Complaint volume
207 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2021 Subaru Forester Complaints
207 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Subaru Forester, grouped by component category.
207 Total complaints
16 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
5 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are visibility/wiper, unknown or other, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 16 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 5 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 37 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 12,910 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to visibility/wiper, unknown or other, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2021 Subaru Forester?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2021 Subaru Forester
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Subaru Forester complaints?
16 Crash
5 Fire
5 Injury
0 Fatality
8 Towed
4 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Subaru Forester complaint categories?
VISIBILITY/WIPER 67
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16
VISIBILITY 13
ENGINE 11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6
POWER TRAIN 5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE 4
SUSPENSION 4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3
207 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | March 2021: Windshield - cracked from a small stone on roadway (Rt 1). Crack is from top edge of windshield down and past the middle. Needed to be replaced. Paint chip needed to be repaired. Had to pay deductible of $500. Replaced with new OEM windshield. July 2021 weekend on highway(Turnpike). Stone caused a star shaped crack. Two days later the small damage radiated into 3 cracks covering more than half the windshield. Paying another $500 for replacement. Damage of two new OEM windshields in less than 5 months on a brand new car causes fear of driving freely in case the next pebble might come through. Police can ticket for driving with a cracked windshield. Loss of time and effort to replace. Causes anxiety driving even after the windshield is replaced since it is so prone to damage and costs $500 each time. Weakness in Subaru windshields known since 2015. I would expect such problems would have been resolved six years later. Have not experienced such a problem in 30 years of driving various model cars. Benefits of buying a new car is mostly lost both in expenses and peace of mind. Verified by insurance representatives. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | I parked in the parking lot yesterday afternoon. But when I try to start my car this morning, the battery dead！I just bought this new Subaru three months with 5000 miles. Very disappointed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Bought the Vehicle new. 2000 miles later I walk into my garage and notice a 6 inch crack at the top of my windshield. Completely out of nowhere. Neither my wife or I ever heard any impact that would have caused it. Immediately took it to dealership and had service rep inspect it. He seemed understanding and said he would try and get the go-ahead to replace from Subaru of America. Nothing for months. I finally followed up and now nothing again. I am at 7000 miles now and am driving with a 3 ft long C shaped crack because I am not paying for this absurdity. $30,000 and now I am to spend over $1000 more within 2 months of driving. The dealership has the original pictures from when it had just occurred. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Cracked windshield while car was parked and nothing hit it. There is a separation in the glass that is not normally seen when caused by debris | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact noticed that the front windshield was cracking from the bottom of the passenger’s side going upward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the issue was due to an object striking the windshield. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,200. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,200 |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield was hit by a small stone on highway and show a minor chip mark a while ago. Nothing else happened and the chip mark remain as it happened on my other vehicles. I parked in my indoor garage as usual on the July 4 weekend. When I pull out the vehicle to work on Tuesday. I was terrible surprised by finding long cracks appeared on my windshield. One of them is more than a foot long. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | SUSPENSION | Top bolt on strut fell out. Caused wheel to collapse and bent drive axle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | This is the second cracked windshield on our new Subaru Forester in the past four months. We purchased the car new just over six months ago (12/29/2020). The first time, the windshield cracked, something hit the windshield while driving. The crack was extensive and we paid to replace the windshield on 3/22/2021. The second time something hit the windshield while driving (on 6/8/2021), it just chipped the windshield, and since the chip was a small star, less than the size of a quarter, we had the chip repaired to prevent further damage (on 6/10/2021). Today (7/4/2021), the windshield cracked while the car was parked in the driveway. The crack extends from the original chip. Since an intact windshield is critical to the safety of the vehicle, we will replace the windshield again. See attached photos and receipts. It is disappointing to have to replace the windshield twice within the first seven months we have owned the car. This seemed so unusual, I searched online to see if other Subaru owners have had similar problems. There is evidence that this has happened to others as well, so this may be a bigger issue. See https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2021-3-days-new-and-my-windshield-is-crack-already-moan.821592/ and https://www.torquenews.com/1084/can-your-subaru-windshield-shatter-its-own-new-forester-and-outback-owners-say-yes | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was on highway and I was not tailgating other cars. While on highway, a tiny rock (so tiny didn't even see it make impact) hit the windshield of my 2021 Subaru Forester. It left less than .5 inch of crack on windshield. The next day, the crack grew to the edge to over of half the windshield. The windshield is surprisingly extremely weak and susceptible to cracking and breaking. If such a tiny rock cause cause that much damage to the windshield, I fear for my safety and passengers' safety if larger hail or other debris will hit the windshield. Worse, if an accident would occur face-on, we will not be protected by the windshield. This is unacceptable that the windshield is weak and poorly manufactured. I brought car to the dealership and they inspected and took photos. I have also contacted Subaru corporate and I am waiting for their follow-up contact. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Unknown crack in front windshield | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | For no observed reason, the windshield cracked while the car was parked in the shade between the hours of 11:56 - 12:43 PM. The crack appeared to originate from the lower right corner and spread diagonally towards the center of the windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield cracked for no reason. It’s hotter than average today, about 102 F at the time of the incident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Cracked Front Windshield location is bottom passanger side by wiper up left to towards the rear view mirror. Car is a new 2021 Subaru Forester. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield cracked at 1,700 miles, while parked. The car had no visible chips/cracks and is brand new. After researching, it is apparently a common defect with the Subaru windshield. Crack is comparable to photos of other Subaru Forester owners. Seems that Subaru should already be aware of this problem and issue a recall on the windshield | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Windshield on the car has a 18" crack after no impact. It was brand new when we got it just over 2 months ago. Only 1500 miles on the car and already the windshield cracked so badly that it's beyond repair and needs to be replaced. This is a known issue with Subarus that they have not addressed | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | UNKNOWN the windshield began to crack from the top during drive and has continued to crack down the middle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER | This is for a car only 18 days driven. Windshield cracked from bottom, under retaining gasket, with no strike, impact, or previous ding. Car hood flexes up and down, more than 2-inches, when large trucks pass in opposite direction. Automatic fuel stop at pump did not work properly, causing fuel spill one time, and underfill another time. Windshield visibility and possibility of total failure. Car hood could fly up and obscure visibility and break windshield. Have not contacted dealer or insurance company yet about issues. Windshield problem is a known defect for Subaru, and subject of many lawsuits. No warnings before problems. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield on my Forester continues to chip and crack. I'm not understanding how and why. The first time it happened I repaired it. Now this is the 2nd time and there are multiple scratches and cracks in the center of the windshield. They are currently small. I am going to have to repair it AGAIN. I just bought my car in December 2020. It has been 5 months with two windshield incidents. I've owned cars for years and never had this issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | VISIBILITY | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED BEANS SUBARU (854 N EASTON RD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902, (215) 340-7959) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE WINDSHIELD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE COPAY FOR THE INSURANCE WOULD BE REIMBURSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,000 |
| May 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AT 9AM WHEN I WALKED IN TO MY OFFICE BUILDING, WHEN I CAME OUT AT 5:15 PM THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK STRETCHING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE TOWARDS THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ALL DAY, IN A VERY SLOW OFFICE BUILDING COMPLEX (THERE WERE 3 OF US AT WORK) PARKED ALONG THE FRONT WALKWAY, THERE IS NO FOOT TRAFFIC AROUND OUR BUILDING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,805 |
| May 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | MY WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF BUYING MY CAR. I HAD IT REPLACED WHEN IT CRACKED THE FIRST TIME LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT JUST CRACKED FOR A SECOND TIME LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED AT AN AUTHORIZED PLACE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,313 |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,900. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,900 |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | A CRACK APPEARED FOR NO REASON ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DEALING WITH AN ISSUE WHERE THE CAR ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT RANDOM SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE SENSITIVITY TURNED DOWN. LAST NIGHT WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT IT WENT OFF FOR NO REASON AGAIN. THIS MORNING WHEN DRIVING MY CAR I NOTICED A ~12INCH CRACK ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IT CURVES FROM THE EDGE AT THE MIDDLE OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE. PHOTO ATTACHED. THIS CRACK MUST HAVE HAPPENED WHILE SITTING STATIONARY PARKED OUTSIDE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,650 |
| Apr 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I PURCHASED MY 2021 SUBARU FORESTER IN LATE NOVEMBER 2020. ON THE MORNING OF 2/24/2021 I DISCOVERED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK. I WAS NOT DRIVING. IT STARTED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WENT UP FROM THERE. IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN FROM AN IMPACT SINCE THE CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD, BELOW THE LINE OF THE HOOD AND BELOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. OVER THE NEXT WEEK THE CRACK GOT LONGER. MY SUBARU DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,500 |
| Apr 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | ON MARCH 2, 2021 I NEEDED TO GET TO AN APPOINTMENT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START, NOR WOULD MY FOB WORK TO EVEN OPEN THE DOORS. AFTER CALLING FOR ASSISTANCE THEY JUMPED THE BATTERY. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO SUBARU WHERE THEY DID A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NOV. 25, 2020, ONLY THREE MONTHS BEFORE! THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME KIND OF BATTERY. I WAS DISMAYED TO FIND THAT I HAD BEEN SOLD A NEW CAR WITH A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 400 |