Is the 2013 Subaru Forester reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Subaru Forester is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Forester?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Forester have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

2013 Subaru Forester

▲ Better than typical

2013 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:06:24.599Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 78
Recalls: 12
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Engine

Complaints per year

2013: 78 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1998	101
1999	131
2000	75
2001	139
2002	88
2003	189
2004	219
2005	93
2006	88
2007	74
2008	50
2009	178
2010	262
2011	147
2012	105
2013	78
2014	403
2015	616
2016	414
2017	593
2018	497
2019	833
2020	604
2021	213
2022	100
2023	74
2024	30
2025	99
2026	33

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

35% · 27 reports

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my 2013 Subaru Forester on 10.11.2026 and the engine caught fire driving at 35-40mph. I immediately stopped, and turned off the car. Fire Dept and Police responded and put out the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-12

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 30 MPH in bumper to bumper traffic, the check engine indicator illuminated along with other unknown indicators. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the roadway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-16

Air bags

17% · 13 reports

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I had a family member driving an 2013 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a manual transition. The car had crash and rolled. The car at the most rolled twice and none of the air bags never deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-12-28

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. While driving 40 MPH, another vehicle suddenly merged into the contact's lane without stopping. To avoid a crash, the contact drove over the embankment and the vehicle rolled over.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-28

I had a side impact on the driver's side that crushed the driver and passenger doors and blew out the driver's window. The impact nearly caused the vehicle to roll over and again the side air bag did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-31

Also filed under Structure

Service brakes

12% · 9 reports

Vehicle speed control

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-28

As I began to back my bosses car out of the driveway, I looked out of my left mirror to follow the curve of the driveway in order to direct me. I didn't see anything behind me, so I proceeded to continue down the driveway, and then I felt a bump.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-18

While backing into a garage there was a uncontrolable acceleration causing damage the the rear end of the car and items stored in the garage.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-09-01

Power train

8% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly.

CRASHFIRE

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2014-07-23Service brakes, hydraulic14V311000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-01-27Service brakes, hydraulic14V830000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-12-16Electrical system16V738000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2022-12-01Seat belts22V838000 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.

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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Engine: 27 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 13 reports on file for this year.
Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 14V311000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 14V830000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 16V738000 · Electrical system
Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Recall 22V838000 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Subaru Forester reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Subaru Forester is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Forester?: The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Forester have?: 12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.

2013 Subaru Forester

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Engine

Air bags

Service brakes

Vehicle speed control

Power train

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years