Skip to content
EnginePart report

2022 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
11%of 100 total for the year
Median mileage
5,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2022 Subaru Forester, 11% of the 100 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11690671, filed 2025-09

“Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Daycare made a notation of oil smell and onion smell on grandson. We need oxygen to our brain and body; without it we cannot live.”

NHTSA complaint #11479790, filed 2022-08

“I was driving to work and my car started stalling. So i pulled into a parking spot and when I got out I noticed a trail of oil behind the car. I closed the door and the car started smoking and within seconds it was in flames. I bought it on 7/25 and on 8/3 it was gone. It only had 78 miles on it, 100% driven on city streets. I have several pictures and videos of the event but this site doesn't support them so I can share separately if needed. You are also welcome to inspect the car as it will be hauled to a salvage yard shortly.”

NHTSA complaint #11484729, filed 2022-09

“Honestly I don't know where to report this. Even though, running out of gas somewhere, because of false advertising, could be dangerous. - When we bought our 2022 Subaru Forrester they were advertising 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway. We have never gotten better than 21 1/2 mpg average combining both in town and highway miles. Both myself and my wife are careful drivers and make a serious effort to sustain decent mileage. That's quite a lower figure than it should be. - If you can't help me perhaps you can tell me where to report this.”

NHTSA complaint #11505444, filed 2023-02

“I was pulling into a parking space at my apartment complex. I had my foot on the BRAKE, and the vehicle slowed as I approached the space. As I turned into the space with my foot light on the brake, the engine suddenly revved and the Forester surged forward. AT NO POINT DID I TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR. I have a size 7 (women’s) shoe, and the floor mat was flat and secured as always. The vehicle surged forward and drove over the curb and onto the sidewalk. No warning lights came on, no warning alarms sounded. It only stopped when I slammed the brake to the floor. …”

NHTSA complaint #11562680, filed 2023-12

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202544%
202413%
202357%
20221111%
20213416%
20208113%
201910613%
2018326%
2017478%
20166014%
201513121%
20146917%
20132735%
20122725%
20116041%
20103413%
20092715%
2008714%
2007912%
20061113%
200533%
20042311%
2003126%
200211%
200121%
199932%
199811%

Other parts of the 2022 Subaru Forester

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
15 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Vehicle speed control
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
8 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Lane departure
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2022 Subaru Forester

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology