10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,256 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Subaru Forester engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Subaru Forester:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Subaru Forester Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jun 012022

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car is consuming oil.

- Jenks, OK, USA

problem #20

Oct 012020

Forester

  • 120,000 miles
Excessive oil leaking from valve cover seals and cam shaft seals. Vehicle only has 120K miles. Vehicle leaks approximately 2 quart of oil every 1000miles. Dealer cost to repair is over $2500. Repair can't be completed without completely removing engine from vehicle, and extensive tare down of motor. Unacceptable mechanical failure for a regularly dealer maintained vehicle of this age,

- Branchport, NY, USA

problem #19

Mar 162019

Forester 4-cyl

  • miles
Oil consumption regular oil changes every 5,000 miles bought car with just over 22,000 miles after only 30,000 miles heard knocking noise checked dip stick no oil know warning signs what so ever I.e. engine running hot, no oil light nothing.ever since takes a quart of oil every 1,000 miles.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #18

Jul 012019

Forester

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2013 Subaru Forester. Consumer writes in regards to oil consumption issue. The consumer stated the vehicle needed oil added in between oil changes. The manufacturer was notified and offered 1500 towards a new car or repair. The consumer was dissatisfied.

- Ruidoso, NM, USA

problem #17

Feb 272020

Forester

  • 65,250 miles
1. cars short block is replaced 4 days ago under warranty. The temperature dropped to -20 celcius (-25 celsius with wind chill) I started the car and it is making rattling noise. Although I always warm the car by for approx 5 min like last day, yet a continuous rattling noise is there, and I have a feeling that time-to-time it shake vigorously after short block replacement by the Subaru dealer. I have yet to contact the dealer for the issue. Presently vehicle is making rattling noise while stationary and all the time when in motion too. 2. seat belt receiver for driver and passenger side and literally bad; dealer refused to replace them under warrant. Although I put a little of lithium grease then-after they are working great.

- Ottawa, NY, USA

problem #16

Nov 112019

Forester

  • 107,000 miles
I took my car to the mechanic to have a busted radiator hose repaired. They found oil in the coolant tank, water in the oil tank, aka fluid cross-contamination and told me that I'd need a new engine. Then I got a second mechanic to concur. Then, I took to a Subaru dealer who said the short block of the engine is ok but the head gaskets would need replacing. The car has 107K miles on it! Subaru needs to be held accountable for this defect! as a note, no relevant dashboard lights ever illuminated. (2013 Forester, 1 owner)

- Clayton, MO, USA

problem #15

Aug 172019

Forester

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Lack of power when I try to accelerate. The vehicle feel does't go when I press the gas from getting out of stop for a 10 seconds.

- Sheboygan, WI, USA

problem #14

Apr 222019

Forester 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Forester. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and was able to restart. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. Consumer stated my safety and of those around me would be in jeopardy. There is a recall for an ignition switch on like models for just this type of occurrence, but not my VIN.

- Kenmore, NY, USA

problem #13

Mar 012019

Forester

  • 105,971 miles
Suspected blown gasket

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #12

Mar 012019

Forester

  • 109,856 miles
Blown head gasket

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #11

Sep 072017

Forester

  • 77,377 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Blown head gasket

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #10

Jul 082016

Forester

  • miles
After reading other complaints on this site - prompted me to write this. 2yrs into owning my car had oil consumption test done because it seemed the synthetic oil is disappearing. Was told car is fine. I still need to put oil in - in between changes. The engine has no leaks. I was told synthetic oil burns off when you drive a lot of miles. I feel this should be looked into.

- Freehold, NY, USA

problem #9

Sep 032018

Forester

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle is currently sitting at a local dealership with a bad motor that needs to be replaced. The engine failure correlates with the issues that Subaru has with this year model. I have tried unsuccessfully to come to terms with Subaru, I am moving forward with a lawsuit and all options afforded to me to ensure that Subaru is held responsible for their product.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #8

Aug 142018

Forester

  • 69,324 miles
Failed oil consumption test, engine had to be replaced.I have the same problem with my second Subaru Forester 2011 its engine had to be replaced too. In both cars I found the problems accidentally when I took the2011 to hve new tiers I asked them to check oil level found no oil on the stick filled it with 3 bottels of oil before I drove it to the dealer I feel that they should recall all Forester also I was not end a notice that they extended the warranty for this problem. Now they offer me 1000$ to apply for buying new Subaru

- Barberton, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 102018

Forester

  • 78,000 miles
I just received a call from mechanic after taking it in for oil change. There was no oil in the pan, dipstick clean! I do not have a leak as I park in garage and would see it. No indicator lights came on dash, which is a huge concern! looking back Subaru has had issues with oil burning up quickly. This needs to be fixed!

- Mogadore, OH, USA

problem #6

Jul 132018

Forester 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 55,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Forester. While driving approximately 30 mph in bumper to bumper traffic, the check engine indicator illuminated along with other unknown indicators. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the roadway. The contact opened the hood and observed flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and was towed to a tow yard. The contact called metrowest Subaru at (508) 651-2000 (located at 948 worcester St, natick, MA 01760), but no one answered the phone. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Westwood, MA, USA

problem #5

Jan 202018

Forester

  • 86,000 miles
I'm sorry, but I'm sending in another incident report as I just want to amend my prior incident report # 11064585. If you are able to access that you will see that my engine failed on my 2013 Subaru forrester. In the description I sent to you, I completely forgot to mention that the Subaru dealership told me that it would cost between $8,000 to $12,000 to fix this problem! I have three Kia's in my driveway, all with mileage over 125,000 and none of them have had this problem. I bought the Subaru for their reliability and dependability. Please add this to my prior case number file. Thanks so much.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

problem #4

Jan 202018

Forester

  • 86,000 miles
Subaru has 86K miles on it. We were driving down highway at about 60mph and the car started making a horrible clacking noise. The car died. We started it again, all the lights went on and the car died. It had to be pushed off into a parking lot. Car has been towed to a Subaru dealer and they are telling me that it has "catastrophic engine failure due to the 'rod bearings failing, all metal throughout my oil, and the short block (engine?) needs to be rebuilt." I really do not want this engine rebuilt nor do I want the car back. I need help! please contact me.

- Mansfield, MA, USA

problem #3

Aug 152016

Forester

  • 43,000 miles
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 on his heart and spine to mayo clinic to rochester, mn for chemo 2 times to take some pressure off of the family. In the middle of South Dakota, my oil light came on again. I changed the oil and filter. Oil light still on, even though totally full of oil, engine is still very hot. Did not sleep all night, worried about car. I went 35 mph on the highway to Subaru dealer in bismarck nd, and was told there is new oil sensor, no problems, drive on, would cost $175 to change sensor (my engine is still under warranty). My mileage dropped from 30 mpg to 25.5 mpg after dealership visit on way to rochester, and 27 mpg back to bismarck. Called Subaru dealer, was told it was the gas I was using. Called soa, basically waste of time. Changed oil and filter again. Drove to rochester, slightly better gas mileage, low oil light was on the entire way back. Added 1/2 qt. Called Subaru dealer about gas mileage drop told me it was the gas. Drove from bismark to Missouri to denver about 1200 miles. Oil light on after about 10 hours. Smelled burnt tar smell near engine. Checked oil in denver. Oil at low level of stick. Added about a qt. Going to dealer to see what can be done.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #2

Feb 072015

Forester

  • 19,600 miles
2013 Subaru Forester - constantly burning oil. Needs to be replenished often.

- Neenah, WI, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?