2024 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2024 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 29 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 9; Air Bags: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2024: 13; 2025: 10; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11567193 · 2024-01-23 (January 23, 2024)
The passenger air bag remains off per the indicator when my 5'3" 100lb wife sits in the seat. The system was inspected at Peoria Subaru in Peoria, AZ and no problem was found. The service manager told me the factory design is 105 lbs minimum before the air bag is on. I find no warning labels in the vehicle and nothing in the owners manual referencing a 105 lb minimum. In fact, the manual states that a jug of water in the passenger's seat will turn the air bag indicator from off to on. If federal regulations require a minimum weight, there s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11567193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11567690 · 2024-01-25 (January 25, 2024)
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000. The VIN was not available.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11567690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11569913 · 2024-02-05 (February 5, 2024)
Cracked windshield. Happened out of nowhere overnight.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11569913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11595264 · 2024-06-19 (June 19, 2024)
The airbag does not go on all the time when my wife is in the passenger seat. My wife weighs approximately 100lbs. We have been at the dealer 2x's and they say that the airbag is working perfectly. I disagree with them very strongly. We have had multiple cars and do not have this problem. We just traded in a Buick encore gx and no problem with the airbag. Subaru claims there is nothing more they can do.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11595264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11598651 · 2024-07-03 (July 3, 2024)
Vehicle: 2024 Subaru Forester Touring Date of Report: [July 3, 2024] What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? On June 19th, 2024 I noticed the side mirror of my 2024 Subaru Forester Touring has melted. This component is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The melting of the side mirror poses a potential risk of fire if it continues to deteriorate. This not only endangers the occupants of the vehicle but also poses a threat…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11598651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11599071 · 2024-07-05 (July 5, 2024)
This is the second windshield crack on my new 2024 Subaru Forester. I have only had the car 4 months. The first crack happened after I only had the car about 3 weeks, it was small and repairable. When I got in my car on 7/4/24, I noticed another crack, this one was good size, about 3 in long. I marked it with a marker to see if it became bigger while just parked, I checked it after a few hours and it had cracked about another inch and a half. When I bought the car they offered a windshield protection insurance which I thought was absolutely rid…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11599071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11614696 · 2024-09-15 (September 15, 2024)
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 headlight indicator will illuminate if the daytime running lights are on and only they are on. So, I have witnessed drivers many times past dusk, in nighttime conditions driving with no taillights, no side running lights, and no headlights, just low int…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11614696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11615194 · 2024-09-18 (September 18, 2024)
I was driving down the road and a bottle was thrown out of a vehicle going the opposite direction as me. Upon impact my windshield shattered and sent shards of glass flying into the cabin of my vehicle. The shards of glass were thrown into my face and would have gone into my eyes had I not been wearing glasses. The glass broke into small shards and splinters that could have easily damaged my eyes or blinded me or a passenger. When I took it to the dealership the staff was shocked by how easily a plastic bottle punctured through the windshield a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11615194 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V723000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2023-10-26 (October 26, 2023)
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: Subarus 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V754000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2023-11-09 (November 9, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗