2023 Subaru Forester problems, complaints & recalls

2023 Subaru Forester recalls (1)

• Recall 23V754000Nov 9, 20234,701 vehicles
  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.

  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.

Recent 2023 Subaru Forester complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 2, 2026MS1 injuredBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission slipped, stranded me in the middle of a road XXX. Stopped wouldn’t go. Started locking down in reverse 1 month after I purchased the vehicle. XXX, my husband was backing down a road that had no turnaround. The RAB locked down, slammed so hard, the car slid six feet and the motor shut down. I found out a week later that L-5 was fractured in my back. The lockdown has hurt my [XXX] mother’s neck also, in March of this year. The friction clutches is fried in my…

   NHTSA complaint #11768438 · source
2. Filed Aug 5, 2026NCBrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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. A hard plastic lower extension for the HVAC air duct sits dangerously low directly above the brake and accelerator pedals. For drivers with larger or longer feet, this duct extension acts as a physical obstruction that interferes with safe pedal operation in two specific, highly dangerous…

   NHTSA complaint #11754950 · source
3. Filed Jul 27, 2026TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   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. I was going under 1 mph and would not have hit the door. It beeped right before brakes engaged. This is the second time it has engaged when it shouldn't have. The first time was in a right lane, a car about 6 car lengths in front of me was and did turn right as…

   NHTSA complaint #11753115 · source
4. Filed Jul 19, 2026CTSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Tires are wearing badly on the inside edge only. Suspension and drive train components make noise during normal operation.

   NHTSA complaint #11751388 · source
5. Filed Jul 10, 202615,000 miCACrashTowedDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   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 five other vehicles while trying to stop the vehicle. The air bags deployed as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was deemed a total loss at the scene. A Police report was filed. No injuries were…

   NHTSA complaint #11749571 · source
6. Filed Jun 10, 2026NYFireEngine

   Vehicle caught fire after oil change. Oil leaked from engine onto catalytic converter and causes catastrophic engine fire

   NHTSA complaint #11743185 · source
7. Filed Apr 15, 2026MDOther / Unknown

   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 without warning. This creates a serious safety concern, particularly when driving in traffic, as it increases the risk of collision due to sudden loss of acceleration and potential impact on vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11731400 · source
8. Filed Apr 11, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

   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 stop light, another at a busy intersection in the inner left turn lane, the other 2 instances were in parking lots. The first 2 times the vehicle was able to be jump started and was not taken to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11730548 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology