Subaru Forester electrical problems, 2016–2026
570 of the 3,454 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester 2016–2026 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2019 (135), 2017 (106), 2020 (102). Filed under the same heading across these years: 9 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Subaru Forester electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 18% | — | 47 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 8 | 8% | — | 120 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 113 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 7 | 10% | — | 167 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 10 | 10% | — | 207 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 33 | 16% | — | 212 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 102 | 17% | 2k | 288 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 135 | 16% | 10k | 329 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 71 | 14% | 12k | 188 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 106 | 18% | 38k | 203 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 94 | 23% | 40k | 193 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 45 · 2020: 47 · 2021: 107 · 2022: 125 · 2023: 79 · 2024: 45 · 2025: 56 · 2026: 46
Across the model years, half of the 166 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 6,000 and 42,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Frequently the rear tail gate will not open. Sometimes I can continue to depress the button and it will release and then I can manually lift it. Then I press the close button and it will close
The homelink garage door opener does not function when the ignition is off. This could be a dangerous situation for a woman, driving into her garage, shutting off the engine, then getting out of the car to walk to the front of the garage where the wall button is located.
There is intermittent surging upon initial acceleration and while driving at higher speeds. The back interior light will intermittently turn on while all doors are closed. The passenger side seatbelt sign comes on intermittently while there's nothing in the seat.
Driving in the freeway around 20-30mph, some traffic. On the way to dropping daughters off to school. On the freeway switched lanes then car lost power and decelerated on its own quickly from 20mph to about 1mph, pressing the didn't do anything. Almost got hit by the rear driver behind me. Managed to move to right lane.
Battery was drained for no reason and car would not start. When tried to start dash lights etc., went crazy. Gauge for tachometer and speed whipped from side to side, lights flashed on and off. The starter gave the clicking noise you hear when battery is dead. Called aaa to jump and they could not get it to start.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications9 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces an inspection procedure for the Smart Rear View Mirror Assembly.
- Aug 31, 2026
- This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2022Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a design change to the cord assembly that connects the Center Infotainment Display (CID) to the CCU, addressing reports of CID screen flickering.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 13, 2026
- This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
- Article Locator Other 2024Aug 5, 2026
- Techtips newsletter locator index.
- Aug 1, 2026
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. This is an revised version of the original bulletin
The 8 newest are listed; each model year’s page lists every one filed on that year. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Subaru Forester
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Subaru Forester problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Subaru Forester years have the most electrical complaints?
2019, 135; 2017, 106; 2020, 102. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (23%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Subaru Forester?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do electrical problems show up on the Subaru Forester?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 22,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 42,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.