NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Subaru Forester[1]. This model year also has recalls on record, so it is worth a careful look before you buy[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and here are the groups from biggest to smallest. - Forward Collision Avoidance. 7 complaints[5]. Owners describe the automatic braking kicking in when the road ahead looked clear, sometimes more than once, and say it felt startling and hard to trust. - Unknown Or Other. 6 complaints[6]. These reports are filed under the unknown or other group, not under a named part. - Electrical System. 6 complaints[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe an engine that would not restart after the auto stop, warning lights with a loss of power, and screens that showed odd or distracting content. Some also describe a sound system that quit early. - Visibility/Wiper. 5 complaints[8]. Owners describe glass trouble, such as a rear window that broke apart, a chipped windshield and a cloudy sunroof panel. One owner describes a dark shadow across the windshield at night. - Visibility. 2 complaints[9]. - Fuel/Propulsion System. 2 complaints[10]. - Structure. 2 complaints[11]. Owners describe a leaking fluid near the sunroof seal that damaged paint, and a hood that dropped while open. - Power Train. 1 complaint[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2026 Forester is necessarily included.
- Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint (26V685), October 2026. About 8 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Equipment › Other › Labels (26V436), July 2026. About 541,237 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly (26V346), May 2026. About 69,663 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge And Attachments (25V889), December 2025. About 5,603 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[17] | 26 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Forester Sport/Touring AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[18] | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[19] | 24 / 28 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Forester Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive[3] | 35 / 34 / 35 | $1,900 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder[21] | 162 to 182 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FORESTER 4DR SUV[22] | 183 in | 72 in | 68 in | 105 in | 3,580 lb |
How 2026 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 101 | 1 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 |
| 2007 | 74 | 1 |
| 2008 | 50 | 1 |
| 2009 | 178 | 17 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 |
| 2013 | 78 | 12 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 |
| 2015 | 615 | 3 |
| 2016 | 415 | 3 |
| 2017 | 592 | 1 |
| 2018 | 498 | 3 |
| 2019 | 834 | 3 |
| 2020 | 603 | 0 |
| 2021 | 210 | 0 |
| 2022 | 100 | 1 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1 |
| 2024 | 31 | 2 |
| 2025 | 98 | 4 |
| 2026 | 29 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for the Forester show 29 complaints and 4 recalls for 2026[2]. Among the 29 model years listed, 0 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 28 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (29) and the most are for 2019 (834)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2026 Forester?
The 2026 Forester has a modest pile of complaints so far, and none of them mention a crash or a fire[1]. The biggest group is the forward collision avoidance system, so test drive it and see how the braking feels to you[5]. Electrical and glass related reports also show up, which is worth asking a dealer about[7][8]. Recalls are on record for this year, so check the Recalls section above[2]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide and not a final answer[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Owners filed complaints in several groups, and forward collision avoidance is the biggest one[5]. Electrical and visibility reports follow[7][8]. See the problems section above for the full list.
- Does the 2026 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, this model year has recalls on record[2]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
- How many complaints has the 2026 Subaru Forester received?
- NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for this model year[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Subaru Forester?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2026 Subaru Forester a good year to buy?
- The by-year comparison on this page shows how it stacks up against other years. Complaints and recalls for 2026 are counted there too[2].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
Compare all model years of the Subaru Forester
Similar cars from 2026: small suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Subaru Forester (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Forester model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester Hybrid AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 35 city / 34 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V685, filed October 19, 2026: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V436, filed July 7, 2026: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V346, filed May 28, 2026: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V889, filed December 18, 2025: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Hinge And Attachments. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forester Sport/Touring AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Forester Wilderness AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S8), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 28 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2026 Subaru Forester with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 162 to 182 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FORESTER 4DR SUV: length 183 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov