Is the 2013 Subaru FORESTER reliable?

The 2013 Subaru FORESTER has 94 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Subaru FORESTER?

Top problems: ENGINE (26 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (13 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Subaru FORESTER?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, SEAT BELTS. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Subaru FORESTER?

The 2013 Subaru FORESTER gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Subaru FORESTER often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Subaru FORESTER: very-low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Subaru FORESTER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Subaru FORESTER is approximately $1,375/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Subaru FORESTER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Subaru FORESTER has 94 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 307. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: 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 disco. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 15 crash reports 15 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

26 complaints

28%

• 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 DISCO
• 2013 SUBARU FORESTER - CONSTANTLY BURNING OIL. NEEDS TO BE REPLENISHED OFTEN. *JS
• IN JUNE WHILE DRIVING TO LA FROM YOSEMITE, MY OIL LIGHT BEGAN FLICKERING, ENGINE HAD ABOUT 46K, THEN CAME ON AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LA. SUBARU TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY OIL SWITCH. REPLACED WITH AUTOZONE PS309. DROVE FROM DENVER TO BISMARCK ND TO DRIVE MY COUSINS KID WITH A TUMOR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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 DISCO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Subaru FORESTER

Based on 69 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 28K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Very low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Subaru FORESTER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Subaru FORESTER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,375

Full coverage / month

$115

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.85x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1375

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru FORESTER Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2013 FORESTER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 94 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 DISCO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I HAD A SIDE IMPACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT CRUSHED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS AND BLEW OUT THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. THE IMPACT NEARLY CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND AGAIN THE SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT THERE WERE SERIOUS INJURIES IN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: 2013 SUBARU FORESTER. 07/25/14 CAR HAD DIFFICULTY TIME ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY.REPORTED TO THE DEALER THAT RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING AND GETTING VERY HOT. DEALER INSPECTED R/F WHEEL, ROTOR WAS BLUE AND HARD TO TURN. INSPECTED BRAKES AND FOUND PADS STUCK IN BRACKET. CLEANED AND LUBED PAD SL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CAME OUT OF A CAR WASH AND SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE SUBARU FORESTER ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDALS. STARTED PUMPING BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOTHING. STEERED CAR THRU PARKING LOT NEXT TO CAR WASH AND SIDE-SWIPED THREE CARS AND SOMEHOW MANAGED TO STEER THRU THE REST OF THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)