Subaru Years to Avoid by Model
Subaru years to avoid: the 2019 Forester (831 complaints), 2019 Crosstrek (279 complaints), 2013 Impreza (248 complaints) and 2008 WRX (65 complaints). All 7 Subaru models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2008 Forester and 2020 WRX. Based on 8,511 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Subaru years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | 201520162020 | 20242025 | 0 (2015–2026) |
| Subaru Legacy | 201520162020 | 20242025 | 0 (2014–2025) |
| Subaru Forester | 2014201520162017201820192020 | 2008 | 5,201 (2008–2025) |
| Subaru Impreza | 200820122013201720182019 | — | 1,788 (2008–2025) |
| Subaru WRX | 2008 | 2020 | 413 (2008–2025) |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 2018201920212024 | 20132022 | 1,109 (2012–2025) |
| Subaru Ascent | 201920202021 | 20242025 | 0 (2019–2026) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Subaru model
2019 Subaru Forester: 831 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 · Full Forester breakdown →
2019 Subaru Crosstrek: 279 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024 · Full Crosstrek breakdown →
2013 Subaru Impreza: 248 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019 · Full Impreza breakdown →
2008 Subaru WRX: 65 NHTSA owner complaints · Full WRX breakdown →
2020 Subaru Outback: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2015, 2016 and 2020 · Full Outback breakdown →
2020 Subaru Legacy: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2015, 2016 and 2020 · Full Legacy breakdown →
2019 Subaru Ascent: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2019, 2020 and 2021 · Full Ascent breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Subaru years should you avoid?
By model: Outback 2015, 2016 and 2020; Legacy 2015, 2016 and 2020; Forester 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020; Impreza 2008, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2019; WRX 2008; Crosstrek 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2024; Ascent 2019, 2020 and 2021. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Subaru years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: Forester 2008; WRX 2020; Crosstrek 2013 and 2022; Outback 2024 and 2025; Legacy 2024 and 2025; Ascent 2024 and 2025.
Which Subaru model has the most years to avoid?
The Subaru Forester, with 7 avoid-rated model years (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Subaru years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Models not yet scored that way are ranked by combined NHTSA complaint and manufacturer service-bulletin volume. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Subaru data come from?
Federal records: 8,511 NHTSA owner complaints across 7 Subaru models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.