SUBARU FORESTER · model year

2022 SUBARU FORESTER

126 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2022SUBARUFORESTER carries 126 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 10 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2022 FORESTER is visibility/wiper with 20 filings, followed by unknown or other (16) and engine (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2022 FORESTER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

126
Complaints
11
Crashes
10
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
2022 SUBARU FORESTER — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

126 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VISIBILITY/WIPER20
UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
ENGINE10
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
SERVICE BRAKES7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS5
AIR BAGS4
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
POWER TRAIN3
STRUCTURE:BODY2

Recalls (1)

23V75500009/11/2023

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.

Recent Complaints

20260213UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My Subaru Forrester Eyesight system cuts out and is disabled while driving, including while the cruise control was engaged causing me to brake hard while driving to avoid a collision and a message announcing it is disabled is displayed on the screen. I took the car to my dealership who confirmed that there is a software problem but because I was out of the initial warranty I would have to pay to have the fix installed on my car. They charged me for an hour of service ($288.60) to install a software update to the "EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology[ ] the culmination of everything Subaru engineers know about safety". Obviously they know there is a problem with their safety system and have created a fix but are charging the customers to correct it.

20260213FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

My Subaru Forrester Eyesight system cuts out and is disabled while driving, including while the cruise control was engaged causing me to brake hard while driving to avoid a collision and a message announcing it is disabled is displayed on the screen. I took the car to my dealership who confirmed that there is a software problem but because I was out of the initial warranty I would have to pay to have the fix installed on my car. They charged me for an hour of service ($288.60) to install a software update to the "EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology[ ] the culmination of everything Subaru engineers know about safety". Obviously they know there is a problem with their safety system and have created a fix but are charging the customers to correct it.

20260213FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

My Subaru Forrester Eyesight system cuts out and is disabled while driving, including while the cruise control was engaged causing me to brake hard while driving to avoid a collision and a message announcing it is disabled is displayed on the screen. I took the car to my dealership who confirmed that there is a software problem but because I was out of the initial warranty I would have to pay to have the fix installed on my car. They charged me for an hour of service ($288.60) to install a software update to the "EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology[ ] the culmination of everything Subaru engineers know about safety". Obviously they know there is a problem with their safety system and have created a fix but are charging the customers to correct it.

20260205VISIBILITY/WIPER

I was driving along and noticed my windshield was cracked on the passenger side. The crack is vertical from the bottom of the windshield to about halfway up. It was fine the day before. No rocks, etc struck my windshield. I understand that Subaru has had issues with windshields cracking for no reason.

20260115VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

I was driving to work in the morning and was going down a slow side street when I heard a soft noise behind me. When I looked in my rearview I noticed that my back window was cracked all over it though nothing had hit it or fallen in it. The glass then completely fell out.

20260104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 odome

20260104SUSPENSION

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 odome

20260104STEERING

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 odome

20251204STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

20251004CrashFireENGINE

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.

20250930VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

20250930FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20250930ENGINE

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.

20250909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 syste

20250909POWER TRAIN

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 syste

20250826VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

20250826FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

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.

20250826FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

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.

20250807FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

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.

Mileage: 23,000

20250714VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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.

Mileage: 29,000

Compare 2022SUBARUFORESTER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER have?
The 2022 SUBARU FORESTER has 126 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 10 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER?
The 2022 SUBARU FORESTER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER?
Yes, the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER?
The most-complained component for the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER is VISIBILITY/WIPER with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2022 SUBARU FORESTER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2022 SUBARU FORESTER has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.