2022 Subaru Forester Problems And Complaints

Subaru Forester user complaints and problems

Despite being more practical than almost all its rivals, the Subaru Forester had a rough going for two generations. The highest number of complaints were recorded against the cracking windshield issue of the Forester. Even the latest 2022 model of the SUV also faced a single complaint regarding the same issue as well. Apart from that, the SUV has faced a number of other issues with its powertrain, electrical system, and safety systems throughout several of its model years.

Engine problems

• Sudden loss of power: Several Forester models within the 2018 to 2020 model years faced this problem. A majority of the owners reported that their vehicles lost power while driving. In several instances, while the engine lost power, the engine speed dropped to idle rpm and remained constant. Moreover, some reports also stated that while going up a slope or a hill, the engine would lose acceleration and stall.

• A sudden surge in power and uncontrolled acceleration: Apart from facing sudden power loss issues, several Forester models from the 2018 to 2020 model year also faced sudden acceleration issues too. All the complaints mentioned that while driving at speeds as low as 2-3 mph, the vehicle would accelerate uncontrollably resulting in a crash. The incidents mostly occurred at parking lots or out on the city roads. In most cases, the failure of the standard CVT transmission resulted in the incidents.
• Hesitant acceleration at various speeds: Another outcome of the CVT malfunctions in several Forester models. The owners reported that while driving at various speeds, the engine would hesitate to accelerate. The issue poses a safety concern while out on the highways.
• Premature battery failure: An untimely failure of the battery has also been reported by several owners of the Forester. Almost all the reports stated that the battery of the vehicle would fail randomly after being parked overnight. In multiple cases, the battery died randomly while driving.

Safety problems

• Airbag warning light staying on: An extensive number of Subaru Forester models faced the problem where the airbag warning light would stay on. In a few cases, after the vehicle was repaired post-crash with the airbags replaced, the warning light would stay on even if the front seats were occupied. Some reports stated that the front co-passenger seatbelt warning light would stay on due to the passenger being underweight.
• Airbags failing to deploy: A plethora of Forester models suffered from this issue with model years spanning through multiple generations. All the reports mentioned that when the vehicles were involved in a crash, the airbags failed to deploy. The failure of deployment of the airbags resulted in the drivers and the occupants of the affected vehicles suffering injuries.
• Brake fail: A plenty of Forester models were affected by the failure of brakes issue. The official reports stated that while driving and slowing down, the brakes would fail to engage. This issue also resulted in several crashes too.

Miscellaneous problems

• Windshield cracking: This has been a widespread issue with the Subaru Forester. At least thousands of models of the SUV suffered from random windshield cracks. In a majority of the cases, the windshield would crack without any impact on it. In several cases, after getting hit by small stones or pebbles, a small chip would make the windshield develop long cracks. There were cases where after a replacement of the windshield, the issue recurred.

2022 Subaru Forester recalls

The Subaru Forester’s list of recalls is not as extensive as its complaint list according to the NHTSA. The SUV faced recalls till its 2019 model year despite facing some repetitive complaints from several owners. Also, the SUV never saw a single recall regarding its windshield getting crack problem either.

Recall Date	NHTSA Campaign ID	Component Affected	Recall Issue	Explanation
July 10, 2018	18V455000	TIRES, EQUIPMENT	Incorrect Tire Information on Label/FMVSS 110	Installing incorrect tires or applying incorrect tire air pressure may increase the risk of a crash.
October 3, 2019	19V701000	AIR BAGS	Occupant Detection System May Deactivate Airbag	If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.
July 29, 2021	21V587000	FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	Fuel Pump May Fail	Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
February 6, 2019	19V065000	STEERING	Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist	Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.
December 2, 2019	19V856000	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	PCV Valve Can Separate	An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
April 15, 2021	21V263000	SUSPENSION	Rear Stabilizer Bracket Bolts May Detach	Missing bolts may allow the rear stabilizer bracket to shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

What model year of the Subaru Forester to avoid?

With no mechanical upgrades even with the latest 2022 iteration, the Subaru Forester is a dinosaur in its segment. The SUV has a not-so-friendly reliability record and a single model faced the notorious windshield cracking complaint found in the previous model years as well. From a customer perspective, the fourth generation of the vehicle, especially model years from 2018 to 2020 is better avoided from the used car market.

Should you buy a used Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester is in dire need of an upgrade, mainly in its powertrain aspect. Also, the brand needs to address the underlying issues with the vehicle since it still enjoys a favorable position in the market with that standard AWD layout. Apart from its several run-ins with issues, the Subaru Forester is still a solid option in the segment for adventure seekers. Buying one from the used car lots makes absolute sense if you’re careful enough while finding a decent used example.