2022 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
97 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 97 complaints (20.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 21.6% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 20 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 7 |
Visibility/Wiper: 20; Unknown Or Other: 17; Engine: 10; Service Brakes: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 9; Electrical System: 8; Exterior Lighting: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 83 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 37 |
| 2023 | 24 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 14 |
2022: 37; 2023: 24; 2024: 9; 2025: 13; 2026: 14
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11475307 · 2022-07-22 (July 22, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed; however, no fault codes were retrieved. The vehicle returned to operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250.
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11475307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497153 · 2022-12-12 (December 12, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning, causing the vehicle to drive over the curb. The contact desperately depressed the brake pedal several times and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,430.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 11497153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454147 · 2022-02-25 (February 25, 2022)
This is not a specific incident but a serious safety concern with a new vehicle purchased in January 2022. There are three contributing issues to the concern with the vehicle’s headlights: 1.There are two large shaded dark spots directly in your field of vision. These are approximately fifteen to twenty feet directly in front of the vehicle. 2.The cutoff lines are jagged and irregular with low points dropping down. These are always in motion with the steering responsive headlights. 3.The most glaring problem is two rectangular black areas b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455717 · 2022-03-08 (March 8, 2022)
Same complaint as NHTSA ID Number: 11454147. I have a serious safety concern with a new vehicle purchased in February 2022. I have there are three issues concerning the vehicle’s headlights: 1.There are two large shaded dark spots directly in your field of vision. These are approximately fifteen to twenty feet directly in front of the vehicle. 2.The cutoff lines are jagged and irregular with low points dropping down. These are always in motion with the steering responsive headlights. 3.There are two rectangular black areas below t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497251 · 2022-12-13 (December 13, 2022)
The battery was completely discharged overnight when the car was only 4 months old. We had a flatbed tow to a dealer who charged the battery and performed tests which all checked out ok. Said we weren't driving the car often enough. This same battery discharge happened 3 more times, approximately 30 days apart each time. August 20 was the first time, September 19, October 13 and November 16, all in 2022. Car was purchased new in April 2022. Took it into the dealership where we bought it; they did tests also saying everything was ok, not …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11500187 · 2023-01-04 (January 4, 2023)
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the vehicle had been parked for approximately 3-hours, the alarm sounded indicating that the locks were being tampered with. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking independently. The contact stated that several electrical features had malfunctioned. The contact stated that on occasion, the brake pedal was spongy when depressed, and the check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally failed t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477773 · 2022-08-05 (August 5, 2022)
My brand new 2022 Subaru Forester will accelerate and stall while I am driving. It is more noticeable between 0 - 40mph speed shifts, especially 20 to 40mph. It is frightening because this may cause an unintentional accident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477773 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11483112 · 2022-09-06 (September 6, 2022)
My new 2022 Forester Wildness is equipped with an automate "Start and Stop" function which (while driving) shuts the engine off if the sits still too long in traffic or a stop light. While the car has a button to disable this function. You must press the button every time you start the car to disable the auto SS. Today I had forgot to disable the function. The car stalled at a busy intersection nearly causing me to be rear ended. I think there is a safety concern here. Someone could get hurt trying to save a small amount of gas. Also, th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11483112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479790 · 2022-08-17 (August 17, 2022)
Purchased car on 8/15/2022 and encountering issues with: 1. oil in the air when engine is turned on 2. Onion smell when engine is turned on 3. AC if affected by oil and onion smell ; too hot when sitting in car with engine on ..sulfur? 4. Please check the gas tank for possible leak. 5. 3-yr old grandson is affected by onion, oil and possible exhaust fumes leaking into the interior of the car. Daycare made a notation of oil smell and onion smell on grandson. We need oxygen to our brain and body; without it we cannot live.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479790 at NHTSA ↗