OverviewSpecifications
Subaru Forester AWD
Subaru · Cars · 2026
Subaru Forester AWD (2026)
92
⚠ 12 complaints
Status
Certified
Long track record, no issues found
Status Certified — verified clean safety record across 5+ years of official monitoring.
Specifications
Engine Size2.5L
Fuel TypeRegular
TransmissionCVT
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Combined MPG29 MPG
Subaru Forester AWD Comparison with Similar Vehicles
Subaru Forester AWDSubaru Forester AWD (this vehicle)Hyundai Kona FWDHyundai Kona FWDToyota Corolla CrossToyota Corolla CrossGMC Yukon XL 4WDGMC Yukon XL 4WDGMC Yukon 2WDGMC Yukon 2WDBuick Encore GX AWDBuick Encore GX AWD
Price—$23,000–$31,000———$27,900
Engine Capacity2.5L2L2L3L3L1.3L
Fuel TypeRegularRegularRegularDieselDieselRegular
TransmissionCVTAutomatic (AV-S1)Automatic (AV-S10)Automatic 10-spdAutomatic 10-spdAutomatic 9-spd
Body TypeSUVSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
About

The 2026 Subaru Forester AWD offers a certified safety status and a robust All-Wheel Drive system for confident journeys. With a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, it delivers 182 horsepower and achieves an impressive 29 MPG combined.

Pros
  • Certified safety status
  • All-Wheel Drive standard
  • No recalls on record
  • Good highway MPG
Cons
  • 12 complaints on record
  • Average CO2 emissions
Complaints12 total
SUBARU FORESTER 2026 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
low
I was merging into a road in Windsor, Ontario on July 3/4. I was nowhere near another vehicle. There was a LARGE gap between myself in any other cars. I am always extra cautious being out of country and driving. The automatic brakes kicked on and told me I had an obstruction ahead and would not let me control the vehicle. I was stopped turning into the middle of a five-lane road without control of my vehicle. This was incredibly dangerous. Luckily, it was only a few seconds and I had time to move before other cars got to me but it was a much closer call than it should have been.
NHTSAUSJul 2026Source →
SUBARU FORESTER 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
low
Got in the car around 8am. Sat down, shut the door and then BOOM! The rear hatch glass shattered into a thousand pieces. Nothing touched nothing hit it , it just shattered. Luckily no one was in the back seat. Brought it to the dealer. Interesting , at the exact time I pulled into the dealer another Forestef arrived with the EXACT SAME problem!
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
SUBARU FORESTER 2026 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
low
Infotainment center had popup ad about Sirius xm trial ending soon and a phone number to call to extend. Had to hit small x in the corner to disable while vehicle in motion or have no access to air, radio controls, or see map.
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
SUBARU FORESTER 2026 VISIBILITY/WIPER
high
In early April 2026 I after washing the auto I noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I was shocked-normally if the windshield is hit hard enough to chip the drive notices it-I am the only drive and I was totally unaware of any such strike (auto had about 2000 miles on it). Then, May 30th as I exited a highway midway up the ramp going ~40-45 mph behind another auto going the same slow speed with 1-1.5 car length between us, something struck my windshield and immediately the strike had clearly broken the windshield just below the driver's direct line of sight and put a thorough 'star' the size of a nickel coin. There did not appear to be any debris on the road nor off or out of the auto in front of me. (There was not a vehicle ahead of that auto that would have generated this strike.) I feel I may be unsafe in this auto if its windshield cannot hold up under minor strikes such as this. When I called the auto repair center recommended by my automobile dealer they told me they’d already had 14 Subaru windshields call to schedule repairs this week (it was only Tuesday. This is a modest sized single location windshield repair shop).
NHTSAUSMay 2026Source →
SUBARU FORESTER 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
medium
Brand new 2026 Forester's factory amplifier system completely failed within a week from purchasing at approximately 570 miles, disabling hands-free communication. California law strictly requires drivers to use phones in a hands-free manner. Drivers are prohibited from holding or physically touching their phone for any reason while operating a vehicle.
NHTSAUSMay 2026Source →
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Status history
Uncertain→Certified31 May 2026
Lemon Score: 97. 3 data points. v3 scoring.
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