2026 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
1,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2026 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 19 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 10.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Fueling/Charging Door/Hatch/Port | 1 |
Electrical System: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Fueling/Charging Door/Hatch/Port: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 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 (1). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 |
2026: 19
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 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 11736419 · 2026-05-07 (May 7, 2026)
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIA CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Compliance Division (NVS-210) 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 RE: SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT – 2026 Subaru Forester VIN: [XXX] Honorable, Eileen Sullivan Associate Administrator, Enforcement I am filing this formal safety defect complaint regarding my 2026 Subaru Forester. A pedestrian incident occurred on February 2, 2026, in which …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11736419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750448 · 2026-07-14 (July 14, 2026)
I was merging into a road in Windsor, Ontario on July 3/4. I was nowhere near another vehicle. There was a LARGE gap between myself in any other cars. I am always extra cautious being out of country and driving. The automatic brakes kicked on and told me I had an obstruction ahead and would not let me control the vehicle. I was stopped turning into the middle of a five-lane road without control of my vehicle. This was incredibly dangerous. Luckily, it was only a few seconds and I had time to move before other cars got to me but it was a much cl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11750448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11756014 · 2026-08-10 (August 10, 2026)
When filling my tank for the first time, I pumped the gas slightly after the "pop" from the handle. When I did this, fuel poured out of my gas tank onto me, my car, and the gas station. My VIN is not listed but my vehicle model is. Please advise.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11756014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11757716 · 2026-08-18 (August 18, 2026)
The contact owns a 2026 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was parked after fueling, the fuel door failed to latch as needed, especially when it was extremely hot outside. The contact poured cool or cold water on the fuel door to latch it securely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the locking mechanism for the fuel tank door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11757716 at NHTSA ↗