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2023 Subaru Forester

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 131.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 73 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2024
Forward Collision Avoidance

If you have the adaptive cruise control (or regular cruise if you disable adaptive) and accelerate to pass another vehicle, as soon as you take your foot off the gas to coast back down to the cruise setting the car slams on the brakes to bring the vehicle back to the set speed. I have almost been rear ended several times when th…

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If you have the adaptive cruise control (or regular cruise if you disable adaptive) and accelerate to pass another vehicle, as soon as you take your foot off the gas to coast back down to the cruise setting the car slams on the brakes to bring the vehicle back to the set speed. I have almost been rear ended several times when this happens. This has occurred since I purchased the vehicle. The dealership says this is a design feature and not a defect. It doesn't matter what speed the cruise is set at. If you are exceeding the set speed, the brakes apply when the accelerator is released.

NHTSA ODI #11570560

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrashFire

Hit a deer the vehicle immediately was on fire and burnt to the ground. It had 3000 miles on it

NHTSA ODI #11552427

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance

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 vehi…

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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 when incident occurred. Vehicle has not been to the dealer for inspection yet but will have them check the Forward collision system at first oil change service unless requested sooner. Emailed Subaru customer service to notify them of the incident.

NHTSA ODI #11523158

Official recalls

1

23V754000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Nov 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Subaru Forester problems