Sell your dead or damaged Subaru Forester

A Forester with a bad engine, a slipping CVT or a long list of faults can go as one piece. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.

What owners reported, generation by generation

Generation years are Wikipedia's production dates. Its engine lists include engines never sold here, such as the European diesel. Complaint totals use the closest model years.

First generation (SF, built 1997-2002): head gaskets and cold-weather brakes

Per Wikipedia, this Forester came with a 2.0 flat-four or one of two separate 2.5-liter flat-fours. Forester buyers could pick a 4-speed automatic, or shift gears themselves with a 5-speed manual. It also says the 2.5 in these Foresters "featured head gaskets which were prone to premature failure." The 1998-2002 model years hold 534 complaints. On the 1999, engine and engine cooling, power train and suspension tie at 24 each. The 2001 has 139 complaints, and 31 of them report a crash.

Recall 99V040000 replaced the brake master cylinder on 1998-1999 cars with anti-lock brakes, because in extreme cold the pedal could go to the floor. Its 221,987 vehicles include other Subarus.

Second generation (SG, built 2002-2008): fuel system complaints and rusting control arms

The 2003-2008 model years hold 713 complaints. The 2004 stands out: 58 name the fuel and propulsion system and 54 the gasoline fuel system, out of 219. Recall 11V464000 had dealers check corrosion on the front lower control arms of 2003-2008 Foresters in certain states. That campaign's 318,215 vehicles also include Imprezas and the Saab 9-2X. Recall 02V282000 replaced a badly made automatic transmission parking rod on 2002-2003 cars.

Third generation (SH, built 2008-2013): seat belts and a stack of recalls

These cars carry 15 to 17 recall campaigns per model year from 2009 to 2012. On the 2010, seats is the top component, 74 of 262 complaints. That lines up with recall 12V099000, which replaced the rear center seat belt assembly on 2009-2012 Foresters. Engine leads on the 2011 (53 of 147). Brake line recalls 14V311000 and 14V830000 added leak tests and anti-corrosion wax to the brake line joint, and passenger air bag inflators were replaced under 16V358000, 20V002000 and others.

Fourth generation (SJ, built 2012-2018): the CVT years, and the air bag sensor

Wikipedia lists the Lineartronic CVT here for the first time. The 2014-2018 model years hold 2,518 complaints, the most of any group. The 2014 leads with suspension (86 of 403), and the 2015 with engine (103 of 615). Air bags lead the 2016 and 2017, with 98 and 159.

Recall 19V701000 covers 2015-2018 Foresters with heated seats. A connection for the front passenger occupant detection sensor may loosen, and dealers inspect or replace the sensor mat harness. Recall 19V149000 replaced brake light switches on 2014-2016 Foresters, but its 1,303,530 vehicles count three other Subaru lines too.

Fifth generation (SK, built 2018-2025): wiper complaints take over

The 2019-2024 model years hold 1,844 complaints, and visibility and wipers lead on the 2019, 2020 and 2021. Recall 21V263000 retightened or replaced rear stabilizer bracket bolts on 2019 Foresters; its 408,271 vehicles also include 2018-2019 Crosstreks and 2019 Crosstrek Hybrids. The 2020 and 2021 have no recall campaigns at all.

Sixth generation (SL, built 2024 on): hybrids and label recalls

The 2025 has 96 complaints and four recall campaigns. Recall 26V106000 covers fuel spilling from a full tank on 2025 Forester hybrids. Recall 26V436000 mails a corrected axle weight label for 2025-2026 Foresters; its 541,237 vehicles include Ascents and Crosstrek hybrids. These are new cars, and they have had little time to collect complaints.

Forester complaints, crashes and recalls by year

Forester numbers here are NHTSA complaint records as pulled October 10, 2026. Crashes are those owners reported inside their complaints. A Forester campaign covering several years is listed once per year.

Should you fix the Forester or sell it?

Weigh the shop quote against what a running Forester like yours brings. The closer the two get, the stronger the case for selling it unrepaired.

• Overheating or coolant loss on a 1998-2002? That's the generation Wikipedia flags for head gaskets. Our head gasket guide covers what the symptoms point to.
• CVT trouble on a fourth-generation or newer Forester? Get a written diagnosis, then read failing CVT.
• Air bag light on a 2015-2018? Check recall 19V701000 against the VIN at NHTSA before paying for a sensor.
• Rust underneath an older one? Control arms and brake lines on 2003-2013 Foresters drew corrosion recalls. See broken suspension or failed inspection or rust.

Selling the Forester as one piece

1. Write down the VIN, mileage, and what the Forester does or doesn't do.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where your Forester sits and whether it rolls in Neutral. Then the driver shows up with what it takes to load it.
4. Keep the parts on it. If the catalytic converter or a wheel is already gone, mention it.
5. Have your Forester title and photo ID handy on pickup day. Check after you sell for plates and insurance, or selling with no title if the title is lost.

See also the Outback, Crosstrek and Impreza, or all Subaru pages.