Sayzia

2013 Subaru Forester

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 77 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  14. 77

Of the 2013 reports, 13 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine26 reports · 34% of complaints
Owner complaints77Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship12 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine26
  2. Air bags13
  3. Service brakes9
  4. Other or unspecified7
  5. Vehicle speed control7
  6. Power train6
  7. Exterior lighting4
  8. Structure4

Recalls and investigations

  1. Seat beltsNov 10, 2022

    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.

    The seat belt assembly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    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. Subaru's number for this recall is WRJ-22.

    Campaign 22V838000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

    Campaign 20V003000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

    Campaign 20V002000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 2, 2020

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

    Campaign 20V001000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Electrical system, ignition, switchApr 11, 2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

    The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    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. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

    Campaign 19V297000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

    Campaign 19V009000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2019

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2018

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.

    Campaign 18V012000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Electrical systemOct 13, 2016

    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. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

    If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

    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 on NHTSA.gov

  11. Service brakes, hydraulicDec 31, 2014

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.

    Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

    Campaign 14V830000 on NHTSA.gov

  12. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 10, 2014

    Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

    Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

    Campaign 14V311000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: power train

6 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Air bags, Oct 31, 2022, crash

    The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while coasting downhill into his carport to park his vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated forward and crashed his camper. The vehicle became wedged underneath the camper and all four legs of the camper to fold. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

  2. Power train, Jan 16, 2021

    THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 11387558. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER..THE CAR WAS GETTING WORSE WITH SHAKING, SHUDDERING AND STALLING. THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND CHARGED ME $1,029.25. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME SUBARU HAS HAD TROUBLE WITH THEIR 2010-2013 MODELS ESPECIALLY THE OUTBACKS. HE SAID THIS IS A FIRST WITH THE FORESTER I HAVE AND HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR 9 YEARS. HE ADVISED ME TO CONTACT SUBARU AND SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP ME OUT. I CALLED AND THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. THEY ONLY OFFERED A PARTIAL "GOODWILL REIMBURSEMENT" OF 350.00 SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY NEED TO RECALL THEIR CARS THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THEM. THEY ARE LIABLE WARRANTY OR NO WARRANTY. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

  3. Power train, Jan 11, 2021

    THE CAR ENGINE WANTS TO STALL OUT WHEN CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE PULLING ONTO THE STREET. IT USUALLY DOES THIS WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT ALSO WANTS TO STALL OUT WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP-IT WILL SHUDDER AND SHAKE AND CATCH ITSELF AT TIMES BUT IT USUALLY STALLS OUT. IT WILL STALL OUT IN TRAFFIC WHEN I AM STOPPING AT A LIGHT. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACED FOR 1200.00.

  4. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2016

    IN JUNE WHILE DRIVING TO LA FROM YOSEMITE, MY OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING, ENGINE HAD ABOUT 46K, THEN CAME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LA. SUBARU TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY OIL SWITCH. REPLACED WITH AUTOZONE PS309. DROVE FROM DENVER TO BISMARCK ND TO DRIVE MY COUSINS KID WITH A TUMOR ON HIS HEART AND SPINE TO MAYO CLINIC TO ROCHESTER, MN FOR CHEMO 2 TIMES TO TAKE SOME PRESSURE OFF OF THE FAMILY. IN THE MIDDLE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER. OIL LIGHT STILL ON, EVEN THOUGH TOTALLY FULL OF OIL, ENGINE IS STILL VERY HOT. DID NOT SLEEP ALL NIGHT, WORRIED ABOUT CAR. I WENT 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY TO SUBARU DEALER IN BISMARCK ND, AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NEW OIL SENSOR, NO PROBLEMS, DRIVE ON, WOULD COST $175 TO CHANGE SENSOR (MY ENGINE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). MY MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 30 MPG TO 25.5 MPG AFTER DEALERSHIP VISIT ON WAY TO ROCHESTER, AND 27 MPG BACK TO BISMARCK. CALLED SUBARU DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING. CALLED SOA, BASICALLY WASTE OF TIME. CHANGED OIL AND FILTER AGAIN. DROVE TO ROCHESTER, SLIGHTLY BETTER GAS MILEAGE, LOW OIL LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE WAY BACK. ADDED 1/2 QT. CALLED SUBARU DEALER ABOUT GAS MILEAGE DROP TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS. DROVE FROM BISMARK TO MISSOURI TO DENVER ABOUT 1200 MILES. OIL LIGHT ON AFTER ABOUT 10 HOURS. SMELLED BURNT TAR SMELL NEAR ENGINE. CHECKED OIL IN DENVER. OIL AT LOW LEVEL OF STICK. ADDED ABOUT A QT. GOING TO DEALER TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

  5. Power train, Structure, Mar 31, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY UP GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOORMAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WOULD CATCH ON THE CLUTCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  6. Power train, Electrical system, Mar 18, 2014, fire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN A BURNING ODOR BECAME PRESENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A IMPOUND LOT AND WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000.