Diagsheet

Compact SUVs · 12 model years, 2014 to 2026

Subaru Forester vs Subaru Outback: problems and reliability

On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Forester and the Outback split evenly (3 each, the rest too close to call).

Subaru Forester

Subaru Forester

4,392 complaints · 16 recalls

Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback

5,930 complaints · 34 recalls

Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Sep 27, 2026

Counts are not adjusted for sales. The more cars of a model there are on the road, the more complaints it draws, so the raw totals above say a lot about sales. Everything below compares shares of each model's own complaints, the mileage problems start at, recalls per model year and each model's years against its own median.

Scorecard

Measure, 2014 to 2026ForesterOutback
Complaints that report a crash6.8%3.2%
Complaints that report a fire1.2%0.6%
Complaints that report an injury3.1%1.4%
Median miles when problems are reported25,00019,000
Recall campaigns per model year1.32.8
Do-not-drive recalls01
NHTSA investigations11

The shaded side is lower (for miles, higher). Values within about a tenth of each other count as too close to call.

What owners complain about

The system Forester owners complain about most is windshield and wipers; for the Outback it is electrical. Complaints citing airbags make up 13% of all Forester complaints, against 2.4% on the Outback. The Outback leans the other way on electrical: 32% of its complaints, against 16% for the Forester.

Subaru ForesterSubaru Outback

Windshield and wipers24%28%
Electrical16%32%
Engine13%5.8%
Airbags13%2.4%
Transmission and drivetrain7.8%4.4%
Speed control6.4%3.1%
Visibility3.6%4.5%
Collision avoidance4.0%4.0%
Fuel and propulsion4.3%2.6%
Brakes4.0%2.8%

Share of each model's complaints that cite each system, from NHTSA's own component codes. One complaint can cite several systems, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

The most reported problems

The most reported problem on the Forester is windshield problems (26% of its complaints), and the Outback shares it (32%).

ProblemForesterOutback
Windshield cracks or distorts26% 1,153most in 2019 · 10k mi32% 1,886most in 2019 · 15k mi
Battery dies or the car will not start6.6% 289most in 2019 · 25k mi24% 1,396most in 2017 · 23k mi
Airbag warning light or recall12% 548most in 2017 · 40k mi2.4% 143most in 2014 · 20k mi
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails3.5% 155most in 2019 · 20k mi9.6% 567most in 2018 · 13k mi
Engine stalls or loses power while driving7.3% 322most in 2015 · 42k mi4.5% 268most in 2018 · 27k mi
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early4.3% 187most in 2015 · 32k mi2.9% 173most in 2015 · 25k mi
Suspension noise, struts or alignment4.6% 203most in 2014 · 52k mi0.4% 2631k mi
Seat belt or seat problems3.7% 162most in 2017 · 30k mi0.8% 4624k mi

Share of each model's own complaints, with the count beside it. "Most in" links to the symptom sheet for the model year with the most reports of it, and the mileage is the median from reports that gave one.

When problems start

Outback owners report problems earlier. Half the Outback complaints that give a mileage come before 19,000 miles; for the Forester the halfway point is 25,000. 73% of Forester reports and 83% of Outback reports come before 50,000 miles. Older model years have had longer to reach high mileage, so a window that runs to recent years pulls both medians down.

Subaru ForesterSubaru Outback

Under 25k49%58%
25k to 50k24%25%
50k to 75k15%11%
75k to 100k6.4%3.7%
100k to 150k4.6%2.0%
Over 150k1.1%0.8%

Share of the complaints that state a mileage: 2,430 for the Forester and 3,042 for the Outback.

Worst and best years

The 2019 Forester draws 2.8 times the complaints of a typical Forester year for its age. The 2019 Outback draws 2.2 times the complaints of a typical Outback year for its age.

Subaru Forester

Every Forester model year

Subaru Outback

Every Outback model year

Subaru ForesterSubaru Outback

Each model year against its own model's median. Forester: 2014 0.7, 2015 1.3, 2016 1.0, 2017 1.6, 2018 1.5, 2019 2.8, 2020 2.3, 2021 0.9, 2022 0.5, 2023 0.5, 2024 0.3. Outback: 2014 0.2, 2015 0.7, 2016 1.0, 2017 1.6, 2018 1.5, 2019 2.2, 2020 2.2, 2021 0.8, 2022 1.6, 2023 0.4, 2024 0.6.2014 Forester: 0.7 times its median2014 Outback: 0.2 times its median'142015 Forester: 1.3 times its median2015 Outback: 0.7 times its median'152016 Forester: 1.0 times its median2016 Outback: 1.0 times its median'162017 Forester: 1.6 times its median2017 Outback: 1.6 times its median'172018 Forester: 1.5 times its median2018 Outback: 1.5 times its median'182019 Forester: 2.8 times its median2019 Outback: 2.2 times its median'192020 Forester: 2.3 times its median2020 Outback: 2.2 times its median'202021 Forester: 0.9 times its median2021 Outback: 0.8 times its median'212022 Forester: 0.5 times its median2022 Outback: 1.6 times its median'222023 Forester: 0.5 times its median2023 Outback: 0.4 times its median'232024 Forester: 0.3 times its median2024 Outback: 0.6 times its median'241x

Each bar is that model year's complaints for each year on the road, divided by the same figure for a typical year of the same model (the dashed line). Measuring each model against itself takes the sales gap between the two out of the picture, so they can share a scale. Years too new to judge are left out.

Recalls and investigations

The Outback draws more recalls: 2.8 campaigns per model year against 1.3 for the Forester. A recall counts once however many cars it covers, so this figure does not grow with sales the way complaint totals do.

Subaru Forester

16 recall campaigns and 1 NHTSA investigation across these model years. Most recalled: equipment (2), engine and engine cooling (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2).

  • 19V-701 (airbags) covers 4 model years
  • 19V-149 (exterior lighting) covers 3 model years

Investigations

  • PE19009: Occupant detection system (ods) failure (closed, led to a recall)

Subaru Outback

34 recall campaigns and 1 NHTSA investigation across these model years. Most recalled: airbags (8), transmission and drivetrain (8) and visibility (3).

  • Do not drive 16V-292 (steering), model years 2015, 2016 and 2017
  • 16V-292 (steering) covers 3 model years
  • 21V-587 (fuel system) covers 3 model years

Investigations

  • EA21002: Desiccated air bag inflator rupture (open)

Whether a particular car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Crashes, fires and injuries

A larger share of Forester complaints report a crash: 6.8%, against 3.2% for the Outback. Fire reports: 52 for the Forester and 34 for the Outback. Complaints on file report 2 deaths in the Forester and 0 in the Outback for these model years.

Subaru ForesterSubaru Outback

Report a crash6.8%3.2%
Report a fire1.2%0.6%
Report someone hurt3.1%1.4%

Share of each model's complaints in which the owner reported it. These are owners' own accounts as filed with NHTSA, and one report on its own doesn't prove a defect.

Questions

Is the Subaru Forester or the Subaru Outback more reliable?

On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Forester and the Outback split evenly (3 each, the rest too close to call). NHTSA complaint totals cannot settle it alone: the Forester has 4,392 complaints and the Outback 5,930 for the 12 model years from 2014 to 2026 that both have on file, and those totals follow how many of each were sold.

Which has more recalls, the Forester or the Outback?

The Forester has 16 recall campaigns and the Outback 34 across the 12 model years from 2014 to 2026 that both have on file. The Outback draws more recalls: 2.8 campaigns per model year against 1.3 for the Forester.

What are the most common problems on the Forester and the Outback?

The most reported problem on the Forester is windshield problems (26% of its complaints), and the Outback shares it (32%).

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