Fifth generation (SK)
2023 Subaru Forester
The most reported problem on the 2023 Subaru Forester is windshield, with 10 complaints.
- 73owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 8involved a crash
- 9,000median miles at failure
Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2023 Subaru Forester has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2023 Subaru Forester reliable?
The 2023 Subaru Forester has 73 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 166 for 2023 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Forester model years since 2014, it has the 11th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2022 and 2024
- At 18 complaints for each year on the road, the 2023 runs close to the 2022 (20) and 1.9 times the 2024 (10).
- Top problem
- No problem dominates. The largest, windshield, covers 10 of the 73 complaints (14%), and phantom braking is next with 6 (one complaint can fall under more than one problem, so these overlap). Too few of the windshield reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 11 of the 73 complaints (15%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 8 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 5 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 1 recall is on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against it.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 28 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 17. So far in 2026, 12 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: windshield cracks or distorts, 10 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
73 complaints is 2.1 times fewer than the median 2023 model on this site and 2.3 times fewer than the median 2023 SUV. Among the 12 Forester model years here it ranks 11th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2023 Subaru Forester
Subaru filed 250 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2023 Subaru Forester. 9 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Battery dies or the car will not start 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised ...
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 7 bulletins · 5 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address the following two symptoms:SYMPTOM #1 : 2022-23MY ONLY: After the EyeSight camera has been exposed to high humidity/temperatureconditions without any operation, the ...
5 more on this problem
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address cases were a halt code E5 and or DTC b28C7 is detected by the EyeSight Stereo Camera assembly.
This bulletin addresses two symptoms related to EyeSight. The first to address 2022 and 2023 model year Foresters with DTC B28C7, for the camera being exposed to high humidity/temperature conditions without operation. The cooling fans may become inoperable.
This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for Harman Infotainment Systems when DTC B2255 is detected. This update should prevent unnecessary replacement of the head unit or USB cable.
This bulletin announces the availability of new reprogramming files developed to address two symptoms: Cooling fans inoperable with EyeSight camera exposed to high humidity/temperature conditions; Temporary halt mode detected by the EyeSight system.
This Service Bulletin is to inform you of the diagnosis procedure of the Harman Infotainment System when DTC B2255 is detected.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
Complaints filed by year
28 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2023 Subaru Forester
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
The recall on the 2023 Subaru Forester, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2023 Subaru Forester?
Windshield, with 10 of the 73 complaints.
At what mileage do 2023 Subaru Forester problems start?
Of the 20 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 3,000 miles and half by about 9,000.
Is the 2023 Subaru Forester better or worse than the 2022 and 2024?
Counted per year on the road, the 2023 has about as many complaints as the 2022 and more complaints than the 2024: 18 a year against 20 and 10.
How many 2023 Subaru Forester complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
11 of them (15%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for windshield on the 2023 Subaru Forester?
No recall on file for the 2023 Subaru Forester is on the same system as windshield. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.