NHTSA has received 30 owner complaints about the 2024 Subaru Forester, or 10.8 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.27, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #17 of 89 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Subaru models its rate is 70% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 82% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2024-01-23 and 2026-10-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
30Complaints
10.8Complaints per year on the road
0.27Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
13.3%Share involving a crash or fire
8Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2023) drew 19.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2025) drew 54.3 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2024 model collected 23 complaints, 67% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Airbags & seat belts (23.3% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (23.3%) and Body & structure (20.0%). Airbags & seat belts complaints are 6.1 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 4 reports (13.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 13 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (50% of incidents). In the last 12 months 8 new complaints were filed, versus 14 in the 12 months before — down 43%.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.27
vs. other Subaru models0.3
vs. other 2024 models0.28
vs. other Compact SUVs0.18
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (23)0.33
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.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-08-15 · ODI 11757169 · Crash · Fire
I opened the back hatch of my 2024 Subaru Forester to retrieve an item. I then pressed the button to close the hatch. It was an extremely windy day and right when I pressed the button to close the hatch an empty grocery bag blew out of the car.
Body & structure · 2025-03-08 · ODI 11647168
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that after the rear driver’s side tire became flat, the temporary spare tire was mounted to the vehicle, and the vehicle was driven to the local auto service center.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770051
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.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-04-23 · ODI 11733185
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.
Unspecified or other · 2026-04-23 · ODI 11733227
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT Campaign 23V754000 · 2023-11-09
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Campaign 23V723000 · 2023-10-26
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
