https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Subaru Forester. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 03:29:11 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2178006 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Repl https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2178007 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Repl https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2178008 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The electrical system fails, and the battery is not charging sufficiently. When the auto start/stop engages, the car does not restart in traffic. Requested a battery test at the dealership in May 2025; was told it could not be done that day because it would require leaving the dealer service shop. Eventually, the electrical system became unstable, and the car stopped in traffic on 11/07/2025. Repl https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2178241 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT see attached https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2177037 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Intermittently, for the past few months, either when I wish to back up or go forward, a buzzer will sound, the anti-lock brakes and eye-sight indicators on the dash will say that neither system is working. The brakes malfunction and the steering wheel is very difficult to turn. Turning off the engine and restarting once or twice usually solves the problem, as if restarting reboots the system. But https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2177038 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Intermittently, for the past few months, either when I wish to back up or go forward, a buzzer will sound, the anti-lock brakes and eye-sight indicators on the dash will say that neither system is working. The brakes malfunction and the steering wheel is very difficult to turn. Turning off the engine and restarting once or twice usually solves the problem, as if restarting reboots the system. But https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2176683 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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 h https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2176684 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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 h https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2176685 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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 h https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2176107 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I have a 2016 Subaru Forester and started 3 weeks ago with a problem when I turn it on all the lights on the dashboard turn on and the car won't star. The mechanic has changed the battery and the problem continues. It's happened three times now that it's suddenly shut off while I'm driving. It was very scary. Now the mechanic said that I have to take to the dealer because it is the body control mo https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2176103 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Windshield crack started under windshield wiper and then within 12 hours spread from center of car to the passenger side. Took it to dealer then said there was an impact spot under the wipers. Based on other automobiles I have owned this should not have happened. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2175233 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The CVT parking brake switch has failed. The failure leads to the inability to remove the key from the ignition switch when the vehicle is in park. This happens repeatedly, with the only temporary solution being to restart the car, and force the shift lever from "park" to "drive" and back again rather violently. Yes, the problem was confirmed by the dealer and by Subaru of America; the latter issu https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2174629 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Airbag light came on intermittently at first, then constantly in 2023. It was determined to be a defective ODS in the passenger seat, and was repaired at Subaru’s expense “Goodwill” on November 2 2023. Again in 2025, the SRS alert appeared intermittently at first, then continuously that the system needed service. The car was at Fox Subaru for 8 days, and eventually I was told by Subaru Customer https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2173600 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2173538 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 4 Subarus and this is my 5th spontainious windshield crack (2nd on this vehicle). https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172979 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT On 3 different occasions the car randomly accelerated at a high speed without stepping on the gas pedal. The first time was in a parking lot. The second time was on a busy road while traveling at 35 mph. The car accelerated to about 60 mph, fortunately once applying the brakes the vehicle slowed down to gain control. The third time it happened was recently on [XXX] while slowly backing down [XXX]. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172980 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT On 3 different occasions the car randomly accelerated at a high speed without stepping on the gas pedal. The first time was in a parking lot. The second time was on a busy road while traveling at 35 mph. The car accelerated to about 60 mph, fortunately once applying the brakes the vehicle slowed down to gain control. The third time it happened was recently on [XXX] while slowly backing down [XXX]. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172972 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The defect presents itself when the equipped data communications module (DCM) attempts to communicate with 3G cellular networks. As 3G networks within the U.S. are no longer functioning, the call will continuously fail even after the vehicle has been turned off, draining the battery and resulting in a no-start safety risk for drivers but in order to replace the DCM to the 4G it will cost upwards o https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172973 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The AC compressor/condesor needs replaced and I see a lot of complaints on-line about this specific model- 2018 Forester. My kids and I were on a road trip in August 2025 when it stopped working. It was extremley hot even with the windows down and heat stroke became very real while we were sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. There was already a recall on this but now with the new part the AC stop https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172974 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The AC compressor/condesor needs replaced and I see a lot of complaints on-line about this specific model- 2018 Forester. My kids and I were on a road trip in August 2025 when it stopped working. It was extremley hot even with the windows down and heat stroke became very real while we were sitting in bumper to bumper traffic. There was already a recall on this but now with the new part the AC stop https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172335 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Pipa Rx Aire base latch system appeared to latch when it wasn’t secured to the anchor. I moved the base between vehicles. When reattaching the base, the right indicator clicked and turned green without actually being attached to the anchor. The seat felt secure, but shifted when I removed the carrier, which is when I realized it was not attached. Photo of latch system showing green and of manufac https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172174 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Car drains battery. 45,000 miles and has had 3 batteries and have been told it needs another. Dealer says start stop switch, requires a battery of 750 CCA and not the Subaru recommend battery. Car will die in traffic and driver seat adjusts to different positions by itself. Told that these problems will never stop unless I get a higher rated battery than required. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172175 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Car drains battery. 45,000 miles and has had 3 batteries and have been told it needs another. Dealer says start stop switch, requires a battery of 750 CCA and not the Subaru recommend battery. Car will die in traffic and driver seat adjusts to different positions by itself. Told that these problems will never stop unless I get a higher rated battery than required. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172176 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Car drains battery. 45,000 miles and has had 3 batteries and have been told it needs another. Dealer says start stop switch, requires a battery of 750 CCA and not the Subaru recommend battery. Car will die in traffic and driver seat adjusts to different positions by itself. Told that these problems will never stop unless I get a higher rated battery than required. https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2171999 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety defect with the windshield glass on my 2025 Subaru Forester. Since purchasing the vehicle in May 2025, I have experienced repeated windshield damage that seems excessive and abnormal for a new vehicle. Within the first two months of ownership, the windshield developed a rock chip. Approximately three months later, I experienced another r https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2172000 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety defect with the windshield glass on my 2025 Subaru Forester. Since purchasing the vehicle in May 2025, I have experienced repeated windshield damage that seems excessive and abnormal for a new vehicle. Within the first two months of ownership, the windshield developed a rock chip. Approximately three months later, I experienced another r https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2170096 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT On January16,2026 while driving from Houston,TX to Austin TX the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power on Highway 71 W. We were traveling at approximately 70 MPH when the engine completely failed. We were forced to immediately pull over onto a narrow shoulder Our situation at that point was dire: we could not exit the vehicle as other cars were speeding by. Fortunately an emergency vehicle https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2169799 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelera https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2169800 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelera https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester https://plaincars.com/make/subaru-forester#complaint-2169801 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT I bought a Subaru Forrester 2025 in March of 2025. I drove this car for almost 9 months to the day. On 12-19 -25 I was driving down the aisle in the Walmart parking lot at less than 10 mph. I turned right into a handicap parking lot and applied my brake as I was settling into the parking space. I was driving less than 5 mph as one normally would when parking and coming to a stop. My car accelera