2013 Subaru Forester problems and complaints

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Subaru Forester. The most-reported areas: Engine (26), Air Bags (13), Service Brakes (9).

Key takeaways

  • 77 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 13 involve a crash, 2 a fire, 11 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2634%
Air Bags1317%
Service Brakes912%
Vehicle Speed Control79%
Unknown Or Other79%
Power Train68%
Structure45%
Exterior Lighting45%
Visibility45%
Electrical System34%
Seat Belts34%
Fuel/Propulsion System23%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Subaru Forester SUV AWD4/54/54/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Air Bags - filed 2025-12-28

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 roll...

Engine - filed 2025-02-04

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...

Structure - filed 2024-08-23

See attached document for complaint.

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More for the 2013 Subaru Forester

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.