2013 Subaru Forester Problems

77 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict CAUTION 56/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine26
Air Bags13
Service Brakes9
Vehicle Speed Control7
Unknown Or Other7
Power Train6

In the owners’ words

“I had a family member driving an 2013 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a manual transition. The car had crash and rolled. The car at the most rolled twice and none of the air bags never deployed. I have photos of the accident and of the vehicle at the towed yard and its clear as day that the air bags are still rolled up.”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Forester owner
“The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact refere”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Forester owner
“The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while idled in reverse with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated in reverse on its own, colliding with a deck, after which the vehicle shifted into drive and continued to accelerate on its own, colliding with a brick wall, only then coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were ”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Forester owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, G
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Col
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, A
11/04/2019Electrical System:Ignition:Switch SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles
09/01/2018Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,
13/10/2016Electrical System SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The
10/06/2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Conne
31/12/2014Service Brakes, Hydraulic SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana,
02/01/2020Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, o
02/01/2020Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ev

Questions owners ask

Is the 2013 Subaru Forester reliable?

On the federal record it scores 56/100: 77 owner complaints (5.92 per year on the road) and 12 recall campaigns, 12 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 26 of 68 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2013 Subaru Forester scored 56/100 on the federal record.

Full 2013 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Forester yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking