2023 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
6,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 73 complaints (27.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 20.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 11 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 8 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
Unknown Or Other: 20; Visibility/Wiper: 11; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 8; Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2023: 16; 2024: 28; 2025: 17; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11513387 · 2023-03-23 (March 23, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated unintendedly, and drove over a concrete curb and uphill toward a building. The contact quickly made a right turn, however, the fender and driver's side of the vehicle crashed into the edge of the building and scraped it. The vehicle then drove downhill through the grass and stopped on a sidewalk. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. There we…
Owner-reported narrative. 547 miles reported. Look up ODI 11513387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515459 · 2023-04-04 (April 4, 2023)
Door garnish panel (Part Number 91112SJ570) came loose within about 2 weeks of delivery of the new vehicle. The date of the incident is uncertain as the missing part was discovered after the event. The missing part is not available as it was not clear when or where the part fell off the vehicle. The vehicle has been shown to a service centre at Subaru Serramonte who confirmed the part number of the missing part. No investigation was offered as the missing part was not available. No lamps, messages or symptoms alerted the problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518701 · 2023-04-24 (April 24, 2023)
I purchased a new Subaru Forester on February 3, 2023 from Cross Creek Subaru in Fayetteville NC. I noticed that the passenger air bag was off at times with my wife in the passenger seat. I made an appointment to have this fixed, The air bag was always on for her in my F150, Honda CRV and all the other cars we have owned. When I took it in they put some weights on the seat, hooked up to a computer and said that the seat was measuring the weight properly. The air bag was still on some time and off some time with no obvious reason for th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522191 · 2023-05-16 (May 16, 2023)
2023 Subaru Forester, consumer is concerned that the Blind Spot Monitoring System and Dashboard Display are safety hazards and what changes can be made.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522557 · 2023-05-17 (May 17, 2023)
Near-immediate chip in the windshield my first time taking this vehicle on the interstate about 50 miles into a 800 mile weekend road trip.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523158 · 2023-05-22 (May 22, 2023)
Forward collision braking activated for no reason. No traffic in front or behind when activated. Steady speed of 35-40 mph when activated - conditions were clear and dry. No warning prior to incident, message appeared on dash during braking. Seat belts activated and car came to a complete and very abrupt stop. Thankfully no vehicle behind us or most likely would have been rear ended. Problem has not been reproduced as we will not drive the vehicle without disabling the Forward Collision feature on the car. Vehicle had less than 2500 miles on it…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11530644 · 2023-07-06 (July 6, 2023)
Cracked windshield. Full length. No apparent or known impact.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11533802 · 2023-07-22 (July 22, 2023)
No incident yet. Have LED projection lights which are supposed to prevent glare to oncoming drivers. Live in rural area where there is little lighting. Even on dim, lights apparently are too bright & other drivers flash their brights as if I have them on bright. Don't understand how this helps safety. The projection prevents me from seeing the top 2/3 of screen at night the dark cut off line allows me to see very little in front of me. I will try to upload photos. Have almost hit deer. Have to put on bright for visibility, but can't do this in …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11533802 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V754000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2023-11-09 (November 9, 2023)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗