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2023 Subaru Forester
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age — inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
69 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 10, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2023 Subaru Forester, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Electrical system (7) · Airbags (6) · Engine (5) · Lane Departure (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint — a rough guide, not a schedule.
Visibility & wipers
17%12 complaints · typically near 4k mi · 1 in the last 2 years
“Got a crack on the windshield after owning the vehicle for under 5 months. There was no apparent pebble/stone and one morning i just saw that there was a crack on the …”
Driver assistance
16%11 complaints · typically near 13k mi · 7 in the last 2 years
“In three years I've had the Automatic Emergency Braking system engage and almost cause accidents several times. The breaking system engages when it's not needed. Going…”
Electrical system
10%7 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“Currently suspected that the vehicle battery was installed incorrectly during assembly. Engine fire started at the battery wiring and vehicle was a total liss”
Airbags
9%6 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“The front passenger side air bag remains turned off when a 105 pound adult sits in it, but turns on when a 185 pound adult sits in it. Subaru service informs us that i…”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Power Train · 23V754000
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.
Fix: 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.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150–$250 independent inspection of this exact 2023 Subaru FORESTER beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2023? See how every Forester model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2023 Subaru Forester against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score — if they disagree, that’s worth knowing.