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Electrical systemPart report

2023 Subaru Forester Electrical system Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
11%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 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2023 Subaru Forester, 11% of the 74 complaints for this model year. 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.

“Traveling at approximately 45 mph through a green light at a 4-way intersection a car making a right on red turn turned into the outside lane in front of me. I had no warning sounds or automatic braking, to avoid a collision I had to steer to the left after an on coming car passed. There were no chimes or auto braking.I have had several instances similar with no alerts. My eyesight system has been problematic for the life of the car and required many diagnosis and recalibration with many trips to the dealership and no permanent repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #11700531, filed 2025-11

“The vehicles battery does not hold a charge during short term, (3-5 weeks of storage). I understand that some prior years of Subaru vehicles have this same problem and there is currently a recall for this. I wonder if this battery problem exists in newer Subaru Foresters. When we purchased this vehicle as new we observed that the Dealership was having problems maintaining the charge on at least two other new Forester vehicles on display and had to replace the battery in one of these to start the vehicle and show it to other customers. …”

NHTSA complaint #11568075, filed 2024-01

“I was stopped at a red light when, suddenly, my car engine completely shut down, a loud and high-pitched alarm began to squeal and many alerts flashed on my screen. one of the alerts stated that the eye--sight was not functioning.The car would not move when the traffic light turned green and I applied the gas pedal. Cars behind me and those in oncoming traffic had to swerve around me. I was in the center lane of traffic. Fortunately, I was able to put the emergency blinkers on. The traffic light turned red again. It occurred to me to shift into park and attempt to restart the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11637465, filed 2025-01

“This vehicle has died 4 times in one week. when this happens, multiple lights have flashed in the dash board, including the eye sight warning. Then, it would not restart but continued to turn over when the ignition button was pushed. One instance was on a busy street at a stop light, another at a busy intersection in the inner left turn lane, the other 2 instances were in parking lots. The first 2 times the vehicle was able to be jump started and was not taken to the dealership. The 3rd, it was jump started and taken to the dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730548, filed 2026-04

“Currently suspected that the vehicle battery was installed incorrectly during assembly. Engine fire started at the battery wiring and vehicle was a total liss”

NHTSA complaint #11657516, filed 2025-04

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026824%
202599%
202413%
2023811%
20221111%
20213416%
202010317%
201913416%
20187114%
201710618%
20169322%
20158313%
20144210%
201334%
2012109%
2011117%
2010135%
20092212%
2008510%
200757%
200678%
200533%
200442%
200342%
200121%
200011%
199943%
199866%

Other parts of the 2023 Subaru Forester

Other or unknown
20 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
13 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Brakes
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 29, 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