VehicleVerdict

2024 Subaru Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2024 Subaru Forester is among the quieter years of the Forester on NHTSA's books: 38 complaints (76% below the model's median year), 2 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (9), driver assistance (9), and airbags (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

38

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2024 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2024 highlighted1,084 complaints1998: 138 complaints1999: 156 complaints2000: 95 complaints2001: 169 complaints2002: 109 complaints2003: 238 complaints2004: 270 complaints2005: 105 complaints2006: 121 complaints2007: 89 complaints2008: 67 complaints2009: 228 complaints2010: 307 complaints2011: 195 complaints2012: 140 complaints2013: 94 complaints2014: 576 complaints2015: 891 complaints2016: 609 complaints2017: 787 complaints2018: 669 complaints2019: 1,084 complaints2020: 798 complaints2021: 281 complaints2022: 134 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 103 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2024 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2024 Subaru Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance924%
Other924%
Airbags616%
Visibility & Wipers513%
Lighting25%
Brakes13%
Electrical System13%
Steering13%
Body & Structure13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Speed Control13%
Engine13%

Does the 2024 Subaru Forester have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V754000TransmissionNovember 9, 2023 · 4,701 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.

Consequence

A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRP-23.

23V723000EngineOctober 26, 2023 · 49 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Forester vehicles. The engine water pipe may have loose attachment bolts, allowing the pipe to lose its seal and leak coolant.

Consequence

Leaking coolant can contact a hot exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Subaru’s independent distributor processing facilities will tighten the water pipe attachment bolts. The affected vehicles have not been delivered to dealers or sold to owners and therefore, no owner notification letters will be sent. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRO-23.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The eyesight system fails on almost a daily basis. When this happens, multiple safety features shutdown. Lane assist and departure warning stops working. Collision avoidance stops working. Cruise control stops working. Proximity warning alarms stop going off. The local dealership has repeatedly…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 17, 2025

“What Component or system failed or malfunctioned. A control system (I am guessing a computer or software problem occurred. The car had a sudden unexpected acceleration. On [XXX] my 2024 Subaru Forester Sport while completing parking in a parking spot had a sudden unintended acceleration event. My…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 30, 2024 · crash

“The Car is available for Inspection. Front Passenger Side Air Bag. When My Wife Sits in the Front Passenger Seat, The Air Bag indicator Indicates the Air Bag System is Off. This Means My Wife seated in the front passenger seat is not protected by the air bag system, this is un acceptable. This…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 25, 2023

“On 6/10/2025 noticed a small crack on the left side drivers windshield when getting ready to go to work. Nothing hit it that I know of, it just appeared one afternoon. Since then the crack has been growing and blocking drivers view. This is 2024 Subaru Forester. There is a won lawsuit for Subaru…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 10, 2025

“When the daytime running lights are on in normal conditions, the instrument panel little green headlight indicator does not illuminate. But in low light conditions such as the thunderstorms we get here in Florida very often, or at dusk as the ambient light starts to lessen, the instrument panel…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 10, 2024

2024 Subaru Forester — common questions

Is the 2024 Subaru Forester reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 38 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Forester year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2024 Forester problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (9 complaints), driver assistance (9 complaints), airbags (6 complaints).

Does the 2024 Subaru Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2024 Subaru Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Forester years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Forester years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2017, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2010, 2021, 2004, 2003. The cleanest record among Forester years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2024 Subaru Forester?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2024 Subaru Forester earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.