2021 Subaru Forester electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. Filed Apr 1, 2026TNElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   Automatic start/stop fails to turn car on - intermittent. Taken it to Subaru detailer miltiple times and paid for services to correct the issue, but the issue persists. Fist time - replaced the battery in July 2025. 2nd time, went on a ride along for 1 hour, issue did not happen, replaced spark plugs, issue persists. 3rd time, updated TCM software, issue still persists. Subaru of America is aware of the issue and have not gotten a resolution either.

   NHTSA complaint #11728464 · source
7. Filed Feb 1, 2026TXElectrical SystemEngineSeats & Seat Belts

   Car drains battery. 45,000 miles and has had 3 batteries and have been told it needs another. Dealer says start stop switch, requires a battery of 750 CCA and not the Subaru recommend battery. Car will die in traffic and driver seat adjusts to different positions by itself. Told that these problems will never stop unless I get a higher rated battery than required.

   NHTSA complaint #11714847 · source
8. Filed Nov 10, 2025MDElectrical SystemOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My Subaru has an auto start/stop. I was at a complete stop, making a left-hand turn, and my car completely shuts off with the following message: For safety, auto restart disabled; eyesight with a \ through the words, put car in park and restart vehicle. In the time it took me to put the car in park and restart, I was almost T-bone. This was terrifying. This had happened on previous occasion in stop and go traffic which is dangerous because my car has come to a complete stop…

   NHTSA complaint #11698565 · source
9. Filed Oct 31, 2025GAElectrical SystemEngine

   The vehicle has experienced four separate engine shutdowns while stopped in traffic. Each time, the engine turned off unexpectedly, requiring a manual restart. One incident occurred near a railroad crossing with my child in the car. The vehicle also lurches forward at low speeds and hesitates when accelerating after being stopped. These issues persist despite service visits. I believe they may relate to Technical Service Bulletins regarding the Auto Start/Stop and battery…

   NHTSA complaint #11696842 · source
10. Filed Sep 4, 2025CTElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    driving on [XXX] in NJ on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] my car just stopped in traffic and steering locked up and all lights came on dashboard along with a constant beeping sound-I was in the middle of a four lane highway traveling south-I could not get out of my car and feared someone would hit me as I was a "sitting duck" while cars were swerving around me-my only saving grace was that my flashers worked after I turned them on-I called roadside assistance as I was starting…

    NHTSA complaint #11684971 · source
11. Filed Aug 20, 2025AZFireDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    After arriving home from a short drive to the grocery store I parked my car in the drive way and went inside. On the drive home I could hear a low humming coming from the speakers and the car was decelerating when the accelerator was not being pressed, no warning lights or sounds came on. About 10 minutes after I parked a neighbor knocked on the door letting me know my car was smoking from inside the hood. Within a minute or 2 the entire hood of the car was engulfed in…

    NHTSA complaint #11681870 · source
12. Filed Jun 27, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

    The Auto-Stop/Start feature frequently fails to properly restart the car, often causing the car to stall during the restarting process, leaving me effectively disabled on a busy road. The battery has already been replaced once.

    NHTSA complaint #11669728 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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