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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
July 21, 2026
Generations
6 · 1998 to present
Active listings
41,043
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 present28,039$37,455590917
Fifth GenerationSK2019 to 20247,886$25,68944152,1312,188
Fourth GenerationSJ2014 to 20184,042$14,20448223,2571,396
Third GenerationSH2009 to 2013919$7,8576878925380
Second GenerationSG2003 to 2008127$5,6986310659237
First GenerationSF1998 to 200230$4,09187381122

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
2,696for sale
New
26,379for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
11,966sold
Average days for sale30 days
59days+22.6%
Listings by trim
Premium9.8K
Limited4.2K
Touring4.1K
Sport3.8K
Wilderness2.8K
Sport Onyx Edition2.1K

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2026
25,729-1.4%
$37,843-$71
59+11
11,009+8.9%
621 mi85 days
2025
2,310+8.3%
$33,195-$214
59+5
957+23.5%
14,589 mi78 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
4,321sold
Average days for sale30 days
44days+16.1%
Listings by trim
Premium2.4K
Limited1.6K
Sport1.2K
Touring1.1K
Wilderness957
Base641

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2024
1,499+12.9%
$29,677-$254
46+6
664+47.6%
32,176 mi71 days
2023
2,509+9.4%
$27,962-$281
43+6
1,320+42.2%
38,503 mi61 days
2022
999-0.6%
$25,424-$256
51+8
515+17.3%
56,754 mi65 days
2021
1,024+4.0%
$23,074+$280
43+5
596+24.9%
65,577 mi51 days
2020
1,037+5.1%
$21,922+$209
43+4
604+18.9%
72,982 mi57 days
2019
818-7.7%
$19,570+$44
41+5
622+32.3%
84,386 mi40 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
2,876sold
Average days for sale30 days
48days+19.6%
Listings by trim
i Premium910
Premium836
i Limited465
Limited330
Base320
i311

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2018
1,010-0.5%
$17,337+$311
44+2
646+22.6%
93,124 mi48 days
2017
912-4.8%
$15,462+$569
47+4
587+3.0%
103,544 mi49 days
2016
635-17.0%
$13,661+$769
45+5
525+20.7%
111,932 mi42 days
2015
928-15.5%
$11,987+$594
50+3
680+5.1%
116,305 mi47 days
2014
557-24.5%
$10,377+$219
55+4
438+0.9%
125,833 mi41 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
696sold
Average days for sale30 days
68days+41.0%
Listings by trim
X Premium Package350
X258
X Limited132
2.5X45
2.5X Premium Package44
2.5X Limited36

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2013
136-37.9%
$8,950+$92
72+15
130+21.5%
126,945 mi48 days
2012
200-33.8%
$8,559+$227
66+11
152+5.6%
129,575 mi53 days
2011
205-30.3%
$7,917+$109
70+10
148-14.4%
136,209 mi52 days
2010
234-36.9%
$7,367+$312
66+10
182+12.3%
136,515 mi41 days
2009
144-36.3%
$6,515+$39
66+5
84-18.4%
145,668 mi67 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.

Used
151for sale
New
2for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
122sold
Average days for sale30 days
63days+39.1%
Listings by trim
X55
2.5 X39
XS9
2.5 X L.L. Bean Edition6
2.5 X Premium Package6
XT4

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2008
22-55.1%
$5,311-$729
60+2
23-36.1%
153,145 mi34 days
2007
35-30.0%
$6,374-$112
60+12
25-32.4%
154,035 mi49 days
2006
32-38.5%
$5,598+$35
54+2
32+6.7%
141,608 mi34 days
2005
14-58.8%
$5,086-$181
85+29
14-26.3%
157,611 mi39 days
2004
16-44.8%
$5,673-$280
69+19
15-28.6%
210,671 mi28 days
2003
8-66.7%
$4,946+$425
78+22
13-43.5%
148,015 mi19 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
32for sale
New
1for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
29sold
Average days for sale30 days
87days+35.8%
Listings by trim
PA9
L7
S5
L 4 AT3
QA3
S 4AT3

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2002
12-33.3%
$4,287-$56
64+21
12+140.0%
162,686 mi28 days
2001
6-40.0%
$3,254-$1.9K
75+1
5
189,642 mi28 days
2000
5-37.5%
$4,225-$221
82+39
4+300.0%
160,545 mi70 days
1999
3-62.5%
$5,129+$235
94+31
3+200.0%
134,832 mi42 days
1998
4-42.9%
$0-$3.6K
177+62
5+150.0%
121,896 mi28 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.