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Subaru Forester Prices, Listings, Recalls and Complaints by Generation

Live Forester listings, prices, and safety filings with six generations of Subaru AWD context.

The Subaru Forester has moved from a tall AWD wagon into a mainstream compact SUV while keeping the same core pitch: standard all-wheel drive, practical visibility, and outdoors-friendly packaging.

Use this overview to compare early wagon-like SF and SG models, the taller SH and SJ generations, the Subaru Global Platform SK, and the more refined SL redesign that launched for 2025.

Last updated
June 10, 2026
Generations
6 · 1998 to present
Active listings
50,864
Sources
Visor + NHTSA

Generations

Compare Forester generations by live supply, price movement, days for sale, trim mix, and NHTSA signals before focusing on turbo, CVT, EyeSight, and redesign-year differences.

GenerationYearsActiveAvg priceAvg days listedRecallsComplaintsTSBs
Sixth GenerationSL2025 to present35,431$37,664460917
Fifth GenerationSK2019 to 20248,587$25,61040152,1312,188
Fourth GenerationSJ2014 to 20185,023$13,58344223,2571,396
Third GenerationSH2009 to 20131,519$7,7745378925380
Second GenerationSG2003 to 2008252$5,9715110659237
First GenerationSF1998 to 200252$4,59563381122

Subaru Forester Sixth GenerationSL, 2025 to present

The 2025-present SL Forester is the sixth-generation redesign with a more refined cabin, larger screen availability, and updated safety technology.

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Market and reliability summary

The SL generation is an evolutionary redesign rather than a personality change: quieter, more polished, and more tech-heavy while staying close to the Forester formula.

As a newer generation, watch first-year NHTSA filings, software updates, driver-assistance calibration, and whether a given listing is the redesigned line or a carryover Wilderness configuration.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Used
2,225for sale
New
29,885for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
17,552sold
Average days for sale30 days
46days+12.9%
Listings by trim
Premium12.7K
Touring5.2K
Sport5.2K
Limited5K
Wilderness3.5K
Base2K

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2026
32,838-4.8%
$37,974-$102
45+3
16,257-9.5%
363 mi65 days
2025
2,593-3.7%
$33,672-$313
60+4
1,295-9.4%
12,921 mi66 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 0Complaints: 9TSBs: 17NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2026
0
0
0
2025
0
9
17

Subaru Forester Fifth GenerationSK, 2019 to 2024

The 2019-2024 SK Forester moved to the Subaru Global Platform and dropped the U.S. turbo option.

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Market and reliability summary

The SK is the non-turbo modern Forester generation, with more refinement, stronger structure, and broad standard safety-equipment appeal.

Buyer checks should focus on visibility/wiper, electrical, powertrain, and EyeSight-related service history plus trim differences such as Sport, Limited, Touring, and Wilderness positioning.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Sold listings30 days
5,054sold
Average days for sale30 days
40days+26.5%
Listings by trim
Premium2.8K
Limited1.7K
Sport1.3K
Touring1.1K
Wilderness995
Base689

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2024
1,493+16.1%
$30,039-$32
41+2
650-12.5%
31,172 mi72 days
2023
2,698+8.6%
$28,133+$8
39+4
1,505-11.9%
37,921 mi57 days
2022
1,149-3.0%
$25,833-$46
44+5
691-1.9%
53,617 mi55 days
2021
1,096+3.2%
$22,875+$302
39+4
772-3.6%
66,461 mi44 days
2020
1,112+4.2%
$21,559+$22
40+6
748-12.5%
75,251 mi47 days
2019
1,039+12.8%
$19,485+$105
37+2
688-15.8%
85,468 mi51 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 15Complaints: 2,131TSBs: 2,188NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2024
7
16
101
2023
4
67
201
2022
1
99
318
2021
0
199
396
2020
0
731
554
2019
3
1,019
618

Subaru Forester Fourth GenerationSJ, 2014 to 2018

The 2014-2018 SJ Forester broadened CVT and EyeSight availability and modernized the compact-SUV package.

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Market and reliability summary

The SJ generation is a common used-market target because it blends modern safety availability, practical cargo space, and familiar Subaru visibility.

Compare 2.5i and XT models separately. Confirm CVT service history, EyeSight or glass-related records, electrical/air-bag complaint history, and turbo maintenance on XT listings.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Sold listings30 days
3,718sold
Average days for sale30 days
44days+72.0%
Listings by trim
i Premium1.2K
Premium1K
i Limited608
i427
Limited397
Base355

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2018
1,139+5.2%
$17,140+$151
43+5
800-7.8%
94,368 mi48 days
2017
1,096-0.1%
$15,073+$150
43+9
793-3.4%
106,373 mi48 days
2016
817+4.3%
$12,865+$33
39+7
647-14.2%
117,563 mi44 days
2015
1,194+1.5%
$11,416+$81
46+8
927-3.1%
120,517 mi45 days
2014
777+3.0%
$10,124+$48
47+10
551-7.2%
127,701 mi44 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 22Complaints: 3,257TSBs: 1,396NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2018
13
600
346
2017
1
698
331
2016
3
561
286
2015
3
844
244
2014
2
554
189

Subaru Forester Third GenerationSH, 2009 to 2013

The 2009-2013 SH Forester became taller and more SUV-like while retaining Subaru's standard AWD identity.

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Market and reliability summary

The SH is the point where Forester packaging feels more like a conventional compact SUV, with easier entry and a more upright cabin.

Watch for engine, air-bag, seat, suspension, and powertrain complaint patterns, especially on higher-mile examples.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Sold listings30 days
870sold
Average days for sale30 days
53days+86.8%
Listings by trim
X Premium Package573
X404
X Limited235
2.5X Premium Package80
2.5X74
2.5X Limited56

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2013
243+9.9%
$8,913-$20
52+11
124-15.7%
126,181 mi62 days
2012
321+2.2%
$8,418-$29
51+12
175-27.4%
129,220 mi65 days
2011
316+6.0%
$7,903-$88
57+11
211-2.8%
133,481 mi46 days
2010
395+4.5%
$7,168+$17
52+12
218-14.8%
139,842 mi56 days
2009
244+2.1%
$6,528-$78
53+13
142
147,760 mi61 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 78Complaints: 925TSBs: 380NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2013
12
92
107
2012
15
137
82
2011
16
194
72
2010
17
298
61
2009
18
204
58

Subaru Forester Second GenerationSG, 2003 to 2008

The 2003-2008 SG Forester kept the wagon-like footprint and added the U.S. XT turbo variant.

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Market and reliability summary

The SG is the enthusiast-friendly early Forester generation, especially in XT form, while still offering practical AWD packaging.

Separate naturally aspirated and turbo examples when shopping. Turbo cars need closer checks for maintenance records, fuel/propulsion complaints, suspension condition, and clutch or automatic-transmission behavior.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Sold listings30 days
182sold
Average days for sale30 days
51days+107.5%
Listings by trim
X97
2.5 X57
XS34
2.5 X Premium Package18
XT13
Sports 2.5 X13

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2008
55-1.8%
$6,392+$187
51+14
27-12.9%
130,952 mi64 days
2007
51+10.9%
$6,970+$123
47-3
42+20.0%
137,381 mi38 days
2006
56-3.5%
$5,314-$97
49+13
30-3.2%
154,693 mi52 days
2005
36-2.7%
$5,749-$386
61+19
26-7.1%
154,344 mi42 days
2004
27-20.6%
$5,647+$319
49+14
29+26.1%
191,129 mi27 days
2003
27-6.9%
$4,896+$518
47+11
28+12.0%
152,853 mi47 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 10Complaints: 659TSBs: 237NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2008
1
56
40
2007
1
72
40
2006
2
80
40
2005
1
82
40
2004
2
223
39
2003
3
146
38

Subaru Forester First GenerationSF, 1998 to 2002

The 1998-2002 SF Forester is the wagon-like AWD starting point for the nameplate.

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Market and reliability summary

The SF drives and packages more like a raised wagon than a modern compact SUV, which is part of its appeal for shoppers who want older Subaru simplicity.

Age dominates the buyer check. Inspect structural condition, suspension wear, fuel/propulsion and speed-control complaint history, and any evidence of deferred AWD or engine maintenance.

Editorial copy gives stable generation context. Market and NHTSA fields are calculated at request time from Visor and NHTSA data.

Used
52for sale
New
1for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
30sold
Average days for sale30 days
63days+58.0%
Listings by trim
PA20
L10
S9
L 4 AT5
QA4
S 4AT4

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2002
16+14.3%
$4,406+$102
56+13
9+12.5%
175,627 mi37 days
2001
12-25.0%
$5,396+$359
64+22
13+30.0%
157,084 mi34 days
2000
8+33.3%
$4,197+$1.4K
47-47
5+150.0%
178,535 mi56 days
1999
8+33.3%
$4,808+$182
53+7
2
145,618 min/a
1998
8+100.0%
$3,468+$718
101-55
1-50.0%
155,853 mi112 days

NHTSA safety data

Recalls, owner complaints, and service bulletins reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Recalls: 3Complaints: 81TSBs: 122NHTSA
YearRecallsOwner complaintsTSBs
2002
1
34
37
2001
0
30
33
2000
0
4
28
1999
1
9
12
1998
1
4
12

Frequently asked questions

Common shopper questions about Subaru Forester generations, pricing, and reliability.

Which Forester generations should I compare first?
Start with SK for a modern non-turbo used Forester, SL for the 2025-newer redesign, and SJ if budget matters but EyeSight-era equipment is still important. SF, SG, and SH are more condition-led purchases.
Should I separate Forester XT listings from regular Foresters?
Yes. SG and SJ XT listings should be evaluated separately because turbo maintenance, modification history, and powertrain records matter more than they do on naturally aspirated Foresters.
What Forester safety signals deserve extra attention?
Use the year rows to compare visibility/wiper, electrical, air-bag, powertrain, and EyeSight-related patterns. For 2025-newer SL listings, first-year filings and software updates are the key watch areas.