2021 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (76) · Electrical System (16) · Engine (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Subaru Forester model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
38 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (371)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-05 · SubaruNet Announcement (M · Other
this announcement provides information on a new software update for the midtronics dss and dca machines.
Power Train 2026-09-28 · SubaruNet Announcement (T · Other
this announcement provides information on an enhancement of the techshare cvt diagnostic assitance application.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-18 · 13-109-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides paint code information for 2027 model year vehicles.
Electrical System 2026-09-18 · 18-244-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"this bulletin announces additional troubleshooting steps for the following dtcs: dtc c1956: rh actuator circuit dtc c1957: lh actuator circuit"
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-15 · SubaruNet Announcement (C · Other
this announcement provides an update to all 2027 model year subaru warranty coverages for wear items and adjustments.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-14 · 15-333-25R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 371 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Power Train · 66,902 mi“the contact owns a 2021 subaru forester. the contact stated that while driving and accelerating from a stop, the vehicle started bucking and hesitating. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission control valve body was inoperable and needed to be replaced. the transmission control valve bo…”
2026-10-28 · Engine“component failed & inspection availability: the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic mechanical engine block failure at 74,000 miles. the dealership teardown confirmed a failed/spun lifter bearing and a fractured connecting rod cap, requiring a complete engine replacement. this sudden oil pressure failure/blockage occurred while the engine oil p…”
2026-10-25 · Engine“i was stopped at a red light. when the light changed to green i put my foot on the gas and the car totally stalled out. there were no lights, fans or radio on just total silence. i tried to restart the car putting it is park and depressing the brake while pushing the start button and nothing. it didn't even try to turn over. silent, dead. i tr…”
2026-10-21 · Structure:body“there’s two brackets that are at the top of the tailgate, and also at the top of the body where they meet to match up, the bracket on the right sits flush, the bracket on the left since indented about a 1/4” give or take. because it’s painted by the factory, there’s no cracks around the bracket and the paint, meaning it happened at the factory. i’v…”
2026-10-11 · Unknown Or Other“driver side rear window spontaneously failed while driving on the highway. passenger experienced cuts due to glass fragments…”
2026-10-05 · Power Train“the transmission very suddenly (perfectly fine one day, bad the next) developed a severe transmission slip. like getting rear ended feeling transmission slip. dealership quotes the cvt control valve body. …”
2026-10-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 tim…”
2026-07-07 · Electrical System · 22,500 mi“the contact owns a 2021 subaru forester. the contact stated that while trying to roll up vehicle windows from driver sits and passenger sit they would roll up to 3/4th all the way up and they would roll back down after. the contact stated this was a recurring event. the dealer was aware of failure and diagnosed issue needing repairs for window r…”
2026-07-02 · Power Train“my 2021 subaru forester has a recurring, worsening defect in the idle stop/start (iss) system that creates a stalling hazard. when iss shuts the engine off at a stop, the engine intermittently fails to restart when i try to move again. it cranks progressively slower, warning lights illuminate, a continuous alert sounds, and the vehicle cannot proce…”
2026-06-17 · Electrical System“persistent battery drain on a 2021 subaru forester limited. problems began in year 4 of ownership (~17,000 mileage), after subaru starlink subscription services expired. red (error) starlink sos indicator light was evident, where a normal light would show green. battery would fully drain after about 3-4 days of inactivity while parked in a commerci…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.