Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2013-SUBARU-FORESTERNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Subaru
2013 Subaru Forester problems
The 2013 Subaru Forester has 7 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 77 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2013 Subaru Forester has 77 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 22 complaints, typically surfacing around 87,009 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
The problems owners report most, open recalls, and the mileage where failures cluster — straight from the NHTSA record, in seconds.
Reliability score
2.8 / 10
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
7
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Forester?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Reliability score 2.8/10 — below the segment average
12 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★4/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Subaru Forester SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Subaru Forester? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 22 owner reports
· tends to show around 87,009 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
airbags — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 30,633 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 22,270 mi · ~$450 to fix
cruise control — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,561 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 30,633 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 12 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Forester· airbagsCrash
I had a family member driving an 2013 Subaru Forester all-wheel drive with a manual transition. The car had crash and rolled. The car at the most rolled twice and none of the air bags never deployed. I have photos of the accident and of the vehicle at the towed yard and its…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Subaru forester (n/a). The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated to 30 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the floor mats were responsible for the failure.…
Since purchasing this vehicle we have replaced the drivers side headlight 6 times. In this same time period we have replaced the passenger side headlight only once. This concerns me, as it makes me think there is a wiring problem & a possibility of a more severe problem
My 2013 Subaru Forester had some noise (grinding) from the rear passenger side brake pad. I set up an appointment to have it inspected later that week. I then used my car to run an errand several days later. I was driving on the highway and found I had no brakes (brake…
Had a problem with your 2013 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.8 out of 10 based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Subaru Forester has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2013 Subaru Forester?
The 2013 Subaru Forester is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 2.8/10 — below the segment average; 12 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Subaru Forester?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 22 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,009 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Subaru Forester a good used car to buy?
It scores 2.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 77 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 87,009 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Subaru Forester?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 22 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 87,009 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 87,009 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Forester has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Subaru Forester?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 77 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/Forester.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Subaru. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
