This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Subaru Forester engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Subaru Forester have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Forester | 28 |
| 2010 Forester | 29 |
| 2011 Forester | 50 |
| 2012 Forester | 22 |
| 2013 Forester (this page) | 22 |
| 2014 Forester | 41 |
| 2015 Forester | 72 |
| 2016 Forester | 32 |
| 2017 Forester | 23 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 22 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Forester, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Forester shows a strong pattern of engine trouble centered on oil loss and internal failure. Most common is excessive oil consumption—owners regularly add quarts between scheduled changes, sometimes a quart every 1,000–4,500 miles. No visible leaks appear; Subaru blames piston ring wear, but owners and mechanics state that piston ring replacement alone doesn't fix the burning. One owner on a second Forester saw the same issue repeat.
More severe cases involve catastrophic engine failure: rod bearings seize, metal fills the oil pan, or the engine simply dies under normal driving with no advance warning. Failures happened at 55k to 150k miles. Notably, the check engine light didn't always illuminate until failure was already underway—several owners had the engine stall or seize with no dashboard warning whatsoever, creating a hazard on highways. One vehicle caught fire at 55k miles after check engine lights came on.
An owner also reported oil mixing with coolant, a sign of internal breach. Repair costs run $8,000–$15,000 for engine replacement. Subaru has a class action settlement and warranty extension program, but not all VINs qualify. Some owners were offered $1,000–$1,500 credit toward a new car purchase instead of repair coverage.
Same Subaru Forester engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption / burning
Engine burns through oil at an abnormal rate, forcing owners to add quarts between scheduled oil changes. Some owners report a quart per 1,000–4,500 miles. The root cause appears to be defective piston rings or internal engine wear; Subaru's warranty response of replacing piston rings alone does not resolve the underlying issue.
When: Occurs from early ownership (22k–120k miles); some owners don't realize the problem until routine maintenance.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly despite no visible leaks; Synthetic oil appears to burn off; No warning lights illuminate even when oil is critically low; Rough riding before discovery
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru offers piston ring replacement after compression test; owners report this does not fix the problem. Valve cover and cam shaft seal replacement can cost over $2,500 and requires complete engine removal and extensive teardown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru has a class action settlement and extended warranty program for this issue. Some owners offered $1,000–$1,500 credit toward a new vehicle. VINs may not be covered under the recall.
Sudden engine stall / loss of power
Engine dies without warning while driving, often at highway speeds or in traffic. No diagnostic codes or warning lights appear beforehand. In one case, the engine was found to have no oil despite no warning system activation.
When: 55k–150k miles; can occur after prolonged normal operation with no prior symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off abruptly with no warning lights; Vehicle stalls in traffic or on highway; No oil pressure warning or check engine light before failure; Difficulty restarting or inability to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnose catastrophic engine failure. Owner reports no oil in engine despite regular maintenance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru acknowledges problem after failure occurs; not covered under all VIN-specific recalls.
Catastrophic engine failure—rod bearing and internal damage
Engine experiences critical internal failure with metal debris in oil, rod bearing failure, and damage requiring short block rebuild or full engine replacement. Occurs without prior warning despite normal maintenance.
When: 86k–98k miles; one case at 55k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or clacking noise while driving; Engine dies and will not restart reliably; Check engine light illuminates just before or during failure; Smoke under hood; metal particles visible in oil
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement or short block rebuild required. Estimated cost $8,000–$15,000. One owner reported all metal throughout oil pan.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirms catastrophic failure and necessity of replacement. Subaru has settled class action suit related to this defect.
Engine fire
Engine compartment fire occurred at low speed during normal driving. Check engine and other warning lights came on just before the fire; fire department required to extinguish.
When: 55k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine indicator illuminated; Flames visible in engine compartment; Unknown additional indicator lights on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed by fire; no diagnosis performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure at time of report.
Oil and coolant mixing
Oil mixed with antifreeze, indicating a severe internal engine breach. Led to complete engine failure requiring replacement.
When: 98k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking sound while driving; Engine stalls; Smoke from under hood; No warning lights before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; cost estimated $9,000–$15,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed catastrophic engine failure; replacement necessary. Owner filed complaint with Subaru and awaited response.
Lack of power during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or lacks response when driver presses accelerator, with a delay of approximately 10 seconds before normal power delivery resumes. Reported once.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: No power when attempting to accelerate from stop; 10-second delay before vehicle responds; Vehicle does not go when gas pedal pressed
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My car is consuming oil.
Vehicle is currently sitting at a local dealership with a bad motor that needs to be replaced. The engine failure correlates with the issues that Subaru has with this year model. I have tried unsuccessfully to come to terms with Subaru, I am moving forward with a lawsuit and all options afforded to me to ensure that Subaru is held responsible for their product.
Failed oil consumption test ,engine had to be replaced .I have the same problem with my second Subaru forester 2011 its engine had to be replaced too. In both cars I found the problems accidentally when I took the2011 to hve new tiers I asked them to check oil level found no oil on the stick filled it with 3 bottels of oil before I drove it to the dealer I feel that they should recall all…
My car has been consuming excessive amounts of oil since I have been made aware of the problem in april of 2014 by independent mechanics. At that oil change I had about a quart of synthetic left after only 4500 miles. I took it in early because the car was riding rough and that was when they discovered the low oil level. I have come to find out there is a class action suit against Subaru…
I just received a call from mechanic after taking it in for oil change. There was no oil in the pan, dipstick clean! I do not have a leak as I park in garage and would see it. No indicator lights came on dash, which is a huge concern! Looking back Subaru has had issues with oil burning up quickly. This needs to be fixed!
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Subaru Forester?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 69,324 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,324; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/Forester.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.