2013 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#16 most-complained of 21 Forester years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Subaru Forester has 77 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 25 out of 100 — #16 highest of 21 Forester model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (33 complaints, 43% of the total). Complaints report 13 crashes, 2 fires, and 11 injuries.
- Complaints
- 77
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 13 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine33 (43%)
- Airbags13 (17%)
- Brakes10 (13%)
- Electrical System7 (9%)
- Other7 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (6%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
2013 Subaru Forester recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V838000Nov 10, 2022Seat Belts16 vehicles
Seat belts
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.
Risk: The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru 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, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru 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 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
2013 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Subaru Forester a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Subaru Forester ranks #16 of 21 among Forester model years (Complaint Index 25/100, verdict: Good). It has 77 complaints and 12 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Forester?
- The most reported problem areas are engine (33 complaints), airbags (13 complaints), and brakes (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2013 Subaru Forester, most recently reported 2022, covering seat belts, airbags, electrical system, and brakes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Subaru Forester?
- EPA rates the 2013 Subaru Forester at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.