The most-reported Forester run is JF2SJADC8FH (2015 builds) with 25 complaints, 7.6× the typical run. Visibility/wiper problems make up 19% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 7.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 44 recall campaigns for Forester model years 1998–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru Forester has 1,814 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 2% of every Forester complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF2SJADC8FH•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| JF2SJADC3FH•••••• | 2015 | 2 | — | |
| JF2SKAPCXKH•••••• | 2019 | 2 | 1 | |
| JF2SJADC4FH•••••• | 2015 | — | — | |
| JF2SKAGC9KH•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| JF2SJAEC5EH•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| JF2SKAJC0LH•••••• | 2020 | 2 | — | |
| JF2SKAPC8KH•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JF2SJAGC4JH•••••• | 2018 | 3 | — | |
| JF2SJAGC3HH•••••• | 2017 | 2 | 1 | |
| JF2SJADC6FH•••••• | 2015 | 2 | 1 | |
| JF2SKAGC4KH•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 1,802 Forester runs has 18 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 627 Forester VINs so far, most often 2026, 2015, 2018 builds; 13 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru Forester the gap between build years is 5.4×: a 2019 car draws 7.5 complaints per run, a 2008 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 14 | — | |
| 2025 | 96 | 56 | 11 | |
| 2024 | 29 | 27 | 4 | |
| 2023 | 72 | 43 | 8 | |
| 2022 | 97 | 54 | 7 | |
| 2021 | 207 | 71 | 15 | |
| 2020 | 598 | 100 | 26 | |
| 2019 | 830 | 110 | 36 | |
| 2018 | 486 | 107 | 25 | |
| 2017 | 574 | 129 | 35 | |
| 2016 | 400 | 117 | 39 | |
| 2015 | 591 | 146 | 53 | |
| 2014 | 383 | 114 | 47 | |
| 2013 | 74 | 40 | 13 | |
| 2012 | 97 | 53 | 14 | |
| 2011 | 138 | 75 | 20 | |
| 2010 | 237 | 71 | 19 | |
| 2009 | 154 | 59 | 15 | |
| 2008 | 42 | 30 | 5 | |
| 2007 | 66 | 37 | 13 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 7.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2026 at 1. The 2026 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Subaru Forester owners report: Visibility/wiper, 1,053 of 6,069 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 55 | 24 | |
| Engine | 56 | 41 | |
| Air Bags | 133 | 7 | |
| Electrical System | 25 | 31 | |
| Power Train | 48 | 3 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 221 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 13 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 44 recall campaigns on the Subaru Forester; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2013. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 11V464000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2003–2008 |
| 18V012000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2013 |
| 20V002000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2013 |
| 20V003000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2013 |
| 19V297000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 2009–2013 |
| 20V001000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2009–2013 |
11V464000 was opened in 2011 on cars built from 2003: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The Forester against its rivals
The Forester draws 3.3 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Trailblazer 8.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Forester | 6,069 | 1,814 | 8.4% | |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | 6,524 | 771 | 4.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 6,069 reports on the Subaru Forester, 8.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru Forester | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 6,069 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 508 (8.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 95 (1.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 280 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 8 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 45% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru Forester share of that is 6,069 complaints over 1,814 runs, 0.54% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru Forester VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 6,069 NHTSA complaints from 1,814 Forester runs and 44 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Forester production run has the most complaints?
JF2SJADC8FH, a 2015 build, with 25 complaints. The typical Forester run has 3.3.
Which Forester years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 7.5 complaints per run and 2026 lightest at 1.
Does the Forester get more complaints than the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
No: 3.3 complaints per production run for the Forester against 8.5 for the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
How many Forester complaints involve a crash?
8.4% of 6,069 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 95 involved a fire.
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