Subaru Forester engine problems, 2016–2026
383 of the 3,454 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2019 (111), 2020 (84), 2016 (60). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 3 recall campaigns. 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 engine 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 engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 10 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 40 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% | — | 56 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 10 | 10% | — | 60 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 32 | 15% | — | 75 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 84 | 14% | — | 83 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 111 | 13% | 30k | 94 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 | 32 | 6% | 21k | 72 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 48 | 8% | 20k | 90 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 60 | 14% | 42k | 84 TSBs · 1 recall | 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 engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 6 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 17 · 2019: 20 · 2020: 27 · 2021: 36 · 2022: 50 · 2023: 80 · 2024: 70 · 2025: 45 · 2026: 25
Across the model years, half of the 114 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 12,000 and 50,000 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 engine, 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.
Unintended acceleration when slowly pulling into aparking spot. Car ran over and dislodged a parking curb. The car ended up resting against a fence. A tow truck had to pull the car backwards to get the car over the curb. The dealer had the car inspected by a third party who found nothing wrong with the car.
Whistling or whining noise coming from A/C system after having A/C or heat running. This condition is from the expansion valve according to Subaru of america. Dealer states a new expansion valve for the A/C system is coming but not yet available
I was on the highway doing 70 mph with the adaptive cruise control set. Then suddenly the check engine light turned on, the eye site and cruise shut down and the car slowed down quickly to 60 mph almost getting rear ended. This Subaru Forester has 65,592 miles.
Car stalls occasionally while stopped in traffic, at a signal, stop sign, and in heavy street or highway traffic. I have read about this, and it is problematic for this make and model, posing a significant safety hazard
I have an issue where the engine will flutter in idle and will almost skip as if it's not getting any gas. The flutter causes the car to shake, it has even caused the car to stall. When it stalled I had started the car, put it in drive, tapped the gas and the engine cut out and shut off.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V723000 HighOct 26, 2023 · 49 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
- 19V856000 HighDec 2, 2019 · 51,613 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Crosstrek, Forester, and Ascent vehicles. The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
- 16V162000 HighMar 21, 2016 · 18,187 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 30, 2026
- This bulletin provides updated parts information and a service procedure to follow for removing accumulated carbon deposits from fuel injectors and internal engine components (e.g. intake valves and / or manifold, and combustion chambers). (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
Every one filed under the heading is listed. 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 engine complaints?
2019, 111; 2020, 84; 2016, 60. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (15%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Subaru Forester?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V723000 (2024), 19V856000 (2019), 16V162000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Subaru Forester?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 30,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 12,000 and 50,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.