NHTSA has received 73 owner complaints about the 2023 Subaru Forester, or 19.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.47, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #47 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 50% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 68% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2023-03-23 and 2026-08-05. Median delay from incident to filing: 8 days.
73Complaints
19.9Complaints per year on the road
0.47Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
15.1%Share involving a crash or fire
18Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2022) drew 20.8 complaints per year, about the same. The following model year (2024) drew 10.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2023 model collected 44 complaints, 47% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Body & structure (19.2% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (15.1%) and Driver-assist systems (13.7%). Body & structure complaints are 2.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Body & structure reports, owners most often mention “pebble”, “windshield”, “crack”, “chip” and “stone”. 11 reports (15.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 18 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (34% of incidents). In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 3% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.47
vs. other Subaru models0.5
vs. other 2023 models0.47
vs. other Compact SUVs0.32
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (44)0.53
The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into…
Driver-assist systems · 2026-07-10 · ODI 11749571 · Crash
Vehicle caught fire after oil change. Oil leaked from engine onto catalytic converter and causes catastrophic engine fire
Engine · 2026-06-10 · ODI 11743185 · Fire
I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect regarding the driver-side footwell design in my 2023 Subaru Forester Sport, which poses an immediate and severe risk of a crash.
Brakes · 2026-08-05 · ODI 11754950
Eyesight collision braking system engaged as I was rolling up my driveway to go into garage. Garage door was rolling up and was about 5 feet off the ground when Anti Collision system engaged and slammed the brakes on.
Brakes · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11753115
Tires are wearing badly on the inside edge only. Suspension and drive train components make noise during normal operation.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-19 · ODI 11751388
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Campaign 23V754000 · 2023-11-09
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
73 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2023 Subaru Forester, or about 19.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
The most common category is Body & structure, accounting for 19.2% of complaints.
Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2023 Subaru Forester still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 16 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2023 Subaru Forester compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 73 owner complaints about the 2023 Subaru Forester, or 19.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.47, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2023 vehicles we track, it ranks #47 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Subaru models its rate is 50% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 68% lower.