2021 Subaru Forester: common problems and reliability
The 2021 Subaru Forester has 206 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system. Owners most often flag cvt transmission longevity concerns — concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. frequency: very frequent.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
206
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
16
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).
Where owners report problems
visibility/wiper
76
electrical system
32
engine
32
forward collision avoidance
17
power train
14
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained. Owners express deep satisfaction with the vehicle's
CVT transmission longevity concerns — Concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. Frequency: very frequent.
Infotainment system glitches — Occasional screen freezes, slow response, or connectivity issues. Noted as an annoyance but not a dealbreaker. Frequency: recurrent.
Windshield/glass cracking — Described as an "Achilles' heel"; prone to cracks and chips, necessitating comprehensive glass insurance. Frequency: recurrent.
Front control arm bushing wear — Bushings reported to fail relatively early, sometimes between 60,000-100,000 miles, affecting ride quality. Frequency: recurrent.
Oil consumption — Some models, particularly older generations, noted to consume more oil than average, requiring monitoring between changes. Frequency: recurrent.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester.
Typical used price
Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.