2026 Subaru Forester Safety Report
2026 Subaru Forester Safety Recall: Structural Issues
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2026 Subaru Forester
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2026 Subaru Forester. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (0) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Subaru Forester with 26 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Subaru Forester before buying across this generation. |
Subaru Forester Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Subaru Forester years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Subaru Forester | 59 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Subaru Forester | 26 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Subaru Forester | 64 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Subaru Forester | 91 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Subaru Forester | 197 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Subaru Forester | 588 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
AI Safety Analysis for the 2026 Subaru Forester
Reliability Score
The 2026 Subaru Forester receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2026 Subaru Forester
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2026 Subaru Forester
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2026 Subaru Forester:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinge And Attachment Failure Potential detachment of the hatchback/liftgate hinge and attachments, leading to safety risks. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2026 Subaru Forester:
23% of reported issues involve the hatchback/liftgate.
Recall Details for the 2026 Subaru Forester
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2026 Subaru Forester by NHTSA:
Summary: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Forester vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect and/or incorrectly oriented rear hatch support bracket which can detach without prior warning.
Consequence: A rear hatch support bracket that detaches can allow the rear hatch to fall unexpectedly during use and increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear hatch support brackets and, if necessary, replace the stay and support bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2026. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-25. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 202...
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the 2026 Subaru Forester
TSBs are manufacturer-acknowledged issues with recommended fixes. Unlike recalls, TSB repairs are not always free.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2026 model year Forester Vehicles to replace the rear gate stay and bracket.
The following information announces reprogramming file availability and provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2026 model year Forester Vehicles to replace the rear gate stay and bracket.
The purpose of this announcement is to communicate updates regarding the WRG-25 Rear Gate Stay Bracket Safety Recall.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program for certain 2026 model year Forester vehicles that may be equipped with a rear door latch with a damaged micro switch.
This Subaru service and technical support line newsletter provides information on the next phase of TechShare.
This Bulletin provides information on the availability of a new auxiliary USB terminal designed to resolve intermittent connectivity issues when connected via the USB port.
This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
This announcement has been created to address difficulties with software updates on Subaru Select Monitors with DST-010 interface firmware has been updated.
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service program for certain 2026 model year Forester vehicles that may be equipped with a rear door latch with a damaged micro switch.
This announcement is to provide information on the repair procedure for vehicles in retailer inventory affected.
This announcement is to inform that Subaru of American Inc. (Subaru) has initiated a safety recall for certain 2026 model year Forester vehicles to replace the rear gate stay and bracket.
This bulletin announces a new diagnostic procedure for the wireless charger.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
Subaru service article locator.
Subaru service article locator.
This bulletin announces reprogramming file that provides a software update installation procedure to optimize the new Gen 4.5 Denso CP1.5 Audio and Navigation head units utilized in the models listed.
This Bulletin announces changes to the replacement procedure due to a design difference between Japan-produced bumpers and SIA-produced bumpers.
This bulletin announces the service procedure for battery replacement on 2025MY Forester in the event of battery replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Subaru Forester
Has the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER been recalled?
Yes, the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER have?
The 2026 SUBARU FORESTER has 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
The 2026 SUBARU FORESTER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
There are no component-specific complaint patterns on file for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER.
How many crash reports does the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER have?
There are no fire reports for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER.
How many injuries are reported for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER.
Should I buy a 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER is generally recommended. It has 0 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What should I know before buying a 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
Contact Subaru for a free inspection and repair to address structural integrity concerns. The 2026 SUBARU FORESTER has 0 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
The 2026 SUBARU FORESTER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 0 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Hinge and Attachment Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER?
Known issues with the 2026 SUBARU FORESTER include: Hinge and Attachment Failure. These are based on patterns found across 0 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Is my 2026 Subaru Forester included in this recall?
Yes, if your vehicle has the affected hatchback/liftgate.
What should I do if my vehicle is affected?
Contact Subaru for a free inspection and repair.
How can I check if my vehicle is affected?
Check with Subaru or refer to the recall notice for specific vehicle identifiers.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Contact Subaru for a free inspection and repair to address structural integrity concerns.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2026 Subaru Forester
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2026 Subaru Forester. The data includes 0 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2026 Subaru Forester an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16