Verdict
2021 Subaru Forester: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Subaru Forester — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 207 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 80% of 2021 SUVs. Visibility/Wiper leads the reports (33%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
207
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 80% of 2021 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Visibility/Wiper issues lead owner complaints (33% of 207 reports), followed by electrical system (14%).
+ 11 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 207 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11673017, ODI 11620045, ODI 11617156, ODI 11608744, ODI 11592004.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2021 Subaru Forester SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 26 | 33 | 29 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.
Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Subaru Forester: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Subaru Forester?
Owners filed 207 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Subaru Forester — more complaints than 80% of comparable 2021 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported problem areas are Visibility/Wiper (33% of complaints) and electrical system (14%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Subaru Forester have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2021 Subaru Forester as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Forester at 29 mpg combined.