Model year 2022 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2022 Subaru Forester: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2022 Subaru Forester at 26–29 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 100 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

26–29

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Subaru dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2022 Subaru Forester recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2022 Subaru Forester, newest first.

Power train: Automatic transmission: Park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA 23V755000 Reported Nov 9, 2023
Filed by
Subaru of America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. WRQ-23)
Units affected
95,830 (estimate)
Problem
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Risk
An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2022 Subaru Forester fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2022 Subaru Forester EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Forester AWD2.5L 4-cylCVT (7 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular26/33/29 mpg$2,300310
Forester Wilderness AWD2.5L 4-cylCVT (8 modes)All-Wheel DriveRegular25/28/26 mpg$2,600338

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2022 Subaru Forester crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2022 Subaru Forester NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2022 Subaru Forester SUV AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars4 stars16.9%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2022 Subaru Forester owner complaints

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Subaru Forester, most recently on Oct 19, 2026. 8 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 5 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2022 Subaru Forester complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Visibility/wiper20
Unknown or other18
Engine11
Service brakes11
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking10
Electrical system9
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings8
Exterior lighting7
Fuel/propulsion system7
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control6

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Subaru Forester model years

Subaru Forester by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 Forester26–35 mpg4325/5
2025 Forester26–35 mpg4995/5
2024 Forester26–29 mpg2315/5
2023 Forester26–29 mpg1745/5
2021 Forester29 mpg02125/5
2020 Forester29 mpg06035/5
2019 Forester29 mpg38345/5
2018 Forester24–28 mpg34985/5
2017 Forester24–28 mpg15925/5
2016 Forester25–27 mpg34165/5
2015 Forester25–27 mpg36085/5

All Subaru Forester years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2022 Subaru models

2022 Subaru Ascent2022 Subaru BRZ2022 Subaru Crosstrek2022 Subaru Impreza2022 Subaru Legacy2022 Subaru Outback2022 Subaru WRX

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Subaru.