SUV · Gas
Subaru Forester 2014–2018 (SJ)

- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $22,400–$34,000
- MPG
- 28
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong cargo & utility
- Strength: Strong passenger space
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
- Watch-out: Below-average tech
How it scores for you10 scores
A crash-safe, airy-cabined family hauler with standard AWD, but a high complaint rate and Takata airbag recalls dent its otherwise trustworthy reputation.
Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years; 1 of its 5 recalls was serious. About 7% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -2 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $2,400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 59% of cars we track.
31.5 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 74% of other SUVs we track.
Excellent outward visibility, tall roofline and generous headroom/legroom. Airy cabin and upright greenhouse make it feel roomier than many rivals; strong 68.5 cu ft max cargo.
170hp naturally aspirated flat-four with mostly CVT delivers adequate but uninspiring acceleration. Standard AWD adds grip, but soft suspension and light steering prioritize utility over engagement.
For its era offered available EyeSight driver assist and basic infotainment, but by modern standards the SJ Forester's tech is dated and below current segment norms.
Known for a smooth, compliant ride and supportive seats. Quiet enough for a compact SUV, though not luxury-grade. Solid, comfortable daily commuter reputation.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
Rated to tow 1,500 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls10 recalls
10 recalls · 8 common complaint areas across 2015–2018
- Airbags — 149 complaints (2017)
- Recall — Equipment: other: labels; tires (2018)
- Visibility/wiper — 126 complaints (2018)
2018
- RecallEquipment: other: labels; tires18V455000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2018 Subaru Forester vehicles. The Certification Label may indicate the incorrect wheel size, tire size, and air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110,
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification19V701000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- RecallFuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump21V587000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper126 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Unknown
- Complaint clusterAirbags87 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS), including the occupant detection sensor system in the passenger seat, has malfunctioned. The SRS/airbag warning light is illuminated. The vehicle produced diagnostic trouble codes B1650 and B1760. The affected passenger seat and components remain instal
- Complaint clusterElectrical68 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Airbag light came on - dealership confirmed it is an occupant detection system failure - wiring harness has gone bad. No history of moisture exposure, which would leave faulty part as the problem. Similar to Subaru recall from 2020 on heated passenger seats - this vehicle was not included in that re
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other61 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Subaru AC component cascading failures, starting 25,000 miles, light driving. July 2023 AC blowing hot. Recharged with dye. Subaru Dealer said no leak found. July 2024 AC expansion valve leaking and was replaced $500. (This failure would have directly effected the evaporator.) July 2025 AC system ne
- Complaint clusterSteering24 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
- Steering and suspension were affected. The car is available for inspection upon request. - My safety and the safety of others were affected by the fact that the car was shaking rather intensely while driving at highway speeds. I was worried a steering failure could occur. - My licensed mechanic di
2017
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification19V701000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- Complaint clusterAirbags149 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The airbag sensor in the passenger front seat has malfunctioned and it is indicating that the passenger airbag will not deploy. This is after the recall that was completed on the ODS from service campaign 19V701000.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper94 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
I was leaving home and driving in the neighborhood when I noticed that it was a crack on my windshield and there was no damaged or debris at the time. I didn’t hear anything nor there any trees or cars that will kick up rocks or bad weather It was strange to have happened and I thought it had to be
- Complaint clusterElectrical93 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The airbag warning light for the front passenger seat has been intermittently lighting. Both when the passenger seat is occupied and vacant. The light sometimes indicates the passenger airbag is off when there is a passenger in the seat. I took the car to the Subaru dealer where I purchased the veh
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other81 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2017 Subaru Forester with approximately 55,324 miles. The vehicle has experienced repeated rear wheel bearing failures at relatively low mileage. On October 1, 2024, at 48,877 miles, the passenger-side rear wheel hub assembly, including the wheel bearing, was replaced by a Subaru dealership.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain42 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The shift guide plate in my 2017 Subaru Forester failed, causing the ignition key to become stuck and not release when the engine is off. The component is available for inspection upon request. The failure was confirmed by a Subaru dealer, who diagnosed the defective shift guide plate and provided a
2016
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger16V162000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
- RecallExterior lighting: brake lights: switch19V149000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification19V701000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- Complaint clusterAirbags89 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Vehicle reported an SRS Passenger problem intermittently, as displayed on the dashboard, the car's information system, and a diagnostic trouble code (the car's aftermarket radio is connected to the OBD-II connector and can pull codes). The problem would appear, and then disappear upon subsequent st
- Complaint clusterElectrical81 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem: Recall for passenger side airbag malfunction in heated seats for my model year. Manufacturer has said they addressed the recall but they have not. My car and thousands of others are unsafe for passengers to ride in because the airbag system does not work. Warning light is the airbag symbol
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other44 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2016 Subaru Forester – Replacement of Air-conditioning Condenser – July 2026 A/C was demonstrating signs of failure in early July. While researching for issues with the 2016 A/C failing, it was uncovered that the compressor on the vehicle would be subject to a replacement upon failure (Subaru Servi
- Complaint clusterPowertrain43 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
I bought the car between 82-90K miles. Not long after I noticed when I was at an intersection and went from a stopped position to accelerating it would barely go. Spent over a lot to fix it and the guy who did says he has 2-3 Forresters a month in his shop for the same issue.
- Complaint clusterEngine32 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Subaru Forrester was misfiring and sputtering as if it was going to stop running. The car was shaking. Had car towed to Subaru dealer for Service. At first we thought Spark Plugs and Ignition Coils but this did not fix the issue. Service determined a spring valve was broken which caused the issues
2015
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger16V162000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.
- RecallExterior lighting: brake lights: switch19V149000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification19V701000
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.
- Complaint clusterAirbags92 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated, and the air bag module warning light was illuminated. The air bag occupant classification system was not operating as intended. The vehicle
- Complaint clusterPowertrain90 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
I was pulling into a parking spot almost stopped when the vehicle suddenly surged forward. I slammed on the brake and put the car in reverse since it had driven upon the walkway. This happened earlier today and I plan to have it checked out as soon as possible . Never have had this problem before, n
- Complaint clusterElectrical74 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Passenger airbag sensor intermittently works and turns off when passenger is in the seat. Dashboard light for airbag is constantly on and passenger airbag is constantly off. Issues with seat sensor going off when no one is sitting in the passenger seat. Abs system error message. All identical to rec
- Complaint clusterEngine68 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
This has now happened twice to my daughter, both times on the highway. One time the car shut down completely and the 2nd time the car just started slowing while pressing the gas and coasted to a stop. Luckily she was able to avoid other cars and get to the shoulder. The car restarted both times...1s
- Complaint clusterSuspension64 complaintscomplaints:SUSPENSION
Every right hand turn, I hear a light metallic ‘tap’ on the rear, inside fender well…. I’ve been told by an independent auto mechanic, that it’s the ‘rear coil springs’ that are making the noise. There is No Recall for this issue or Rear Struts. I was told by a Subaru Service Manager….. No recall f
Cost to own$18,300 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$22,400–$34,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,400/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
26
Highway MPG
32
Combined MPG
28
Horsepower
170 hp
Doors
4
Length
181.1 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
68.5 in
Wheelbase
103.9 in
Curb weight
3,635 lb
Cargo volume
31.5 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
68.5 cu ft
Towing capacity
1,500 lbs
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