Complaints
271
Crashes
28
Fires
7
Injuries
18
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2021 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#176 complaints
Wipers & Visibility
Avg mileage:2,603 mi
#230 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:25,700 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:2
#328 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:14,551 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers & Visibility | 76 | — | — | 2,603 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 30 | 4 | 2 | 25,700 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 28 | 1 | 1 | 14,551 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 | — | 1 | 24,000 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 13 | — | — | 12,078 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | 4 | — | 20,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | 5 | — | 13,218 mi | |
| Brakes | 7 | 3 | — | 10,000 mi | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Wipers & Visibility
76
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,603
Engine Problems
30
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Avg Miles
25,700
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
14,551
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
24,000
Visibility:Windshield
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
12,078
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,000
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,218
Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
10,000
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Lane Departure: Warning
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Forester Years
2021 Subaru Forester — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2021 Subaru Forester has 271 NHTSA complaints, 28 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Wipers & Visibility with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Subaru Forester?
Top reported problems: Wipers & Visibility (76 complaints, avg 2,603 mi); Engine Problems (30 complaints, avg 25,700 mi); Electrical Faults (28 complaints, avg 14,551 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Subaru Forester?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 12,067 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Subaru Forester include 28 crash-related reports, 7 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2021 Subaru Forester as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2021 Subaru Forester?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2021 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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