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BrakesPart report

2023 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
8%of 74 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2023 Subaru Forester, 8% of the 74 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect regarding the driver-side footwell design in my 2023 Subaru Forester Sport, which poses an immediate and severe risk of a crash. A hard plastic lower extension for the HVAC air duct sits dangerously low directly above the brake and accelerator pedals. …”

NHTSA complaint #11754950, filed 2026-08

“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 highway! Another incident was on an off ramp in a curve, and another making a U-turn. This is not ok!”

NHTSA complaint #11706572, filed 2025-12

“I see black/gray spots on the headlights and sometimes I cannot detect if it is something in the road. Especially if it is raining. I called today for my maintenance and I am going to address this. Another issue that scared me to death. I was backing out of my garage, I was clear to continue backing but it kept beeping. Again I checked and nothing there, I began to continue and all of a sudden the car braked on its on hard. It was so alarming. I’m glad I was not in traffic. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #11611294, filed 2024-08

“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 brakes engaged. This is the second time it has engaged when it shouldn't have. The first time was in a right lane, a car about 6 car lengths in front of me was and did turn right as I was driving down the road. It almost caused an accident with the car behind me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11753115, filed 2026-07

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202613%
202566%
202413%
202368%
20221111%
202173%
2020142%
2019263%
2018143%
2017153%
2016297%
2015366%
2014318%
2013912%
20121615%
20112014%
20103714%
2009169%
200812%
200745%
200622%
200578%
200452%
2003105%
20021113%
20011612%
19991914%
19981515%

Other parts of the 2023 Subaru Forester

Other or unknown
20 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Lane departure
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2023 Subaru Forester

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology