2021 Subaru Forester Problems
Compared with other Subaru Forester years
Typical for this model
48/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Subaru Forester year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 133 of its 212 complaints were filed by the end of 2023.
- Most reported problem: Windshield cracks without impact (83 complaints, median 4,925 mi).
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2022, 2023
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 212filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles, 37 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 29 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl AWD · 26 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Subaru Forester (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 2021 Forester most often report the front windshield cracking or chipping without an obvious impact, frequently within the first few thousand miles and sometimes while the vehicle is parked. A second theme in the sample is the auto start/stop system failing to restart the engine after a stop, with dashboard warnings appearing. Smaller groups of complaints describe intermittent unintended acceleration at low speed, engine stalling or loss of power while driving, and occasional dashboard battery drain issues.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Windshield cracks without impact
- 83 complaints (39%)
- median 4,925 mi at 0.6 yrs old (20 state mileage)
- owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
- filed 2021–2025
Owners describe the front windshield developing long cracks with no stone strike or visible damage, often starting near the lower edge, by the wiper arm area, or at the base of the glass. Several say the crack appeared while the vehicle was parked overnight or during a workday, and that it spread quickly once noticed. Some report the glass being replaced, sometimes more than once, and a few say the dealer attributed the crack to an object strike or referred them to their insurance. Mostly reported under 15,000 miles, often within months of purchase and sometimes while parked in cold or changing weather.
What to check: Inspect the windshield carefully for chips, edge cracks and small pits, especially along the lower edge and around the wiper area. Ask whether the glass has ever been replaced and keep documentation for any future glass warranty claim.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Windshield cracked without warning. There was no damage to the windshield at 9am when I walked in to my office building, when I came out at 5:15 pm there was a large crack stretching from the passenger side towards the center. The vehicle had been parked all day, in a very slow office building complex (there were 3 of us at work) parked along the front walkway, there is no foot traffic around our building.”
NHTSA complaint #11415347, filed 2021-05, 1,805 miles“My windshield just cracked for a second time within 6 months of buying my car. I had it replaced when it cracked the first time less than a month after I bought it. It just cracked for a second time less than three months after having it replaced at an authorized place.”
NHTSA complaint #11414759, filed 2021-05, 3,313 miles - Engine
Auto start/stop fails to restart engine
- 42 complaints (20%)
- median 32,000 mi at 3.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2021–2026
Complaints describe the engine shutting off at a traffic light or in stop-and-go traffic and then not restarting when the brake pedal is released. Owners say warnings such as a message to shift into Park and restart, or an Eyesight disabled indicator, appear, and that the vehicle has to be shut down and restarted to move again. Some report the dealer could not reproduce the condition or found no stored cause. Reported across a wide mileage range, from fairly low mileage up to around 34,000 miles, typically in stop-and-go or intersection situations.
What to check: During a test drive that includes a full stop with the engine shut off, confirm the engine restarts promptly and that no restart warnings appear. Ask whether the vehicle has had any battery or start/stop-related software updates applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My Subaru has an auto start/stop. I was at a complete stop, making a left-hand turn, and my car completely shuts off with the following message: For safety, auto restart disabled; eyesight with a \ through the words, put car in park and restart vehicle. In the time it took me to put the car in park and restart, I was almost T-bone. This was terrifying. …”
NHTSA complaint #11698565, filed 2025-11“I am filing this complaint regarding a recurring and dangerous safety issue with my 2021 Subaru Forester. The auto stop/start feature intermittently fails to restart the engine after it shuts off when stopped. When this occurs, multiple dashboard warning lights come on, an alarm sounds, and the vehicle requires putting the transmission into Park and shutting it down completely before it will start again. …”
NHTSA complaint #11735403, filed 2026-05 - Vehicle speed control
Unintended acceleration at low speed while parking
- 22 complaints (10%)
- median 12,500 mi at 2.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2021–2026
Owners describe the vehicle surging or lunging forward while creeping into a parking space, garage or driveway, or while pulling away from a light, sometimes with the brake pedal pressed. Some report the vehicle climbed a curb or struck a wall or parked cars before stopping. According to the complaints, dealers either could not duplicate the condition or said they were not aware of related recalls. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred miles) up to about 39,500 miles, usually at parking-lot or driveway speeds.
What to check: Test the car at very low speed in a parking area, including light brake application, and note any surging or hesitation. Ask whether any throttle or transmission control software updates have been performed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While pulling into a parking spot my Forester lunged forward even though I did not have my foot on the gas pedal. Also, when pulling away from a traffic light, the vehicle sometimes feels as though it wants to accelerate even though I am not pressing the gas pedal too hard.”
NHTSA complaint #11406235, filed 2021-04, 155 miles“Unintentional Acceleration - 2 times within 4 days of each incident. 9/17/25 while stopped to pull into a parking lot my 2021 Subaru Forester accelerated as I was stopped. I had to slam on the brakes, take a deep breath and was shocked at the pull and speed the car wanted to go. 9/20/25 Pulled into a parking spot, not moving and the car again pulled and accelerated. Again I slammed on the brakes to stop from crashing into other vehicles or whatever was in the vicinity the car wanted to go. …”
NHTSA complaint #11688867, filed 2025-09 - Engine
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 28 complaints (13%)
- median 33,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2022–2026
Complaints describe the engine cutting out or dropping power for a few seconds at speed, or stalling at a signal and then restarting normally after a restart attempt. Some owners mention Eyesight warnings at the same time, and a few report carbon buildup on the intake valves identified during service. In these complaints, dealers often could not determine a cause. Mostly reported from roughly 12,000 to 38,000 miles, sometimes shortly after refueling or at steady cruising speed.
What to check: Ask for service records showing whether injector or intake valve carbon cleaning has been done, and note any hesitation or brief power loss during a test drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On 04/02/2022, several minutes after having filled the gas tank, I was driving at about 35 mph on a two lane road at constant throttle, when the engine suddenly lost power for several seconds before it regained acceleration. There was a pickup truck following me very closely and it swerved around me to avoid hitting me. On 04/13/2022 , several minutes after leaving my driveway, at about 27 mph on a two lane road, the engine again lost power for several seconds before resuming power. …”
NHTSA complaint #11462054, filed 2022-04, 12,500 miles“On two separate occasions, less than one year apart after Subaru Service replaced my battery with a “larger” battery without my knowledge my vehicle suffered sudden, catastrophic electrical failure while moving in active highway traffic, causing an immediate loss of propulsion and creating a life-threatening safety hazard. This has happened two times the second time less than a year after the “larger” battery replacement. This car has less than 50,000 miles on it and has a perfect service record all done at AutoNation Subaru Carlsbad. …”
NHTSA complaint #11768776, filed 2026-10
Buying note. Check the windshield closely and ask about replacement history, and test the auto start/stop restart behavior and low-speed throttle response on the test drive. Service records for battery work and any engine software or carbon-cleaning procedures are worth reviewing before purchase.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 212 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Forester. 37 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 8,000 miles. Of all complaints, 16 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 9 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 371 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 15 Subaru Forester model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 48 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Other or unknown43 20%
- Electrical system34 16%
- Engine34 16%
- Forward collision avoidance17 8.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain15 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control12 5.7%
- Lane departure8 3.8%
- Brakes7 3.3%
- Fuel system7 3.3%
Also reported: Body and structure (4), Suspension (4), Steering (3), Air bags (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (2), Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While parked at work, my window cracked about 10-12' right down the middle. It looks like it formed from a small pit in the window. Even though the car is maybe 5 weeks old, it looks like there are a bunch of these small pits all over the window which could be a manufacturing defect. My friend has a 2020 Forester that had the window crack in the same fashion after about 5 weeks of owning the car as well. I have attached a picture of the damage to the window.”
NHTSA complaint #11402918, filed 2021-03, 1,750 milesOther or unknown: “Vehicle was delivered with the wrong battery - reserve capacity. The car stalls out in idle position creating safety issues. My wife was stranded and we had the original battery replaced with the specs from the previous battery…causing the same issues to occur. Finally, we were informed of the improper battery installation”
NHTSA complaint #11703148, filed 2025-12Electrical system: “Driving along and various system warnings came on, then started losing power, then the engine died and the car was completely dead. Got a jump start and the car ran for a couple of minutes and died again. Had it towed to a repair shop and when they checked it the next morning, they couldn't find a problem and it ran great for them. I replaced the battery and alternator just to be safe because we were about to leave on a trip.”
NHTSA complaint #11743852, filed 2026-06Engine: “Was stopped at traffic light. Start Stop system was engaged. Engine turned off as normal. When I took my foot off the brake the engine did not engage and the Eyesight warning light came on that the Eyesight system was not functioning. Put the car in park and engaged the ignition button and the engine started. Turned off the Start Stop system and the car functioned normally after that. Have read postings on Subaru forum that this has happened to others.”
NHTSA complaint #11654189, filed 2025-04Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 37 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,313 and 22,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Subaru Forester. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 Subaru Forester version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | CVT | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2021 Subaru Forester in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 371 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037943Oct 5, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This announcement provides information on a new software update for the Midtronics Dss and DCA machines.
- 11037942Sep 28, 2026Electrical system, Transmission and drivetrain. This announcement provides information on an enhancement of the TechShare CVT diagnostic assitance application.
- 11037940Sep 18, 2026Other or unknown. This bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
- 11037938Sep 18, 2026Electrical system. "This Bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following DTCs: DTC C1956: RH Actuator Circuit DTC C1957: LH Actuator Circuit"
- 11037930Sep 15, 2026Other or unknown. This announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year Subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
- 11037929Sep 14, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037928Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Head Unit used in the listed models and model years…
- 11037927Sep 14, 2026Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11037926Sep 10, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- 11036824Aug 31, 2026Electrical system, Body and structure. This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
Other model years of the Subaru Forester
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 3,500 | 4 | 5 | 28 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 99 | 2,800 | 4 | 5 | 28 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 31 | 5,000 | 2 | 5 | 29 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 74 | 6,750 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 21 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 100 | 5,500 | 1 | 5 | 29 | 27 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2021 | 212 | 8,000 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 48 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 603 | 5,800 | 0 | 5 | 29 | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2019 | 834 | 8,575 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 498 | 16,000 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 85 · More | Falling |
| 2017 | 592 | 30,000 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 69 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 416 | 39,000 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 615 | 43,919 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 403 | 53,500 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 45 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 78 | 50,000 | 12 | 4 | 23 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 106 | 45,702 | 15 | 4 | 23 | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 147 | 60,000 | 16 | 4 | 23 | 30 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 262 | 65,000 | 17 | — | 22 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 178 | 57,000 | 17 | — | 22 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 50 | 88,900 | 1 | — | 22 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 74 | 56,750 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 88 | 51,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 93 | 80,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 219 | 96,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 189 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 88 | 87,365 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 139 | 57,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 75 | 78,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 131 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 101 | 93,998 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Subaru Forester model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Forester?
Owners of the 2021 Forester most often report the front windshield cracking or chipping without an obvious impact, frequently within the first few thousand miles and sometimes while the vehicle is parked. The issues reported most often: Windshield cracks without impact; Auto start/stop fails to restart engine; Unintended acceleration at low speed while parking.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA recorded 212 consumer complaints for the 2021 Subaru Forester as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 Subaru Forester is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 90 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 43.
Has the 2021 Subaru Forester been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 Subaru Forester do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Subaru Forester 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Forester (Forester AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Subaru Forester reported?
Among the 37 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 8,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,313 and 22,500 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.