Used Car Checklists

Used Subaru Forester: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 2,301 complaints across these 8 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Subaru Forester

Choose a model year

Problems that follow the Forester from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area20182019202020212022202320242025Total
Wipers and visibility145387287822010414949
Electrical641158825762307
Airbags7914924562121
Engine1355271442115
Exterior lights84719

Forester generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

  1. Sixth generation

    2025–now

  2. Fifth generation

    2019–2025

    2022 update: New front end; Slightly tweaked rear bumper

  3. Fourth generation

    2014–2018

    2017 update: New LED projector headlights; Redesigned grille and bumper

Mileages where Forester problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileageProblemYear
800–9,000 milesEarly windshield cracking2021
1,000–10,000 milesWindshield chips and cracks2023
1,500–15,000 milesEarly windshield chips and cracks2020
1,604–9,000 milesBattery drain while parked2020
3,000–65,000 milesSudden unintended acceleration2020
3,500–34,000 milesWindshield cracks and chips2019
7,000–24,000 milesUnintended acceleration while parking2021
13,000–35,000 milesWindshield cracks on older cars2021
16,000–80,000 milesThermo control valve failure2019
18,300–40,000 milesWindshield cracking2018
21,000–50,000 milesWindshield cracks without impact2020
22,000–29,000 milesUnintended acceleration2019
25,000–38,126 milesAuto stop/start stalling2019
26,000–40,936 milesTransmission and valve body replacement2021

Every Forester recall to confirm

11 recalls cover the Foresteryears on this site. Open a campaign number for NHTSA's full notice. 1 campaign spans more than one model year.

Show 1 more recall

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