Subaru · Forester · 2023
2023 Subaru Forester
1
Recall
67
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2023 Subaru Forester has 1 recall and 67 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: visibility/wiper (10 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2023 Subaru Forester page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is visibility/wiper with 10 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 Subaru Forester currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 67 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are visibility/wiper (10), unknown or other (10), forward collision avoidance (4).
- Vehicle
- 2023 Subaru Forester
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 67
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.9% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V754000November 09, 2023
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
67 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 3, 2026
This vehicle has died 4 times in one week. when this happens, multiple lights have flashed in the dash board, including the "eye sight" warning. Then, it would not restart but continued to "turn over" when the ignition button was pushed. One instance was on a busy street at a sto...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Mar 6, 2026
1. The passenger seat air bag turn on mechanism malfunctions in a 2023 Subaru Forester Limited. The seat mechanism can be tested (and has been tested) upon request. 2. An adult that weighs 104lbs is not detected when in the seat, so the air bag is not turned on. 3. The problem ha...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 2, 2026
Vehicle suffered a major oil leak at under 60k miles. My low oil light didn’t turn on but I was actually extremely low on oil. The dealer confirmed the issue and had to replace multiple components related to the oil filter, caps, etc. If I hadnt noticed/waited any longer I would ...
Preview excerpt
TIRES
Jan 3, 2026
see attached
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Dec 20, 2025
In three years I've had the Automatic Emergency Braking system engage and almost cause accidents several times. The breaking system engages when it's not needed. Going down a road driving straight at 25 MPH, no obstacles in road and breaks engage. Verry scarry, what if I was g...
Preview excerpt
LANE DEPARTURE
Dec 17, 2025
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.
STEERING
CRASH2 injuriesOct 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 15-20 MPH and attempting to make a right turn into the right lane, the steering wheel failed to respond as needed and pulled to the left direction, causing the vehicle to drive over the dividing lan...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 1, 2025
Traveling at approximately 45 mph through a green light at a 4-way intersection a car making a right on red turn turned into the outside lane in front of me. I had no warning sounds or automatic braking, to avoid a collision I had to steer to the left after an on coming car passe...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 10, 2025
This complaint is in relation to a 2023 Subaru Forester. The car was purchased new at White River Subaru in White River Junction, VT less than two years ago. Before it reached 30,000 miles the following problem has arisen 1) rusty brakes and pads 2) a wheel bearing had to be repl...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jul 19, 2025
My vehicle has experienced repeated stalling events, including while the vehicle is in operation. The first occurrence began at approximately [mileage] and has continued intermittently despite multiple service visits. During these incidents, the vehicle unexpectedly loses power w...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 67 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2023 Subaru models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Subaru Forester Years
2024 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.2r28c2022 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.1r91c2025 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.2r64c2021 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.200c2026 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.1r1c2020 Subaru ForesterCompare this year against 2023 for complaint and recall shifts.588c
More 2023 Subaru Models
2023 Subaru OutbackAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.2r84c2023 Subaru AscentAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.3r38c2023 Subaru CrosstrekAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.29c2023 Subaru SolterraAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.4r25c2023 Subaru LegacyAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.2r9c2023 Subaru WRXAnother 2023 Subaru option for same-year comparison.1r7c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Subaru Forester have?
The 2023 Subaru Forester has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
NHTSA has received 67 owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Subaru Forester.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2023 Subaru Forester?
The 2023 Subaru Forester received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Subaru Forester?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2023 Subaru Forester are visibility/wiper (10 reports), unknown or other (10 reports), forward collision avoidance (4 reports).
Does the 2023 Subaru Forester have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2023 Subaru Forester. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.