The 2023 Subaru Forester has 1 safety recall and 74 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (20 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints74filed by owners
Crashes · fires8 · 4reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
2023 Subaru Forester in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
NHTSA recall 23V754000 · Nov 9, 2023 · 4,701 vehicles
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
16.9%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness SUV AWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Forester AWD
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Forester Wilderness AWD
26mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
7
1
0
1
—
Lane departure Assist; Blind spot detection
7
1
0
1
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
6
3
0
2
6,750 mi
Service brakes
6
1
1
1
—
Engine
5
1
3
0
—
Power train
5
0
0
1
—
Exterior lighting
4
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Interior panels › Dashboard
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 24, 2026 · 1 injuryService brakes Transmission slipped, stranded me in the middle of a road XXX. Stopped wouldnât go. Started locking down in reverse 1 month after I purchased the vehicle. XXX, my husband was backing down a road that had no turnaround. The RAB locked down, slammed so hard, the car slid six feet and the motor shut down. I found out a week later that L-5 was fractured in my back. The lockdown has hurt my [XXX] motherâs neck also, in March of this year. The friction clutches is fried in my transmission. My transmission is jerking, slipping, clanking, shaking from multiple lockdowns. I took vehicle to [XXX] Subaru XXX for service. I told [XXX] about it locking down, what is sounded like and what it done. He…
Aug 4, 2026Service brakes I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect regarding the driver-side footwell design in my 2023 Subaru Forester Sport, which poses an immediate and severe risk of a crash. A hard plastic lower extension for the HVAC air duct sits dangerously low directly above the brake and accelerator pedals. For drivers with larger or longer feet, this duct extension acts as a physical obstruction that interferes with safe pedal operation in two specific, highly dangerous ways: Delayed Braking: When attempting to transition from the accelerator to the brake pedal, the toe of the driver's shoe frequently catches on the lip of the air duct extension, delaying the ability to depress the brake…
Jul 27, 2026Service brakes Eyesight collision braking system engaged as I was rolling up my driveway to go into garage. Garage door was rolling up and was about 5 feet off the ground when Anti Collision system engaged and slammed the brakes on. I was going under 1 mph and would not have hit the door. It beeped right before brakes engaged. This is the second time it has engaged when it shouldn't have. The first time was in a right lane, a car about 6 car lengths in front of me was and did turn right as I was driving down the road. It almost caused an accident with the car behind me. The brakes slammed on so hard my back and neck are now sore and it bent my fingernail backwards somehow on the steering wheel.
Jul 1, 2025Power train Tires are wearing badly on the inside edge only. Suspension and drive train components make noise during normal operation.
Jul 6, 2026 · 15,000 miles · crashForward collision avoidance The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into five other vehicles while trying to stop the vehicle. The air bags deployed as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was deemed a total loss at the scene. A Police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not needed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Apr 4, 2025 · fireEngine Vehicle caught fire after oil change. Oil leaked from engine onto catalytic converter and causes catastrophic engine fire
May 4, 2023Unknown or other This 2023 windshield can easily be chipped. It has more than 10 visible chips/cracks.
Jul 19, 2025Unknown or other 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 without warning. This creates a serious safety concern, particularly when driving in traffic, as it increases the risk of collision due to sudden loss of acceleration and potential impact on vehicle control. The issue appears to be intermittent and cannot be reliably reproduced. In some instances, a check engine light has appeared in connection with the events. Despite multiple attempts to diagnose and repair the…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
