2023 Subaru Forester: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2023 Subaru Forester? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 67 complaints, with Uncategorized Issues as the top reported area.
2023 Subaru Forester Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2023 Subaru Forester trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2023 Subaru Forester Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2023 Subaru Forester has 67 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Uncategorized Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Forester
- Model year
- 2023
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 67
- Crash-related complaints
- 7
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Uncategorized Issues
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 29
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 26 / 33
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2023 Subaru Forester Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Uncategorized Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Visibility/Wiper
Complaint patterns center on Uncategorized Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB, Visibility/Wiper. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2023 Subaru Forester?
The 2023 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2023 Subaru Forester
Inspection Focus
- Investigate any uncategorized issues reported by owners.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for forward collision avoidance and visibility systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's electrical and safety systems before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Investigate any uncategorized issues reported by owners.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for forward collision avoidance and visibility systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's electrical and safety systems before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2023 Subaru Forester, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester are concentrated in uncategorized issues, forward collision avoidance, and visibility/wiper problems. Crash-related complaints are present but limited. The data suggests potential concerns with advanced driver assistance systems and electrical components.
- Uncategorized Issues account for the highest number of complaints at 18.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB and Visibility/Wiper each have 11 complaints.
- There is 1 recall for the 2023 model year.
- Uncategorized Issues (18 complaints) – may indicate miscellaneous or hard-to-diagnose problems.
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (11 complaints) – potential false activations or system failures.
- Visibility/Wiper (11 complaints) – possible issues with wiper performance or visibility.
All 2023 Subaru Forester Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Subaru Forester. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
My vehicle has experienced repeated stalling events, including while the vehicle is in operation. The first occurrence began at approximately [mileage] and has continued intermittently despite multiple service visits. During these incidents, the vehicle unexpectedly loses power w…
This vehicle has died 4 times in one week. when this happens, multiple lights have flashed in the dash board, including the "eye sight" warning. Then, it would not restart but continued to "turn over" when the ignition button was pushed. One instance was on a busy street at a sto…
Eyesight camera randomly turns off and on while driving. Has been consistent over several months pierced to be an ongoing issue that was previously recorded from 20 14–20 21 super Forrester. Very similar issue now with my 2023.
Vehicle suffered a major oil leak at under 60k miles. My low oil light didn’t turn on but I was actually extremely low on oil. The dealer confirmed the issue and had to replace multiple components related to the oil filter, caps, etc. If I hadnt noticed/waited any longer I would …
1. The passenger seat air bag turn on mechanism malfunctions in a 2023 Subaru Forester Limited. The seat mechanism can be tested (and has been tested) upon request. 2. An adult that weighs 104lbs is not detected when in the seat, so the air bag is not turned on. 3. The problem ha…
see attached
In three years I've had the Automatic Emergency Braking system engage and almost cause accidents several times. The breaking system engages when it's not needed. Going down a road driving straight at 25 MPH, no obstacles in road and breaks engage. Verry scarry, what if I was g…
Traveling at approximately 45 mph through a green light at a 4-way intersection a car making a right on red turn turned into the outside lane in front of me. I had no warning sounds or automatic braking, to avoid a collision I had to steer to the left after an on coming car passe…
Vehicle had just received an oil change at the dealership and the car caught fire. Oil leaked onto the catalytic converter and ignited. Car was a total loss. After my own review, there are several instances of this happening and many customers have experienced similar fires. The …
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 15-20 MPH and attempting to make a right turn into the right lane, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed and pulled to the left direction, causing the vehicle to drive over the dividing lan…
Driver and passenger seats are collapsing to the point we are sinking into the seats unevenly and we can feel the hardware in the seats. We have bells that ding intermittently while driving. The dealership stated this is due to the airbag sensors located in the seats. Both seat m…
This complaint is in relation to a 2023 Subaru Forester. The car was purchased new at White River Subaru in White River Junction, VT less than two years ago. Before it reached 30,000 miles the following problem has arisen 1) rusty brakes and pads 2) a wheel bearing had to be repl…
I had been driving for 30 minutes from Mokena towards Rosemont. I was on [XXX] near rosemont when the rear passenger-side window spontaneously shattered without warning. There was a loud pop, and tempered glass collapsed inward into the rear cargo area and passenger footwell. Som…
In driving our 2023 Subaru Forester at 45mph at 10:00 am in the morning, with NO cars in front of us, in back of us, or on either side of us- suddenly the brakes locked up! Had there been anyone behind us, there could have been a dangerous collision. We have owned this car for 2…
Air leak puncture on my left front tire driver side
Currently suspected that the vehicle battery was installed incorrectly during assembly. Engine fire started at the battery wiring and vehicle was a total liss
Windshield developed a crack during a week with wild temperature swings. There was no incident leading up to the development of the crack that would have caused an initial chip or point of failure. The initial crack appeared during the day where the temperature went from the mid-…
Front windshield crack came out of no where. No idea ever had a stone or anything connect with windshield.
Factory installed headlights are dangerous as the low beam has a black line approximately halfway in the field of vision. Subaru states this is to keep from blinding oncoming vehicles. Driving in town not too bad, however in rural mountain areas with winding roads the headlights …
The battery is getting drained by the car's system
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2023 Subaru Forester.
2023 Subaru Forester Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2023 Subaru Forester. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2023 Subaru Forester Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 67 owner complaints, 7 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2023 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Forester?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (18 complaints). #2: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (11 complaints). #3: Visibility/Wiper (11 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2023 Subaru Forester?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2023 Subaru Forester?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2023 Subaru Forester, NHTSA complaints include 7 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 67 total complaints. 5 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2023 Subaru Forester. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2023 Subaru Forester?▾
The 2023 Subaru Forester shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Uncategorized Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2023 Subaru Forester based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.