2021 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Subaru Forester, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 0 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 209
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 16
Fires: 5
Injuries: 8
Median mileage: 8,000 mi

Key facts

Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 90 of 209 complaints (43%).
Electrical System (33) and engine (33) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 8,000 mi.
Owners reported 16 crashes, 5 fires and 8 injuries.
It ranks 8th of 22 Subaru Forester model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 65% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (591).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Visibility/wiper	76
Unknown or other	41
Engine	33
Electrical system	33
Visibility:windshield	13
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	13
Power train	13
Vehicle speed control	11

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Subaru Forester complaints that list mileage.

2021 Subaru Forester recalls (0)

No recalls on file.

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2021 Subaru Forester SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Recent 2021 Subaru Forester complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 5, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain
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.
NHTSA complaint #11769116 · source
Filed Oct 3, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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 times the second time less than a year after the “larger” battery replacement. This car has less than 50,000 miles on it and has a…
NHTSA complaint #11768776 · source
Filed Jul 7, 202622,500 miMAElectrical System
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 regulator and run channels for driver and passengers side. Manufacturer was made aware of failure and let contact know it was outside…
NHTSA complaint #11748908 · source
Filed Jul 2, 2026WIElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
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 proceed until I shift to Park and restart manually. This has left me immobile in live traffic at lights, stop signs, and mid-turn. The…
NHTSA complaint #11748058 · source
Filed Jun 17, 2026NYElectrical 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 commercial garage. After repeated dead batteries, a jump-starter battery pack was used regularly, as well as a wall-outlet battery…
NHTSA complaint #11744837 · source
Filed Jun 13, 2026MIElectrical System
Driving along and various system warnings came on, then started losing power, then the engine died and the car was completely dead. Got a jump start and the car ran for a couple of minutes and died again. Had it towed to a repair shop and when they checked it the next morning, they couldn't find a problem and it ran great for them. I replaced the battery and alternator just to be safe because we were about to leave on a trip.
NHTSA complaint #11743852 · source
Filed Jun 3, 2026FLElectrical System
2021 Subaru Forester The vehicle has experienced recurring electrical and battery-related issues for several years. The original battery was replaced by the Subaru dealer with a larger-capacity battery because of repeated starting concerns. The replacement provided only temporary improvement. The vehicle continues to experience rough starting on a regular basis, even after installation of a newer aftermarket battery with a higher cold-cranking-amp rating. The current battery…
NHTSA complaint #11741788 · source
Filed May 15, 2026WADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
My Subaru Forester has a significant safety defect. If my web searches are representative this software problem affects multiple models and years of Subaru. I have addressed this problem with the local dealer, Subaru America, and Subaru Japan and have been told "that is the way it was designed and it is supposed to do that." As you may imagine that is not a satisfactory answer to a significant safety issue; I can only imagine Ford saying the Pinto was designed with a gas…
NHTSA complaint #11738084 · source

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Other 2021 Subaru models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology