Model year
2026 Subaru Forester
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 29 complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 0 complaints under FORESTER HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. 1 recall marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (6), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5). NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–35 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,900–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 75 complaints
- 2001 139 complaints
- 2002 88 complaints
- 2003 189 complaints
- 2004 219 complaints
- 2005 93 complaints
- 2006 88 complaints
- 2007 74 complaints
- 2008 50 complaints
- 2009 178 complaints
- 2010 262 complaints
- 2011 147 complaints
- 2012 105 complaints
- 2013 78 complaints
- 2014 403 complaints
- 2015 615 complaints
- 2016 415 complaints
- 2017 592 complaints
- 2018 498 complaints
- 2019 834 complaints
- 2020 603 complaints
- 2021 211 complaints
- 2022 100 complaints
- 2023 74 complaints
- 2024 31 complaints
- 2025 98 complaints
- 2026 29 complaints
Recalls
26V685000 · Oct 19, 2026
Do not driveSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek and Forester vehicles. The castle nut on the left-front lower control arm ball joint may be improperly fastened, which can lead to the ball joint separating from the lower control arm.
26V436000 · Jul 7, 2026
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these…
26V346000 · May 28, 2026
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid vehicles. The sliding glass panel of the power moonroof assembly may have been improperly bonded to the sliding frame, allowing the glass panel to detach from the vehicle.
25V889000 · Dec 18, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Complaints
29 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| FORESTER HYBRID | 2 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYBRID SUV HEV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV N/A AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.174 | NHTSA photo |
| WILDERNESS SUV N/A AWD | Not rated | 5 | 5 | 5 | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 26 | 33 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Forester Sport/Touring AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 32 | 28 | — | — | $2,400 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 28 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Forester Hybrid AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (AV-S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 35 | 34 | 35 | — | — | $1,900 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2026 Subaru Forester at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.