The Lemon IndexSubaru Forester.
The best Subaru Forester years are 2013, 2011, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2018. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 133, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2005 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2013.
Quick answers.
Is the Subaru Forester a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 133; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2013 and the worst is 2019.
What are the best Subaru Forester years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2013, 2011, 2012.
What Subaru Forester years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2019, 2020, 2018.
How many recalls does the Subaru Forester have?
105 safety recalls across the 21 model years we track. Most: 2009 (18), 2010 (17), 2011 (16). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Subaru Forester problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name wipers & visibility, electrical and engine most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | – | too few complaints to score | 14 | speed control (29%) | 1 | — | 19–23 |
| 2006 | 90 | about average | 32 | speed control (31%) | 2 | — | 20–22 |
| 2007 | 59 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 24 | transmission & drivetrain (17%) | 1 | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 | – | too few complaints to score | 10 | speed control (40%) | 1 | — | 20–22 |
| 2009 | 71 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 44 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 18 | — | 21–22 |
| 2010 | 63 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 60 | speed control (20%) | 17 | — | 21–22 |
| 2011 | 39 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 37 | engine (35%) | 16 | ★★★★☆ | 21–23 |
| 2012 | 40 | 2.5× fewer complaints than average | 35 | speed control (29%) | 15 | ★★★★☆ | 21–23 |
| 2013 | 16 | 6.2× fewer complaints than average | 24 | visibility (17%) | 12 | ★★★★☆ | 21–23 |
| 2014 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 109 | engine (27%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 24–27 |
| 2015 | 114 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 194 | engine (28%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–27 |
| 2016 | 95 | about average | 169 | airbags (37%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 25–27 |
| 2017 | 158 | 1.6× the average car's complaints | 296 | airbags (39%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 24–28 |
| 2018 | 166 | 1.7× the average car's complaints | 291 | wipers & visibility (39%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 24–28 |
| 2019 | 349 | 3.5× the average car's complaints | 641 | wipers & visibility (55%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 29 |
| 2020 | 297 | 3× the average car's complaints | 492 | wipers & visibility (49%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 29 |
| 2021 | 100 | about average | 157 | wipers & visibility (48%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 29 |
| 2022 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 83 | wipers & visibility (23%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2023 | 41 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 74 | automatic emergency braking (22%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2024 | 20 | 5× fewer complaints than average | 30 | airbags (23%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 26–29 |
| 2025 | 92 | about average | 98 | automatic emergency braking (20%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 26–35 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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