The 2021 Subaru Forester is a suv from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2021 Forester VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (13.3%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Subaru Forester is a suv sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2021
Make
Subaru
Model
Forester
Body
SUV
Country of origin
Japan
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
NHTSA safety ratings
★★★★★
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal
★★★★★
Side
★★★★☆
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2021 Subaru Forester
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 2021 Forester (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $28,939 at roughly 81 miles, based on 12 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$28,939
Median mileage
81
Sample: 12 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
NHTSA safety recalls — 2021 Subaru Forester
0
Open NHTSA recall campaigns found in our latest check for the 2021 Forester. Recall status changes over time and is tracked per-VIN — decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2021 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2021 Forester
207
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
VISIBILITY/WIPER — 67 reports
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 20 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 16 reports
POWER TRAIN — 12/30/2022
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into the drive gear, the vehicle accelerated at high speed without any warning and drove into the wall of her garage causing front damage to the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to turn off. No one was injured. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.
⚠ Crash reported.
VISIBILITY/WIPER — 12/28/2021
Today I replaced my windshield for the second time in less than 6 months of owning the vehicle. The first crack happened a few months after I bought the car with no impact while driving. The second one also happened a couple weeks ago with no impact while driving. After seeing the other complaints, I'm shocked that there isn't a recall on these windshields. It's very dangerous to have windshields constantly cracking, especially without impact while driving.
VISIBILITY/WIPER — 12/24/2021
Windshield cracked with no impact. Started at top center and is expanding down the center of the windshield. I reached out to Subaru but no response.
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 2021 Subaru Forester owners & buyers
The 2021 Forester is a SUV. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2021 Forester?
No open NHTSA recalls were found in our latest check. Recall status is tracked per-VIN, decode the specific VIN to confirm.
Is the 2021 Subaru Forester reliable?
How long a used Subaru Forester lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2021 Forester?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Subaru or any government agency.
