Subaru Forester Ratings, Reviews and Analysis

Ratings & Reviews

3 star

jtippie66 writes:

Would be a great little suv if it did not have issues with head gaskets

Really liked the size, small but yet large enough to do most of what we needed to do.  Styling was simple and looks good.  It has issues with rust on the Left rear quarter panel under the gas filling door. 

5 star

pollyand53 writes:

You can't go wrong! 

I love everything about my 2007 Forester.  It has moved my daughter in and out of dorms (1 trip, 2 passengers, no other cars), and apartments in NYC, carried firewood more times than I can count, and filled up to the top with stuff to sell at flea markets.  And it has also taken many of trips to Ohio and Virginia, and tons of day-to-day travel.  It's nice to have heated seats and mirrors, and the sunroof, but those are just some of the perks.  A great car. 

We have loved the reliability of this car, and we have LOVED the acceleration of this little grocery getter!  We just wish that they offered a bluetooth or aux connection way back in 2006 when we bought it... Buy one for yourself or your college student. 

5 star

SubaruDriver112 writes:

It's Ready to Go! 

Like: High clearance, good gas mileage, reputation of the company. ( Add these to the positives above.)  Dislike: See Cons above. 

4 star

SubaruDriver140 writes:

Very well built and reliable

In today's world where its all about fuel economy this car falls short by barely getting above 25 mpg

Safety Ratings and Recalls

Safety

2014 Subaru Forester

Overall

Overall Front Crash

Front Crash Driver Side

Front Crash Passenger Side

Overall Side Crash

Side Crash Driver Side

Side Crash Passenger Side

Rollover

Side Pole Crash

2013 Subaru Forester

Overall

Overall Front Crash

Front Crash Driver Side

Front Crash Passenger Side

Overall Side Crash

Side Crash Driver Side

Side Crash Passenger Side

Rollover

Side Pole Crash

2012 Subaru Forester

Overall

Overall Front Crash

Front Crash Driver Side

Front Crash Passenger Side

Overall Side Crash

Side Crash Driver Side

Side Crash Passenger Side

Rollover

Side Pole Crash

2011 Subaru Forester

Overall

Overall Front Crash

Front Crash Driver Side

Front Crash Passenger Side

Overall Side Crash

Side Crash Driver Side

Side Crash Passenger Side

Rollover

Side Pole Crash

2010 Subaru Forester

Front Crash Driver Side

Front Crash Passenger Side

Side Crash Driver Side

Side Crash Passenger Side

Rollover

Recall Notices

2013 Subaru Forester (1/2/2020)

Campaign Number: 20V003000

Component Name: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.  The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 

Defect: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

Corrective Action: Subaru will notify their owners.  General Motors will notify Saab owners.  Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.  The recall began January 7, 2020.  Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.  Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.  Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20. 

2012 Subaru Forester (1/2/2020)

Campaign Number: 20V003000

Component Name: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.  The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 

Defect: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

Corrective Action: Subaru will notify their owners.  General Motors will notify Saab owners.  Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.  The recall began January 7, 2020.  Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.  Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.  Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20. 

2011 Subaru Forester (1/2/2020)

Campaign Number: 20V003000

Component Name: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.  The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 

Defect: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

Corrective Action: Subaru will notify their owners.  General Motors will notify Saab owners.  Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.  The recall began January 7, 2020.  Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.  Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.  Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20. 

2010 Subaru Forester (1/2/2020)

Campaign Number: 20V003000

Component Name: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.  The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 

Defect: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

Corrective Action: Subaru will notify their owners.  General Motors will notify Saab owners.  Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.  The recall began January 7, 2020.  Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.  Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.  Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20. 

2009 Subaru Forester (1/2/2020)

Campaign Number: 20V003000

Component Name: AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL

Manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.

Description: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.  The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. 

Defect: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. 

Corrective Action: Subaru will notify their owners.  General Motors will notify Saab owners.  Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge.  The recall began January 7, 2020.  Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.  Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007.  Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.