Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Forester vs Honda CR V
How the Subaru Forester and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Subaru Forester averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Subaru Forester has 3,015 complaints and 17 recalls on record; Honda CR V has 7,125 complaints and 40 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Forester | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,015 Better | 7,125 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 40 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 173 Better | 243 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 301.5 Better | 712.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 97 Better | 214 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Subaru Forester
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER989
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER538
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM473
- 04AIR BAGS309
- 05ENGINE309
“I was driving down the road and a bottle was thrown out of a vehicle going the opposite direction as me. Upon impact my windshield shattered and sent shards of glass flying into the cabin of my vehicle. The shards of glass were thrown into my face and would h…”
“Two occurences of rear hatch window shattering spontaneously while vehicle was parked, powered off. No symptoms, warning lamps, or messages were present. First incident, six months after production/purchase, factory-installed window shattered spontaneously wh…”
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,346
- 02ENGINE1,320
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,307
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,020
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM978
“This complaint is a formal report of a FAILED RECALL REMEDY regarding NHTSA Campaign 24V-744 (Honda TSB 24-052) on a 2023 Honda CR-V (VIN: [XXX]). The official recall remedy (worm gear spring replacement and grease application) was previously performed and ma…”
“Vehicle: 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Component: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gearbox) Description of Safety Defect: While driving at highway speeds (above 45 mph), the steering wheel experiences a severe "sticky," "notchy," or binding sensation. It ca…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Subaru Forester — 17 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.
The risk: Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Subarus independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owne…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
The risk: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles equipped with 18" aluminum alloy wheels. The wheels may have been manufactured with an incorrectly specified lug seat surface, which can result in the wheel being improperly attached and cause a loss of vehicle stability.
The risk: A loss of vehicle stability increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheels, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRB-25.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2025 Forester vehicles. The child seat anchor bolts may have been improperly tightened, allowing the bolts to come loose.
The risk: A loose child seat anchor bolt increases the risk of injury to a child during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the child seat anchor bolts and, if necessary, tighten the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 CR-V vehicles. The front passenger seat back frame may not have been welded properly, which can cause the seat back position to fail in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: A seat back position that fails may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat back frame assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is 6PK.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Acura Integra, Civic Type R, CR-V Hybrid, CR-V, HR-V, 2022-2025 Civic, Civic Hatchback, 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S, 2025 CR-V Fuel Cell EV, Civic Hybrid, and Civic Hatchback Hybrid vehicles. The steering gearbox assembly may have b…
The risk: Difficulty steering can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2024. Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers f…
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Subaru Forester | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 123 |
| 2025 | 90 | 239 |
| 2024 | 29 | 376 |
| 2023 | 73 | 511 |
| 2022 | 96 | 252 |
| 2021 | 207 | 321 |
| 2020 | 595 | 347 |
| 2019 | 831 | 1081 |
| 2018 | 492 | 2119 |
| 2017 | 582 | 1756 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Subaru Forester or Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Forester vs Honda CR V
- Subaru Forester total complaints
- 3,015
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 7,125
- Subaru Forester total recalls
- 17
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Subaru Forester avg complaints/year
- 301.5
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 712.5
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Forester
- Subaru Forester top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING