35 NHTSA safety recalls cover the Subaru Forester, across model years 2009–2026. 1 carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Every recall repair is free at any Subaru dealer.
Is yours affected? Check your Forester by VIN — or pick your model year below for every recall, complaint and fix.
Recalls and owner complaints by model year
Of the Subaru Forester model years, the 2010 has the most recalls (17); the 2019 drew the most owner complaints (833).
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns covering each Subaru Forester model year on this page. Complaints: owner reports filed with NHTSA for that model year, including trims and variants sold under the model name (e.g. an F-150 page counts F-150 Raptor). Separate scales: compare the shape, not the heights across panels.
| Model year | Recalls | Owner complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 | no data |
| 2010 | 17 | 262 |
| 2011 | 16 | 147 |
| 2012 | 15 | 105 |
| 2013 | 12 | 77 |
| 2014 | 2 | 403 |
| 2015 | 3 | 615 |
| 2016 | 3 | 415 |
| 2017 | 1 | 587 |
| 2018 | 3 | 498 |
| 2019 | 3 | 833 |
| 2020 | 0 | 601 |
| 2021 | 0 | 209 |
| 2022 | 1 | 98 |
| 2023 | 1 | 74 |
| 2024 | 2 | 29 |
| 2025 | 4 | 96 |
| 2026 | 3 | 25 |
What these recalls fix, grouped by the vehicle system NHTSA files them under:
Subaru recalls 2025 Forester models with incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating labels that could cause vehicle overload and crash risk. Owners will receive free label updates to comply with safety standards.
Subaru recalls 2026 Forester models with potentially detachable moonroof glass, which could become a road hazard and increase crash risk. Owners must have their glass panel inspected by dealers.
Subaru recalls 2025 Forester Hybrid vehicles with potential fuel leak causing fire risk. Owners must park away from structures and limit fuel to 50% until fix. Free gasket replacement available.
Subaru is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles with a rear hatch support bracket that can detach unexpectedly, increasing injury risk. Owners should contact Subaru for free inspection or replacement.
Subaru recalls 2025 Forester vehicles with potentially loose child seat anchor bolts that could increase injury risk during crashes. Owners will receive notification letters by August 15, 2025.
When the Subaru Forester recalls were issued, by year — a cluster usually means one defect recalled in stages or across a platform.
Owners have filed 5,074 complaints with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester; the most reported area is visibility/wiper. These are reports, not recalls: they are how NHTSA spots defects.
See Subaru Forester complaints, TSBs and investigations by year →
We have 35 NHTSA safety recalls on record for the Subaru Forester, covering model years 2009–2026. The most recent was issued Jul 7, 2026 (Equipment).
The 2010 Subaru Forester has the most, with 17 recalls on record. Every model year with a recall is listed on this page with links to each one.
By system: Air Bags (11), Engine and Engine Cooling (3), Equipment (2), Fuel System, Gasoline (2).
1 of these recalls carry an NHTSA do-not-drive or park-outside warning. If your vehicle is covered by one, follow it until the repair is done and ask the dealer about a tow or loaner. Most other recalls let you keep driving, but book the repair promptly.
Run a VIN recall check: enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact year, then confirm at NHTSA.gov which are still unrepaired on your vehicle. Any Subaru dealer can also look it up.
Yes. Federal law requires Subaru to fix safety recalls free of charge at any authorized Subaru dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age or how many owners it has had.