Subaru Forester transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
181 of the 3,454 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Subaru Forester 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (51), 2017 (44), 2019 (39). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins, 2 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 transmission and drivetrain 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 transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 11 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 15 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 32 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | 39 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 14 | 7% | — | 37 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 32 | 5% | — | 43 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 39 | 5% | — | 51 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | 38 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 44 | 7% | 35k | 42 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 51 | 12% | 45k | 41 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 transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 23 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 26 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 13
Across the model years, half of the 96 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 9,000 and 51,000 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 transmission and drivetrain, 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.
While pulling into a parking lot spot at idle speed, I lightly depressed the accelerator when all of a sudden the vehicle surged forward colliding with the veh parked to my left. My veh jumped the curb with the front end coming to rest on the sidewalk.
Broken transmission due to broken transmission belt at 43,000 miles. I was stopped at a red light, when the light turned green I took my foot off the brake and put my foot on the accelerator. Immediately, there was a huge bang, and my car rocked back and forth. I thought I had been rear ended but there was nobody behind me.
Reference Subaru TSB # 16-103-16r, revision 08/29/19. I pulled screenshots, but I have a full video clip of the leak described in this bulletin and Subaru is denying coverage because their dealerships are not equipped with the proper tools or do not employ trained technicians in order to properly diagnose the issue
Have a 2017 Forester. At least a couple times a week, the key get stuck in the ignition. You can turn the car off, but you can't remove the key. If I start the car back up, and shift it into drive, and them slam it back into park, then I can turn the car off and remove the key
The Thermo Control Valve had went out. When the valve went out, the Subaru Eyesight became disabled. This also turned off the forward collision, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure, and rear cross traffic warning and braking. Subaru has a service bulletin, 09-80-21, stating the issue
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V754000 HighNov 9, 2023 · 4,701 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
- 23V755000 HighNov 9, 2023 · 95,830 vehicles
- Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- SubaruNet Announcement (C Other 2026Aug 21, 2026
- This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body. The updated valve body incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
- Aug 20, 2026
- This Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. 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 transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 51; 2017, 44; 2019, 39. 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 (12%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Subaru Forester?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V754000 (2024), 23V755000 (2022). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain 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 9,000 and 51,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.