MYRModel Year Report

2013 Subaru Forester

▲ Better than typical
2013 Subaru Forester
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:47:51.058Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Forester Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1998: 101 complaints 1998 1999: 131 complaints 2000: 75 complaints 2001: 139 complaints 2002: 88 complaints 2002 2003: 189 complaints 2004: 219 complaints 2005: 93 complaints 2006: 88 complaints 2006 2007: 72 complaints 2008: 50 complaints 2009: 178 complaints 2010: 262 complaints 2010 2011: 147 complaints 2012: 105 complaints 2013: 77 complaints 2013 2014: 403 complaints 2014 2015: 611 complaints 2016: 405 complaints 2017: 579 complaints 2018: 487 complaints 2018 2019: 831 complaints 2020: 592 complaints 2021: 207 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 69 complaints 2024: 28 complaints 2025: 78 complaints 2026: 11 complaints 2026
2013: 77 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998101
1999131
200075
2001139
200288
2003189
2004219
200593
200688
200772
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012105
201377
2014403
2015611
2016405
2017579
2018487
2019831
2020592
2021207
202293
202369
202428
202578
202611

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 34%

34% of complaints: engine — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20180716

AIR BAGS 17%

17% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20251228

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, 20180628

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, 20130831

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 9 distinct reports on file.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20190818

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. 8JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20130901

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20140723 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 14V311000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150127 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 14V830000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161216 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 16V738000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180209 — air bags

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.

Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V008000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190510 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221201 — 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.

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.

Campaign 22V838000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Subaru Forester — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V830000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V738000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V007000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V009000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V838000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2015 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

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 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Forester have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.