NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
What the fix does
This page covers 10 recalls, 77 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Subaru Forester.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate reports for the 2013 Forester, with oil consumption being the most common theme, owners frequently describe the engine burning through oil between changes, often with the check engine light illuminating as the first sign something is wrong. A smaller but notable cluster of engine reports involves sudden stalling or complete engine failure while driving, sometimes accompanied by knocking sounds or smoke from under the hood. Airbag complaints make up the second-largest group, with multiple owners reporting that the airbags did not deploy during crashes they describe as significant enough to expect deployment. Brake complaints are fewer in number but include reports of unexpected vehicle movement or unintended acceleration, with some of those incidents also ending without airbag deployment.
77
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Subaru Forester has 10 recalls, the most serious being a Takata passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Multiple recall filings cover this same airbag inflator defect, reflecting the breadth of the Takata campaign across different vehicle populations and prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the issue. There are also two other significant safety concerns. On turbocharged models, a relay controlling the secondary air injection pump can fail and leave the pump running continuously until it overheats and melts, raising the risk of a fire under the hood. Vehicles where the ignition switch was replaced with a certain mechanical key replacement part face a separate risk: a small spring inside the switch can break, weakening the switch enough that the engine can cut out without warning, and if a crash follows, the airbags may not deploy. Rounding out the list, the front seatbelt force-limiter on certain vehicles may not function correctly in a crash, reducing how well the belt restrains an occupant.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt force-limiter may not work properly during a crash, potentially causing the belt to restrain occupants with excessive force.
What the fix does
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will inspect the front seat belt assembly and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.