SUV · model years 2020-2024 · NHTSA recalls, complaints & NCAP ratings
Across model years 2020-2024, the Subaru Forester has
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on
record (a low number of recall campaigns for these model years) — most often the power train system,
plus 984 owner complaints and a NCAP overall rating of about 5/5 stars.
This is the model's recall history, not your car's status — the only way to know if a recall
is still open on your vehicle is to
check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Verify with your VIN. Recalls are issued continuously and tie to your exact vehicle.
Confirm open recalls for your Subaru Forester at
nhtsa.gov/recalls — or use our
VIN check helper. Data as of June 2026.
The most recent recall campaigns on record for 2020-2024. The remedy (repair) is free at a franchised Subaru dealer; quote the campaign number.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · NHTSA #23V755000 · filed 2023-11-09 · model year 2022
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 this recall is WRQ-23.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · NHTSA #23V754000 · filed 2023-11-09 · model years 2023, 2024
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 a crash.
Remedy: 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 service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · NHTSA #23V723000 · filed 2023-10-26 · model year 2024
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subarus 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 notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA, not confirmed defects. Newer model years often have fewer simply because fewer are on the road and less time has passed.
NCAP stars are federal crash-test results. A blank means that test was not separately published; "Not rated" means NHTSA did not crash-test that configuration.
How the Subaru Forester compares
Similar suvs by recall-campaign count:
Subaru Forester and peer vehicles. Source: NHTSA, model years 2020-2024.
Vehicle
Recall campaigns
Complaints
Subaru Forester (this vehicle)
3
984
Subaru Crosstrek
3
338
Toyota 4Runner
5
141
Jeep Compass
5
517
Mazda CX-5
N/A
396
Jeep Cherokee
7
422
Frequently asked questions
Does the Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Across model years 2020-2024, the Subaru Forester has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record, most often involving the power train system. This is a recall history, not your car's status. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if any recall is still open on your specific Subaru Forester.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester is under recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN at the free NHTSA recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls). It shows any unrepaired safety recall on that exact Subaru Forester. The repair, called the remedy, is free at a franchised Subaru dealer.
How many complaints does the Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA has 984 owner complaints on file for the Subaru Forester across 2020-2024, of which 59 mention a crash. Complaints are unverified owner reports, useful as a signal of possible issues, not confirmed defects.
What is the Subaru Forester crash-test rating?
The Subaru Forester has a NHTSA NCAP overall safety rating of about 5 out of 5 stars across the tested model years in 2020-2024. See the year-by-year frontal, side and rollover stars on this page.
Recalls, complaints and crash-test ratings: NHTSA
(model years 2020-2024), US public domain, captured June 2026. This is a dated snapshot of a
model's history and can lag NHTSA. It is not your vehicle's recall status and is not safety advice —
always verify open recalls with your VIN at
nhtsa.gov/recalls. See the
methodology and disclaimer.