RoadVitals

2026 Subaru Forester

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 7, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Subaru Forester, most frequently naming the electrical, visibility and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 57 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical428.6%
  • Visibility428.6%
  • Driver assistance321.4%
  • Fuel system214.3%
  • Powertrain (other)17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
26V436000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 7, 2026
541,237 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
The risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-26.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRH-26View on NHTSA.gov
26V346000

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

May 28, 2026
69,663 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A detached glass panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the power moonroof glass panel for proper adhesion and, if necessary, replace the glass panel assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRF-26. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRF-26View on NHTSA.gov
25V889000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Dec 18, 2025
5,603 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number WRG-25View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Fuel system
Filed Aug 10, 2026

When filling my tank for the first time, I pumped the gas slightly after the "pop" from the handle. When I did this, fuel poured out of my gas tank onto me, my car, and the gas station. My VIN is not listed but my vehicle model is. Please advise.

NHTSA ID
11756014
Incident
Aug 7, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 9, 2026

Twice within a month. the Eyesight front collision braking system suddenly activated in traffic while passing through a signal light showing green when the car in front made a right turn onto an adjacent street. My vehicle was clear of the car that had turned right and could continue to proceed through the light without incident. The Eyesiight system activated and caused a near-miss potential rear end collision situation between my car and the cars following behind me.

NHTSA ID
11755786
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 14, 2026

I was merging into a road in Windsor, Ontario on July 3/4. I was nowhere near another vehicle. There was a LARGE gap between myself in any other cars. I am always extra cautious being out of country and driving. The automatic brakes kicked on and told me I had an obstruction ahead and would not let me control the vehicle. I was stopped turning into the middle of a five-lane road without control of my vehicle. This was incredibly dangerous. Luckily, it was only a few seconds and I had time to move before other cars got to me but it was a much closer call than it should have been.

NHTSA ID
11750448
Incident
Jul 3, 2026
Filed Jun 26, 2026

Got in the car around 8am. Sat down, shut the door and then BOOM! The rear hatch glass shattered into a thousand pieces. Nothing touched nothing hit it , it just shattered. Luckily no one was in the back seat. Brought it to the dealer. Interesting , at the exact time I pulled into the dealer another Forestef arrived with the EXACT SAME problem!

NHTSA ID
11746658
Incident
Jun 26, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jun 11, 2026

Brand new 2026 Forester's factory amplifier system completely failed within a week from purchasing at approximately 570 miles, disabling hands-free communication. California law strictly requires drivers to use phones in a hands-free manner. Drivers are prohibited from holding or physically touching their phone for any reason while operating a vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11743631
Incident
May 22, 2026
Visibility
Filed Jun 4, 2026

In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). Then, May 30th as I exited a highway midway up the ramp going ~40-45 mph behind another auto going the same slow speed with 1-1.5 car length between us, something struck my windshield and immediately the strike had clearly broken the windshield just below the driver's direct line of sight and put a thorough 'star' the size of a nickel coin. There did not appear to be any debris on the road nor off or out of the auto in front of me. (There was not a vehicle ahead of that auto that would have generated this strike.) I feel I may be unsafe in this auto if its windshield cannot hold up under minor strikes such as this. When I called the auto repair center recommended by my automobile dealer they told me they’d already had 14 Subaru windshields call to schedule repairs this week (it was only Tuesday. This is a modest sized single location windshield repair shop).

NHTSA ID
11742094
Incident
May 30, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 2026

Infotainment center had popup ad about Sirius xm trial ending soon and a phone number to call to extend. Had to hit small x in the corner to disable while vehicle in motion or have no access to air, radio controls, or see map.

NHTSA ID
11741969
Incident
Jun 4, 2026
Visibility
Filed Jun 2, 2026

Drivers side mirror vibrates making changing lanes a Safty issue as the approaching vehicle is not a clear visual to operator

NHTSA ID
11741542
Incident
Apr 9, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Announcement (P

STRUCTURE:BODY

WRH-26 Certification Label Non-Compliance Recall- Parts and SSLP Process Updates.

SubaruNet Announcement (v

This announcement provides information on WRH-26 affected CPO and Used Vehicle Inventory.

SubaruNet Announcement (V

This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for owner contact and a vehicle disclosure form.

SubaruNet Announcement (C

This announcement provides WRH-26 recall information for customers.

04-31-26

This bulletin announces the diagnostic procedure to be performed before the service manual.

17-22-26

SEATS

This Bulletin provides parts ordering and service guidance when replacing passenger seat assemblies and other passenger seat components.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Forester by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026Viewing143050.5
2025873062.7
2024282055.0
2023731053.0
2022951050.3
20212070043.8
20205950038.0
20198313049.4
20184913155.8
20175811151.8
20164093159.7
20156133053.6
20144032052.4
20137712058.1
201210515058.3
201114716057.3
201026217054.7
200917818056.0
2008501148.1
2007721147.8
2006882156.3
2005931148.8
20042192152.6
20031893155.0
2002881047.9
20011390043.3
2000750039.0
19991311143.3
19981011044.6
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.