POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
2024 Subaru Forester
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Subaru Forester, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and visibility categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 176 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2024 | 2 | 6 |
| Sep 2024 | 2 | 8 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 9 |
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 11 |
| Dec 2024 | 2 | 13 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 17 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 18 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 20 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 21 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2025 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 25 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 26 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 28 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 29 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags725.9%
- Driver assistance622.2%
- Visibility518.5%
- Exterior lighting27.4%
- Body & structure27.4%
- Engine13.7%
- Brakes13.7%
- Steering13.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
While driving my grandbaby home I was unable to avoid hitting a deer when it ran into the road. Neither the automatic braking nor the airbags deployed when I hit the deer at the front left side. It destroyed the headlight and damaged the fender and quarterpanel lightly and slightly bent the hood. I was able to pull over safely. When I got out to look at the damage, I could not open the hood but I could see a small flame on the passsenger side of the engine (this would be on the other side of the engine from where I hit the deer.) I grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of my car but could not get the fire out. I got my grandbaby out safely at that point. Another driver stopped and tried to get the fire out with his fire extinguisher but to no avail. We called 911 and the fire department promptly got there. By then the entire car was in flames. The fire dept put out the car and nearby weeds that were burning. Besides the safety equipment not working, what concerns me most is that a minor accident caused the entire car to become engulfed in flames within 3-4 minutes. I had enough time to get myself and my grandson out but not his carseat base or diaperbag. The car was burnt down to the frame.
- NHTSA ID
- 11757169
- Incident
- Aug 12, 2026
Windshield cracks/chips very easily even when nothing has touched it. I have had 4 cracks in less than 6 months with no reason as to why they are occurring and they are ALL on the driver side, NOTHING on passenger side, which seems very odd. This car was bought brand new in February 2025 and this should not be happening. I believe the windshield is faulty. There is a settlement but my 2024 is not included as it cuts off at 2022. but this is not ok and i can't keep submitting comprehensive windshield repair claims to my insurance.
- NHTSA ID
- 11733227
- Incident
- Apr 22, 2026
I am writing to formally request that the NTSB investigate an apparent defect in the EyeSight driver assistance system installed on the 2024 Subaru Forester. I have experienced repeated instances of unreliable and unsafe behavior, including unexpected alerts and the EyeSight system disengaging on multiple occasions, including during periods of bad weather. These issues occur in situations where the vehicle should continue to function normally and create a significant safety concern for drivers, passengers, and other road users. Given EyeSight’s role in collision avoidance and driver assistance, any defect poses an elevated risk of accidents. I believe this issue may be systemic rather than isolated and warrants independent review. I respectfully request that the NTSB investigate this matter and determine whether further action is necessary.
- NHTSA ID
- 11733185
- Incident
- Feb 13, 2026
4 Subarus and this is my 5th spontainious windshield crack (2nd on this vehicle).
- NHTSA ID
- 11715758
- Incident
- Feb 2, 2026
On the morning of December 13, 2026, an incident occurred involving our 2024 Subaru Forester. While attempting to make a right-hand turn, the vehicle failed to decelerate as expected and subsequently struck a utility pole. The vehicle’s safety systems did not appear to activate in an effort to prevent the collision, and the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained minor injuries, including a concussion. No vehicle inspections have been completed at this time. We are currently coordinating with the manufacturer to arrange a formal inspection. There were no warning indicators, malfunction lights, or known mechanical issues present prior to the incident.
- NHTSA ID
- 11711351
- Incident
- Dec 13, 2025
Took to Local dealership for 20,000 mile oil change. After the oil change the service advisor informed me of an oil leak on the right side of the engine. He could not confirm where the leak was from. I have scheduled to have it repaired under factory warranty. After researching on the internet it has been noted that the valve cover/ spark plug boot seals are known to split and cause an engine oil leak. I am concerned that this oil leak could come in contact with the exhaust manifold which may lead to an engine compartment fire. Would your administration department please check into this concern.
- NHTSA ID
- 11710142
- Incident
- Jan 10, 2026
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 just indicated that this is how it works.
- NHTSA ID
- 11706573
- Incident
- Dec 17, 2025
The driver side mirror is distorted. It is not only dizzying but I believe it to be a safety hazard. I have taken it into the dealership many times. They agree that it is distorted but stated that it is no different than other of that style. I have looked in the 2025 model and it does not have the same distortion. I feel that this makes the car dangerous to drive.
- NHTSA ID
- 11684899
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
This bulletin announces the service procedures to be followed when encountering instances of water intrusion from the sunroof area. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
This Announcement provides diagnostic assistance for CVT issues.
POWER TRAIN
This Service Information Bulletin announces the release of a new diagnostic assistance application for TR690 and TR580 CVT-equipped vehicles. This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Service Information Bulletin outlines a systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off, leading to no-start conditions or frequent jump-starts.This is an revised version of the original bulletin.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2025 | 93 | 3 | 0 | 61.8 |
| 2024Viewing | 29 | 2 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2023 | 73 | 1 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2022 | 98 | 1 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2021 | 207 | 0 | 0 | 42.9 |
| 2020 | 601 | 0 | 0 | 38.1 |
| 2019 | 833 | 3 | 0 | 49.4 |
| 2018 | 495 | 3 | 1 | 55.5 |
| 2017 | 587 | 1 | 1 | 51.7 |
| 2016 | 414 | 3 | 1 | 59.6 |
| 2015 | 613 | 3 | 0 | 52.7 |
| 2014 | 403 | 2 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2013 | 77 | 12 | 0 | 58.1 |
| 2012 | 105 | 15 | 0 | 58.3 |
| 2011 | 147 | 16 | 0 | 57.3 |
| 2010 | 262 | 17 | 0 | 54.7 |
| 2009 | 178 | 18 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2008 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 48.1 |
| 2007 | 74 | 1 | 1 | 52.7 |
| 2006 | 88 | 2 | 1 | 56.3 |
| 2005 | 93 | 1 | 1 | 48.8 |
| 2004 | 219 | 2 | 1 | 52.6 |
| 2003 | 189 | 3 | 1 | 54.1 |
| 2002 | 88 | 1 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2001 | 139 | 0 | 0 | 43.3 |
| 2000 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 39.0 |
| 1999 | 131 | 1 | 1 | 43.3 |
| 1998 | 101 | 1 | 0 | 44.6 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.