Subaru Forester Reviews

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About Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV. Read more Subaru reviews to learn about other models.


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Subaru Forester Reviews

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    Maintenance

    Reviewed May 11, 2026

    Purchased a 2023 Forester new. Vehicle developed an oil leak at 30,000 miles. Took it to the dealer and was told that 3 of 4 spark plug tube seals were torn and causing the leak. Had to waste a day off to get the repair done. Completely unacceptable!! No vehicle should have that issue at only 30,000 miles. Also had a 2018 outback that had two rear wheel bearings fail. I will never purchase another Subaru ever!!! Poor quality. Never had these issues with the Toyotas and Shondas I’ve owned.

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    PricePunctuality & SpeedStaffRatesTransparency

    Reviewed March 24, 2026

    Had issues with the brakes locking up as I enter a car wash. They lock up as soon I am in and put the car in neutral. Before I enter, I turn off the pre collision braking system, the Auto Start, and Auto Vehicle Hold. Also, the TomTom maps that came installed has a few issues. The speed limit displayed on the dash is wrong a fair amount of the times, gives wrong route info, for example, going around the wrong way on traffic circle on Babcock Ranch. I talked to the dealer, Subaru Corporate Headquarters in Camden, NJ, no help at all.

    Contacted TomTom about map issues, they asked for specific errors, provided locations and they stated that they will look into them. If they find the issues, they will correct it in the future and will put out a corrected map for download. Other GPS's don't require you to download updated maps when they are changed, ie Waze. As far as the map issues, Subaru told me that I needed to contact TomTom myself even though it's installed by them in thousands of cars each year. They also told me to just use some other map program that I can download for free and use on my cellphone. My answer was, I purchased their product for a good price and I expect that it should work without me using a workaround to resolve their shortcomings. These were some of the issues that I experienced on my 2026 Forester.

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      Customer ServicePriceStaff

      Reviewed Dec. 7, 2025

      I was so excited to purchase my 2021 Subaru Forester in October 2024. I performed all of the research and thought I was buying a reputable, safe vehicle for my family to have for many years. Over the past year, I have greatly changed my opinion on this vehicle. I cannot simply get into my car and drive. As one gets in and checks their mirrors and puts their seatbelt on there are also other tasks that I must do in order to not be frustrated on my drive.

      I must always turn off the automatic shut-off button every single time I enter my vehicle. If I do not do this, it will stall whenever I stop at stop signs or red light. I have been told that this is just a normal occurrence by the dealership. I must also always have a cellphone charging cord attached to my phone or turn off my Bluetooth when entering my car, or it is impossible to make a phone call. The car audio system switches between Bluetooth and the phone every other minute when one of these are not done. The eyesight is an absolute danger and hazard.

      My vehicle has a mind of its own. It slams on the brakes when it decides I may be too close to any type of object. This may be a tree limb hanging from above, a sharp curve in the road, a vehicle yards ahead, etc. I have no control over my headlights. There can be no lights in sight at all and I cannot get my high beams to turn on. My automatic driver's window also has a mind of its own and does not go up when put down. It takes a long process to return the window to a closed position. I have owned many different vehicles over my lifetime and I have never had so much difficulty and frustration in such a short period with one vehicle. Unfortunately, I will be stuck with this vehicle for a long time.

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      Contract & TermsCoveragePriceMaintenanceStaff

      Reviewed Sept. 22, 2025

      Please be aware of Subaru`s engine issues!!! I bought a Subaru Forester five years ago and have had engine issues twice already. Subaru of America declines to fix it for the second one, which cost me thousands. The warranty covered only up to five years and expected more engine issues as time goes on. Engine issues cost you more than you expect. Stay away from this kind of car.

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      Reviewed July 10, 2025

      I've been the sole owner of a 2016 Subaru Forester. I'm currently having a continuous CVT parking brake switch problem where my Subaru key cannot be removed from the ignition when the vehicle is in park. I was told by the Subaru dealership that's been seen a lot and by my mechanic on Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek, WRX, and Forester models. I was told today that my vehicle is not under warranty to have this work done.

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      Customer ServiceSales & MarketingStaffRatesTransparency

      Reviewed June 30, 2025

      As someone who chose Subaru for their reputation of reliability and customer care, I’m extremely disappointed by how I’ve been treated throughout my recent experience. My vehicle has had a recurring issue with the auto start/stop function stalling in heavy traffic – a serious safety concern. I’ve had this issue “fixed” three separate times, and yet the problem persists. Each time, I hoped it would be resolved, but it’s clear this is a deeper issue that Subaru is either unable or unwilling to properly address. What’s worse is the response I received from Subaru’s corporate office. Instead of offering any real help, they dismissed my concerns and offered only a “goodwill voucher” – but this voucher can only be used toward purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. That’s not a solution; it’s a sales pitch.

      Nowhere in the corporate emails was it mentioned that the voucher is only redeemable for new or leased vehicles. I went through the entire process at the dealership – test drives, evaluations, even holding a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle – only to be told the voucher couldn’t be used because it wasn’t a new vehicle. This not only wasted my time but also the sales associate’s time. It felt like a bait-and-switch, and I was left extremely frustrated by the lack of transparency and communication. It feels like Subaru is more interested in pushing new sales than standing behind the quality of the vehicles they’ve already sold. I expected much more from a brand that promotes itself on customer loyalty and dependability. Subaru – this isn’t how you build trust. It’s how you lose loyal customers.

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      Customer ServiceCoverageMaintenanceStaff

      Reviewed June 23, 2025

      So disappointed in Subaru. Had such a good feeling about the company but they still can't make a decent windshield (even after settling the previous lawsuit regarding windshields). I've had my 2025 Subaru Forester Touring Hybrid less than 2 months and it has a crack on the driver's side all the way to the rear view mirror. Sewell Subaru said they see an impact mark and so it's not covered and they want $3,170 to replace the windshield and re-calibrate the mirrors. I don't see an impact mark. I called the Subaru line and they took down my information and will supposedly contact me within 2 days. Also, there is NO ETA on an actual replacement windshield. I've tried glass shops and they can't get one either. I wish I had kept her estimate paper so I could add it here but I didn't. SO disappointed!

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      Price

      Reviewed Oct. 23, 2024

      2014 Forester Limited. *Engine uses oil. This has been a trend with this entire model year. Subaru has no remedy. 2 to 3 quarts between changes. (140000 miles) It has been this way since purchase. *Rear wheel bearing failed at (49500 miles), Replaced by Subaru. It again failed at (130000 miles). *Loose parts vibrating/rattling since shortly after purchase.

      2007 Forester. and 2007 Impreza. *Head gasket failure. This was a blanket problem with that generation engine. Subaru chose to go cheap and use thinner head gaskets Had to have both head gaskets replaced on both autos. From my experience, Subaru doesn't live up to its quality hype. My daughter hasn't had a problem with her 2014 Toyota RAV4. No more Subaru "toy quality" for me. 10-23-2024.

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      Customer ServiceTechMaintenanceRates

      Reviewed Oct. 18, 2024

      I purchased a Subaru Forester Wilderness in 2022 and have absolutely loved it up until last month. The very delicate windshield has several cracks in it and after several failed attempts at the dealership and a customer service call today in which I was informed that there are no windshield anywhere in the country… There is nothing that they can do. I was advised not to drive my car when I expressed concern about the safety. I’m pretty sure Subaru can do better than this.

      I would have given a five star rating but now Subaru is a zero in my book because when my windshield does finally break, my car is utterly useless and I can’t afford to trade it in and get anything else. Don’t buy a Subaru until they fix this problem. Also I found it very interesting. That Safelite said that they had lots of these windshield in stock… but I’m not gonna pay to have it calibrated when I already prepaid the dealership for two windshields of my own. Very, very disappointed and Subaru since my family owned them their entire lives. Bummer.

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      Customer ServicePriceStaffResolution

      Reviewed Oct. 17, 2024

      I just learned that my touchscreen, which Subaru calls a radio, is dead. Only 40,000 km on my 2021 Forester. No warranty & new replacement cost in the thousands. I called the ‘escalated complaints’ line and person was non-helpful and condescending. The dealer is trying to help. This is NOT a dealer issue. There is already a class action lawsuit in the USA because Subaru not addressing this problem. One would expect that Subaru Canada would address the issue before a class action is launched here. Not happening (yet).

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      Subaru Forester Company Information

      Company Name:
      Subaru Forester
      Website:
      www.subaru.com