84
Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

VISIBILITY/WIPER
15 complaints
Windshield formed a crack for no apparent reason. The crack increased to about 10 inches in the course of 2 days.
Aug 06, 2024
While driving the drivers side rear window imploded sending thousands of shards of glass into the vehicle.
Oct 18, 2023
Overnight, my windshield cracked from the inside. The car was safely in the garage and is only driven by me. The crack was in a "J" or "L" formation on the driver's side, approximately 2.5 - 3", stemming from the dashboard. Nothing had hit or injured the windshield. Over the last few months, the crack has slowly expanded to a larger "L" formation. I've filed a claim with insurance but believe the crack is due to a faulty Subaru windshield.
Aug 30, 2023
Windshield has random cracks and scratches everywhere and I only have 18000 miles.
Jul 22, 2023
At 5.000 miles I observed a crack in the lower portion of the windshield. The crack was vertical and about 8 inches in length. The crack was located almost in the center of the windshield. The crack is smooth to the touch on both the interior and exterior of the windshield. At no time to my knowledge did any objects strike the windshield. In the next few days of driving the crack grew to approximately 2 feet in length and spread horizontally across the passenger side. I contacted the dealer and was informed that the vehicle warranty does not cover glass. I made arrangements at a local auto glass shop to have the windshield replaced. I believe that the glass was defective.
Mar 16, 2023
+ 10 more complaints for this component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12 complaints
After two years, we had a rock hit our windshield and crack it. The car is not safe to drive and it is our only vehicle. We have learned that Subaru has used subpar glass on their windshields and they just had a class action lawsuit regarding that. Today, we were told that they have a National Backorder situation with our windshield OEM parts. Subaru is INSISTING that we only replace our windshield with OEM parts with a re-cllibration to follow for eyesight, etc. Our Insurance company has approved OEM parts, the calibration and the Repair company was ready to go today. After calling around all day with the help of multiple Subaru Dealerships, we found that we cannot get these parts for a long time (no actual date provided) and that many customers have been waiting for over a year (the vehicle is two years old). Subaru's corporate customer "advocacy" area would not assist us and treated us horribly. Subaru is threatening to not honor our warranties if we use OEM equivalent parts. There are laws against practices like this including The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. We need to get our car fixed immediately as we have no other mode of transportation right now. There is no reason for this situation as safety should be the number one priority! It seems that the entire Country is affected by this and Subaru just continues to not resolve the situation. In addition, a couple of Subaru employees mentioned that Subaru has totally stopped glass production for these vehicles. If that is the actual case, they have to announce a massive recall and provide new vehicles or settlement funds to the many who are affected by this situation. Nobody should be told to drive on the road with cracks or chips in their windshield. Nobody should be told that they are on their own. Nobody should be put in impossible situations like these ones. Shame on Subaru - hold them responsible and accountable!!!
Sep 06, 2024
Check Engine, Eyesight Off, [S] flashing, Check Owners Manual came on meanwhile driving at normal speeds, 55mph, last dealership check and oil change was June 20, 2024. Finding same error has occurred to other Subaru Forester drivers: NHTSA ID # 11490232 NHTSA ID # 12479843 NHTSA ID # 11511658 NHTSA ID # 11490977 NHTSA ID # 11479843 NHTSA ID # 11499756 NHTSA ID # 11480952 NHTSA ID # 11491752 NHTSA ID # 11474804 found on [XXX] . Will take car to Advanced Autoparts in the morning to get a code read. Previously found to be an issue with Thermo Control Valve. I am two hours away from a Subaru dealership. HELP!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Aug 15, 2024
My wife was driving our 2022 Subaru forester and I was following her in a second vehicle on the way to the airport for our honeymoon. The road we were on had a steep incline and then smoothed out to a plateau. At approximately 4:30am, 100 yrds from the top of the hill, a deer ran out in front of the Subaru. We both travelling at around 50mph. Before striking the deer my wife was able to slam on the brakes and attempt to swerve, but she still struck the deer with the front left portion of the Subaru. She immediately pulled off to the side of the road and I pulled in behind her. I ran to her car and saw that airbags had deployed and there was fire leaking out of the car in the center of the engine compartment. I helped my wife out of the car and back into my car and we reversed 100 feet back down the road. By the time I stopped reversing the entire engine block had erupted into flames. I determined it was not safe enough to approach the vehicle to recover our luggage or any belongings and called 911. Within 10 minutes the entire car was completely in flames. There were 5 separate explosions. This occurred in a rural area and it took fire and safety approximately 25 minutes to arrive on scene. It took them around 40 minutes to put out the fire completely and haul the car away. The deer that was struck was not killed by the impact and was not on the scene. The damage to the car when I first arrived, thirty second or so after my wife struck the deer, appeared to be mostly on the left side of the car and cosmetic in nature. The speed at which the car caught fire and was engulfed in flames was between five and ten minutes.
Jun 23, 2023
Crash: 1
Fire: 1
OEM windshield glass is thin and defective. I’ve had to replace the windshield twice in an eight month period since purchasing the vehicle.
Mar 16, 2023
The hood wobbles in light wind (imagine a windy day) or from a passing vehicle or semi, it seems very flimsy in protecting the hood from just flying open one day.
Jan 01, 2023
+ 7 more complaints for this component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
8 complaints
When driving my 22 Subaru Forester at night, I’ve noticed the headlight projection has rectangular dark spots which causes a huge distraction and a blind spot that moves when steering. I’ve noticed that I’m not the only person that has encountered this issue. I’m bringing it into the dealership to bring this to their attention and to see what they can do about this. I really hope Subaru fixes this problem, as it is/can be very dangerous due to the blind spot and distraction.
Jan 30, 2024
I purchased my Forester Wilderness on 11/5/22 - this problem is with the headlights. I have a serious safety concern 1. There are two large shaded dark spots directly in my field of vision. These are approximately fifteen to twenty feet directly in front of the vehicle and never go away - because the headlights are steering responsive, they are always moving which is distracting and dangerous. 2. The cutoff lines of the projection are jagged and irregular with low points dropping down. These too, are always in motion with the steering responsive headlights. 3.Two rectangular black areas below the cutoff area in my field of vision. And these too are always in motion with the steering responsive headlights. These headlights create a variety of safety concerns. The dark shaded areas result in a reduced clarity in the most needed area; directly in front of the car in the dominant field of vision. The jagged irregular moving cutoff lines are extremely distracting. When the lowered dark cutoff areas move across your field of vision, it’s as if something is jumping out in front of the car. As the driver, it's hard to know if there is an actual need for emergency action or not. Then perhaps the greatest concern of well being is the two dark moving rectangular boxes below the cutoff lines. My eyes tend to fixate on these moving rectangles. This is distracting and I'm concerned I and other Forester drivers are not giving complete attention to the whole field of vision. 4. This is especially prominent and dangerous on unlit roads which is what I mainly travel. I first thought it was an issue with my vehicle and mentioned it to the dealer a day or so after purchase. But today I found many other 2022 Forester owners reporting the same problem. Subaru needs to create a fix for this dangerous issue!
Nov 09, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at night with the low beam headlights activated, the illumination was extremely poor causing a visibility failure. The contact indicated there were dark spots and shadowy lines present on the windshield within the driver’s field of view, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, the contact indicated that the headlights failed to illuminate the roadway adequately for safe nighttime driving. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10.
Oct 26, 2022
Three issues with the headlights. First, major shadowing. From the bumper to 6 feet out there is a dark spot. Second issue. Vehicle is two weeks old. We drive twisty windy roads. Headlights are almost a foot and a half low at 25ft. You can not see more than 50 feet on roads that are hilly due to the headlights being low and the auto level not correcting fast enough. I do not understand at all how this is ok from Subaru or federal agencies. Multiple times we had to slow down due to not being able to see or the headlights being so slow to adjust. Maybe raising them would help but why is this not being checked before deliver. Last issue, the high beams are literally no brighter than the low beams. My wife works nights. She drives home in the dark and in to work in the dark during half the year. This vehicle is horrible for night driving. I have never seen headlights so bad. This is after owning 4 brands of vehicles. I can send video and pics if needed.
Jul 05, 2022
When driving at night, there are two black dots that appear in my headlights on the road. They move with the steering and become an extreme nuisance. Its all your eye can focus on and are right in the field of view from the lights. They move and create blind spots.
May 17, 2022
+ 3 more complaints for this component
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
6 complaints
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving on a main road at 32 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system suddenly engaged while there were no objects or vehicles nearby. Additionally, the contact stated that the Subaru EyeSight system was disabled due to being a seasoned driver. The contact stated that she was forced to purchase the vehicle with the feature. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was inspected and recalibrated. The dealer informed the contact that the EZ Pass may have contributed to the failure; however, the contact stated that the EZ Pass had been on the console for approximately three years. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Aug 07, 2025
This happened to me a few days ago: The pre-collision braking system slammed my car to a stop when I was going 30 mph on a straight country road, and there was nothing in front of me or on the side of the road. No one anywhere around. It was 1 PM with good weather. Nothing to trigger the pre-collision braking system on my 2022 Forester. The sensors weren't dirty. The car suddenly slammed on the brakes. It felt like I'd slammed into something, but nothing was there! There was nothing anywhere around. I turned off the pre-collision feature and took the car to the dealer (where I bought the car and have it serviced). Cost me $135 to be told that there was nothing wrong. And they said that my extended warranty wouldn't cover the cost because they didn't find anything wrong and couldn't make it happen in a test drive. Having the brakes slam on like that was terrifying! Imagine if I'd been on a highway and there had been someone behind me. They would have rear-ended me! And I've read MANY, MANY similar accounts by Subaru owners on Reddit and the Subaru owners forum. Please do something about this. It's dangerous! Thank you!
Mar 17, 2025
While using adaptive cruise control, the vehicle will employ emergency braking even though a vehicle/obstruction is not in front of the vehicle, it is usually diagonal while passing. It, also has been giving a forward collision warning when there is nothing in front of me. Since these events, eyesight has been turning on and off numerous times while vehicle is in operation.
Feb 27, 2025
I was driving with adapative cruise on a highway around 65 mph. I can only assume it did a sudden and rapid slow down on its own due fairly defined shadows on the road from tall rocks/cliffs on the side of the road. Luckily I was the only one on the road at the time. It was a clear sunny day. This to me is pretty unsafe if there had been other cars. I have made a service appointment about the issue as well a head unit that is very glitchy
Jan 01, 2025
While driving on interstate 75 north in Florida, the forward collision warning came on indicating something in the road. The system brought the vehicle to a dead stop on the highway and there was nothing in the road. This happened 4 times! We figured out how to disable eyesight and the forward collision system. The weather was clear and sunny. We drove in and out of shaded road. We were able to disable the eyesight and front end collision system and continue our trip.
Jun 26, 2023
+ 1 more complaint for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 complaints
I pulled into a parking space and as I slowed to a stop my car surged forward. I put my foot on the brake and the car continued to surge for a few seconds before the brakes engaged. I almost hit a fence and had to circle my car on a grassy lawn until the brakes egaged and I was able to park the car.
May 05, 2025
The contact owned a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH the accelerator pedal remained depressed which caused her to crash into a stone wall. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained injuries to her back, legs, and a tooth. Medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Aug 25, 2023
Crash: 1
Injuries: 1
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while attempting to park in her brother's driveway with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued to apply the brakes but the vehicle failed to respond, drove into the garage, and crashed into appliances. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a field technician who diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer did not provide further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Apr 11, 2023
Crash: 1
Fire: 1
ENGINE
2 complaints
I hit a deer going 45 mph, the air bags deployed, and my engine caught on fire. Within 10 minutes my car burned to the ground.
Oct 04, 2025
Crash: 1
Fire: 1
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while her husband was stopped at a stoplight, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to move. There were three abnormal beeps heard. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Mar 03, 2025
VISIBILITY
2 complaints
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front windshield was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled for the front windshield replacement. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
Jul 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she noticed a crack on the windshield which started from the bottom of the front windshield and expanded to the driver's side casing a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The representative at the dealer took a picture and forwarded the picture to the manufacturer. The windshield was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,600.
Jun 21, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaints
On 22 and 25 August my vehicle came to an abrupt stop with a Pre Collision Braking Displayed in a rectangular box in the center of my dash. The hard breaking and warning display happened for only 1-2 seconds. There were no driver or passenger physical injuries other than being startled and upset with the vehicle coming to such an abrupt stop with no other vehicles, debris, or obstructions on the roadway. After both incidents, I drove straight to the nearby Subaru dealership to have this problem diagnosed and repaired . Both times the vehicle checked out fine. I told the service manager that the vehicle is unsafe and puts me at risk especially for a rear end collision or a possible whiplash injury for me and any passengers. Two Pre Collision Braking events in one week is not acceptable. They agreed to contact their company’s engineers for further action.
Sep 01, 2023
While driving home from vacation(07/23/2023), we were on the freeway. My 3 young children were in the back seat. We were going about 75-80MPH, as the speed limit was 70MPH on the highway. My cruise control was NOT on , and there were no cars in front of us. However the collision breaking went off and it put the breaks down HARD. My kids all went flying forward causing the seatbelts to lock along with me and my husband being thrown forward (we were also wearing seatbelts). As scary as that is, the worst part was there was a very large truck behind us who almost slammed into the back of us. Thankfully he swerved and went into the grass to avoid hitting us. However it continued to break until we were down to about 40MPH. The whole time the car was alarming and flashing the warning of collision breaking on the dash. There had been no warnings or any issues prior to the braking system going off. There hadn't previously been any hard stops, no crazy bumps or potholes in the road that had been hit. There was no indication of there being any issues before it randomly started breaking for me. I have called Subaru about the problem, and plan to bring it in to be inspected this week. Otherwise, my car is 100% up to date on all inspections and all vehicle maintenance.
Jul 24, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
2 complaints
I was trying to make a right turn but when I pressed the brake pedal it did not work. This caused me to hit another vehicle.
May 23, 2023
Crash: 1
Injuries: 2
I was pulling into the garage at home on 4/3/23 tapping the brakes to get a few inches farther inside and the car accelerated, instead of stopping, crashing into a table positioned in front of the passenger side of the car and our home. The car has damage to the light, number, fender, and hood. We were lucky no one was in front of the vehicle, they would have been pinned between the car and the wall of our home. I have an appointment with Subaru on 4/13 to examine the vehicle, but they are requesting the EDR readings, but refuse to share a copy with me. Therefore, I am declining their assistance.
Apr 05, 2023
Crash: 1
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaints
Honestly I don't know where to report this. Even though, running out of gas somewhere, because of false advertising, could be dangerous. - When we bought our 2022 Subaru Forrester they were advertising 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway. We have never gotten better than 21 1/2 mpg average combining both in town and highway miles. Both myself and my wife are careful drivers and make a serious effort to sustain decent mileage. That's quite a lower figure than it should be. - If you can't help me perhaps you can tell me where to report this.
Feb 03, 2023
-Engine failure: fuel line issue causing 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness to catch fire and explode - beforehand rod bearing was pulverized in separate incident a few months prior - engine was then replaced and car exploded 600 miles later causing total loss of vehicle. -Car exploded while driving in it, lost all personal belongings in car, barely got out of vehicle in time before explosion. -Investigation completed by Subaru of America and confirmed as a fuel line issue a few weeks later. -Smelt gas on highway while driving a few moments prior to car exploding.
Oct 31, 2022
Fire: 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 complaints
I was driving to work and my car started stalling. So i pulled into a parking spot and when I got out I noticed a trail of oil behind the car. I closed the door and the car started smoking and within seconds it was in flames. I bought it on 7/25 and on 8/3 it was gone. It only had 78 miles on it, 100% driven on city streets. I have several pictures and videos of the event but this site doesn't support them so I can share separately if needed. You are also welcome to inspect the car as it will be hauled to a salvage yard shortly.
Sep 15, 2022
Fire: 1
Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Daycare made a notation of oil smell and onion smell on grandson. We need oxygen to our brain and body; without it we cannot live.
Aug 17, 2022
POWER TRAIN
2 complaints
My new 2022 Forester Wildness is equipped with an automate "Start and Stop" function which (while driving) shuts the engine off if the sits still too long in traffic or a stop light. While the car has a button to disable this function. You must press the button every time you start the car to disable the auto SS. Today I had forgot to disable the function. The car stalled at a busy intersection nearly causing me to be rear ended. I think there is a safety concern here. Someone could get hurt trying to save a small amount of gas. Also, the wear and tear on the starter and associated engine components could result in premature failures over the life of the vehicle.
Sep 06, 2022
My brand new 2022 Subaru Forester will accelerate and stall while I am driving. It is more noticeable between 0 - 40mph speed shifts, especially 20 to 40mph. It is frightening because this may cause an unintentional accident.
Aug 05, 2022
STEERING,SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
My 2022 Subaru Forester Sport, <24,640 miles, suffers from persistent, life-threatening safety failures. Thick white exhaust is present in every temperature, and a heavy burning smell fills the cabin during acceleration regardless of outside temperature. I have been dealing with these failures since March/April of 2023. My car was in a rear-end collision in May 2023 and was repaired at an authorized Subaru body shop. Despite these authorized repairs, the mechanical and electronic failures have continued to deteriorate. My car has required 4 emergency tows and was out of service for around 90 days in 2025 alone. It has been to several independent mechanics and they tell me that since everything happens intermittently, I must take it back to Subaru as it should be covered under warranty due to the low mileage. However, four different authorized dealerships consistently claim "nothing is wrong". My car sits at these dealerships for weeks at a time without a significant change in the odometer. I had 2 claims with Subaru of America this year, including a claim for the vehicle randomly unlocking itself (not via remote), but they closed both claims and nothing was done. Ongoing failures in steering, suspension and braking systems make the vehicle unstable and dangerous to drive. I have a 2-inch thick file documenting repeated service visits for these specific issues yet Subaru refuses to acknowledge or repair them. The primary computer system, media system, and Eyesight (ADAS) safety suite fail daily. The dashboard lights up constantly when these safety features fail. The system frequently freezes and resets while driving, which disables all safety and navigation features without warning. The remote start fails to warm the car after 10 minutes in cold weather; once the heat functions, the car is filled with chemical fumes. All of these issues continue to get worse as time goes on.
Jan 04, 2026
STRUCTURE
1 complaint
The exterior B-pillar trim on my 2022 Subaru Forester (passenger side) has warped, bubbled, and lifted away from the vehicle. At approximately 24,700 miles, the trim began deforming significantly, with visible bubbling and separation at the top edge. The dealer inspected it and recommended replacing the entire window panel assembly, stating it is not covered under warranty. I am concerned that the loose and distorted trim could detach while driving, especially at highway speeds, creating a hazard for me and other drivers. The damage also affects visibility around the door frame and may compromise the door and window sealing. Subaru of America declined to cover the repair, and I believe this may be a material or manufacturing defect that could impact other owners.
Dec 04, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I was steering my car into my own garage as I do daily. Suddenly, as the car was making the turn, the car accelerated abruptly on its own. I was somehow able to steer into the garage, but the rapid acceleration continued. I braked and stopped the car just before it went into the wall that adjoins the interior of my home. There was an inch to spare. There were no warnings or messages or sympoms prior to this event.
Sep 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
I am writing to report a serious safety concern involving my '22 Subaru Forester, which is equipped with the Auto Start/Stop feature. This issue created a dangerous driving situation that could have resulted in severe injury or death to myself, my family, or other drivers on the road. While driving on the highway, our Forester's Auto Start/Stop system malfunctioned causing the engine to shut off completely while the vehicle. Specifically, the vehicle shut down in the left lane of traffic and failed to restart immediately leaving us unexpectedly immobile. Fortunately, my husband remained calm and immediately placed his foot back on the brake, placed the vehicle in park and restarted the vehicle manually by pressing the ignition button. However, had he hesitated during the confusion by not placing his foot back on the brake we could have been rear-ended, possibly by a large semi-truck which would have propelled us into the vehicle in front of us. Our dealer said the Auto Start/Stop system failing to restart the vehicle due to a weakening battery—for which there is no warning. The fact that a non-critical feature like fuel-saving Start/Stop is allowed to override the engine's operability based on battery voltage is deeply concerning. Batteries degrade over time. But a degraded battery should not be allowed to disable a moving vehicle.Having spoken directly with Subaru of America about this issue, they acknowledged and documented my case however I was told that it would be used as data for potential future action if other similar cases arise. In the meantime, no corrective action is being taken by Subaru, with me as an owner or proactively with the feature design.I respectfully urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter as a potential safety defect. The Auto Start/Stop system, as implemented in certainSubaru models (specifically the 2022 Forester in my case) may compromise safe vehicle operation when battery voltage drops below a certain threshold which is a safety flaw.
Sep 09, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
Several months ago, the automatic front collision activated on the freeway doing about 65mph. There was nothing in front of us, but there was a car behind us that almost rear ended us. I thought this was a one-off thing but reading this site I am not the only one. Also, with in the last 2 weeks the Eye Site has turned off. This I see is also a known problem.
Aug 26, 2025
WHEELS
1 complaint
Premature wear on Bridgestone Ecopia Tires. We have had several instances in our company with these tires wearing prematurely, some as low as 12k miles but usually somewhere in the 20's & 30's thousand-wise, these tires exhibit numerous cracks especially on the inner side that is difficult to see unless you pull the tires off. A lot of WEB chatter indicates that they are especially vulnerable in cold weather states. We've informed Subaru several times but are often hushed since they fear a major Recall.
Feb 20, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
The car has stalled and/ or hesitated on multiple occasions especially in lower gear like 0-20mph. These incidents are frightening and could pose a safety hazard.
Jun 19, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
At 7:30 am on 21May2024 I came out to find the car was dead, no electrical power at all, it would not start. I called Subaru customer service and arranged to have the battery jumped. When the tow driver tried to start the car, my car drained his battery in about 30 seconds. Because of the way my car was parked, the flatbed tow truck could not reach the car & I had to arrange for another truck to come pick up the car. That happened Thursday 23May2024 because my Subaru dealer did not have a loaner car available til then. That tow driver was able to start the car and said it was ok to drive it to the dealer if I didn't turn it off. So I started out and 1/2 mile from my house the battery died again & I had to arrange for another tow. Once I got the car to the dealer and they had a chance to check it out, I got a call about what was wrong. They said the battery was dead and a diagnostic test had confirmed that there was nothing in the car draining the battery, it was just dead and would need to be replaced. When I went to pick up the car and asked for a more detailed explanation of why a 2-year-old car's battery would suddenly just die, I was told that the battery didn't have enough amps for the needs of the car and they put in a battery with more amps (See attached service record). They also mentioned that Subaru was aware of this battery problem and there had been a class action settlement, but that my 2022 Forester was not covered by this settlement. I don't know if the old battery is available for inspection but this incident put me and others at risk when the car died in the middle of the road. My hazard flashers didn't work so there was no safe way to alert oncoming drivers of the hazard in the road. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem before I found the dead battery Tuesday morning, or when it died on the road Thursday morning.
Jun 04, 2024
AIR BAGS
1 complaint
I have a 2022 Subaru Forrester Touring vehicle purchased new. The front passenger seat airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) consisting of the front, knee, curtain and side airbags is not enabled (Indicator light) while my wife is sitting in it. My wife weighs 88 lbs. which should be enough to enable the SRS. I have brought the issue to 2 different Subaru dealerships several times and Subaru of Americas on 2 different occasions also contacting Subaru Japan Corporate. Larger individuals cause the SRS to be enabled (Indicator Light). The driver side SRS is continuously on. From the dealerships I have received the following responses: •The car is new and may work once seat is broken in •It is a federal crime to change the SRS •My wife did not weigh enough •Weight requirement was either 100 lbs or 34 kilos, not sure •Weight minimums not stated anywhere but best guesses •Tested limit is 100 lbs., not specification just test limit I contacted Subaru of America and asked them the weight limit but they could not provide one and was told they would make contact with Japan Corporate office and inquire there. I was told Corporate could not provide an answer and could only state that the SRS was tested at 100 lbs. It was not a limit but only a test specification. While in the passenger seat the SRS is off and my wife stands a higher than average chance of major injuries occurring without the front, knee, curtain and side airbags deploying during an accident. I consider this a major safety issue and causes her un-needed stress every time we are traveling. We have a 2004, 2nd vehicle and the passenger airbag system is on continuously. I do not understand why a 2022 vehicle can’t offer the same protection. I believe this safety issue requires immediate attention.
Apr 14, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
1 complaint
The vehicle was started with the remote start to warm up. It was about -15F. It ran for 10 minutes and then shut off as it is supposed to. The driver got in the car, started the car, all the gauges went crazy and all the dash lights lit up. The driver heard a popping sound and then there was smoke under the hood. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. The vehicle was a total loss as was the car sitting next due to the heat from the fire. The house that the vehicle was parked near sustained minor damage (bubbling paint on porch). Two fire departments responded to the call. Prior to the incident, the vehicle had been running normally and no recent work had been done on the vehicle. The fire chief/inspector and the insurance company were both unable to determine the source, as all that was left was a burnt out frame. The dealership was called in inquire about any warranty coverage, but stated unless it could be proved to be a defect, then they were not liable. The vehicle was towed by the insurance carrier and currently sits on their lot.
Jan 18, 2024
Fire: 1
AIR BAGS,WHEELS
1 complaint
Driving on the road a tire randomly blew out and upon that happening every airbag in the car went off despite there being no collision.
Jan 13, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I was pulling into a parking space at my apartment complex. I had my foot on the BRAKE, and the vehicle slowed as I approached the space. As I turned into the space with my foot light on the brake, the engine suddenly revved and the Forester surged forward. AT NO POINT DID I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR. I have a size 7 (women’s) shoe, and the floor mat was flat and secured as always. The vehicle surged forward and drove over the curb and onto the sidewalk. No warning lights came on, no warning alarms sounded. It only stopped when I slammed the brake to the floor. I then reversed off the sidewalk and put the car in park and turned it off. This is the first time this has happened.
Dec 29, 2023
SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
Seatbelt locked with a passenger in the seat. Fire department was called and was forced to cut the locked and failed seatbelt.
Oct 18, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
I believe the glass used for the front windshield in my 2022 Subaru Forester is structurally defective. I have experienced 3 chips in different areas of the windshield while driving at different times over the past 2 months. The most recent was October 11,2023. There were no loud impact sounds or obvious rocks strikes that impacted my windshield for each occurrence. I did hear a very faint noise when the latest chip appeared. It is my concern that if an object were to hit the type of glass used for this windshield while on the freeway it could shatter and cause harm to me and impair by ability to operate my Forester. I have read online of many problems with Subaru windshield glass occurring over many years and models. I believe this problem needs to be corrected most likely by changing the type of glass used. I reported this to a Subaru dealer. There were no warnings or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
Oct 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that the Manufacturer's label indicated that the fuel economy stated 26 miles/per city and 33 miles/per highway per gallon; however, the contact stated that the mileage per gallon had never exceeded 23.7 m/p/g. The contact also stated that the fuel meter was locked at 23.7 m/p/g. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
Apr 10, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
2 incidents. First day we took car home the vehicle infotainment system failed while phone was connected to Apple CarPlay. Screen went black and there was a loud noise like interference. Has happened repeatedly since, supposedly due to needing a firmware update but it’s been a well documented problem in Subaru automobiles for several years and the manufacturer has done nothing to alleviate the flaw. Second incident involves the windshield cracking in the lower driver side with no apparent cause from anything striking the windshield. Again, this is a well documented issue and there are several complaints on nhtsa.gov from other unhappy customers
Jan 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been parked for approximately 3-hours, the alarm sounded indicating that the locks were being tampered with. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking independently. The contact stated that several electrical features had malfunctioned. The contact stated that on occasion, the brake pedal was spongy when depressed, and the check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed to start up as needed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Jan 04, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
The battery was completely discharged overnight when the car was only 4 months old. We had a flatbed tow to a dealer who charged the battery and performed tests which all checked out ok. Said we weren't driving the car often enough. This same battery discharge happened 3 more times, approximately 30 days apart each time. August 20 was the first time, September 19, October 13 and November 16, all in 2022. Car was purchased new in April 2022. Took it into the dealership where we bought it; they did tests also saying everything was ok, not being driven enough. The 4th time the overnight discharge happened was about a week after our dealership tested it. Every time this has happened the car was driven the previous day. Car is driven 4-5 times a week for local errands. Currently has 1,100 miles and is 8 months old. We are senior citizens and need a dependable car.
Dec 13, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning, causing the vehicle to drive over the curb. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal several times and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,430.
Dec 12, 2022
SEATS,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
Two things have already failed on this vehicle. The first being the seats/seat belt clips on the driver and passanger seat. The seat in constructed in such a way that no matter what adjustment is made, the driver feels as if they are falling into the steering wheel. Any attempts to correct the positioning leaves the driver feeling as if they do not have control of the vehicle. Additionally, the inward positioning of the seat-belt clip on the right side on the driver facing inward pushes into the drivers hip and/or thigh causing extreme pain. The narrowing of the seats does not allow the driver to get away from the pain of the seat belt clip. Second, the issue with the windshield. This is my second Subaru Forester. On my first, I had a cracked windshield in 5 places due to small debris hitting the vehicle in a normal operating matter. This was replaced. My current vehicle, with less than 500 miles on it, already has 5-6 chips in the windshield due to some defect in the glass that causes the glass crack under nearly no pressure at all. I can't even imagine where the cracks came from with such low mileage and driving in near perfect, normal operating condition. It is only a matter of time before I will need to have the windshield replaced on this vehicle. It is also hazardous to know that it may shatter and injure me at any time. I have had the vehicle less than 5 weeks.
Oct 26, 2022
SUSPENSION
1 complaint
At only 3,000 miles front suspension “clunks” at low speeds over speed bumps, potholes, and other uneven surfaces
Oct 25, 2022
AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
I had adaptive cruise control set to the speed limit of 55, I looked down to input directions and then heard the collision warning tone. There was a large box truck sitting at the stop light ahead of me. I slammed on the breaks and swerved into the right-hand turn lane. The vehicle did not make it entirely out of the way and hit the back passenger corner of the lift on the box truck at a slight angle. The vehicle was shredded from the front driver's side bumper to the beginning of the driver's door frame and the hood went through the windshield. No air bags were deployed. --I believe the components/system that could have potentially failed if any, was the airbag system or the automatic emergency breaking system. --Unsure if the problem has been reproduced. --The vehicle was inspected by police & insurance representatives. Unsure if the manufacturer has completed an inspection. --The front collision warning tone & red warning image populated on the center screen of the instrument cluster ~3 seconds prior to collision.
Aug 31, 2022
Crash: 1
VISIBILITY,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a rock struck the bottom middle of the windshield glass. The rock became imbedded inside the windshield glass which caused water to leak inside the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and insisted that the windshield glass be replaced with the same type of glass and not an aftermarket glass. The contact waited a month for the windshield repair; however, the eyesight and cruise control features both became inoperable after the repair. A month later, the contact stated while exiting the highway, an unknown object struck the windshield and caused another crack to form on the bottom left side of the windshield. The contact stated that each crack obstructed her vision while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
Jul 05, 2022
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint
Incident on Highway 80 on May 30, 2020. Entered Highway 80 (East) from Donner Sumit Roadside Rest, accelerated in the slow land and passed a truck and accelerated in the fast lane to 65-70 mph. Began feeling a severe/violent shaking of the steering wheel, a couple of inches or so, side to side. Pulled over and steering wheel was still shaking and brought the vehicle to a full stop. Shaking stopped. Inspected wheels for looseness and nothing appeared abnormal. Lane keeping system was not engaged at the time. Could be new Automatic emergency steering but activated falsely. Felt very unsafe and had to hold steering wheel tight to retain control Took vehicle to dealer who could not find anything wrong with car, no codes in diagnostic. No warning lamps or messages appeared.
Jun 10, 2022
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
The contact owned a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while slowing pulling into the parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove over a curb and traveled up a hill before crashing into a tree. During the crash neither the driver nor passenger-side air bags deployed. The driver and front passenger sustained chest injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 1800.
Jun 07, 2022
Crash: 1
Injuries: 2
STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 complaint
On May 12, 2022, when I got in my vehicle and closed the driver's side door, I heard a crackling sound. When I looked in the rearview mirror, I could see a gaping hole in the rear windshield and glass falling everywhere. I got out of the vehicle to inspect it. The rear windshield had not been impacted by anything; it just spontaneously cracked. I house the vehicle in my garage, and that's where the situation occurred. I bought this vehicle brand new on March 1, 2022.
May 18, 2022
4.8/5.0
99 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2022 SUBARU Forester have?

The 2022 SUBARU Forester currently has 84 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2022 SUBARU Forester?

The most common problems reported for the 2022 SUBARU Forester are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2022 SUBARU Forester problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2022 SUBARU Forester comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

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