Forester (SK)
Verdict Stick to 2022-2024 cars if shopping this generation, after the 2019-2021 PCV valve recall corrections and before the 2025 quality recalls. Every year shares the 2.5L boxer tied to 30 of the 32 fires, so verify the recalls by VIN.
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Naturally Aspirated U5
2.5L 4-cyl / 182 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Subaru Forester Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Reliability Overview
The Forester SK is a single-engine reliability story built around its fire record. The 2.5L FB25 boxer four (2019-2025, 182 hp) owns 1,652 of 1,673 complaints, or 98.7%, and accounts for 30 of the 32 fires plus both deaths in the file. Across 2019-2025, the SUV accumulates 1,673 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, 95 crashes, 32 fires, 50 injuries, and 2 deaths.
The 2019 recall stack carries most of the fire explanation. 19V856 covers an aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve that can separate during operation, allowing components to enter the engine and create fire or failure conditions. The defect affected the 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent jointly because all three share the FB25 powertrain. 19V065 covers an Electronic Power Steering connector short circuit on 2019 cars that can cause sudden loss of power assist while driving. Both recalls were issued early in the SK production run, suggesting first-year manufacturing issues that persisted into the field. Subsequent recalls cluster on lower-volume items: 21V263 (2019 rear stabilizer bracket bolts), 23V754 (2023-2024 front driveshaft cracks, multi-model), 23V755 (2022 inhibitor switch water entry, multi-model), and 23V723 (2024 engine water pipe attachment bolts).
The complaint distribution carries the same NHTSA "other" category concentration as the Outback BT (2020-2024). The FB25's 1,652 complaints split with 941 in the catch-all "other" bucket, 266 in electrical, 209 in engine, 181 in safety systems, and 87 in transmission. The "other" bucket on a Subaru typically captures customer-experience complaints (windshield cracking under impact, multimedia freezing, ADAS false alerts) rather than mechanical failures. Powertrain reliability and customer-experience reliability tell different stories on the same vehicle, and the buyer should weigh them as separate concerns.
For the 2025 model year alone, two new manufacturing-quality recalls appeared: 25V033 covers 18" aluminum alloy wheels with incorrectly specified lug seat surfaces, and 25V419 covers child seat anchor bolts that may have been improperly tightened. Both target the final year of the SK platform before the 6th-generation Forester launches for 2026. End-of-platform model years sometimes accumulate quality-control issues as production winds down toward the redesign.
For shoppers, the Forester SK is a difficult recommendation. The fire-and-death record on the FB25 has no clean year to point at within the SK generation because every model year carries the same engine. Cross-shoppers should compare against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 for cleaner reliability profiles in the Compact SUV segment. Within Subaru, the Outback BT carries a similar pattern (and the same FB25 in the U5 trim), which limits brand-internal alternatives. Buyers who want a Subaru wagon-shaped SUV with all-wheel drive and the brand's safety-systems story should weigh the FB25 fire record carefully against the use case.
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
Buyer's Guide
The Forester SK presents a single buying decision because every model year in the generation carries the same 2.5L FB25 boxer four, the engine responsible for 30 of the 32 fires and both deaths in the file. There is no cleaner year to point at within 2019-2025 to avoid the fire risk, and the 6th-generation Forester launching for 2026 will require its own field data before reliability conclusions can be drawn. For buyers who must shop within the SK generation, 2022-2024 cars sit after the worst of the 2019-2021 PCV valve recall corrections (19V856) and before the late-SK manufacturing-quality items on 2025 cars (25V033 wheels, 25V419 child seat anchors). That's a narrow window.
Inspection priorities before buying any Forester SK: verify the 19V856 PCV valve recall has been performed on 2019 cars (this is the load-bearing fire-related recall for the FB25 in this generation, shared with 2019 Crosstrek and Ascent); confirm the 19V065 electronic power steering connector recall is closed on 2019 cars; check the 23V754 front driveshaft outer race on 2023-2024 cars; verify the 23V755 inhibitor switch on 2022 cars; check the 21V263 rear stabilizer bracket bolts on 2019 cars; and confirm the 23V723 engine water pipe attachment bolts on 2024 cars. For 2025 cars, verify 25V033 wheels and 25V419 child seat anchors via the VIN at NHTSA.
The Forester's customer-experience complaint cluster (windshield cracking, multimedia freezing, ADAS false alerts) parallels the Outback BT (2020-2024) and is not addressed by any current recall. Budget for non-recall service items (windshield replacement, infotainment dealer service) beyond what the recall stack covers. Cross-shop the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-5 for cleaner Compact SUV reliability profiles. Within Subaru, the Outback BT shares the FB25 in the U5 trim and the same complaint distribution, so isn't a meaningful internal alternative.
What to check on a used 2019-2025 Subaru Forester
On a used 2019-2025 Subaru Forester, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (286), the engine (228) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (202). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 286 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 228 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester about the engine.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 202 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 94 owner complaints on the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester about the transmission and drivetrain.
Recalls (10)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek hybrid, and 2025 Forester hybrid vehicles. When the fuel tank is near full capacity, an increase in ambient temperature may cause the fuel to expand and spill out of the filler neck due to an insufficient seal on the fuel cap.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
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.
Show 5 older recalls
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Subaru Crosstrek, 2019 Crosstrek Hybrid, and 2019 Forester vehicles. The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Forester and Crosstrek vehicles. A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2025 Subaru Forester complaints?
Owners have filed 1,750 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the safety systems.
Is the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,750 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester have?
NHTSA has 1,750 owner complaints on file for the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2019-2025 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls covering some 2019-2025 Subaru Forester vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Subaru Forester?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Forester?
The 2025 Subaru Forester received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,750 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.