2013 Subaru Forester: engine failure

6 of the 78 complaints about the 2013 Subaru Forester describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 86,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 102 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2025
1
2022
2
2021
4
2020
4
2019
10
2018
5
2017
4
2016
5
2015
16
2014
8
2013
6
2012
7
2011
12
2010
4
2009
10
2007
1
2006
1
2005
1
2004
2
2003
2
2002
1
2001
1
2000
2
1999
6
1998
1

What owners say

Filed Aug 5, 2023 · Engine · PA

On 7/31/23 I was driving on the highway when I started to hear a knocking sound. I got off the highway and my car stalled at the light off the exit. I was able to restart it after three tries and get it about 50 ft to the shoulder. At that point there was smoke coming from under the hood. I called AAA and had it towed to a nearby garage. They told me it had to go to the dealer because it likely needed a new engine. They said that the oil had mixed with the antifreeze. The dealer stated it needed a new engine. It was a catastrophic engine failure. I never had any warning (no panel lights ever illuminated) of any issue with the oil or engine issues. I feel very lucky that I did not have an accident due to this sudden failure. The cost of the repairs is estimated between $9,000 and $15,000 on a vehicle that is supposed to last 250K. It currently has 98K miles on it. My biggest complaint is there was never any warning of this. I feel that is a failure of the electronic system that should have alerted me of engine issues and a defective engine. I also filed a complaint with Subaru but have not heard from them yet.

Filed Nov 14, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 107,000 miles · MO

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)

Filed Nov 10, 2018 · Engine · 130,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 86,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Engine · 86,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Sep 11, 2014 · Engine · 28,000 miles · NC

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 discovered the low oil level. I have come to find out there is a class action suit against subaru america over this costly problem. I'm told by subaru that after a compression test they will change the piston rings however I'm told by my mechanic that the piston rings are damaged by low oil and does not fix the problem. This complaint is prompted after I discovered the hords of complaints online regarding subaru's oil consumption problem. I feel that subaru is putting a bandaid over the problem and safety is in fact an issue as people have had complete engine failure and others have spent thousands of dollars fixing damage to other areas of the engine because of low oil. There should be a recall.