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.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 12 Forester model years we track, complaint volume runs from 56 (2024) to 487 (2018). With 206 complaints, the 2021 Forester sits abovethe model's median of 112.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
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.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester. See the full Forester owner picture and every model year.
Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Forester year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.