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2023 Subaru Forester Engine Problems

3 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

3
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
Aug 2024Nov 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (3)

criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Nov 2025

Your car caught fire shortly after an oil change at the dealership. Oil leaked from the oil filter onto the hot catalytic converter, which ignited the fuel. The owner reports that the oil filter may have been installed upside down, making leaks more likely. This issue has reportedly occurred in multiple vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11698669
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while at a stop light, the brake pedal was released, but the vehicle failed to move. The accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact was able to drive to a parking lot. After shifting to drive, the vehicle unexpectedly reversed. While in reverse, the vehicle would shift to drive erroneously. The vehicle jolted forward. The vehicle was shaking, jerking, and skipping gear. The engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 11,426.

NHTSA #: 11610406
mediumENGINE
CrashFiled: Oct 2023

The contact owned a 2023 Subaru Forrester. The contact stated that while his wife was driving in reverse mode, the vehicle independently accelerated, which caused a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle simultaneously crashed into a parked vehicle and a concrete wall. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and then towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact also stated that damage was caused to the parked vehicle and to the wall. The vehicle was diagnosed by Subaru Headquarters which advised the contact that they do not share the diagnosis details with the customer. The contact stated that the Subaru Headquarters representative advised him that all their systems for the vehicle worked as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA #: 11551364

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