2023 Subaru Forester
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 73 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 26 Forester model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 8 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, driveline, driveshaftNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 23V754000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: lane departure
5 reports, newest first. Show all
Lane departure, Mar 27, 2026
Eyesight camera randomly turns off and on while driving. Has been consistent over several months pierced to be an ongoing issue that was previously recorded from 20 14–20 21 super Forrester. Very similar issue now with my 2023.
Fuel/propulsion system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 24, 2025
The check engine light and a flashing 'S' and other lights stating the safety features such as Eyesight, lane departure, RAB, etc. are turned off. This started on 1/15/25, and I took the car to the dealership on 1/16/25. The dealership stated the EVap System Leak Detection Pump sensor indicated a leak, and the EvaporateLeak Check Module needs to be replaced but is back-ordered until mid-March 2025. They turned off all the lights and told me I could keep driving the vehicle. On 1/20/25, all of the lights were back on. The car lags to accelerate and is using gas at a rapid rate. I feel unsafe driving the car for another two months with the check engine light on and the acceleration capacity decreased. The dealership will not allow me a rental vehicle unless I leave it on their lot for two months until the part arrives. I cannot agree with that. The dealership informed me that multiple Forester and Crosstreks models have the same problem. This car was purchased brand new from the Olympia dealership and it currently has about 22,000 miles on it.
Lane departure, Jan 21, 2025
On January 3, 2024, my Subaru forester suddenly lost emergency safety features such as the blind spot warning system. Many warning messages flashed on the screen as I drove north on rt 1 and the blind spot warning system was totally disabled. I believe that other safety features were likewise disabled, as well. I was upset as I had traded in my 2015 Forester because it lacked those safety features that in my new car had abruptly just stopped working! I drove my car to the Concordville Subaru dealership for diagnosis and repair. I was told that the tech found error code P0455. The tech also found that the gas cap was secured and he reset the code and test drove the car. The error code did not re-occur upon test driving the car. I was told that that error code meant that gas fumes had escaped from the tank and that, when that occurs, all safety features are disabled. As my gas cap was secured that explanation seemed very weak to me and I asked how that explanation could be correct. I was told that Subaru could do a "smoke test" to ensure no leaks of gas fumes. I was given a loaner car and the test was done and no issues were found. As my car was running fine, I took my car home. I am writing this complaint over a year past the incident because I have now had a second incident, different in detail, but I am fearing some major problem with the car. I will write a complaint regarding the second incident which occurred on January 5, 2025.
Lane departure, Nov 18, 2024, crash
I was driving on a two lane highway in the mountains and came around a small right-veering turn in the road. I straightened out the wheel to resume traveling straight, and my car’s auto-steer kicked in and pulled left into the center divider, and then right across two lanes and crashed into the side of the mountain. The auto-steer has pulled me out of lanes prior to this incident as well.
Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure, Oct 5, 2024
While driving on a highway, one lane in each direction, my lane was going to end. In front of me were painted yellow highway lines directing me to head right to the new lane on the right side of the steel railings. My adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assistance still had me heading straight instead of to the right. I had to strongly turn my steering wheel to the right to avoid hitting the railing. Also I was following a car into a rotary with my adaptive cruise control on. Thankfully I wasn't going fast and the car started to speed up a little as the car in front of me turned around the rotary. I was able to steer it in the right direction. My point is, some of the new technology is showing commercials with drivers with their hands off the steering wheel, relying on the technology. I was glad I had complete control of the car, but these features aren't perfect.