2021 Subaru Forester problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2021 Subaru Forester get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Subaru Forester at about 29 mpg combined (26 city / 33 highway).

Q: How much is a 2021 Subaru Forester worth?

Comparable 2021 Subaru Forester listings run roughly $27,039–$37,093, typically around $31,135 (from 14 vehicles).

2021 Subaru Forester at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints205

Combined29 mpg

Typical price$31,135

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2021 Subaru Forester recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2021 Subaru Forester.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2021 Subaru Forester common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Forward Collision Avoidance

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Lane Departure

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Back Over Prevention

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2021 Subaru Forester MPG & running costs

Combined29 mpg

City26 mpg

Highway33 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2021 Subaru Forester worth?

Low

$27,039

Typical price

$31,135

High

$37,093

From 14 comparable 2021 Subaru Forester listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Subaru Forester costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,500

Depreciation (5 yrs)$15,250

Total$25,750

Per mile$0.34

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($31,135) with the same model 5 model-years older ($15,899), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.