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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2013 Subaru ForesterRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Forester. Most complaints involve engine (27) and air bags (13). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Nov 2022
Owner complaints
78
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles. The front seat belt assembly force-limiter may not operate correctly in the event of a crash.

Seat beltsReported Nov 10, 2022NHTSA 22V838000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000
See all 12 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

78 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine27
  2. Air bags13
  3. Service brakes9
  4. Vehicle speed control7
  5. Power train6
  6. Structure4
  7. Exterior lighting4
  8. Visibility4
  9. Electrical system3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Forester model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998101
1999134
200075
2001142
200292
2003191
2004219
200593
200688
200774
200850
2009178
2010262
2011147
2012106
201378
2014403
2015616
2016416
2017592
2018498
2019834
2020603
2021214
2022100
202374
202431
2025100
202634
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

27 reports2 fires
“I was driving my 2013 Subaru Forester on 10.11.2026 and the engine caught fire driving at 35-40mph. I immediately stopped, and turned off the car. Fire Dept and Police responded and put out the fire. The fire was an oil fire is my best guess (blown head gasket?). The head gasket had been replaced by the dealer (Don Miller Subaru East- Madison) per a warranty at 100K. The mileage now is 165K. I and my partner are safe and not injured. I have reported this to Subaru America (Corporate) as well.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026EngineFire reportedODI 11770534

Air bags

13 reports6 crashes
“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 clear as day that the air bags are still rolled up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11707393

Service brakes

9 reports
“When the clutch is depressed the engine kills without indication anything is happening. All the dash lights come on and the power steering goes out. It has been happening repeatedly since last June. More frequently over time. If it happens on an off ramp or at an intersection the engine will not start for up to 5 minutes creating a safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2023Service brakes, EngineODI 11519432
All 2013 Forester problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S4) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Forester AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800389
Forester AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212723$2,800386
Forester AWD
Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192321$3,800428
  • Forester AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Forester AWD
    Auto (S4), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 23 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Subaru Forester SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 7194
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Forester questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Forester have?

12 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Subaru Forester problems?

Owners filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (27), air bags (13), service brakes (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Subaru Forester get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Subaru Forester at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Forester?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Subaru Forester 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026