repaired · 2025 Q4
Driveline: driveshaft
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.
2023 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 76 owner complaints about the 2023 Subaru Forester, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 23V-754 the manufacturer reports only 97% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2023 Subaru Forester has problems
76 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
13Forward collision avoidance2 crash/fire/injury
11Visibility/wiper
8Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
6Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
6Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
6Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
5Engine
5Lane departure
5Power train
2211 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 13 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 2 |
| Air bags | 6 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 |
| Engine | 5 | 4 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 1 |
| Power train | 5 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 22 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2023 Subaru Forester recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Best & worst years
2023 vs. every other Forester year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score
'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2023 Subaru Forester safety ratings
2023 Subaru Forester SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What Forester owners report
Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Eyesight collision braking system engaged as I was rolling up my driveway to go into garage. Garage door was rolling up and was about 5 feet off the ground when Anti Collision system engaged and slammed the brakes on. I was going under 1 mph and would not have hit the door. It beeped right before…
The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently accelerated, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was inoperative, causing the front center of the vehicle to crash into five other vehicles while trying to stop…
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 down a road driving straight at 25 MPH, no obstacles in road and breaks engage. Verry scarry, what if I was going 65 MPH on the…
Own a 2023 Forester?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.