2021 Subaru Forester Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 11/01/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Visibility/wiper (35.3% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Visibility/wiper complaints here are 7.1× the median for that category across the 328 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility/wiper | 76 · 35.3% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 36 · 16.7% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 35 · 16.3% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 15 · 7% | No official action | — |
| Visibility:windshield | 13 · 6% | No official action | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 · 6% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 215 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“Windshield spontaneously cracked, many others reported. Impaired vision, windshield could scatter while driving. Inspected & repaired by Subaru dealer, insurance company claim.”NHTSA complaint 11510223 — filed 03/05/2023 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“I was driving in downtown Chicago with my cousin. We had already been in the car driving around the city for ~15 minutes, so the…”NHTSA complaint 11504472 — filed 01/30/2023 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
“In the afternoon when I returned to my vehicle, a large crack (roughly 8 inches) formed on the lower sector of the windshield that appeared…”NHTSA complaint 11496173 — filed 12/05/2022 · VISIBILITY/WIPER
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Subaru Forester?
Visibility/wiper issues are the most-reported category, cited in 76 of 215 NHTSA complaints (35.3%), followed by unspecified/other issues (42), engine (36), electrical system (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2021 Subaru Forester have?
215 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2021 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for this vehicle. New recalls can be issued at any time — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2021 Subaru Forester's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
