Subaru · Compact SUV
Subaru Forester
Every model year 2016–2026: recalls, owner complaints, NHTSA crash ratings and EPA efficiency side by side.
| Year | Powertrains | Safety | Recalls | Complaints | Crash | Best efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | HybridGas | B | 3 | 19 | ★★★★★ | 35 mpg | |
| 2025 | HybridGas | D | 4 | 90 | ★★★★★ | 35 mpg | Park outside |
| 2024 | Gas | C | 2 | 29 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2023 | Gas | A | 1 | 73 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2022 | Gas | A | 1 | 97 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2021 | Gas | A | 0 | 207 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2020 | Gas | A | 0 | 598 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2019 | Gas | C | 3 | 833 | ★★★★★ | 29 mpg | |
| 2018 | Gas | C | 3 | 493 | ★★★★★ | 28 mpg | |
| 2017 | Gas | A | 1 | 584 | ★★★★★ | 28 mpg | |
| 2016 | Gas | C | 3 | 411 | ★★★★★ | 27 mpg |
What changed year to year
- 2025: added hybrid; best combined mpg 29 → 35; 2 → 4 EPA configurations
- 2022: 1 → 2 EPA configurations
- 2019: best combined mpg 28 → 29; 3 → 1 EPA configurations
- 2017: best combined mpg 27 → 28
Best Forester years to buy used
- 2021 — Safety A, 0 recalls, 207 complaints
- 2020 — Safety A, 0 recalls, 598 complaints
- 2023 — Safety A, 1 recalls, 73 complaints
- 2022 — Safety A, 1 recalls, 97 complaints
- 2017 — Safety A, 1 recalls, 584 complaints
Ranked by Safety Signal, then fewest complaints. Older years have had more time to accumulate both.