2023 Subaru Forester Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#11 most-complained of 16 Forester years
The 2023 Subaru Forester has a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years, with a 'Good' verdict relative to other Foresters. It has 73 complaints, 1 recall, and a top problem area of Collision Avoidance & Cameras.
- Complaints
- 73
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27.5
- 25.5 city / 30.5 hwy
Top 2023 Subaru Forester problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other20 (27%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers12 (16%)
- Electrical System11 (15%)
- Engine10 (14%)
- Airbags6 (8%)
- Structure & Body6 (8%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Lane Departure5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (7%)
What owners report
- Owners report unintended acceleration while shifting into gear or reverse in parking lots, sometimes crashing into curbs, buildings, or trees.
- Some drivers describe the Forward Collision Avoidance system going inoperative and failing to stop the vehicle before a crash.
- Lane Departure or auto-steer systems reportedly pulled the vehicle out of its lane and into barriers or oncoming lanes.
- Engine fires were reported after oil leaked onto the catalytic converter, with one owner citing an inverted oil filter design.
- Electrical system complaints include a suspected incorrectly installed battery that led to an engine fire at the wiring.
- One owner reported the steering wheel failing to respond during a low-speed turn, causing the vehicle to hit a concrete divider.
2023 Subaru Forester recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V754000Nov 9, 2023Transmission & Powertrain4,701 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Remedy: 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.
2023 Subaru Forester fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,375
- 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.
2023 compared with other Forester years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?
- Relative to other Forester model years, 2023 rates 'Good' with a complaint index of 33 and ranks 11th worst out of 16 years tracked, meaning most other years scored worse.
- What problems does the 2023 Subaru Forester have?
- NHTSA complaints point to Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues (19% of complaints), Visibility & Wipers (16%), Electrical System (15%), and Engine problems (14%), including reports of unintended acceleration and fires.
- Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (23V754000) covers a front driveshaft outer race that may crack and break; it is not a do-not-drive recall, and dealers replace the driveshafts as needed.
- How does the 2023 Forester compare to other years?
- The 2023 Forester's complaint index of 33 is far below the worst years, such as 2019 (100) and 2015 (87), both rated 'Avoid', making 2023 a comparatively safer choice.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Subaru Forester?
- The EPA rates the 2023 Forester at 27.5 mpg combined (25.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,375.