Severe Issues

2013 SUBARU FORESTER Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Forester. This model year has 77 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

77
Complaints
13
Crashes
2
Fires
11
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
12
Recalls

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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2013 Subaru Forester Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
26
complaints

Engine Problems

Fires:1
#2
13
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:6
Injuries:8
#3
9
complaints

Brake System

Considering a 2013 Subaru Forester?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Subaru Forester. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems26β€”1β€”
Airbag Malfunctions136β€”β€”
Brake System9β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration74β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues72β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain611β€”
Structural Problems42β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures4β€”β€”β€”
Visibility4β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults3β€”1β€”
Seat Belt Issues31β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment1β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention11β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 77 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashDec 28, 2025

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…

Engine ProblemsFeb 4, 2025

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 o…

Structural ProblemsAug 23, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

Unintended AccelerationπŸ’₯ CrashMay 28, 2024

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, collid…

Engine ProblemsAug 5, 2023

On 7/31/23 I was driving on the highway when I started to hear a knocking sound. I got off the highway and my car stalled at the light off the exit. I was able to restart it after three tries and get it about 50 ft to the shoulder. At that point there was smoke coming from under…

Engine ProblemsJul 11, 2023

While driving, the engine suddenly went dead with no warning. No lights came on no over heating signal, no warnings. Just gone. I could have been killed in other circumstances. Fortunately, I was going down hill in the slow lane and was able to get at least partially off the roa…

Engine ProblemsJun 27, 2023

I was driving on the highway and the oil light came on as well as a ticking noise and vibration throughout the car. The engine shut off and now will not start. There is plenty of oil, gas, and the battery is charged. The engine turns when I turn the key but won't actually start a…

Brake SystemApr 28, 2023

When the clutch is depressed the engine kills without indication anything is happening. All the dash lights come on and the power steering goes out. It has been happening repeatedly since last June. More frequently over time. If it happens on an off ramp or at an intersection th…

Brake SystemDec 9, 2022

My 2013 Subaru Forester had some noise (grinding) from the rear passenger side brake pad. I set up an appointment to have it inspected later that week. I then used my car to run an errand several days later. I was driving on the highway and found I had no brakes (brake pedal…

Engine ProblemsNov 13, 2022

My car is consuming oil.

Headlight/Taillight FailuresNov 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the taillight light bulbs approximately 10 times. The headlight light bu…

Transmission / DrivetrainπŸ’₯ CrashOct 31, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while coasting downhill into his carport to park his vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed his camper. The vehicle became wedged underneath the camper and all four legs of the camper to …

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashAug 27, 2021

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while driving at 58 mph, another vehicle behind the contact rear-ended their vehicle which caused the vehicle to spun out of control and hit a concrete barrier between highways twice causing damages to the front and re…

Electrical FaultsApr 23, 2021

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT CLAIMS TO BE REPAIRED- THE IGNITION TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES AGO WHILE DRIVING 65+ ON THE FREEWAY AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER BECAUSE OF IT. ZERO POWER WHATSOEVER. I WAS ABLE TO P…

Unintended AccelerationπŸ’₯ CrashApr 12, 2021

ON 4/3/21 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM, THE 2013 SUBARU FORRESTER WAS SLOWLY BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, GEAR WAS IN REVERSE, FOOT ON ACCELERATOR WITH SPEED OF <1 MPH; JUST ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO GET CAR OUT OF GARAGE, DOWN DRIVEWAY AND ONTO THE STREET. WHILE STILL IN REVERSE, THE CAR WAS …

Engine ProblemsFeb 7, 2021

EXCESSIVE OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER SEALS AND CAM SHAFT SEALS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 120K MILES. VEHICLE LEAKS APPROXIMATELY 2 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000MILES. DEALER COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $2500. REPAIR CAN'T BE COMPLETED WITHOUT COMPLETELY REMOVING ENGINE FROM VEHICLE, AND EXTENSIVE…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 16, 2021

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11387558. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER..THE CAR WAS GETTING WORSE WITH SHAKING, SHUDDERING AND STALLING. THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CHARGED ME $1,029.25. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 11, 2021

THE CAR ENGINE WANTS TO STALL OUT WHEN CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE PULLING ONTO THE STREET. IT USUALLY DOES THIS WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT ALSO WANTS TO STALL OUT WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP-IT WILL SHUDDER AND SHAKE AND CATCH ITSELF AT TIMES BUT IT …

Uncategorized IssuesOct 9, 2020

MY FORESTER WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN WHEN I AM VERY CAREFUL TO PUT IT IN PARK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE A TSB 16-112-18R ABOUT IT. WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR DUE TO …

Uncategorized IssuesJul 29, 2020

EXCESSIVE OIL COMSUMTION - STARTED BEFORE 100,000 AROUND 2016- HAS GOTTEN WORSE - BURN A QUART AND A HALF IN 1100 MILES.... HAD OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BEFORE WARRENTY RAN OUT AND WAS TOLD ITS FINE. EXCELLENT MAINTAINANCE ON CAR - OIL CONSUMPTION RUINED CATALYTIC CONVERTOR BY 150,0…

Page 1 of 4

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Subaru Forester.

Recalls for 2013 Subaru Forester

12 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Subaru Forester. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

19V007000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V009000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V008000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V297000Nov 4, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

18V012000Sep 1, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V738000Invalid Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14V311000Oct 6, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

14V830000Invalid Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

20V001000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V002000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V003000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

22V838000Oct 11, 2022
SEAT BELTS

2013 Subaru Forester β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Subaru Forester reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2013 Subaru Forester has 77 NHTSA owner complaints, 13 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (26 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (26 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (13 complaints). #3: Brake System (9 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Forester has 13 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 77 total NHTSA complaints. 11 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2013 Subaru Forester have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Subaru Forester. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2013 Subaru Forester?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Forester has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2013 Subaru Forester

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.