Owners have reported 8 crashes, 6 fires and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2022 Subaru Forester. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints16
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with windshield cracking under various conditions. Complaints often describe cracks forming spontaneously or from minimal impact, with some owners noting multiple occurrences within a short period. Many reports indicate cracks appearing while the vehicle is stationary or parked, with initial sightings often occurring shortly after purchase, sometimes within the first few months. The mileage at which these issues arise varies, with some occurring as early as 5,000 miles. No direct safety implications such as crashes or loss of control are reported, but the frequent need for windshield replacement could be a concern for potential buyers regarding maintenance costs. Additionally, one report describes an incident where a side window imploded, though this appears to be less common.
Owner complaints14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with windshield durability, with multiple complaints describing cracks appearing spontaneously or from minimal impact. These windshield problems are noted at varying mileage, sometimes as early as two weeks after purchase. Additionally, some owners experience severe safety incidents involving fires, with two reports detailing vehicles becoming engulfed in flames, one of which followed a collision with a deer. Another recurrent issue involves dashboard warning lights and malfunction indicators, often linked to a Thermo Control Valve problem. Buyers should be aware of these potential issues, especially concerning windshield integrity and the possibility of fire hazards.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving battery failures and infotainment malfunctions. Multiple complaints describe batteries discharging unexpectedly, with some vehicles experiencing complete battery failure within the first few months of ownership. Infotainment system failures are noted, often linked to Apple CarPlay and requiring firmware updates. One report involves a fire following stalling and oil leakage, posing a significant safety risk. These issues typically arise at low mileage, with some vehicles having less than 1,100 miles when problems occur, suggesting potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report frequent issues with unintended acceleration in the 2022 Subaru Forester, often occurring during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or turning into a driveway. Symptoms typically include the vehicle accelerating independently without warning, despite the driver applying the brakes. Complaints indicate these incidents can occur at low mileages, with one noted at approximately 1,430 miles. Safety implications are significant, with two reports involving crashes and one resulting in a fire. Additionally, one incident led to an injury. This pattern of behavior suggests potential risks for buyers considering a used model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, particularly the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and EyeSight features. Common symptoms include unexpected and sudden braking without any apparent obstacles, often described as "phantom braking," occurring at various speeds, including on highways and rural roads. These incidents are reported at mileages as low as 250 and up to 23,000 miles. Some owners also mention adaptive cruise control causing abrupt slowdowns due to perceived obstacles like shadows. Safety implications are notable, as owners express concern about potential rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking. Multiple owners report having taken their vehicles to dealers, but often no faults are found, and the issue persists.
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with unintended acceleration and unexpected activation of the collision braking system. Multiple complaints describe incidents where the vehicle accelerates without input from the driver, leading to crashes, including one case with two reported injuries. Other owners mention the collision braking system engaging abruptly on highways, causing the vehicle to decelerate rapidly and unexpectedly, posing a risk of rear-end collisions. These incidents occur without prior warning or visible obstructions, and typically involve vehicles that are otherwise maintained and inspected. The safety implications of these complaints include a risk of crashes and potential injuries, making it crucial for prospective buyers to consider these patterns when evaluating the vehicle.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints4
ENGINE
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester report engine-related issues, including incidents of fire and engine failure. Two complaints describe fires, one following a crash with a deer at 45 mph leading to total vehicle loss, and another due to a fuel line issue confirmed by Subaru, resulting in an explosion shortly after an engine replacement. A separate issue involves the vehicle failing to move when the accelerator pedal is pressed, accompanied by warning lights and beeping, at around 5,000 miles. These reports highlight serious safety implications, particularly concerning fire risk and vehicle control. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues when considering this model, especially regarding the fire-related incidents.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester report multiple issues with the airbag system, including non-deployment during crashes and inconsistent activation of the passenger seat airbag. Complaints frequently mention airbags failing to deploy in crash scenarios, with two reports involving significant collisions where airbags did not activate, resulting in injuries. Additionally, one owner describes the passenger airbag system not enabling for a lightweight occupant, despite attempts to resolve the issue with dealerships and the manufacturer. These issues appear in vehicles with low mileage, around 1,800 miles in one case. The reports suggest potential safety implications, particularly in the event of a crash, where airbag deployment is critical.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester frequently report issues with the Auto Start/Stop feature, which can cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly. Symptoms include the engine stalling in traffic or at intersections, with some owners noting the vehicle fails to restart immediately, potentially leading to dangerous situations such as being rear-ended. These incidents are reported to occur both on highways and at lower speeds, particularly between 20 to 40 mph. Some owners also express concerns about the impact of this feature on starter wear and overall vehicle reliability. Safety implications are highlighted, with the risk of accidents due to sudden loss of power while driving.
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners of the 2022 Subaru Forester report issues with steering, including severe shaking of the steering wheel at highway speeds and ongoing instability in steering control. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as violent side-to-side movement of the steering wheel and a general lack of responsiveness, which can lead to a feeling of unsafe driving conditions. These problems are noted at various mileage ranges, with one report specifically mentioning issues starting at under 24,640 miles. Safety implications include the need for emergency stops and potential loss of vehicle control, although no crashes have been directly reported in these complaints. Buyers considering a used Forester should be aware of these steering-related issues and the difficulty some owners have experienced in obtaining effective repairs from authorized dealerships.
