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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 5, 2026
Generations
6 · 1998 to present
Active listings
47,927
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 present32,300$37,599490917
Fifth GenerationSK2019 to 20248,723$25,54338152,1312,188
Fourth GenerationSJ2014 to 20185,089$13,59742223,2571,396
Third GenerationSH2009 to 20131,501$7,7855178925380
Second GenerationSG2003 to 2008265$5,9244810659237
First GenerationSF1998 to 200249$4,57662381122

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
2,216for sale
New
30,631for sale
Inventory trend from Visor market data · new listings use the right axis
Sold listings30 days
17,202sold
Average days for sale30 days
49days+12.6%
Listings by trim
Premium11.2K
Sport5K
Touring4.6K
Limited4.5K
Wilderness3.4K
Base2K

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2026
29,688-5.5%
$37,936-$103
49+3
15,905-10.7%
350 mi58 days
2025
2,612-3.2%
$33,679-$393
58+4
1,297-8.1%
12,790 mi65 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
5,039sold
Average days for sale30 days
38days+21.6%
Listings by trim
Premium2.8K
Limited1.7K
Sport1.4K
Touring1.1K
Wilderness992
Base694

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2024
1,495+16.2%
$29,987-$89
39+2
659-10.1%
30,703 mi72 days
2023
2,721+7.5%
$28,142+$31
37+4
1,526-9.9%
37,439 mi60 days
2022
1,173-1.4%
$25,768+$10
43+4
675-5.2%
54,150 mi61 days
2021
1,126+6.8%
$22,797+$249
38+4
734-7.3%
66,640 mi51 days
2020
1,144+8.1%
$21,650+$150
38+5
733-14.5%
74,170 mi48 days
2019
1,064+11.5%
$19,480+$21
35+3
712-12.6%
85,389 mi53 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
3,686sold
Average days for sale30 days
42days+77.1%
Listings by trim
i Premium1.2K
Premium1K
i Limited617
i425
Limited410
Base352

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2018
1,166+7.5%
$17,091+$62
41+5
792-9.6%
95,134 mi52 days
2017
1,111+4.2%
$15,049+$204
41+8
779-7.9%
106,595 mi50 days
2016
830+7.4%
$12,820-$22
37+7
638-18.4%
117,353 mi50 days
2015
1,202+1.0%
$11,482+$155
44+8
939-2.9%
119,709 mi44 days
2014
780+1.8%
$10,243+$182
45+10
538-11.7%
126,572 mi52 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
857sold
Average days for sale30 days
51days+88.8%
Listings by trim
X Premium Package573
X404
X Limited220
2.5X Premium Package82
2.5X68
2.5X Limited56

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2013
238+8.7%
$8,915+$48
49+12
120-25.9%
126,331 mi65 days
2012
309-0.6%
$8,461+$20
49+12
190-20.5%
128,886 mi55 days
2011
318+13.6%
$7,842-$109
53+10
200-14.2%
133,625 mi53 days
2010
398+7.9%
$7,241+$82
50+13
210-18.3%
142,556 mi69 days
2009
238+6.7%
$6,522-$131
51+12
137-11.0%
147,825 mi65 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
176sold
Average days for sale30 days
48days+118.5%
Listings by trim
X101
2.5 X67
XS36
2.5 X Premium Package17
Sports 2.5 X12
XT12

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2008
58+18.4%
$6,240-$99
53+18
23-32.4%
131,731 mi74 days
2007
56+16.7%
$6,949+$206
41-6
43+19.4%
136,157 mi39 days
2006
57-5.0%
$5,254-$476
47+13
32-3.0%
156,565 mi67 days
2005
38+2.7%
$5,788-$367
55+17
26-16.1%
155,979 mi48 days
2004
28-15.2%
$5,722+$296
46+10
26+30.0%
194,099 mi44 days
2003
28-9.7%
$4,811+$393
43+12
26
151,971 mi36 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.

Sold listings30 days
28sold
Average days for sale30 days
62days+57.8%
Listings by trim
PA17
L11
S9
S 4AT4
QA4
L 4 AT4

Model year breakdown

Year
Active
Avg price
Avg days listed
Sold
Avg milesMarket days supply
2002
17
$4,459-$241
51+15
10+100.0%
169,474 mi60 days
2001
11-26.7%
$5,246+$200
63+19
11+10.0%
158,132 mi154 days
2000
8+33.3%
$4,042+$1.2K
42-47
3+50.0%
178,535 min/a
1999
6
$4,926+$5
64+21
3
150,626 mi84 days
1998
7+75.0%
$3,586+$837
107-44
1-50.0%
149,555 min/a

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.