VinCanary

Reliability report · 2022 Subaru Forester · Updated July 2026

One of the calmest Foresters here — 94 complaints and a single free recall, with the early-gen5 bugs behind it.

The 2022 Forester is one of the quietest years in our set: 94 federal complaints and a single recall. That recall (23V755) covers an inhibitor switch whose insufficient weld can let water in and make it fail, which can stop the reverse lights and the rearview-camera image — a free switch replacement. The old early-gen5 threads (thermal control valve, start/stop stalling) are much thinner here, though the auto start/stop system still draws the occasional complaint.

This is also the first year of the Wilderness trim, which files under 'Forester' in NHTSA rather than as a separate model. Nothing points to an expensive out-of-warranty pattern on the 2022. Confirm the one recall by VIN and you're buying the mature version of the fifth generation.

Evidence: 94 NHTSA complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 4 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Calm

What that means: 94 federal complaints — a fraction of the 2019 launch — and just one recall, a free inhibitor-switch fix. This is the settled, mature end of the fifth generation, and it's also the first year of the rugged Wilderness trim (which files under Forester, not a separate model).

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

94

Federal complaints

1

Recall

$0

Inhibitor switch replacement (recall)

Known issues

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

Inhibitor-switch recall — free, verify it

moderate

The 2022-specific recall is 23V755 (Subaru code WRQ-23): an insufficient weld can let water into the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail, which can prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview-camera image from displaying — both a visibility concern when backing up. Dealers replace the switch free. Confirm it shows completed by VIN.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

Inhibitor switch replacement (recall)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 Subaru Forester (true count 94) · NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (23V755; windshield and head-unit extensions)

Auto engine start/stop — occasional, much quieterminor

The auto start/stop stalling thread that dominated 2019–2020 is much thinner on the 2022 but hasn't vanished — a few owners still report the engine not restarting cleanly at stops. It's a driveability nuisance rather than a covered defect. On the drive, run several stop/start cycles in traffic and confirm the engine restarts every time; the feature can be disabled each trip.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2022 Subaru Forester (true count 94)

What you no longer worry about — and what still carries coverageminor

The fourth-gen cam-carrier oil leak is a different-engine-era, earlier-car concern that doesn't define the 2022, and the head-gasket meme has never applied to the FB25. The thermal control valve's 15-year/150,000-mile extension covered 2019–2021, so it doesn't extend to the 2022 by that program — but the far lower complaint volume suggests the valve issue also settled. The windshield extension (2019–2022) and head-unit extension (2019–2023) still include this year, so ask about those if the windshield cracks or the head unit misbehaves. Keep the CVT (continuously variable transmission — the automatic with no fixed gears) fluid serviced and this is a low-drama Subaru.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (23V755; windshield and head-unit extensions) · Independent Subaru mechanic channel transcripts (gen5 context, head-gasket/CVT rumor debunk)

The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester ... equipped with the Auto Start/Stop feature.
4 mechanic & owner sources

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  1. 23V755Insufficient weld may let water into the inhibitor switch and cause it to fail, stopping the reverse lights and rearview-camera image (2022 Forester, 2021 Crosstrek, 2021–2023 Legacy/Outback). Free switch replacement. Subaru code WRQ-23.open

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