Verdict
2023 Subaru Forester: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2023 Subaru Forester — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 69 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 69% of 2023 SUVs. Unknown Or Other leads the reports (20%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2023 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
69
Reports to NHTSA, 2023
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
27.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 69% of 2023 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2023 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Unknown Or Other issues lead owner complaints (20% of 69 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (14%).
+ 12 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 69 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11552427, ODI 11735674, ODI 11731400, ODI 11686174, ODI 11671639.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Power TrainSep 2023 · 23V754000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 26 | 33 | 29 |
| Forester Wilderness AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S8) | 25 | 28 | 26 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2023 Subaru Forester: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
Owners filed 69 NHTSA complaints about the 2023 Subaru Forester — more complaints than 69% of comparable 2023 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2023 Subaru Forester?
The most-reported problem areas are Unknown Or Other (20% of complaints) and visibility/wiper (14%).
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Forester have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2023 Subaru Forester, covering components such as power train. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Subaru Forester get?
The EPA rates the 2023 Subaru Forester between 26 and 29 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.