2013 Subaru Forester Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Subaru Forester has 77 complaints, 12 recall campaigns, and a complaint index of 25, earning a Caution verdict capped by its recall count despite a relatively low complaint index. It ranks 16th of 21 model years, with Engine issues the top problem area (33 complaints, 43% share).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Forester years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 77
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
Top 2013 Subaru Forester problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed while backing out of a garage or driveway, sometimes causing property damage.
- Some describe engine compartment fires, including flames visible after warning lights illuminated during driving.
- Drivers report front airbags failing to deploy in crashes, including rollovers and rear-end collisions, while side airbags sometimes did deploy.
- One owner reported the vehicle would not shift out of park, followed by a burning smell and a fire near the rear of the car.
- A transmission issue was reported where the vehicle independently accelerated while coasting downhill into a parking area.
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 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 77 complaints and a complaint index of 25 for the 2013 Forester, which is lower than several other model years, but 12 recall campaigns push its verdict to Caution.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Subaru Forester?
- Engine complaints lead with 33 reports, 43% of all complaints, and a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Subaru Forester have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recalls for the 2013 Forester, including three 2019 campaigns and three 2020 campaigns tied to Takata front passenger air bag inflators.
- How does the 2013 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2013 model ranks 16th worst out of 21 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 25, better than 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 but still rated Caution due to recall volume.
- Why is the 2013 Forester rated Caution instead of Good?
- NHTSA recall data shows 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, which caps the verdict to Caution despite the relatively low complaint index of 25.