VinCanary

Reliability report · 2021 Subaru Forester · Updated July 2026

The settling fifth-gen year — complaints down by a third, no model-year recall we could confirm, and the thermal control valve still covered to 15 years.

By 2021 the fifth-generation Forester had settled: complaint volume fell to about a third of the 2019 launch year. The thermal control valve (coolant bypass valve) is still the item to know about — it can stall the engine with codes P26A3/P2682 — but 2021 is the last model year inside Subaru's 15-year/150,000-mile coverage extension for the valve, so the fix is free, as one owner in the file confirmed. The auto start/stop stalling thread is quieter than on 2019–2020 but still present.

On recalls, we could not surface a 2021-specific Forester campaign in NHTSA and verified that the fifth-gen platform recalls of this era (the CVT — continuously variable transmission — chain-slip and occupant-sensor airbag campaigns) apply to the Outback and Legacy, not the Forester. That makes 2021 one of the calmest years in the range — still confirm by VIN, since NHTSA data can lag, and buy one where any thermal-valve work is documented.

Evidence: 207 NHTSA complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 4 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Calm

What that means: 207 federal complaints — a third of the 2019 launch — and no 2021-specific safety recall in NHTSA (see the verified-zero note). It's the last year inside the thermal control valve's 15-year/150,000-mile extension, and the early-gen5 bugs are largely sorted.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

207

Federal complaints

0

MY-specific recalls

a few hundred

Out-of-coverage valve replacement

$0

Thermal control valve under extension (15yr/150k)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

Thermal control valve (P26A3 / P2682) — covered 15 years / 150,000 miles

major

The thermal control valve (coolant bypass valve) can still fail on the 2021 — stalling and overheating the engine with codes P26A3 or P2682 — but 2021 is the last year inside Subaru's 15-year/150,000-mile warranty extension, and the replacement uses a redesigned valve (stainless internal shaft, better sensor waterproofing). One 2021-era owner in the file noted the part was free to replace under the extension. Ask whether the updated valve has been fitted; if the coolant system codes, the repair should be free under the coverage.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Thermal control valve under extension (15yr/150k)

$0

Out-of-coverage valve replacement

a few hundred

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Subaru Forester (true count 207) · NHTSA manufacturer communications + campaignNumber reconciliation (thermal-valve 15yr/150k, windshield and head-unit extensions; 22V485/24V227 Outback/Legacy-only)

Auto engine start/stop — quieter, but still worth testingmoderate

The auto start/stop stalling thread is thinner on the 2021 than on 2019–2020, but a few owners still report the engine not restarting cleanly at stops. It reads as a driveability nuisance rather than a covered defect. On the drive, work through several stop/start cycles in traffic and confirm the engine restarts every time; many owners simply disable the feature each trip.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Subaru Forester (true count 207)

Windshield and head-unit coverage — extensions apply hereminor

Two owner annoyances on fifth-gen cars carry quiet coverage that includes the 2021: the acoustic front windshield (prone to cracking) has a warranty extension from 3 years/36,000 miles to 8 years/100,000 miles plus a class-action settlement (2019–2022), and the infotainment head unit has its own extension (2019–2023). If the windshield has an unexplained crack or the head unit freezes or reboots, ask the dealer about these extensions before paying out of pocket.

Sources: NHTSA manufacturer communications + campaignNumber reconciliation (thermal-valve 15yr/150k, windshield and head-unit extensions; 22V485/24V227 Outback/Legacy-only)

What does NOT apply — head gasket and the oil-consumption programminor

Neither the head-gasket meme (an older EJ-engine issue) nor the oil-consumption warranty program (2011–2015 engines only) applies to the 2021 FB25. A Subaru specialist channel raises the head-gasket/CVT rumor about this generation and debunks it. Buy on the thermal-valve status and a clean recall check.

Sources: Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (gen5 buyers guide, head-gasket/CVT rumor debunk)

DEFECTIVE THERMOSTATIC CONTROL VALVE - This part NEEDS to be recalled. Manufacturer has extended the warranty on the part, so it was free to replace.
4 mechanic & owner sources

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Safety recalls

A verified zero — not an unchecked one. Here’s what that means.

No NHTSA safety recalls — verified July 11, 2026

Checked against NHTSA’s recall database on July 11, 2026. Any manufacturer Special Coverage programs for this year are listed under the issues above, not here.

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