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: visibility/wiper
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility/wiper, Mar 19, 2025
Windshield developed a crack during a week with wild temperature swings. There was no incident leading up to the development of the crack that would have caused an initial chip or point of failure. The initial crack appeared during the day where the temperature went from the mid-60s to below freezing with precipitation in a matter of hours. Crack was not present in warm AM and appeared during cold PM. It grew (initial crack ended where the scotch tape is) during a day later that week with another wild temperature swings. Clearly a failure in the tempering process and insufficient QA for the component.
Visibility/wiper, May 26, 2024
Rear windshield burst for no apparent reason in car less than one year old while car was stopped at a stop light. Other traffic was also stopped around the car. There was no obvious cause (rock, etc.), plus the rear windshield appeared to shatter as much outward as it did inward. Fortunately car was stopped because it was very startling and could have affected driving. Also fortunately, there was no one in the back who could have been hurt by the glass. Reported it to Subaru, but they denied any coverage under warranty.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 11, 2024
Got a crack on the windshield after owning the vehicle for under 5 months. There was no apparent pebble/stone and one morning i just saw that there was a crack on the windshield. It was also active that means was growing with time. My dealer also said that it won't be covered under warranty. I used my insurance to get it fixed however it seems like this is a consistent problem with Subaru's and they are well aware of it. This is well known issue in the online Subaru groups however Subaru has done nothing to get it fixed.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 10, 2024
Spontabeus stress crack in windshield in first 1000 miles.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2024
I have owned the vehicle less than 6 months. There is now a 6 inch crack in my front windshield for no apparent reason. It just appeared one day last week. I have heard from other Subaru owners that this is a common problem. They suggested I report the issue here.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2024
Car only has 6,000 miles,had 2 tiny stones hit the windshield and put 2 pebble sized holes in windshield, got those fixed and a week later another stone hit and now it has a quarter size chip,hole ,never had any other car i owned have this happen too,I would think a #1 safety rated manufacturer would have better windshields
Visibility/wiper, Nov 30, 2023
Just replaced my winshield for my 2023 suburu, first off safelite uses after market, also I haven't had the car for more than 3 months, the next day the winshield was hit with another pebble causing another crack. Like what the hell is the matter with these winshields and what is suburu go8ng to do about it. I'm missing work, and losing money here, not only that it's very dangerous to drive with these winshields.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 26, 2023
Small pebble hit winshield and in no time I have about a 3 inch crack. Car purchased a few months ago, used I have about 4000 miles on it. Read about winshield problems in newer cars with eyesight happening frequently and bam, it happens to me. This needs to be corrected!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2023
I believe Subaru STILL has issues I've found when researching them before I bought my vehicle, about weak windshields. I purchased a new 2023 Subaru Forester Wilderness just a little over a week ago. I was driving to the dealership to drop off some papers, leaving plenty of room around me, and something small hit my windshield because I didn't see any object. My guess is a small pebble off from somewhere off the road? Instant chip that formed the start of a spiderweb crack. I've been driving for 28 years in multiple vehicles and have had small pebbles hit my windshield. I've had glass replacement twice, ever. I feel like my old 2010 Ford Focus could have taken that hit. I understand the complaints by other consumers and feel these windshields are fragile and unsafe. I had less than 400 miles on my car at the time of impact and was traveling 65 mph with plenty of distance around me. My windshield is scheduled to be replaced with sensor recalibration with just a little over a week of ownership. This is unacceptable.
Visibility/wiper, Jul 6, 2023
Cracked windshield. Full length. No apparent or known impact.
Visibility/wiper, May 17, 2023
Near-immediate chip in the windshield my first time taking this vehicle on the interstate about 50 miles into a 800 mile weekend road trip.