Complaint 2202923
2021 SUBARU FORESTER • UNKNOWN OR OTHER • incident May 3, 2026
- Complaint ID
- 2202923
- Make
- SUBARU
- Model
- FORESTER
- Model Year
- 2021
- Component
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Incident Date
- May 3, 2026
- Date Received
- May 3, 2026
- Data As Of
- Jul 1, 2026
Complaint Summary
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner Narrative
I am filing this complaint regarding a recurring and dangerous safety issue with my 2021 Subaru Forester. The auto stop/start feature intermittently fails to restart the engine after it shuts off when stopped. When this occurs, multiple dashboard warning lights come on, an alarm sounds, and the vehicle requires putting the transmission into "Park" and shutting it down completely before it will start again. This has happened multiple times at intersections, traffic lights, and freeways during rush hour (stopping and starting frequently), leaving me temporarily stranded in live traffic. The local Subaru dealership service department was unable to replicate the issue, however upon inspecting the vehicle's charging system, the battery was found unable to hold charge from the alternator and was replaced on June 9th, 2025. Now after less than 1 year of replacing the battery, the problem persists. I have been made aware of TSB 16-118-24R (TCM reprogramming for auto start/stop restart failure) and TSB 09-80-21 (Thermostatic Control Valve failure) which appear directly related to this issue. This is a serious safety hazard. A vehicle that cannot restart in live traffic puts the driver and other motorists at significant risk of a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue and consider a formal recall.
Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.
Related
Data sources & freshness
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Vehicle recall campaigns, defect investigations, and consumer safety complaints (SCRS).
Cross-border carrier registry and Canadian recall campaigns where applicable.
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