# Subaru Forester check engine light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 179 - **Most complaints:** 2019 (69) - **Related recalls:** 5 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 179 owner complaints about the check engine light on the Subaru Forester (2015-2026 models), most for the **2019** model year (69). There are **5 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. ## Subaru Forester check engine light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the check engine light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 30 | 616 | 5% | | 2016 | 8 | 416 | 2% | | 2017 | 10 | 592 | 2% | | 2018 | 4 | 498 | 1% | | 2019 | 69 | 834 | 8% | | 2020 | 45 | 603 | 7% | | 2021 | 2 | 215 | 1% | | 2022 | 4 | 100 | 4% | | 2023 | 4 | 74 | 5% | | 2025 | 2 | 100 | 2% | | 2026 | 1 | 34 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Subaru Forester recalls related to the check engine light **[23V754000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V754000)** (2023-2024 models, reported 2023-11-09): A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. **[23V755000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V755000)** (2022 models, reported 2023-11-09): 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. **[21V587000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V587000)** (2018 models, reported 2021-07-29): Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21. **[19V856000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V856000)** (2019 models, reported 2019-12-02): An unexpected loss of power while driving can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the PCV valve, free of charge. If the PCV valve has separated and the components cannot be found, the short block engine will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 31, 2020. **[16V162000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V162000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2016-03-21): An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the turbocharger air intake duct, and replace it as necessary, free of charge, depending on the lot number found on the duct. The recall began April 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Subaru Forester owners report - "Brand new vehicle purchased 08/29/2026, backed out of the driveway (on Sept 25, 2026.) A few hundred feet down the road turned right (going ~20 MPH?) and all the dashboard warnings including the check engine light came on and the vehicle began to lose power. Turned the car around, barely made it back into the..." -- owner of a 2026 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2026 - "Currently, all check engine lights are on and all of the safety features of the vehicle have been disabled. When I took it to Subaru, they said there is an open recall with no remedy. This is ridiculous. My car has every check engine light on! How am I supposed to know if there is an actual problem with the car?" -- owner of a 2025 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2026 - "The check engine light and a flashing 'S' and other lights stating the safety features such as Eyesight, lane departure, RAB, etc. are turned off. This started on 1/15/25, and I took the car to the dealership on 1/16/25. The dealership stated the EVap System Leak Detection Pump sensor indicated a leak, and the..." -- owner of a 2023 Subaru Forester, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the check engine light means The check engine light means the engine computer has stored a diagnostic trouble code for an emissions, engine or transmission fault. Common causes include a loose gas cap, a failing oxygen sensor, a worn catalytic converter, and misfires from plugs or coils. A steady light is usually not an emergency, but a flashing light means a severe misfire and you should reduce speed and get it checked right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose gas cap or EVAP system leak** (common) 2. **Failing oxygen sensor** (common) 3. **Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold** (common) 4. **Misfire from worn spark plugs or ignition coils** (common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Check engine light](/warning-lights/check-engine). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Subaru Forester check engine light? Yes. NHTSA lists 5 related recalls (23V754000, 23V755000, 21V587000, 19V856000, 16V162000) covering 2015-2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Subaru Forester years have the most check engine light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2019 and 2020 Forester model years have the most complaints mentioning the check engine light, with 69 for 2019. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Subaru Forester with the check engine light on? Drive to a shop this week. With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. If the light is flashing, the engine runs very rough, or the temperature or oil light also comes on, stop driving and have it checked. ### How do I check if my Subaru Forester has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Subaru dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Subaru Forester warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/subaru-forester): 20 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/subaru-forester): 43 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/subaru-forester): 38 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/subaru-forester): 21 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/subaru-forester): 26 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/subaru-forester): 15 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/subaru-forester): 26 complaints ## Check engine light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-edge): 1380 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-sonata): 731 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-tucson): 705 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chrysler-pacifica): 630 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints ## Subaru Forester - [Subaru Forester specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/subaru-forester) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/subaru-forester Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.