Fifth generation (SK)
2021 Subaru Forester
The most reported problem on the 2021 Subaru Forester is windshield, with 86 complaints, usually around 5,000 miles.
- 207owner complaints
- 0recalls
- 16involved a crash
- 10,000median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Forester doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2021 Subaru Forester has 207 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Forester model years since 2014, it has the 8th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 86, the 2021 34 and the 2022 20.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: windshield, named in 86 of the 207 complaints (42%). Windshield tends to show up early. Of the 32 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 5,000 miles and a quarter under about 2,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 19 of the 207 complaints (9%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 16 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 8 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- There's no recall on file for this model year, so the problems above are owner complaints with no campaign behind them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 58 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 37. So far in 2026, 13 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 86 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
207 complaints is about the median for a 2021 model on this site and about the median for a 2021 SUV. Among the 12 Forester model years here it ranks 8th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Subaru Forester
Subaru filed 362 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Subaru Forester. 8 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Windshield cracks or distorts 1 bulletin · 86 complaints
This announcement is in regard to settlement in a class action lawsuit for vehicles that will receive a limited warranty extension for original equipment Subaru windshields experiencing a qualifying crack.
Battery dies or the car will not start 1 bulletin · 20 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 4 bulletins · 10 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for Harman Infotainment Systems when DTC B2255 is detected. This update should prevent unnecessary replacement of the head unit or USB cable.
2 more on this problem
This Service Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the Harman Infotainment System when DTC B2255 is detected.
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
This bulletin announces availability of a Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDC) reprogramming file to address DTC B2809 & B2C22.
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
Complaints filed by year
58 complaints came in 2021. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Subaru Forester
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
No recalls on file for this model year.
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Subaru Forester?
Windshield, with 86 of the 207 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 5,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Subaru Forester problems start?
Of the 64 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 10,000.
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 34 a year against 86 and 20.
How many 2021 Subaru Forester complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
19 of them (9%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2021 Subaru Forester?
No recall on file for the 2021 Subaru Forester is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.