not rated yet | 139 | 3 | 29 |
| 2024 Forester | 92/100 · Well above average | 31 | 2 | 29 |
| 2023 Forester | 85/100 · Well above average | 74 | 1 | 29 |
| 2022 Forester | 86/100 · Well above average | 100 | 1 | 29 |
| 2021 Forester | 58/100 · About average | 213 | 0 | 29 |
| 2020 Forester | 28/100 · Below average | 604 | 0 | 29 |
| 2019 Forester | 24/100 · Below average | 834 | 3 | 29 |
| 2018 Forester | 67/100 · Above average | 498 | 3 | 28 |
| 2017 Forester | 51/100 · About average | 592 | 1 | 28 |
| 2016 Forester | 53/100 · About average | 416 | 3 | 27 |
| 2015 Forester | 31/100 · Below average | 616 | 3 | 27 |
Reliability compares each year with similar cars from 2015 to 2024, using owner complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold. Complaint counts on their own aren't a score: popular cars get more of them.
Avoid the 2019 Subaru Forester: it scores lowest for reliability, with the most owner complaints for each car sold. The best years to buy are 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 scores best for reliability (92/100) of the years we rate.
The 2026, with 4 recalls on record with NHTSA.