2021 Subaru Forester problems and complaints
Owners have filed 215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Forester. The most-reported areas: Visibility/Wiper (76), Unknown Or Other (42), Engine (36).
Key takeaways
- 215 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 16 involve a crash, 5 a fire, 9 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 76 | 35% |
| Unknown Or Other | 42 | 20% |
| Engine | 36 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 35 | 16% |
| Power Train | 17 | 8% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 17 | 8% |
| Visibility | 14 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | 6% |
| Lane Departure | 8 | 4% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | 3% |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 2% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2021 Subaru Forester
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
- Wiper blades
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| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Subaru Forester SUV AWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Power Train,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-11-01
When coming to a stop, the auto start/stop system shuts the engine off and it fails to restart. All dashboard warning lights illuminate. The vehicle must be shifted to Park and restarted manually with the start button. The component that failed is the auto start/stop system; the exact cause is UNKNOWN. The vehicle is a...
Engine - filed 2026-10-28
Component Failed & Inspection Availability: The vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine block failure at 74,000 miles. The dealership teardown confirmed a failed/spun lifter bearing and a fractured connecting rod cap, requiring a complete engine replacement. This sudden oil pressure failure/blockage o...
Power Train - filed 2026-10-28
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving and accelerating from a stop, the vehicle started bucking and hesitating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission control valve body was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The...
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More for the 2021 Subaru Forester
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.